Israel launches new strikes on Tehran as Trump pauses Iran energy attacks
Israel Launches New Strikes on Tehran Amid US Energy Attack Suspension
Israeli forces initiated fresh attacks on Tehran following a statement by Donald Trump regarding a temporary halt in U.S. military actions against Iran’s energy infrastructure. The IDF confirmed it had launched another wave of strikes targeting key components of the Iranian regime’s infrastructure, emphasizing its adherence to government orders until further notice. Trump’s decision to pause attacks came after two days of “productive” talks with Tehran, which he described as a pivotal moment in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Approximately 40 minutes after Trump’s announcement, the IDF shared on X that its operations in Iran had only just begun, focusing on strategic installations. The military’s focus on infrastructure aligns with a potential U.S. directive to avoid targeting power plants and energy sites, as suggested by an IDF official who noted the move was a “political echelon matter.” The official reiterated that Israel’s military actions would follow directives from the political leadership and continue without interruption unless instructed to stop.
“The IDF is operating in accordance with the plans set by Israel’s political leadership and will continue strikes in Iran until told otherwise,” said an IDF official, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Escalation and Iranian Retaliation
Al Jazeera Arabic’s correspondent in Tehran highlighted the scale of the explosions, calling them “unprecedented” in intensity. While Israel had not previously threatened to strike such facilities, Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that attacks on Iran’s infrastructure would heighten tensions. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched a counterattack on Israeli targets, marking a reciprocal escalation in hostilities.
Trump’s social media update noted that Washington and Tehran had engaged in “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days. He added that the Department of War had been directed to delay strikes on Iranian energy sites for five days, contingent on the success of ongoing discussions. A U.S. source familiar with Israel’s plans confirmed that the Israeli military had been briefed on U.S.-Iran talks and anticipated aligning with Washington’s pause on energy strikes.
Casualty Statistics and Strategic Impact
The Guardian reported that the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented at least 206 attacks across 15 Iranian provinces in the last 24 hours, resulting in four confirmed casualties. With a child’s death today, nearly 15% of all reported fatalities in Iran are now under 18. Fars news agency noted that six people were killed in residential areas of Tabriz during recent strikes.
Since the conflict began, total deaths in Iran—both military and civilian—have surpassed 1,500, with some rights groups citing figures as high as 3,230 by 21 March. The IDF also reported destroying or neutralizing about 330 of Iran’s 470 estimated ballistic missile launchers, with over half hit in aerial strikes and others disabled through targeted underground sites. The military noted that missile attacks on Israel had dropped to around 10 per day, down from 90 at the conflict’s start.
Meanwhile, Israel’s operations in Lebanon persisted. The IDF claimed a recent strike in Beirut had targeted a militant group connected to Iran’s Quds Force, while Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed one fatality from the attack. The state news agency also revealed Israeli forces had occupied the southern village of Aita al-Chaab, using a large crane for surveillance purposes.
