Despite Trump’s peace talk claims, US-Israeli attacks continue to hit Iran

Lead

Fresh waves of US-Israeli strikes hit multiple Iranian cities overnight, killing more than 25 people, according to reports from the South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera. The attacks come even as US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington was in talks with Tehran to end the war, Al Jazeera reported.

Explosions were reported in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Karaj, with thick black smoke rising near Azadi Square after one strike hit the grounds of Sharif University of Technology, according to the South China Morning Post. Iranian state media reported that the head of intelligence for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Major General Majid Khademi, was among those killed, without elaborating.

A senior academic, Saeed Shamaghdari, and his two children were killed in an attack on their residence north of Tehran, according to Press TV. Shamaghdari taught engineering at the Iran University of Science and Technology. Israel had previously attacked several Iranian academics, whom it accused of links to the development of Iranian weapons, Al Jazeera noted.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the latest escalation is consistent across Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post regarding the fact of US-Israeli attacks and Iranian retaliation. However, casualty figures and specific incidents vary: Al Jazeera reported at least 15 people killed across Iran, while the South China Morning Post cited over 25 killed. A separate Al Jazeera report mentioned significant damage and loss of life but did not give a fresh death toll. The South China Morning Post also reported that two people were found dead in Haifa after Iranian missiles hit the northern Israeli city, with two more missing. Al Jazeera’s second report focused on the Tehran synagogue strike, which the other outlets did not mention.

All sources agree that diplomatic efforts are underway, but they differ on their status. Al Jazeera reported that Trump claimed Washington was in talks with Tehran, while the South China Morning Post noted that mediators had circulated a new ceasefire proposal as Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz loomed. The reports also noted that Iran dismissed claims of US talks, according to Al Jazeera.

Key Claims

• US-Israeli attacks on Iran: All three source articles confirm that the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iranian territory, including Tehran and other cities. The South China Morning Post described "a wave of attacks" and "capital was pounded," while Al Jazeera spoke of "attacks on Iran" and "no sign of de-escalation."

• Casualty figures: The South China Morning Post reported more than 25 people killed, while Al Jazeera's second report said at least 15. Al Jazeera's first report mentioned over 1,500 civilians killed across Iran since the war began on February 28, including 208 children, with 168 of those from a US missile strike on a girls' school in Minab city, according to the head of Iran’s emergency service, Jafar Miadfar. These figures have not been independently verified.

• Targeting of infrastructure and civilians: Iranian media reported that Israeli-US strikes hit two gas facilities and a pipeline, causing partial damage, per Al Jazeera. The attacks also included a strike on a synagogue in Tehran, as reported by Al Jazeera. The death of Saeed Shamaghdari and his children was reported by Press TV and local media, as cited by Al Jazeera.

• Iranian retaliation: Iran responded with missile fire on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbours, according to the South China Morning Post. Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia activated their air defence systems to intercept incoming projectiles. Iranian missiles hit Haifa, killing two people, per the South China Morning Post.

• US threats and diplomatic efforts: President Trump warned of further escalation, including potential strikes on Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to Al Jazeera. Mediators circulated a new ceasefire proposal, per the South China Morning Post. Trump claimed talks were underway with Tehran, but Iranian officials dismissed those claims, according to Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

From the Iranian side, as reflected in state media and officials cited by Al Jazeera, the narrative emphasises civilian casualties, including children, and damage to infrastructure, framing the attacks as aggression by a "Zionist and American enemy." The killing of academics is highlighted, suggesting a pattern of targeting.

The US perspective, as presented by President Trump's statements, offers two apparent threads: on the one hand, he claims to be engaged in peace talks with Tehran, and on the other, he issues ultimatums and threats of further strikes. This duality is noted across sources, with the South China Morning Post quoting Trump's "fiery, foul-mouthed message" and his deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

International and regional parties are also involved: mediators are circulating a ceasefire proposal, and Gulf states are actively defending their airspace from Iranian missiles, indicating the conflict's broader regional impact. The reports do not include direct comment from the Israeli government or military, so their perspective is not represented in this material.