The conflict between Israel and Iran intensified on Tuesday, marking the fifth consecutive day of missile exchanges between the two nations.
Amid rising global concerns, US President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada and issued a dramatic warning, urging Tehran residents to “immediately evacuate.”
Tensions soared after a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian sites, including a direct hit on Iran’s state TV headquarters, killing three people according to local broadcasters.
The Israeli military confirmed the attack, claiming it struck missile and drone launch infrastructure across western Iran. Surveillance footage released showed explosive impacts on missile launchers.
Iran retaliated swiftly, launching missiles toward Israel. Air raid sirens blared in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where explosions were heard and shrapnel was reported in the city center. While no casualties were recorded, damage was noted in Tel Aviv, and fire services were dispatched to extinguish a blaze in the commercial district.
As both sides ramped up military activity, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of additional American forces to the Middle East. The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, which had been in Southeast Asia, was redirected toward the region, skipping a scheduled stop in Vietnam.
Despite US calls for diplomacy, President Trump declined to confirm whether Washington would support Israel militarily.
However, he escalated the rhetoric with a public warning on Truth Social, telling residents of Tehran to evacuate and denying claims that he left the G7 to broker peace. “Much bigger than that… Stay Tuned!” Trump wrote, while dismissing French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks about ceasefire efforts.
The missile strikes, which began Friday with an Israeli offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear assets, have derailed ongoing nuclear talks. Trump urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table, asserting, “They’d like to talk… they should talk immediately, before it’s too late.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared they would continue the attacks “without interruption until dawn.” Iran has reported 224 deaths, including military commanders and nuclear scientists, from Israeli strikes. In Israel, at least 24 people have died and hundreds were injured, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military campaign, stating the mission was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “We are changing the face of the Middle East,” Netanyahu said, adding that the strikes could prompt internal change within Iran.
International leaders, including those at the G7, called for de-escalation. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense but stressed that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.” China also urged restraint from both nations to avoid deepening regional instability.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Tehran would not negotiate under fire. “Absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue,” he said.
A senior US official revealed that Trump had personally intervened to prevent an Israeli assassination attempt on Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—a claim Netanyahu declined to deny, saying, “It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict.”
What you should know
The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated into daily missile exchanges, killing hundreds and drawing global attention. US President Donald Trump has urged Tehran residents to evacuate, while deploying military assets to the region.
Nuclear talks have collapsed, and calls for de-escalation from global powers are mounting as the risk of a broader Middle East war grows.
