Washington, DC [US], March 24 (ANI): US President Donald Trump appears determined to facilitate an agreement with Iran to conclude hostilities in the Middle East, according to a report by Reuters citing three senior Israeli officials.

While Washington seeks a diplomatic breakthrough, significant uncertainty remains regarding Tehran's willingness to concede to the key demands expected from the US administration. According to the officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, it is unlikely that Iran will consent to conditions that would impose 'limits on its nuclear programme and ballistic missile capabilities.'

Despite these strategic hurdles, President Trump claimed on social media that Washington and Tehran had recently engaged in 'very good and productive' discussions. He suggested these talks were focused on achieving a 'complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.'

However, this narrative has been flatly contradicted by Iranian authorities, who maintain that no such negotiations have occurred. Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed the reports of negotiations as 'fake news,' asserting they are designed to manipulate financial and oil markets while distracting from the pressures currently facing the US and Israel.

Adding a regional perspective to the diplomatic friction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Trump intends to capitalise on recent military developments to secure a settlement that safeguards Israeli interests. The Prime Minister indicated there was a strategic opportunity to 'leverage the mighty achievements obtained by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and the US military' to fulfil wartime objectives through a diplomatic framework.

Reinforcing this defiant stance, Iran's Revolutionary Guards characterised the statements from the US President as 'psychological operations' and signalled that their military activities would continue unabated.

The disconnect between diplomatic claims and the reality on the ground was underscored on Tuesday, as the IDF confirmed that the Home Front Command has begun rescue operations in central Tel Aviv. The emergency response follows an Iranian missile strike that left six people lightly injured.

In a post on X, the IDF shared documentation from the impact zones, stating, 'Rescue and salvage forces of the Home Front Command are currently operating in collaboration with emergency organisations in the areas where reports of impacts have been received in the centre of the country.'

According to a Times of Israel report, Channel 12 cited police stating that a munition carrying about 100 kilograms of explosives impacted central Tel Aviv, damaging multiple buildings and vehicles. Missile fragments also reportedly impacted in Rosh Ha'ayin, east of Tel Aviv.

As tensions escalate, the IDF also shared updates from overnight strikes carried out in Lebanon. These operations targeted a Hezbollah broadcasting station, the headquarters of the 'Radwan Force' unit, and the headquarters of Hezbollah's Intelligence Unit in Beirut.

Furthermore, the IDF disclosed that it conducted over 50 overnight military strikes on targets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), attacking command centres, weapons storage facilities, and aerial defence systems. The Israeli Defence Forces stated on X that they have conducted over 3,000 strikes across Iran since the start of 'Operation Roaring Lion.'

The ripple effects of the conflict are being felt across the wider region. Al Jazeera reported that explosions were heard in Baghdad on Tuesday, noting that the death toll rose to 14 following a US airstrike on a PMF base in Iraq.

Reports from Iranian media indicated that energy infrastructure within the country has been attacked, while Bahrain reported a fire at a facility attributed to 'criminal Iranian aggression.' Meanwhile, Press TV reported that Imam Ali Hospital in Andimeshk has been evacuated and is no longer in service following direct attacks by the US and Israel.

In southern Lebanon, an Israeli attack reportedly hit a petrol station, triggering a massive explosion and fire. This occurred as the Israeli army issued displacement orders to local residents.

Despite the ongoing violence, some reports suggest back-channel movements. Arab News cited Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth to report that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was prepared to negotiate with the Americans.

The report mentioned a conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US intermediary Steve Witkoff, which was reportedly approved at the highest level in Iran.

These developments come as the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran enters its fourth week. Concerns continue to intensify over global energy security as supply bottlenecks and damage to civilian, military, and energy infrastructure mount. (ANI)