Military operations intensified on Tuesday even as US President Donald Trump announced surprising negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Middle East war. American and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, combined with Iranian missile attacks on Israel, continued unabated, suggesting that the military conflict shows no signs of de-escalating despite diplomatic overtures. The contradiction between diplomatic announcements and military escalation underscores the deep mistrust between the parties and the complexity of achieving a negotiated settlement.
The announcements of peace talks came amid widespread destruction across the region, with casualties mounting in Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and the broader Persian Gulf area.
Continued Airstrikes and Missile Attacks
Israeli air defense services reported treating four injured persons in Tel Aviv after what Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai described as a “direct hit” by an Iranian missile. The strike damaged a three-story building in an upscale northern Tel Aviv neighborhood, with debris scattered across the area according to an AFP correspondent who witnessed the scene.
Multiple media outlets, including military radio, reported that damage resulted from a cluster munition missile equipped with three to four warheads, each carrying approximately 100 kilograms of explosives.
Pattern of Multiple Alerts
Since midnight Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded seven times warning of Iranian missiles in central and southern Israel, while sirens sounded at least six times in the north following detection of projectiles from Lebanon.
Iranian Missile Strikes Continue
Iranian state television announced the launch of missile attacks, stating that “Iranian missiles penetrated several missile defenses.”
Later Tuesday, Israeli emergency services reported three wounded persons—including an infant—from Iranian rocket fire targeting the Negev region in southern Israel. Israeli media reported the injured were Bedouin civilians, including a man in his forties with moderate injuries to his extremities, a 26-year-old woman, and a child approximately two months old with minor injuries.
Regional Military Operations
In the Persian Gulf, the UAE Defense Ministry announced the death of a Moroccan civilian contractor with the UAE armed forces in an Iranian missile attack during a “routine mission” alongside Bahrain defense forces. Bahrain reported injuries to several Bahraini and Emirati military personnel in the attack.
Saudi Arabia announced destruction of at least 20 drones, while the Kuwaiti military reported intercepting missiles and drones.
Significant Casualties in Iraq
In Iraq, a Popular Mobilization Forces source reported the death of 15 of its fighters, including Anbar Province operations commander Saad Dawi, in an American airstrike on one of its positions—the deadliest single incident since the war began on February 28.
A PMF fighter was injured when his office in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq was struck by “Zionist-American bombing,” resulting in its destruction.
Six elements of the Peshmerga forces in Iraq’s Kurdistan region were killed in rocket attacks that regional authorities attributed to Iran.
Mounting Casualties Across Iraq
The escalation in Iraq reflects that the conflict has expanded beyond the Israeli-Iranian theaters to include US military operations and various armed factions across the country.
Israeli Announcement of “Broad-Scale” Strikes
The Israeli military announced launching “broad-scale” strikes on multiple Iranian areas, including the city of Isfahan in central Iran.
American and Israeli airstrikes targeted two energy facilities in Isfahan and Khorramshahr (southwest), according to Iran’s Farsi news agency.
Scope of Military Operations
The simultaneous announcements of peace negotiations and expansion of military strikes suggest that both sides are preparing for potential escalation while maintaining diplomatic channels.
Trump’s Conditions and Timeline
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he would wait five more days before implementing strikes he threatened on electricity plants and other infrastructure in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened to maritime traffic.
Trump stated he will execute his threat if negotiations fail.
Trump spoke Monday of “very good” negotiations with a senior Iranian official he did not name. News site Axios suggested the official might be Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Contradiction Between Statements and Actions
The continuation of military operations while announcing a negotiating pause reflects the fundamental mistrust between the parties and their skepticism about each other’s commitment to peace.
Iranian Denial of Negotiations
Parliament Speaker Qalibaf denied the allegations on X, stating “no negotiations with the United States have taken place, and false news is being used to manipulate financial and oil markets and to get out of the quagmire in which the United States and Israel are trapped.”
Israeli Prime Minister’s Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “President Trump believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the Israeli and American militaries to achieve the war’s objectives in an agreement that would protect our vital interests.”
Reports of Possible Pakistani Venue for Talks
Axios reported the possibility that American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner might meet an Iranian delegation this week in Pakistan.
White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt did not deny this information but told AFP that such “speculation” should not “be considered confirmed unless officially announced by the White House.”
Pakistan and Other Nations Offer Mediation
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Tuesday that Islamabad is prepared to host negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated Tuesday that the American president called him to discuss the Middle East war, noting that India “supports de-escalation and restoration of peace as soon as possible.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated Tuesday that “negotiation is better than confrontation” during a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
International Legal Criticism
In Berlin, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke Tuesday of a “deep disagreement” with the United States and described the US-Israeli war against Iran as a “violation of international law.”
Jordanian King Abdullah II affirmed that any “agreement to stop the war” in the Middle East must “guarantee the security of Arab states,” according to a royal court statement.
Iran Makes Security Appointment
Iran appointed Tuesday former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, succeeding Ali Larijani, according to state television.
Israeli Plans for Lebanon Security Zone
In Lebanon, where the war has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and one million displaced persons, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced Tuesday that Israeli forces will establish a “security zone” in the south extending to the Litani River—approximately 30 kilometers deep from the border.
Katz stated that displaced residents “will not return to south of the Litani River until the security of northern” Israel is assured.
Israeli Model for Occupation
Katz indicated that the Israeli military is “following the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” which experienced massive destruction during the Gaza war and now remain under Israeli military control.
He said this means the Israeli military will destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon “as well as homes in Lebanese border towns that serve as forward bases for terrorism.”
Expanding Destruction in Lebanon
Many border towns remain empty of residents and largely destroyed since the last confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah ended with a ceasefire in November 2024.
Explosions were heard Tuesday in multiple areas north of Beirut, including the coastal town of Jounieh, which is considered removed from the ongoing war, according to residents and media. A military source suggested the explosions resulted from interception of an Iranian cluster missile.
Widening Impact of Conflict
The expansion of military operations to previously safe areas reflects how the conflict has become increasingly difficult to contain geographically.
Lebanese Diplomatic Response
Israel’s Air Force conducted seven nighttime strikes on Beirut’s southern suburb, Hezbollah’s stronghold. Direct footage broadcast by AFP showed thick plumes of smoke. Israeli aircraft also struck the town of Bishamoun southeast of the capital, resulting in two deaths according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, and targeted multiple areas of southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday the withdrawal of accreditation of the Iranian ambassador in Beirut and demanded his departure, following accusations by Lebanese officials that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is directing Hezbollah operations in the war with Israel.
Lebanese Action Against Iran
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed this decision Tuesday, considering the move “justified and necessary” and urging Beirut to take action against Hezbollah.
France also welcomed the decision, describing it as a “courageous” action.
Uncertainty About Iranian Negotiator Identity
Trump spoke of a “first-tier” figure in Iranian leadership who commands “great respect” and is conducting talks with the United States aimed at reaching an agreement ending the war.
Questions surround the identity of this prominent figure seeking to negotiate Iran’s future with the United States approximately three weeks into the Israeli-American war against the Islamic Republic.
Trump said the person is not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei after the latter’s death on the first day of the war on February 28.
Possible Candidates for Negotiations
Five possible figures have been identified:
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iranian Parliament Speaker: Analysts suggest Qalibaf has become Iran’s de facto leader during wartime after Khamenei and Larijani’s deaths and given Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence from public view. However, he denied being in negotiations.
President Masoud Pezeshkian: Viewed as belonging to the more moderate wing of Iranian politics, but his presidential position does not mean he is the top decision-maker, as ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Leader.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: Represented Iran in talks with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Oman last month that failed to end the war. New York Times reported Tuesday that Araghchi and Witkoff held “direct contact” in recent days to discuss “ways to de-escalate the conflict.”
Revolutionary Guard Commander Ahmad Vahidi: Former Interior and Defense Minister Vahidi is the third Revolutionary Guard commander in less than a year after his predecessors were killed. He has remained cautious during the war and has not appeared publicly.
Quds Force Commander Ismail Qaani: An enigmatic figure who became Quds Force commander after Qasem Soleimani’s 2020 death, Qaani issued his first wartime message on March 20, predicting Iran would soon witness “shameful defeat” of its enemies.
Conclusion:
The continuation of military operations despite diplomatic announcements creates a paradoxical situation where talks of peace coincide with escalating warfare. The simultaneous expansion of airstrikes, missile attacks, ground operations, and announcements of negotiations reflect the fundamental contradiction at the heart of the conflict: neither side appears genuinely ready to accept a negotiated settlement that would require significant concessions. The true test of whether negotiations are genuine will come in the coming days when Trump’s five-day pause expires and whether military operations resume. Until that moment, the region remains suspended between the rhetoric of peace and the reality of escalating warfare.
