Israeli-Iranian Attacks Continue as Trump Claims Conflict Can Be Easily Resolved

Despite calls for restraint to de-escalate the situation, attacks and bombings between Israel and Iran continue unabated. Iran has canceled the sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States that were scheduled to take place in Oman, stating that negotiations are "meaningless" under the bombardment from Israel. Over the weekend, Israel conducted a series of bombings against Iran, targeting a defense facility and several fuel depots. The Israeli military reported that its air force attacked "over 80" targets in Tehran on Saturday night.
Iran alleged that Israeli strikes ignited fires at its oil storage facilities and attacked its Ministry of Defense. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that, following the Israeli strikes, Iran partially suspended production at the South Pars gas field, which is one of the largest natural gas fields in the world.
An Israeli official stated that Israel still has numerous targets in Iran and refused to disclose how long the current offensive would continue. The Israeli military has warned Iranian residents living near military facilities to evacuate.
Trump praised Israel's military action on social media while denying Iranian claims of U.S. involvement. He warned Tehran against expanding any retaliation to American facilities and emphasized that if the U.S. were attacked, the armed forces would respond with unprecedented force.
Additionally, Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached to end the violent conflict between Israel and Iran, stating that many talks are underway, and that peace between the two countries is achievable.
The U.S. has been negotiating with Iran to ensure its commitment to strictly limit its nuclear program, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Israel views Iran's nuclear ambitions as a potential existential threat.
In the latest Iranian attacks, at least ten Israelis have died. Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem and Haifa after 11 PM on Saturday, with about a million people taking shelter in air defense facilities. Early Sunday morning, missiles lit up the sky with explosions resonating in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Iranian military stated it targeted refueling stations of Israeli warplanes as retaliation.
The Houthi group, allied with Iran, also claimed to have fired ballistic missiles towards Jaffa near Tel Aviv, marking the first indication of Iranian allies joining the conflict. Israeli authorities reported that at least ten people died from Iranian strikes on Saturday night and early Sunday morning, including three children, with over 140 injured. Since the onset of Iranian retaliatory attacks, at least 13 Israelis have died, and more than 350 have been injured.
The resurgence of direct conflict between these historical adversaries raises concerns of a prolonged conflict that could engulf the entire Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to strike every target associated with the “Khamenei regime,” while Iran warned of “more severe reprisals.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency announced last Thursday that Iran had violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel aims to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and eliminate its ballistic missile capabilities.
German Chancellor Merz stated over the weekend that Iran “must never” be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. A spokesperson noted that this sentiment was expressed during a conversation with the Sultan of Oman.
Additionally, Cypriot President Christodoulides reported on Sunday that Iran requested Cyprus to convey a message to Israel, although specific details were not disclosed. His office stated that he had spoken with Netanyahu as well as with leaders from Egypt, the UAE, and Greece.
Christodoulides also expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's slow response to the crisis in the Middle East, noting that Cyprus is the EU member closest to the region and that Iranian missiles aimed at Israel could be observed launched from various locations in Cyprus. Cyprus has requested a special meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council and has proactively offered to assist in evacuating third-country nationals from the area, urging all parties to avoid actions that could escalate the conflict.