The war in the Middle East intensified Thursday as Israel launched a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in Isfahan, while Iran fired two rounds of missiles into central Israel, causing damage and injuries. Israel also faced rockets from Lebanon, and an Israeli soldier in Lebanon was killed.
Israel is accelerating targeting inside Iran over the next 48 hours, a person briefed on the operation told NPR, focusing on arms factories in case a ceasefire is declared. The Israel Defense Forces said on X it had completed a “wave of extensive strikes in Isfahan…targeting infrastructure.” Air sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as the IDF reported rescue crews en route to a strike in central Israel. The IDF named the soldier killed in Lebanon as 21-year-old Sergeant Ori Greenberg.
Israel says its airstrikes continue in southern Lebanon ahead of what officials describe as a planned “prolonged” ground invasion against Hezbollah militants. The Iran-backed group continues firing rockets into northern Israel; Israeli officials say a civilian woman was killed by rocket fire this week. Israeli officials say they plan to take Lebanese territory up to the Litani River, about 10–20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli soldiers inside that area using a drone.
At a Republican fundraising dinner Wednesday night, President Trump again asserted Iran “so badly” wanted to make a deal with the U.S., saying Iranian leaders fear being overthrown by their own people or killed by the U.S. “We’re winning so big,” he said, and claimed Iran was negotiating but afraid to admit it. The U.S. proposed plan would demand Iran end its nuclear program, stop supporting proxy militias, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and limit its missile program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran rejected the proposal; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will only end the war on “our own terms,” listing five conditions: an end to aggression, concrete guarantees preventing recurrence of war, clear determination, guaranteed payment of war damages and compensation, a comprehensive end to the war across all fronts including against all resistance groups, and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials insist they are not negotiating directly with the U.S., saying only messages have been exchanged via regional intermediaries. Pakistan has emerged as a potential mediator; an official in Islamabad told NPR the Pakistani interior minister held a secret meeting with Iran’s ambassador.
The Pentagon is preparing to deploy up to 3,000 paratroopers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as President Trump weighs whether to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil processing facility. Analysts warn such an operation would be risky for U.S. service members. The U.S. military says it has struck more than 10,000 targets so far in the air campaign on Iran.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, on a trip to Australia, called the war “a catastrophe for the world’s economies” and criticized the U.S. for having “no exit strategy.” He said there had been no consultation, no clear objective and changing demands of Europe, accusing Washington of shifting rhetoric toward its allies. Pistorius said Germany would not get involved militarily but could help secure the Strait of Hormuz once a ceasefire is agreed.
Iranian media reported lawmakers are planning to formalize fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz; about one-fifth of the world’s oil transits the Strait. Iran has effectively blocked most traffic since the war began. Brent crude edged around $100 a barrel in Asian trading, and Asian and European markets opened lower.
Alerts sounded in the United Arab Emirates Thursday morning. Two people were killed in Abu Dhabi by falling debris after a missile interception, officials said. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a drone in its Eastern Province, and Kuwait and Bahrain also reported attacks. Airlines serving the region continue to suffer: Oman Air announced flight cancellations to numerous regional countries and parts of Europe through April 15.
Daniel Estrin in Tel Aviv, Lauren Frayer in Beirut, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Diaa Hadid in Mumbai, Jackie Northam, and Kate Bartlett contributed to this report.
