Iran war: Trump demands Tehran accept peace plan as Israel claims senior commander death

Former U.S. president Donald Trump urged Iran to accept a negotiated settlement as Israeli forces said they killed a senior Iranian commander near Isfahan, officials confirmed.

Trump delivered the warning during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, according to three White House sources briefed on the conversation.

The statement came hours after Israel reported its aircraft struck a convoy travelling south from Tehran. Regional tensions spiked after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israeli bases on Sunday.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the overnight strike killed Brigadier General Reza Mousavi, a logistics officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Mousavi coordinated weapons transfers to Hezbollah,” Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv.

Iranian state media denied Mousavi’s death. “The general is alive and performing his duties,” IRNA quoted an unnamed defence ministry official as saying.

Trump told Netanyahu the United States would back Israeli defensive action but urged against strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, said two sources familiar with the call. “The former president suggested a limited response to maintain diplomatic space,” one source said.

Netanyahu’s office released a one-line statement confirming the leaders “discussed regional developments”. The White House declined to comment on private conversations.

Military analysts said Israel targeted IRGC facilities near Natanz. Satellite images showed damage to three buildings at a depot 12 km southeast of the uranium enrichment plant, according to the Institute for Science and International Security.

Iran fired 52 missiles at Israeli airbases on Sunday, wounding 2 civilians and causing minor damage, the Israeli military reported. The attack followed Israeli raids on Iranian positions in Syria that killed 11 officers last week.

Trump’s intervention marked his first public stance on the confrontation since leaving office. The Republican candidate leads President Joe Biden by 3 points in national polling, Reuters/Ipsos data showed.

Biden administration officials urged de-escalation. “We don’t want to see this spiral,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC News. The Pentagon moved a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean, defence officials confirmed.

Oil prices surged 4.2% to $91.60 per barrel, the highest level since October. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed as insurers raised war risk premiums, ship brokers Braemar reported.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called an emergency meeting of bloc ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday. “Diplomatic channels remain open,” Borrell said.

China’s foreign ministry urged restraint. “All parties should avoid steps that escalate the situation,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing.

Russia offered to mediate. Deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Moscow contacted both capitals, the RIA news agency reported.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned of “further response” if Israel continues attacks. “The resistance front stands ready,” he said in a televised address.

Hezbollah fired 15 rockets at northern Israel on Tuesday, causing no casualties, the Israeli military said. The Lebanese group earlier claimed roadside bomb attacks on Israeli patrols.

Israeli forces struck Hezbollah observation posts near the border village of Ayta ash Shab, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. No injuries were confirmed.

Background

Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war for decades through proxies and covert operations. The conflict intensified after Israel began targeting Iranian military advisers in Syria in 2017.

Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and imposed maximum sanctions. President Biden tried to revive negotiations but talks stalled in 2022 over Iranian demands.

What’s Next

Netanyahu meets his security cabinet on Wednesday to discuss response options. Iranian lawmakers demanded a stronger reaction if Israel launches additional strikes, state television reported.

Western intelligence services monitor Iranian missile deployments for signs of expanded attacks. Diplomats at the United Nations expect emergency Security Council deliberations by Thursday.