By Muhammad Mamman
Iran has launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Israel, escalating an already volatile regional conflict and dismissing claims by former United States President Donald Trump that negotiations are under way.
Explosions were reported in major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, where several people were injured and infrastructure damaged, as air defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles. 
Tehran, however, firmly denied any diplomatic engagement with Washington, describing Trump’s assertions of “productive talks” as false and misleading. Iranian officials accused the US of attempting to manipulate global perceptions — and potentially energy markets — amid intensifying hostilities. 
The renewed strikes come as Israel continues its own military campaign, targeting dozens of sites in Iran, including missile facilities and security infrastructure, in what officials describe as a sustained effort to degrade Tehran’s capabilities. 
The conflict, which erupted in late February, has rapidly expanded into one of the most dangerous confrontations in the region in years, drawing in global powers and fuelling fears of a wider war.
Meanwhile, energy markets have reacted sharply to the latest escalation. Concerns over disruptions to oil supply routes — particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz — have injected fresh volatility into global prices, underscoring the economic stakes of the crisis.
Despite signals from Washington suggesting a pause in further US strikes to allow room for diplomacy, Iran’s rejection of any negotiations highlights a deepening impasse, with both sides appearing entrenched as tensions continue to rise.
