Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles at Israel on Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty deepened over possible negotiations to end the three-week Middle East war.
Scenes from the Israeli commercial hub showed rubble scattered across streets and a damaged building, while emergency responders attended to at least four people who sustained minor injuries across different locations.
Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai confirmed that a “direct strike” hit a building in an upscale neighbourhood, with footage showing the facade of a three-storey structure severely torn apart.
Israeli media reports indicated that police suspect the attack involved a cluster munition missile carrying multiple warheads, each loaded with significant explosive material.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that US-Israeli warplanes struck two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after United States President Donald Trump softened his earlier threat to target energy infrastructure, citing “very good” talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Trump said his administration was engaging with an unnamed “top person”, adding that if discussions failed within five days, “we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out”.
However, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is reportedly involved in diplomatic efforts, dismissed the claims, stating that “no negotiations” were taking place and accusing Trump of attempting “to manipulate the financial and oil markets.”
Global markets reacted positively to Trump’s shift in tone, with stocks rising and oil prices briefly easing following his earlier warning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face US action to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.
Reports from US outlet Axios suggested that American officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could meet with an Iranian delegation in Pakistan later this week, with Vice President JD Vance also expected to participate.
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Responding to the reports, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said “speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also confirmed he had spoken with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, pledging support for efforts to restore peace in the region.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, acknowledged receiving messages from “some friendly countries indicating a US request for negotiations aimed at ending the war”, but maintained that no talks had taken place.
