Israel-Iran Conflict LIVE Updates: Senior Iranian Military Commander Killed in Airstrike as Global Leaders Scramble to Contain Escalation; Trump Rules Out Ceasefire

As the armed conflict between Israel and Iran escalates for a fifth consecutive day, the situation in the Middle East has grown increasingly tense.

In a significant development, the Israeli military has claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Ali Shadmani, Iran’s wartime chief of staff and one of the highest-ranking commanders in the Iranian military structure.

The report, first circulated by Reuters, suggests that Shadmani’s elimination marks a major blow to Iran’s war strategy and leadership during the ongoing hostilities.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the airstrike that led to Shadmani’s death was part of a wider campaign of retaliatory operations following Iran’s continued rocket and drone attacks against key Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from aboard Air Force One, made it clear that he had no interest in pushing for a temporary halt in hostilities.

“We’re looking at better than a ceasefire… A real end. Not a ceasefire. An end,” Trump stated defiantly, dismissing any speculation that diplomatic backchannel discussions were underway between Washington and Tehran.

Further clarifying his position on Truth Social, Trump emphatically denied that any ceasefire talks had been initiated by his administration. “HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS,” he posted, condemning reports that claimed the U.S. was in communication with Iranian officials.

He reiterated that Iran “should have taken the deal that was on the table” during previous nuclear negotiations and hinted that the onus is now on Iran if it wishes to re-engage. “If they want to talk, they know how to reach me,” he concluded.

Despite Trump’s disavowal of active negotiations, there have been indications that the U.S. administration had previously considered dispatching special envoy Steve Witkoff or even Vice President JD Vance to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a last-ditch effort to revive the stalled nuclear agreement framework.

Meanwhile, sirens blared across multiple cities in Israel, particularly Tel Aviv, as Iran launched another intense wave of missile strikes in the early hours of Tuesday. Residents were forced to rush to bomb shelters and secure areas, bracing for impact.

Fortunately, Israel’s national emergency services reported that the latest round of strikes caused no civilian casualties. However, earlier attacks have raised the Israeli death toll to 22.

On the other side, Iran’s health ministry issued a statement claiming that the number of Iranian fatalities due to Israeli bombardments has now climbed to at least 224, including both military personnel and civilians.

In a bid to quell the mounting crisis, global leaders gathered in Canada for the G7 Summit, where the Israel-Iran conflict dominated discussions. Among the primary goals of the summit was the de-escalation of tensions and the reintroduction of diplomatic channels to prevent further bloodshed.

During a press briefing, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that Trump had spoken to G7 leaders about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

“An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions,” Macron told reporters, suggesting that diplomatic overtures—though denied by Trump—may have been contemplated internally.

The G7 nations collectively expressed unequivocal support for Israel, condemning Iran as a principal source of instability in the Middle East. The alliance reiterated its commitment to standing with democratic nations under threat and urged restraint from both parties to avoid a full-scale regional war.

As the situation evolves rapidly, international observers remain deeply concerned about the potential for broader military entanglements, especially with major powers becoming increasingly vocal and involved.

Both diplomatic and humanitarian efforts are expected to intensify in the coming days as the world watches the volatile standoff between two of the Middle East’s most powerful nations.