American and British media warn that Iran's rocket attacks on Israel in response to Israeli bombings of southern Beirut suburbs could provoke a new outbreak of regional conflict. According to journalists, the incident has tested the fragile ceasefire that went into effect on April 8 after more than a hundred days of war. The previous phase of fighting began in late February with a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran and temporarily subsided thanks to diplomatic efforts.
The Wall Street Journal notes that Iran struck Israel for the first time since the ceasefire, which could lead to immediate escalation. The New York Times fears a return to full-scale open confrontation, while the Washington Post emphasizes that the attacks complicate already difficult talks on a comprehensive peace agreement. Experts are unanimous: any Israeli retaliation risks drawing other regional powers into the conflict and undermining global security.
The international community is watching the U.S. administration's response with concern, especially amid reports of progress in U.S.-Iran talks. According to Axios, President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and strongly urged restraint in carrying out retaliatory strikes. The American leader indicated that diplomacy should be given more time and that negotiations with Tehran must not be derailed.
In public statements, Trump called on Iran to stop the rocket fire and return to the negotiating table. "You fired your rockets, that's enough," he said in an interview with Fox News. "Come back and make a deal." The White House seeks to balance support for Israel's right to self-defense with preventing a full-scale war that could destroy the chances for a peaceful settlement.
Later in an interview with the Financial Times, Trump stressed that he — not Netanyahu — would determine the terms for ending the conflict. The American leader also criticized recent Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon as uncoordinated with Washington. At the same time he voiced support for "surgical" strikes against militants but firmly rejected the possibility of a large-scale attack on Beirut, clearly defining the boundaries of what he deems acceptable for his ally.
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What is Hezbollah's role in the Iran-Israel conflict and why did Israeli strikes on its positions in Lebanon prompt Iran's rocket attack? — Hezbollah is a key Iranian ally in the region, established with Tehran's support in the 1980s. It operates as Iran's military proxy on the border with Israel, distracting Israeli forces and creating a threat on the northern front. Israeli strikes on its positions in Lebanon are perceived by Iran as a direct attack on its strategic infrastructure and sphere of influence. In response, Iran launched rocket strikes to demonstrate solidarity with its ally, protect its interests, and preserve the balance of power in the region, since Iran and Hezbollah officially declare commitment to the "axis of resistance" against Israel and the United States.
What are the main topics of the U.S.-Iran talks mentioned in the article, and why are they important for regional stability? — The main topics include Iran's nuclear program (in particular, returning to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or modifying it), lifting economic sanctions, and regional security issues such as Iran's influence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. These talks are critically important for regional stability because their success could reduce the risk of full-scale war between Iran and Israel, which could involve the U.S. and other Middle Eastern countries, and could prevent a regional arms or nuclear race. Failure of the talks, conversely, would heighten tensions and could lead to direct military clashes that destabilize the entire Middle East.
Full version: صحافة أمريكية.. سيناريو تجدد الحرب مع إيران وترمب يلجم إسرائيل ويلمح لصفقة