Israel defies Trump ceasefire plea as Iran conflict spirals into chaos | World | News
The fragile ceasefire in the Middle East has come under renewed pressure after Israel attacked Iran despite US President Donald Trump’s reported call for restraint.
The latest tensions come after Israeli forces launched their first attack since the US-backed ceasefire came into effect, following Israeli attacks on targets in Beirut, Lebanon, where Hezbollah operates.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a post on its official X account: “The Military Intelligence-guided Air Force recently hit the military targets of the Iranian terrorist regime in the western and central parts of Iran. More details to come.”
What does Donald Trump say about escalating tensions?
Trump previously told US news outlet Axios that he planned to call Israeli leaders and urge them not to retaliate following Iran’s attack on northern Israel.
In a telephone interview with Fox News, he said: “What I would suggest to Iran is: You dropped your missiles, that’s enough. Go back to the table and make a deal.”
He added that attacks on northern Israel “will not help” negotiations, which he claimed were close to reaching a broader agreement.
“This will definitely not help the negotiations,” Trump said, adding: “We are very close. I can say that an agreement will be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. And now it is happening.”
Trump also said he was “not happy” about the Israeli attacks in Beirut, which a US official told Fox News was briefed on in advance.
Is the ceasefire now in danger of collapsing?
The US President has repeatedly suggested an agreement has been reached, suggesting optimism about a potential breakthrough, although he has offered limited details.
But he also warned that renewed violence risked derailing the talks altogether.
In an interview with Meet the Press on Friday, Trump said the delays were due to Iran.
“They’re strong, they’re proud, there are things they never thought they’d do that they’re going to have to do. They don’t have a choice, and it takes a while,” he told NBC News moderator Kristen Welker.
What is Israel planning next?
Despite Trump’s warnings, Israeli military officials signaled that tensions against Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon have increased further.
Military spokeswoman Effie Defrin said: “We launched an attack in Dahieh following Hezbollah’s sustained attacks on communities in northern Israel.”
“IDF will continue to operate throughout Lebanon and intensify its actions against the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
Defrin added that Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir “conducted an assessment of the situation with the General Staff Forum and approved plans for the continuation of operations.”
“We are prepared for the possibility of additional attacks against us. Our defense systems are excellent, but our defenses are not airtight,” he said.
As attacks continue on multiple fronts and diplomatic talks remain under pressure, fears are growing that the ceasefire could break down completely if reprisals continue to escalate on both sides.
