With Iran and Israel continuing their tit-for-tat strikes despite the ceasefire, US President Donald Trump has once again called for a halt in the strikes while pointing out that both countries want immediate
ceasefire and US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz will remain until final deal is signed.
While Iran said its attacks were in response to an Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Trump reportedly urged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Sunday to hold off on launching a retaliatory attack. However, Israel continued its attacks on multiple targets in Iran. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has also released footage of the dismantling of Iran’s one of the aerial defense systems, which housed missiles intended to target aircraft. Check for Live Updates
Following this, Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting’.”
In a later post, he said: “Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a “Final Deal” is reached. Things should move quickly.”
Israel Strikes Iran’s Petrochemical Plant
Israel on Monday said it has hit Mahshahr petrochemical complex in Iran’s southwest, along with strikes elsewhere on military targets. This was first strike on an energy site since a ceasefire was reached on April 8.
Reuters quoted Israel saying that its forces hit Iran’s energy plant which was being used to produce ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has retaliated with a strike aimed at a similar Israeli facility in the city of Haifa.
This latest exchange of fire comes after Israel’s latest attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut over the weekend. Iran has repeatedly said any deal to end the ongoing conflict must include a halt to Israel’s campaign in Lebanon. On Monday, AFP quoted a Lebanese culture ministry official saying that the Israeli bombardment has damaged a World Heritage site in southern city of Tyre, one of the oldest cities on the Mediterranean coast.
Reuters quoted an Israeli military official saying that his country was prepared for a range of options in Iran, from several days to “as long as it takes”, adding that it had struck Iranian air defence systems that were being rebuilt after previous Israeli attacks, as well as the petrochemical plant.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said: “The United States bears direct responsibility for any action the Zionist regime (Israel) takes in relation to violating regional peace and security against Iran.”
With the latest strikes, brent crude futures were up $4.02, or 4.3% to $97.11 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $3.90, or 4.3%, at $94.44, Reuters reported.
