Israel launches new strikes on Tehran as Trump pauses Iran energy attacks
New Israeli Strikes on Tehran Amid US Pause in Iran Energy Offensives
Donald Trump’s decision to delay US military actions against Iran’s energy infrastructure has coincided with Israel’s fresh wave of attacks on Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had launched another round of strikes targeting key infrastructure linked to Iran’s militant regime, as the US president described recent talks with Tehran as “productive.” This pause in Washington’s offensive appears to have influenced Israeli military strategy, with officials stating operations would proceed under government directives until further notice.
Hours after Trump extended the deadline for strikes on Iranian power plants by five days, the IDF shared on X that it had “begun another wave of strikes across Tehran.” While the military confirmed targeting infrastructure, it hinted at a potential alignment with US policy, suggesting energy facilities might be left untouched. An IDF representative told the Times of Israel that the decision to suspend attacks on power plants was a “political echelon matter,” emphasizing that operations would follow Israel’s leadership orders.
“Washington and Tehran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations,” Trump stated on social media. “I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.”
Al Jazeera Arabic’s correspondent in Tehran reported the scale of explosions as “unprecedented,” underscoring the intensity of the Israeli assault. Despite the US pause, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned that targeting Iran’s infrastructure would escalate the conflict significantly. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards retaliated by launching an attack on Israeli facilities, escalating tensions further.
Strikes in Lebanon Continue Amid Regional Escalation
As the focus shifted to Tehran, Israel maintained its campaign in Lebanon. The military revealed it had conducted a recent strike in Beirut, hitting a site associated with Iran’s Quds Force. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed one fatality from the attack. In addition, Israeli forces were reported to have occupied parts of the southern village of Aita al-Chaab, deploying surveillance equipment to monitor activity.
Impact of Attacks on Iranian Infrastructure
The IDF claimed to have disabled or destroyed around 330 of Iran’s 470 estimated ballistic missile launchers since the conflict began. Over half were hit by air strikes, while others were neutralized through targeted entries into underground storage sites. The military noted a decline in missile fire on Israel, from approximately 90 daily launches at the start to around 10 in recent days. However, the toll on Iran remains severe, with reports of over 1,500 casualties—both military and civilian—since the war began. Some human rights groups have cited figures as high as 3,230 deaths by 21 March.
Recent strikes in Tabriz city resulted in at least six fatalities, according to Fars news. The death of a child on Monday raised concerns, with estimates indicating that 15% of total casualties in Iran so far involve individuals under 18. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented 206 attacks across 15 Iranian provinces in the past 24 hours, highlighting the ongoing toll of hostilities.
The Guardian could not independently confirm the details of the strikes, but the IDF’s continued actions in Tehran and Lebanon suggest a sustained effort to weaken Iran’s military and strategic capabilities. As tensions persist, the interplay between US policy and Israeli operations remains a critical factor in the evolving conflict.
