Key facts
- Israel struck military targets and a petrochemical plant in Iran on Monday.
- The strikes occurred despite Donald Trump publicly urging both Israel and Iran to halt hostilities.
- Israel's action aimed to assert its interests in ongoing U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.
- Iran had previously fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
- Trump stated he controls decisions regarding Iran and that Netanyahu would have no choice but to accept a deal.
Israel launched renewed strikes on Iran on Monday, targeting military sites and a petrochemical plant, in an apparent defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for a halt to hostilities. This action signals Israel's intent to have its interests considered in the U.S.-led peace negotiations with Iran, from which it has been largely excluded.
The exchange of strikes began after Iran fired missiles at Israel, which Tehran stated was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital. Trump had publicly urged both nations to cease fire, asserting that he controls the decision-making process regarding Iran and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have no choice but to accept a negotiated settlement.
Despite Trump's admonitions, Israel proceeded with its strikes, aiming to establish that Iran should not dictate future Israeli actions in Lebanon. A senior Israeli defense official noted that Israel could not accept Iranian strikes on Israel as a justifiable response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Netanyahu convened security officials to discuss the goals of the escalation, including preserving Israel's right to attack Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Analysts suggest that while Israel can strike Iran independently, sustaining such a campaign would require U.S. support. The recent events highlight strains between Trump and Netanyahu, with Netanyahu reportedly acknowledging limited influence over Trump's decisions on Iran. Both Israel and Iran announced a halt to the exchange shortly after Trump's intervention, though both left the door open for potential resumption.