Israel and Iran Exchange Strikes on War's 100th Day, Threatening Fragile Ceasefire
Israel and Iran traded direct military strikes on Monday morning in their most serious confrontation since an April ceasefire, with Iran later declaring an end to operations but warning of harsher responses if attacks on Lebanon continue. President Trump urged both sides to stop fighting and seek immediate peace negotiations.
Escalation and Strikes
Israel launched strikes on central and western Iran early Monday in response to missile fire from Tehran and Iran retaliated with waves of attacks, in the most serious crossfire since an April 8 ceasefire was reached. Monday marked the 100th day of the Iran war, launched Feb. 28 when Israel and the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted two military bases in Israel, describing the attacks as being part of Operation Nasr, or "Victory." The Guard said it launched the missiles after Israel targeted radar sites in three areas of Iran. Israel and Iran both said Israel hit an Iranian petrochemical plant.
Trump's Diplomatic Pressure
A senior U.S. official on Sunday said U.S. President Donald Trump had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge him not to retaliate immediately for the Iranian missile attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a private phone call, said that Trump believed he had convinced Netanyahu to wait. Trump "got Bibi to hold off for the time being," the official said.
US President Donald Trump says both Israel and Iran want "an immediate ceasefire" but warns that "stupidity" could thwart a peaceful resolution. "Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE!" he writes on Truth Social. "Final negotiations on 'Peace' are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a 'Final Deal' is reached."
Fragile Path Forward
Iran announces that it is halting attacks on Israel, but threatens a further response if the Israeli military continues "aggression" in Lebanon. "The cessation of armed forces operations is announced," Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's emergency military command, says in a statement carried by Iranian media. "However, it is emphasized that if the aggression and acts of malice continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will be forthcoming," the statement adds.
The war raged until the two sides reached a nominal ceasefire on April 8, but a permanent end to the hostilities have been challenged by Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas once passed in peacetime, as well as fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.