Trump Says No Deal, Iran Rejects Ceasefire; US–Israel–Iran Strikes Intensify as Tensions Mount Over Strait of Hormuz and Global Oil Supply
The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified on Sunday as fresh waves of air and missile strikes hit several locations in Iran’s central Isfahan province, while Tehran launched new retaliatory attacks toward Israel and US-linked targets in the region.
According to reports from international media, US and Israeli forces carried out multiple strikes across Iran, including military and strategic facilities in Isfahan. Iranian authorities said the attacks caused heavy casualties, with dozens of people reported killed. In response, Iran fired several barrages of missiles toward Israeli cities and claimed to have targeted US bases in Iraq and Kuwait.
US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is not ready to pursue a diplomatic settlement at this stage, as military operations continue alongside Israel.
Israel Signals Weeks More of Fighting
The Israeli military said it has expanded attacks against Iranian command infrastructure in both western and central parts of the country. According to Israeli officials, the air force has already conducted more than 400 waves of strikes since the war began.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli military, said the campaign is expected to continue for at least three more weeks and could extend beyond that timeframe if necessary.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued missile attacks on Israeli territory. Reports from the occupied West Bank indicated that several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and northern towns, were struck by new waves of missiles. Residents across the country have repeatedly taken shelter as air raid sirens sounded throughout the day.
Iran Rejects Ceasefire Calls
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has neither requested a ceasefire nor sought negotiations with Washington. He stated that Iran would continue defending itself against what he described as an “illegal war”.
Araghchi also addressed concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. He said stockpiles of enriched uranium are currently buried beneath facilities damaged in air attacks but could potentially be recovered under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In addition, the minister said Americans detained in Iran would remain safe as long as US and Israeli forces do not target Iranian prisons.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens
The conflict has also triggered serious disruption in global energy markets, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The narrow passage normally carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the strait blocked as pressure on the United States, raising fears of a major global energy shock. Several ships have reportedly been attacked in the area, and there are concerns that naval mines may have been placed along the route.
In response, President Trump has called for a multinational naval coalition to secure the shipping lane and ensure the safe passage of oil tankers. However, analysts say many governments are reluctant to join a US-led military effort amid fears of deeper involvement in the conflict.
Emergency Oil Reserves to Enter Market
Amid fears of supply shortages, the International Energy Agency announced that about 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves will soon be released to global markets.
The agency said stockpiles from Asia and Oceania would be released immediately, while supplies from Europe and the Americas are expected to start entering the market later this month.
Regional Tensions Spread
The war’s ripple effects are being felt across the wider Middle East. Lebanese media reported that an Israeli air strike near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon killed at least one person after hitting a local shop.
Meanwhile, Israel’s energy minister Eli Cohen called for the cancellation of a 2022 maritime gas agreement with Lebanon, arguing that the deal was illegitimate.
Analysts warn that the confrontation is evolving into a broader regional conflict, with both sides signalling that the fighting may continue for weeks before any political solution emerges.
