The strikes mark the first direct US attacks inside Iran since Trump briefly paused military operations last week in the hope of creating space for diplomacy. The overnight operation came as Iran continued to reject US demands over its nuclear programme and warned that any further attacks would be met with retaliation. They followed joint US-Saudi strikes on the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi militia backed by the IRGC. Israeli officials have argued that sustained pressure is needed to degrade the IRGC's ability to arm and coordinate allied groups across the Middle East. According to a senior Israeli official speaking to Reuters, Netanyahu did not press Trump to launch another strike against the Islamic Republic.