The Blubber

The latest round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, previously scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed, mediator Oman announced Saturday. The development came as Iran launched another barrage of missiles, a day after Israel carried out a sweeping assault on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Both Iran’s state television and Israel’s military confirmed the latest missile exchange, with explosions reported over parts of Israel — including Tel Aviv — just before midnight. In northern Israel, fire officials reported a building collapse. In response to the rising regional threat, neighboring Jordan announced it had closed its airspace.

The Israeli military confirmed ongoing operations, stating it was targeting “military sites” in Tehran. Witnesses in the Iranian capital reported hearing at least two large explosions in the city’s northeastern and western districts.

The intensifying Israeli strikes — described as “widespread” — have left Iran’s leadership at a critical crossroads: escalate the conflict further against Israel’s superior military or pursue diplomatic solutions.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi wrote on social media that Sunday’s sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations “will not now take place.” However, a senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, affirmed continued commitment to diplomacy: “We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon.”

Missiles Over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Regional Tensions Soar

As missiles streaked across the night sky above Jerusalem on Saturday, Iran signaled its resolve to retaliate. The second night of Iranian strikes followed Israel’s devastating attacks on sensitive nuclear and military installations.

Despite urgent international calls for restraint, including warnings from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who called Israel's strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities a “dangerous precedent,” both nations have signaled they will continue hostilities.

The broader region remains on edge. Israel is simultaneously intensifying its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now in its 20th month, heightening fears of a multi-front war.

Israel, widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the Middle East, said its operations in Iran over the past 48 hours have eliminated several high-ranking targets — including nine senior scientists and experts linked to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. According to Iran’s UN envoy, 78 people were killed and over 320 injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attacks were part of a long-planned operation initially set for April but delayed. “This was months in the making,” he said.

Key Iranian Commanders Killed; Gas Facility Possibly Targeted

Among the Iranian officials killed in Israeli strikes were three top military figures:

• Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, commander of Iran’s armed forces
• Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guard
• Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, leader of the Guard’s aerospace division and overseer of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly appointed Gen. Majid Mousavi as the new head of the aerospace unit.

Iran retaliated Saturday night, lighting up skies over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel confirmed three deaths and more than 170 injuries from the initial wave of Iranian missiles.

“If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front — Tehran will burn,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned.