Live updates: Iran attacks Israel and Gulf states, plays down Trump peace talks claim

Iran attacks Israel with missiles, Gulf states report cross-border fire after Trump peace claim

Iran launched missile attacks against Israel and Gulf states on Tuesday while rebuffing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion of imminent peace talks, according to officials and state media.

Israel’s military confirmed at least 180 projectiles crossed from Iranian territory, with some striking residential areas near Tel Aviv. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported drone incursions that activated air defences, though no casualties were announced.

The barrage followed Trump’s declaration that Tehran had agreed to “immediate negotiations” to curb its nuclear programme. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the claim as “pure fantasy” in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said interceptor batteries destroyed “the majority” of incoming missiles. He told reporters that 12 people received treatment for shrapnel wounds and shock.

Tensions escalated after Israeli strikes killed 4 Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Syria last week. Tehran vowed retaliation, prompting Washington to deploy extra fighter jets to the region.

U.S. President Joe Biden convened a National Security Council meeting at the White House. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Biden ordered additional naval assets to the eastern Mediterranean.

Saudi state media reported that Patriot batteries intercepted 2 drones over Dhahran. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said oil output was unaffected and production facilities operated normally.

Background

Iran and Israel have traded blows through proxies since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Direct confrontations remained rare until 2018, when Israel began bombing Iranian targets in Syria.

Tehran’s nuclear advances triggered renewed sanctions after the U.S. exited the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Diplomatic channels collapsed, and Israel opposed any revival that would leave uranium enrichment intact.

What’s Next

The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency session for Wednesday. Diplomats said the United States circulated a draft condemning Iran and urging restraint, though Russia indicated it would block any binding measure.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that further Israeli strikes would be met with “broader retaliation.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “exact a price” during a televised address to the nation.