Strikes hit Iran while Tehran targets Israel and Gulf states amid mixed signals over talks to end war

Military strikes are being exchanged between Iran and Israel while the Trump administration deploys additional U.S. Marines to the Persian Gulf, even as the White House indicated it may extend its deadline for Iran to negotiate. Both sides have launched barrages despite public denials from Tehran that any talks are underway, suggesting deep friction between stated diplomatic goals and military posturing. The escalating tempo of attacks risks widening a conflict that has already drawn in multiple regional actors and U.S. forces. Trump had previously set a self-imposed deadline for Iranian negotiations but delayed it, signaling the administration's uncertainty about whether diplomacy or deterrence will prevail. The deployment of additional American troops underscores U.S. commitment to protecting Gulf allies while the mixed signals on talks suggest the two countries remain far from resolving their fundamental disputes.