Israel Strikes Iran as Diplomatic Talks Stall, UN Security Council to Meet

Israeli forces conducted fresh attacks on Iranian targets in Tehran early Friday as diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran remain deadlocked. The escalating conflict has prompted oil prices to surge over 45% and raised concerns about a global energy crisis.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli forces conducted fresh military operations against Iranian positions early Friday morning, targeting sites within Tehran as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East conflict nearing its one-month mark.

The Friday assault focused on locations described as being “in the heart of Tehran,” following Israel’s announcement that it would be escalating attacks against Iranian weapons manufacturing sites. Details about specific targets remained unavailable immediately following the strikes.

Smoke was visible rising from Beirut, though Israeli officials had not confirmed operations in the Lebanese capital at the time. Meanwhile, warning sirens echoed across Israel as defense forces worked to counter incoming Iranian missile attacks. Iran maintained its offensive operations against neighboring Gulf nations, with drone and missile strikes reported in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Washington has been urging Tehran to engage with a 15-point ceasefire framework, while simultaneously deploying additional military personnel to the region, potentially preparing for operations to challenge Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Following Wall Street’s most significant decline since hostilities began, Asian financial markets largely dropped Friday amid increasing skepticism about prospects for de-escalation. Energy prices climbed once more, with Brent crude reaching $107 per barrel during morning sessions, representing a surge of more than 45% since the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli operation that initiated the current conflict.

Iran’s control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has sparked mounting fears of a worldwide energy shortage, appearing to be part of Tehran’s approach to pressure Washington by destabilizing global markets. Gulf Arab nations reported Thursday that Iran is now collecting fees from vessels seeking safe transit through the strategic waterway.

Trump representative Steve Witkoff confirmed that Washington had transmitted a 15-point “action list” to Iran through Pakistani intermediaries for potential ceasefire negotiations. The proposal encompasses limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation.

Tehran has declined the American proposal and presented its own five-point counter-offer, demanding financial compensation and acknowledgment of Iranian authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

During ongoing diplomatic activities, a U.S. naval group carrying approximately 2,500 Marines moved closer to the area. Additionally, no fewer than 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division — specially trained for hostile territory operations to secure strategic locations and airstrips — received deployment orders to the region.

While American and Israeli military actions against Iran persisted, the U.N. Security Council arranged private discussions regarding Iran for Friday in New York, confirmed by two U.N. officials speaking anonymously due to the meeting’s confidential nature.

The diplomats noted that Russia had requested the session to address U.S.-Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure within Iran, which the United States, currently holding the Security Council presidency, agreed to schedule.

Iranian Health Ministry figures indicate that over 1,900 people have lost their lives in Iran since fighting commenced.

Israeli casualties include eighteen civilians and at least three military personnel killed in Lebanon. American forces have suffered thirteen fatalities. Additional deaths include four individuals in the occupied West Bank and twenty in Gulf Arab nations.

Lebanese authorities report more than 1,100 deaths. In Iraq, where Iranian-backed militia organizations have joined the conflict, 80 security force members have been killed.