Iran Rejects U.S. Talks to End War, Launches Missile Strikes Across Middle East; Haifa Oil Refinery Hit
Tehran Agencies:
Iran on Monday rejected the United States’ proposals for negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, describing the conditions as unrealistic and illogical.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had received messages through mediators indicating Washington’s willingness to engage in talks, but the terms put forward were unacceptable.
The Iranian foreign spokesperson said, US President Donald Trump says one thing today and another thing tomorrow.
Such gestures are not dependable. Holding the US President responsible for the worsening situation, the spokesperson further said, Iran had not started the war, but the US and Israel together heaped the war on us, and under such a trying situation, we were left with no other option than to defend ourselves as well as give a befitting reply to the US and Israel.
It was further said by Iran that the US has made no direct contact with the country and is trying to put pressure on Iran through others.
Baghaei stated that Iran’s position remains firm, emphasising that the country is currently focused on defending itself following what it describes as military aggression.
He clarified that communication between Iran and the U.S. has so far taken place only indirectly through intermediaries, and no direct dialogue has been held.
Addressing reports of meetings in Pakistan, the Iranian spokesperson said those discussions were Pakistan’s own initiative and did not involve Tehran. He added that Iran’s stance has remained consistent, while the U.S. position has frequently shifted.
In a pointed remark about diplomatic overtures, Baghaei questioned the credibility of claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding negotiations, suggesting that such statements should be carefully assessed before being taken seriously.
Meanwhile, Iran launched multiple strikes early Monday targeting Israel and several Gulf countries, reportedly focusing on strategic infrastructure. Air raid sirens were heard near Israel’s main nuclear research facility.
The Israeli military said it intercepted two drones launched from Yemen. Over the weekend, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen entered the conflict by carrying out their first missile attack.
Missiles Fired Toward Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region
Iran continued its offensive against Gulf Arab neighbours, launching five missiles toward Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities reported that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted. Missile alerts were also issued in Bahrain, while drones and missiles were reportedly launched toward Dubai.
Haifa Oil Refinery Hit by Missile Strike
In northern Israel, a missile strike targeted the oil refinery in Haifa, triggering a major fire at the facility. Images broadcast by Israeli media showed thick black smoke billowing from the refinery complex.
It remains unclear whether the refinery was directly hit by a missile launched from Iran or Lebanon, or damaged by debris following an interception attempt. The incident occurred shortly after the Israeli military detected a fresh barrage of missiles launched toward its territory.
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising above the cylindrical storage tanks, and firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the blaze under control.
The Haifa refinery, located in one of Israel’s largest industrial zones in the country’s third-largest city, drew an immediate response from military units and emergency rescue teams.
Israeli media reported that the same facility had previously come under attack on March 19 during an earlier missile barrage. Sources indicate that Israel is now preparing for a significant retaliatory strike amid escalating tensions in the region.
