Iran Attacks Israel: Airstrikes & Gulf Tensions Rise

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Airstrikes hit Iran and Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israel’s Tel Aviv and sites across the Mideast on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with the Islamic Republic to end the war.

Iran-Israel War: Talks Underway Amid Escalating Attacks

With thousands of U.S. Marines en route to the Gulf, and both sides exchanging barrages of fire, the war’s tempo remained high a day after Trump delayed his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s control of the crucial waterway has disrupted international shipping and caused fuel prices to surge, threatening the global economy.

Pakistan offered to host diplomatic talks, but Iran remained defiant, vowing to fight “until complete victory.”

Any talks between the U.S. and Iran would face significant challenges. Washington’s evolving list of objectives – particularly regarding Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs – are difficult to achieve. It is also unclear who within the Iranian government has the authority or willingness to negotiate, especially after Israel vowed to continue targeting leaders following the killing of several officials.

Iran remains deeply suspicious of the United States, which launched attacks during high-level diplomatic talks twice under the Trump administration, including the strikes on Feb. 28 that initiated the current conflict.

Pakistan Offers to Facilitate Talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that his country is prepared to “facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks” to end the war.

The U.S. had “in principle” agreed to join talks in Pakistan, according to three Pakistani officials, one Egyptian official, and a Gulf diplomat. Mediators are still working to persuade Iran. The Pakistani officials noted that the “quiet diplomacy” became more complicated after news of it leaked.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details with the media. The State Department declined to comment on the reported efforts, referring instead to Trump’s statements about direct talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s office stated he has been discussing the war this week with his counterparts in several countries. However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the idea of negotiations as “fakenews,” and an Iranian military spokesman issued a defiant statement.

“Iran’s powerful armed forces are proud, victorious and steadfast in defending Iran’s integrity, and this path will continue until complete victory,” Iranian state television quoted Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi as saying Tuesday.

Aliabadi did not specify what “victory” would entail, but the Iranian military may be attempting to discourage concessions in any potential negotiations.

The Egyptian official said efforts are focused on “trust-building” between the U.S. and Iran, with the goal of achieving a pause in fighting. Israel is not involved.

The official, involved in the efforts, said the priority is to prevent attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran and Gulf Arab countries and that they were working on a “mechanism” for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Discussion of negotiations briefly lowered oil prices and boosted stocks. However, the respite was short-lived, with Brent crude, the international standard, rising back over $100 a barrel Tuesday, a nearly 40% increase since the war began.

Attacks Intensify Across the Region

Israel said it carried out extensive strikes on Iranian “production sites,” without providing further details. A large blast was heard in northern Tehran, and another in the city center.

Iran fired at least 10 waves of missiles at Israel. First responders reported a 40-year-old man in moderate condition and a woman and two-month-old baby with minor injuries in an attack in southern Israel.

In Tel Aviv, a missile with a 100-kilogram (220-pound) warhead struck a city center street, damaging an apartment building and creating smoke. Four people sustained minor wounds, according to rescue worker Yoel Moshe.

“It feels like you’re a (sitting) duck,” said Amir Hasid, emerging from a shelter.

In Kuwait, air defense shrapnel hit power lines, causing partial electricity outages for several hours. Bahrain reported being attacked with missiles and drones, resulting in the death of an Emirati soldier serving with its forces. The United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems responded to similar attacks, and Saudi Arabia stated it destroyed Iranian drones targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province.

Israel targeted infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs. A strike on a residential apartment southeast of the Lebanese capital killed at least three people, including a 3-year-old girl, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Five more people were killed in the south.

Lebanon declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata and ordered him to leave by Sunday.

Lebanon has banned Iranian flights, fearing they would carry weapons or funding for Hezbollah, and some Lebanese government officials have criticized Tehran’s role, accusing it of drawing Lebanon into another war with Israel.

Authorities report more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, and over 1 million displaced. Iran’s death toll has surpassed 1,500, according to its Health Ministry. In Israel, 15 people have been killed. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed, along with more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states.

U.S. Marines Deployed to the Persian Gulf

Trump’s announcement coincided with the deployment of thousands of Marines to the region, raising speculation that the U.S. may attempt to seize Kharg Island, a vital part of Iran’s oil network. The U.S. bombed the Persian Gulf island over a week ago, hitting its defenses but leaving oil infrastructure intact.

Iran has threatened to mine the Gulf if the U.S. appears to be preparing to land troops.

Trump said he would postpone a threat to bomb Iran’s power stations while talks proceed—a delay that could be intended to allow the Marines to arrive, according to an analysis by the New York-based Soufan Center.

However, the center also noted that “Trump could be actively seeking an offramp.”

Trump has stated he has no plans to send ground forces into Iran but has not ruled it out. Israel has suggested its ground forces could participate in the war.

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Rising reported from Bangkok and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.