Iran says Israel targeting oil sites to escalate conflict, draw in others

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faces an increasingly isolated position as Israeli air strikes have killed several of his top military advisers, including key Revolutionary Guards commanders, Reuters said in an analysis on Tuesday.

Citing five people familiar with his decision-making process, the article said the losses create dangerous gaps in Iran’s decision-making and raise the risk of strategic miscalculations amid escalating tensions with Israel.

The strikes have targeted senior figures such as Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami and IRGC aerospace chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh, undermining the inner circle that advises the 86-year-old leader on defense and security.

The Kremlin warned on Tuesday that the conflict between Israel and Iran is on a path of “galloping escalation,” calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

A Kremlin spokesperson said Russia currently sees no willingness from Israel to pursue mediation or a peaceful settlement.

Russia is also offering its citizens the option to evacuate from Iran through Azerbaijan amid rising tensions.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday issued a warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, suggesting he could suffer a fate similar to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"I warn the Iranian dictator from continuing to commit war crimes and fire missiles at Israeli citizens. He should remember what happened to the dictator in the country neighboring Iran who took this path against the State of Israel,” Katz said in a video from Israel's security headquarters.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he had not initiated any communication with Iran for potential peace negotiations, dismissing such claims as "highly fabricated" and "fake news."

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I have not reached out to Iran for ‘Peace Talks’ in any way, shape, or form. This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS!”

“If they want to talk, they know how to reach me,” Trump added. “They should have taken the deal that was on the table – Would have saved a lot of lives!”

Iran’s Cyber Security Command has banned government officials and their security teams from using any devices connected to public communication or telecommunications networks, Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.

The directive follows growing concerns over the use of mobile phone tracking for targeted assassinations inside Iran. It may also aimed at preventing incidents similar to last year's pager attack by Israel against Hezbollah members.

The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency said on Monday that Israel has used such technology to kill individuals, including nuclear scientists, during recent strikes.

Fars warned that even turning off mobile phones at sensitive locations may not prevent location tracking and recommended the use of secure, anti-tracking devices.

Separately, Tehran lawmaker Hamid Rasaei wrote on X that all officials and their associates must hand in their phones to reduce the risk of being tracked.

“The use of connected devices by officials and their security personnel is now prohibited,” Fars quoted the Cyber Security Command as saying, without specifying which government departments were affected or whether exceptions would apply.