US-Israel-Iran War News: Hezbollah Rejects Talks With Israel As Bombings Continue

The Trump administration has offered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, according to a person briefed on the contours of the plan but who was not authorised to speak publicly about it.

The ceasefire plan was submitted to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan, who have offered to host renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

The proposal comes as the US military is preparing to call up at least 1,000 more troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to supplement some 50,000 troops already in the region.

The New York Times reported earlier on Tuesday that the 15-point plan had been delivered to Iranian officials.

According to AP, the Pentagon is also in the process of deploying a pair of Marine Expeditionary Units that will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.

Israeli officials, who have been advocating for Trump to continue the war against Iran, were taken by surprise by the US administration’s submission of a ceasefire plan, the person said.

But with the US taking steps to send additional soldiers and Marines to the Mideast, the move is being framed as Trump manoeuvring to give himself “max flexibility” on what he will do next, the person added, AP reported.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry has stated that the country continues to respond to repeated attempted drone attacks along with a ballistic missile.

Over the last 40 minutes the ministry has said it intercepted and destroyed nine additional drones in the eastern part of the country.

The ministry gave no information about where the drones came from or if the incidents caused any casualties or damage.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that it carried out its 88th wave of missiles directed at Israel and at American military bases across the region.

The IRGC said the strikes hit military sites in northern Israel that have been used for operations against southern Lebanon, along with the cities of Tel Aviv, Kiryat Shmona and Bnei Brak, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.

It further stated that it hit US army bases located in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.

The Philippines’s ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, has said Manila is looking for other sources of oil after it declared a national energy emergency because of the effects of the war on Iran.

“We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from US-sanctioned countries,” Romualdez told the Reuters news agency.

Asked if Venezuelan and Iranian oil were part of the discussions, Romualdez told Reuters that “all options are being considered”.

Manila is set to get its first delivery of Russian crude oil in five years this week after the US granted it a 30-day waiver from sanctions. The Trump administration also said last week it was lifting sanctions on Iranian oil shipments already at sea for 30 days.

Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya central headquarters has issued a statement through its spokesperson in response to Trump’s latest claim of negotiations.

The statement, published by the Fars news agency, came from Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari.

He addressed the US and said, “Has the level of your internal conflicts reached the state of negotiating with yourselves?”

He also said, “Don’t call your failure an agreement.”

According to Fars, Zolfaghari said there will be no return to the previous oil prices or a return to the previous order “until our will is done”.

“This will be created when the thought of taking action against the Iranian nation is completely erased from your dirty minds,” he said. “Our first and last words from day one have been, are and will be: No one like us will get along with someone like you. Not now, not ever.”

Hezbollah has said it carried out an attack on the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona with a “rocket barrage” at 1:30 am local time on Wednesday (23:30 GMT on Tuesday).

Earlier, Israeli medics said one person was killed and two were injured by rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.

The Channel 12 broadcaster reports that air raid sirens have gone off in northern Israel, the western Galilee and the upper Galilee because of incoming rocket and drone fire.

Both Hezbollah and Iran have claimed responsibility for the attacks aimed at northern Israel.

Iranian military spokesman says Americans are only negotiating with themselves, mocking US attempts at ceasefire deal, reports AP.

Channel 12 broadcaster reports that the Lebanese group has launched 30 projectiles towards Israel in the past hour.

The attacks triggered alarms in northern Israel, including in the city of Safed, it said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this morning and repeated Islamabad’s strong condemnation of recent attacks on the kingdom.

In a statement on X, Sharif said he praised Saudi Arabia’s remarkable restraint in the face of the current crisis and called for an immediate end to hostilities, a return to normalcy, and greater unity within the Muslim world.

“I also briefed His Royal Highness on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts for regional peace and stability,” he said.

A separate statement from Sharif’s office said Prince Mohammed deeply appreciated Pakistan’s peace initiatives and the two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination.

The conversation comes as Pakistan positions itself as a potential host to facilitate talks between the US and Iran amid the ongoing war. Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.

Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes killed at least six people in a town and a Palestinian refugee camp in the southern Sidon area and three more in another town.

Citing the health ministry, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said four people were killed in an “Israeli enemy raid” on Adloun and another two in a strike on an apartment in the Mieh Mieh refugee camp that also left four wounded.

In another area of southern Lebanon, the NNA earlier said an Israeli raid on the town of Habboush killed at least three people and wounded 18 others.

At least 243 students and teachers have been killed since the war began on February 28, according to an official from Iran’s Education Ministry.

Hezbollah says it intercepted an Israeli fighter jet over southern Lebanon, according to a statement released by the group.

It said the incident occurred yesterday evening during what it described as a potential attack, adding that the aircraft was forced to turn back after being targeted with surface-to-air missiles.

Jake Sullivan, former national security adviser in the Joe Biden administration, said the US failed to grasp a key Iranian proposal just days before launching strikes, during an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as reported by Aljazeera.

Sullivan, who was also involved in US-Iran negotiations during the Barack Obama era alongside Iran’s current foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran had put forward a proposal in Geneva that could have significantly advanced a resolution on the nuclear issue.

“Just a few days before we started bombing Iran, the Iranians put a proposal on the table… that went a long way toward resolving the nuclear issue,” Sullivan said, adding that US negotiators “simply didn’t understand what they were being offered” and chose to proceed with military action instead.

Stewart reacted with surprise, jokingly asking, “Was it in Farsi?” and suggesting the Iranians might have been “negotiating in code.”

The remarks drew a sharp response from Iran’s embassy in Finland, which said the issue was not a lack of understanding but a lack of autonomy. In a post on X, the embassy claimed that Washington was not “calling the shots,” alleging that Israel was effectively steering US foreign policy and would not have allowed a diplomatic off-ramp.

Emirati presidential adviser Anwar Gargash says the UAE does not need equipment and troops as much as it needs clarity of positions and knowledge of who can be relied upon in times of hardship.

Referring to the ongoing war, Gargash said in a post on X that since “Iranian aggression” began, “sister and friendly countries have continued to make contact, distinguishing positions between those who offered genuine support that is appreciated and thanked, and those who settled for statements without action”.

Gargash added that the “Emirates has proven its ability to confront and endure,” however, it needs clarity on support more than equipment and troops.

His latest comments come two days after he lashed out in an earlier X post, saying: “Where are the joint Arab and Islamic labor institutions, chief among them the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation?”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pressed International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol to examine the possibility of an additional coordinated release from global oil reserves should the tensions in the Middle East continue.

Takaichi made the appeal on Wednesday while speaking with Birol, who is visiting Japan as part of a regional tour focused on the consequences of the Iran war.

The earlier release of 400 million barrels of oil from the reserves held by IEA member countries represents only 20% of their stocks, with a significant amount still available, Birol said, reported AP.

“We are ready to move forward, but I very much hope that it will not be necessary,” he said, while recommending energy conservation steps including working from home.

According to AP, Birol said dozens of energy installations have been damaged and will take time to come back online.

Iraq’s Ministry of Defense says an airstrike on a military clinic in the Habbaniyeh area of Anbar province killed seven troops and wounded 13.

According to AP, the ministry gave no further details about Wednesday’s strike, saying rescue teams remain at the site.

The ministry condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law and affirming its right to respond.

Hezbollah said Wednesday its air defense units fired surface-to-air missiles toward an Israeli warplane that was conducting strikes over southern Lebanon on Tuesday evening.

Hezbollah said the plane was forced to withdraw, adding it was the first time the group fired surface-to-air missiles against an Israeli warplane since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war broke out March 2.

Hezbollah last week said it shot down an Israeli drone over the southern village of Baraachit.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Iran also has claimed use of a new surface-to-air missile system during the war.

China on Wednesday said it supports all attempts to de-escalate the tensions in the Middle East and start peace talks.

“A ceasefire and an end to hostilities are the top priority, and dialogue and negotiations are the way forward,”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing.

According to AP, Lin said China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that all parties should “seize every opportunity and window for peace” so peace talks can start as soon as possible.

“We support all efforts conducive to de-escalating the situation and resuming dialogue”, he added when asked about Pakistan as an intermediary between the U.S. and Iran.

Abdulmohsen Majed Bin Khothaila, the Saudi representative to the UN in Geneva, says Iranian attacks amount to a gross violation of state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We condemn the attacks by Iran against the kingdom and the GCC member states,” he said.

“These are states that are not parties to the current conflict with Iran. They violate the UN Charter and international law. We must call things by their name, reported Al Jazeera.

« To target a neighbour is a violation of the principles of good neighbourly relations. To target a mediator betrays all efforts aimed at peace and undermines any constructive initiative. To target states that are not party to the hostilities amounts to unacceptable and unjustifiable attacks that cannot be passed over in silence.”

Hind Bint Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, the Qatari representative to the UN in Geneva, says Iranian attacks have undermined Qatar’s territorial integrity and violated the UN Charter, according to Al Jazeera.

“Attacks launched by Iran with grave repercussions are not only affecting peace and security in the world, but also human rights,” she said, condemning the drone and missile attacks.

“These attacks amount to a great source of concern for us, and we can no longer remain silent.”

“To attack the electricity and desalination plants also involves serious environmental consequences and undermines rights that should be guaranteed by human rights provisions,” she added.

The Qatari representative also said the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz is “a source of great concern, given the dire consequences it can have on the economy and supply routes”.

At least 18 people were injured when a missile struck a residential building in Kamalshahr, Karaj, in Iran’s Alborz province, according to Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim reported, quoting the deputy security governor of Alborz, that the missile destroyed a four-storey residential building in the early hours of Wednesday.

The outlet also said two empty warehouses were hit, one in Chaharbagh county and another in Golsar city.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday in a call with US envoy Massad Boulos that there must be “concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate the situation,” according to Al Jazeera.

He warned of the war’s economic impact, as Egypt raised fuel prices in March and introduced measures including reducing official overseas trips and tightening fuel consumption across sectors.

Abdelatty also spoke with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, calling for Egypt-EU coordination while seeking a diplomatic solution to the war.

Multiple explosions have been reported around Tel Aviv, according to Al Jazeera, citing Israeli Army Radio.

The reports come after the city was targeted by missiles on Tuesday, resulting in multiple casualties.

Amid Pakistan’s offer to mediate talks between the Islamic Republic country and the US, Tehran denied a Karachi ship entry to Hormuz.

On Tuesday night, the IRGC Naval Commander wrote on X that a Karachi-bound container ship ‘SELEN’ had been ordered to turn back as it had not secured permission from the IRGC Navy to pass the vital strait.

« The container ship SELEN was turned back by the IRGC Navy due to failure to comply with legal protocols and lack of permission to pass through Strait of Hormuz, » they wrote on X.

This development comes on the same day that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the government’s offer to mediate.

« Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict, » the PM wrote on X.

Khalid al-Yaqoubi, security advisor to Iraq’s prime minister, says his country will file a sovereignty complaint to the United Nations Security Council.

He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Iraqi security forces have lost 80 members and 150 have been wounded since the Middle East war began Feb. 28.

Al-Yaqoubi said the U.S. has violated Iraq’s airspace, while Iran is to blame for attacks against Kurdish forces in the country’s north.

“We are against the aggression on Iran because it is not justified,” he said about the war that was launched by the U.S. and Israel.

He said the security forces include Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force, a coalition of Iran-backed militia that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there might be talks between Iran and the United States soon in Pakistan.

“I think there could be talks this weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan,” Rafael Mariano Grossi told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera without elaborating.

The head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom says more of its workers are being evacuated from Iran’s Russia-built nuclear power plant following another strike on its territory.

Alexei Likhachev said last week that Rosatom had 480 workers at the plant in Bushehr. He announced another group left Wednesday and more will be pulled out later this week.

He said Rosatom will reduce the number of workers to a minimum until the situation normalizes.

Likhachev late Tuesday reported another strike on the plant’s territory close to the working nuclear reactor following an attack last week.

He said there were no injuries, but noted the situation was developing according to a “negative scenario.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman about Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tenuous West Asia situation.

Sharif, in a statement on X, reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the Kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering solidarity and unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia in these challenging times.

“I also briefed His Royal Highness on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts for regional peace and stability. We agreed to remain in close coordination,” he said.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that Sharif “reiterated Pakistan’s full support and commitment to standing firmly with the Kingdom against repeated Iranian attacks threatening its security and sovereignty.” The call comes a day after Sharif offered to host talks between the US and Iran for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.

A Tehran resident says President Trump’s threats to strike Iranian power plants earlier in the week have spread “anger and confusion” in Iran.

“There have been some days when the bombings are so intense you can’t do anything,” the 26-year-old university graduate student said, adding his friends mostly stayed home. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of security fears.

He said the U.S. leader’s comments have deepened fears that the strikes will move toward targeting civilian infrastructure and “innocent civilians.” He described seeing serious damage to residential sites in his area of western Tehran, including an apartment building and pharmacy.

“I wake up sometimes from the sounds of bombardment but I manage to sleep somehow or I immediately text my friends to see if they are ok. It’s stressful,” he said.

Iran’s government has almost entirely cut links with the global internet. The student said he and his friends were relying on the national government-controlled network to use domestic ride hailing and messaging apps, but connections to that system were also not reliable.

A rocket that broke apart over Lebanon on Monday has been identified by the Lebanese army as an Iranian-made guided ballistic missile.

According to Al Jazeera, the missile detonated at high altitude, which the army said “suggests that its target was outside Lebanese territory”.

In a post on X, the military said specialised units recovered the debris and identified it as a Qader-110 missile equipped with multiple smaller munitions. It added that the explosion was likely caused by a technical malfunction or an interceptor strike.

China has reportedly expressed support for Pakistan’s offer to host talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

“Ceasefire and peace talks are more important tasks at hand,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

“China supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions, de-escalating the situation and restoring dialogue.”

On Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, Lin added: “Maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and keeping shipping routes safe serves the common interests of the international community.”

According to reports, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said that the country’s different authorities have arrested 39 people and seized weapons and ammunition, along with at least seven Starlink devices in Tehran.

The officials noted that 49 homemade bombs, two Kalashnikov rifles, 16 handguns, 50 magazine clips and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition were confiscated during their arrests.

Amid Strait of Hormuz blockade, India bought ‌its first cargo of Iranian LPG in years after the US’s temporary withdrawal of sanctions on Tehran’s oil and refined fuels, Reuters reported.

India had stopped energy purchases from Iran in 2019 under pressure from Western sanctions.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has said in a televised speech read on his behalf that negotiating with Israel with continuous bombing amounts to imposed surrender. He also called for unity against Israel.

In the speech, he said that Hezbollah fighters were prepared to continue “without limits”.

US Central Command has announced that its forces are carrying out strikes targeting what it described as the “the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure and capabilities”, that have threatened US soldiers and partners in the region..

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that his country’s forces are expanding a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon as the military presses ahead with its campaign against Hezbollah.

“We have created a genuine security zone preventing any infiltration toward the Galilee and the northern border,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

“We are expanding this zone to push the threat from anti-tank missiles further away and to establish a broader buffer zone.”