Iran fired multiple waves of missiles at Israel on Monday, triggering air raid sirens in cities including Tel Aviv, the Israeli military reported. The strikes tore gaping holes in a multi-storey apartment building, though it was not immediately clear whether the damage resulted from a direct hit or debris from intercepted missiles. Rescue teams searched for civilians trapped in one building and located others in shelters in damaged structures.
Israel’s military said its fighter jets carried out a large wave of airstrikes in central Tehran on Sunday, targeting command centers, including facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence arm and the Iranian Intelligence Ministry. More than 50 additional targets, including ballistic missile storage and launch sites, were hit overnight.
The attacks come after US President Donald Trump announced a five-day postponement of planned strikes on Iran’s power plants, following “very good and productive” discussions with Iranian officials about resolving hostilities in the region. The pause, Trump said, applies only to energy infrastructure, while other US strikes continue. The president also noted that his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner had held discussions with top Iranian officials.
Iran, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched military operations on 28 February, has threatened to target infrastructure of US allies, escalating fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies. The strait is a critical passage for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
The announcement of Trump’s pause initially pushed global share prices higher and sent oil prices below $100 per barrel. However, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, disputed Trump’s claims of negotiations, describing them as false reports intended to manipulate markets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said fresh attacks on US targets were underway, calling Trump’s statements “psychological operations” with no effect on Tehran’s actions.
The conflict continues to affect global markets. Brent crude futures rose 4.2 percent to $104.21 per barrel, while US crude gained 4.3 percent to $91.93 per barrel, partially reversing sharp declines from the previous day. Analysts described the situation as “incredibly fragile,” with energy markets particularly sensitive to developments in the strait.
Diplomatic efforts appear to be ongoing, though indirect. European and Pakistani officials said Egypt, Pakistan, and Gulf states are relaying messages between Washington and Tehran. Pakistani authorities indicated that US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner, could meet Iranian representatives in Islamabad this week. Pakistan has expressed willingness to host talks, emphasizing dialogue as a path to regional stability.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry said its foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, discussed developments in the Strait of Hormuz with his Omani counterpart and agreed to continue consultations. Officials have not confirmed direct talks with the US, leaving uncertainty over the timing and scope of potential diplomatic breakthroughs.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with ongoing military exchanges, energy disruptions, and tentative diplomatic efforts creating a highly unstable regional environment.
