Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump on Monday called on Israel and Iran to “immediately stop shooting” after both countries exchanged new strikes overnight, raising concerns about the stability of a fragile ceasefire and ongoing U.S.-backed negotiations.
The renewed violence began after Israel said it carried out strikes against Iranian military positions and a petrochemical facility in southwestern Iran in response to a wave of Iranian missile launches on Sunday.
“Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post.
The latest Israeli operation marked the first reported strike targeting an Iranian energy facility since an April ceasefire temporarily paused direct hostilities between the two longtime adversaries.
Despite the escalation, President Trump insisted diplomatic efforts with Iran remain active and suggested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not determine the direction of U.S. negotiations.
“It’s not going to have any impact on the deal,” he told the Financial Times. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots.”
According to reports, President Trump urged Netanyahu during a Sunday phone call to avoid further military escalation because the administration believes a broader agreement with Iran could still be achieved.
Hours later, Israel announced additional strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded by firing missiles toward Israel, though Israeli officials said air-defense systems intercepted the incoming threats.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said Iran launched 11 ballistic missiles and vowed Israel would continue operations targeting missile launch sites and military facilities.
The conflict also expanded beyond Israel and Iran when the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen. Officials said it appeared to be the first Houthi attack against Israel since the ceasefire took effect.
The president has continued pushing for an agreement that would both end the conflict and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
“We’re very close to a deal,” President Trump said during a weekend interview. “Or I’m going to blow the hell out of them.”
