Israel Strikes Targets Across Iran as Trump Urges De-escalation

Early Monday, Israel conducted a series of retaliatory airstrikes across central and western Iran, with explosions reported in major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj. The strikes followed an earlier Iranian missile launch toward Israel. In response to the aerial activity, Iranian authorities temporarily grounded commercial flights and closed the airspace around Tehran’s primary international airport. While Israel’s military confirmed the interception of incoming Iranian missiles, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any further escalation—particularly regarding Israeli actions in Lebanon—would result in "crushing and regretful blows." President Donald Trump has reportedly taken a direct role in managing the crisis, advising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against further retaliatory strikes. According to recent reports, Trump informed Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in offensive operations against Iran, emphasizing his goal of reaching a "final deal" with Tehran. Netanyahu has reportedly accepted this position for the time being, signaling a potential pause in direct state-on-state kinetic actions. The conflict continues to ripple through regional proxy theaters. In Yemen, Houthi rebels announced a renewed commitment to blocking Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns over maritime security and global insurance costs. Meanwhile, the IRGC has explicitly linked its military posture to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, suggesting that Iran's response to Israel is no longer limited to direct bilateral exchanges but is tied to the broader regional front.