Iran and Israel trade attacks as Trump’s war passes 100 days

Iran and Israel Exchange Missile Strikes as U.S. Diplomatic Efforts Continue

Iran launched missile attacks on Israel over the weekend, after which Israel conducted strikes on targets in central Iran, including a petrochemical facility. Iran responded with additional missile fire toward Israel. The exchanges occurred against the backdrop of U.S. efforts to reach an interim agreement with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations.

President Donald Trump stated to Axios that he planned to contact Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to request restraint on retaliation to allow time for diplomacy. During the call, Trump indicated the parties were close to an agreement, according to a U.S. official cited by Axios. Netanyahu proceeded with strikes on Iranian targets. Trump later told Fox News that the Iranian missile launches were not helpful to negotiations and suggested Iran return to talks.

Trump told the Financial Times that the attacks would not halt the diplomatic process. He described the underlying issues as longstanding, spanning either decades or millennia depending on the historical framing. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that both Israel and Iran sought an immediate ceasefire, with final negotiations underway, and that the existing blockade on Iran would continue until a deal is reached.

Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press that negotiations were close on a few remaining points and that Iran had agreed not to develop nuclear weapons. He added language to address potential acquisition of weapons by purchase, stating this clause was necessary beyond a prohibition on development alone. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had posted on X days before U.S. military action began on February 28 that Iran would under no circumstances develop a nuclear weapon.

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was structured as an executive agreement rather than a treaty ratified by the Senate. Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, the International Atomic Energy Agency documented instances in which Iran exceeded agreed enrichment limits. Iran had previously affirmed in the JCPOA text that it would not seek, develop, or acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

Trump told the Financial Times that Netanyahu would have no choice but to accept terms negotiated between the United States and Iran. He indicated that failure of talks could lead to consideration of further military options or continuation of the blockade, which he described as effective.

Ukraine-Russia Exchanges on Ceasefire Proposals

In a separate development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing a face-to-face meeting to discuss a ceasefire. Putin, speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, described the letter’s tone as rude and stated it did not create conditions conducive to negotiations. He indicated he would meet Zelensky only when a final agreement was prepared for signature and emphasized the need for arrangements lasting beyond short-term periods.

Zelensky responded in a video address that Russia had chosen to continue the conflict and expressed disappointment at the reply. In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said freezing current front lines could serve as an initial step to shift discussions to a diplomatic track, allowing greater protection for civilians and the return of soldiers. He added that Ukrainian forces would respond to attacks by carrying operations onto Russian territory in the absence of a ceasefire.

The Institute for the Study of War reported in a June 5 assessment that Russian forces had lost control of approximately 280 square kilometers in recent days and that Ukrainian forces had recorded some tactical advances in 2026. The analysis stated that Russian military performance showed signs of decline and that claims of broad advances were inconsistent with available data on battlefield control.

Additional Developments

Trump stated in public remarks that he directs decisions in the U.S.-Israel relationship. Reporting from multiple outlets covered related topics including Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, U.S. assessments of Iranian missile threats to regional waterways, and personnel matters at the Department of Homeland Security ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Other coverage addressed NATO-related discussions in Finland, potential U.S. interest in the Chagos Islands, and Pentagon evaluations of espionage concerns involving multiple countries.

The newsletter format compiled links from the Washington Examiner, Financial Times, New York Times, Sky News, Politico, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, NBC News, Washington Post, Military Times, Air & Space Forces Magazine, Breaking Defense, and DefenseScoop on topics ranging from military procurement and software updates to regional security developments in Venezuela and the Persian Gulf.