Iran has refused to take part in any ceasefire talks while under Israeli attack, a senior Iranian official confirmed Monday, as missiles continue to rain across both nations. Iranian strikes hit Tel Aviv and Haifa before dawn, killing at least five people and wounding more than 100, according to Israel’s national emergency services.
The missile attacks came in response to Israel’s earlier strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile sites. Fires broke out at a Haifa power plant, and homes near Tel Aviv’s Shuk HaCarmel market were flattened. Missiles also damaged buildings close to the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv, though no injuries to American staff were reported. Several areas, including schools and residential streets, were left in ruins.
In a dramatic move, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards revealed they used a new method to confuse Israeli defense systems, causing some layers to accidentally engage each other. They claimed this strategy allowed for “maximum” hits, despite Western support and advanced technology defending Israeli skies. Israel’s Iron Dome system, while highly effective, has not proven foolproof in this escalation.
The rising death toll and widespread destruction have sparked international concern. G7 leaders gathered in Canada, with the Iran-Israel conflict topping their agenda. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for avoiding further escalation while protecting Israel’s right to defend itself. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said, “I hope there’s going to be a deal,” but admitted that “sometimes they have to fight it out.”
While the U.S. denied direct involvement in the Israeli attacks, American forces reportedly helped intercept some Iranian missiles. Trump also blocked Israel’s recent plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to prevent further escalation. However, he warned Iran not to target U.S. assets, urging the country to return to nuclear negotiations—talks that Iran canceled due to the ongoing Israeli assault.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian told parliament his country has no interest in building nuclear weapons, but it would continue its energy program. However, with Iran vowing to “open the gates of hell,” and Israel promising to intensify its campaign, hopes for peace appear distant for now.