Tel Aviv hit, four killed

Iranian ballistic missiles struck multiple locations across central and northern Israel on Tuesday, causing structural damage to at least one building in Tel Aviv and killing four people. Israel's emergency medical service dispatched teams to several impact sites as search and rescue personnel were deployed across the country's south and centre. From Monday night to Tuesday, Iran launched seven separate missile attacks on Israeli territory, with the Israel Defense Forces reporting that several projectiles penetrated multiple layers of air defence.

Iran rules out peace talks

Tehran has firmly shut the door on ceasefire negotiations, stating that current conditions are not conducive to diplomacy for as long as air strikes continue. Iranian officials have maintained that halting all offensive operations remains a non-negotiable precondition before any meaningful dialogue can begin. This position comes despite signals from Washington of openness to talks — signals that Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed as "fake news" designed to manipulate financial and oil markets.

IRGC headquarters struck in Tehran

In a significant escalation, the Israeli Air Force conducted overnight strikes on more than 50 targets inside Iran, including two IRGC intelligence headquarters and one facility belonging to Iran's Intelligence Ministry in Tehran. Ballistic missile storage depots, weapon caches, and air defence systems were also reported among the sites hit. Since the conflict began on 28 February, Israel claims to have struck over 3,000 sites inside Iranian territory.

Gas plant hit, no casualties

A gas pipeline at the Khorramshahr power plant in southwest Iran was targeted in overnight strikes, according to Iranian state media. Separately, the gas administration building and a pressure station on Kaveh Street in Isfahan were partially damaged. Iranian authorities reported no casualties or disruptions to gas supply from any of the facilities. Iran's energy minister Abbas Aliabadi dismissed concerns over power plant vulnerability, stating that any damaged infrastructure can be rebuilt and modernised rapidly.

EU, global economy under strain

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in Canberra, urged both Washington and Tehran to open negotiations and end what she described as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. She warned that Iran's mining of the waterway and attacks on commercial shipping are compounding disruption to the global economy, with Brent crude oil rising back above $100 a barrel on Tuesday. Japan announced plans to begin releasing national oil stockpiles by 26 March, while South Korea — which sources over 70 per cent of its oil from the Middle East — saw its currency hit a 17-year low before a partial recovery.

Trump, Iran give conflicting accounts

US President Donald Trump said discussions with Iran are ongoing and that Tehran "wants peace," while also claiming he delayed strikes on Iranian power plants by five days to allow time for talks. However, a senior Iranian official told international media that points had been received from the US through mediators and are being reviewed, even as the parliamentary speaker publicly denied any negotiations. Israeli officials, meanwhile, assessed that Iran is "unlikely" to agree to US demands, though they noted Trump "appears determined" to reach a deal. The White House declined to confirm media reports of a possible meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials in Islamabad this week.

India monitors situation closely

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened an urgent meeting Tuesday morning to review the evolving situation in West Asia as the US-Israel-Iran war entered its 25th day with no ceasefire in sight. India, which maintains significant economic and energy interests in the Gulf region, is monitoring the Strait of Hormuz situation closely. As global leaders push for a negotiated resolution, analysts note that the conflict's trajectory will have direct implications for India's energy import costs and the safety of Indian nationals in the region. The coming days, including any potential diplomatic contact between Washington and Tehran, are likely to determine whether this escalation gives way to dialogue or further military exchange.