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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Iran, Israel Exchange Fire Amid U.S. Negotiation Hopes; Houthi Rebels Join Attacks

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iran and Israel exchanged attacks, marking the first direct confrontation since a fragile truce in April.
  • The escalation occurred despite U.S. President Trump's calls for restraint, potentially complicating U.S.-Iran negotiations.
  • Houthi rebels in Yemen also joined the attacks, further destabilizing the region.

Israel and Iran engaged in direct military exchanges, the first since a tentative truce was established in April, raising regional tensions. The strikes involved Iran targeting military sites in western and central Iran, while Israel retaliated by attacking Iranian military targets. This escalation follows Iran's earlier missile launches toward northern Israel.

I decide. All the initiative is with me.

— Donald TrumpAsserting his control over the situation and the upcoming negotiations with Iran.

The exchange occurred despite appeals from U.S. President Donald Trump for restraint. Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further retaliation, emphasizing that a potential agreement with Iran was nearing completion. Trump also called on Iran to cease missile attacks and return to negotiations.

What I want to say to Iran is, you fired missiles, so stop now and come back to the table to make a deal.

— Donald TrumpUrging Iran to cease hostilities and resume negotiations.

Adding to the volatile situation, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels participated in the conflict, attacking Israel and partially closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis claimed responsibility for missile attacks toward Israel, which were reportedly intercepted by Israel's air defense systems. This marks the first Houthi action against Israel since April 8th.

We were not involved in this airstrike.

— U.S. officialClarifying the U.S. position on the Israeli airstrikes against Iran.

Israel's decision to strike Iranian territory, even after Trump's dissuasion, highlights a potential divergence in strategic approaches. U.S. officials have stated they were not involved in the latest Israeli airstrikes. This development casts a shadow over the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, which Trump had optimistically predicted could conclude this week.

Israel will ban navigation for Israeli ships in the Red Sea.

— Houthi statementAnnouncing a new measure by the Houthi rebels affecting maritime traffic.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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