Military Exchanges Continue Despite Diplomatic Efforts
Israel carried out air strikes on military and energy-related targets in Iran on Monday, including a petrochemical facility in the southwestern city of Mahshahr, further escalating tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Israeli officials said the strikes targeted military infrastructure and air defence systems. Iranian media confirmed explosions in several areas, including Tehran, while local authorities reported damage to parts of the Mahshahr petrochemical complex. However, no casualties were immediately reported.
The latest exchange came shortly after US President Donald Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further military action while negotiations with Iran continued.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the attacks and accused the United States of enabling the escalation. In response, the IRGC said it launched missiles at targets in northern Israel, including areas near Haifa.
Oil Markets React as Security Concerns Grow
The renewed fighting rattled global energy markets, pushing international oil prices sharply higher. Brent crude futures climbed nearly five percent and rose above $97 per barrel as investors assessed the risks to regional energy supplies.
At the same time, Iran reported that Israeli strikes had damaged sections of the Mahshahr complex, a key industrial facility. Authorities ordered precautionary evacuations while engineers assessed the extent of the damage.
Separately, Yemen’s Houthi movement announced a ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for a missile launch toward Israel. Israeli defence systems were activated following the reported attack.
Despite the latest hostilities, Trump insisted that negotiations with Tehran remained on track. He reiterated that military developments would not derail efforts to reach a broader agreement aimed at ending the conflict and addressing concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
However, the renewed strikes have complicated diplomatic momentum and raised fears of further instability across the region. As both sides continue military operations, international mediators face increasing challenges in securing a lasting ceasefire and preventing a wider confrontation that could threaten regional security and global energy markets.
