The third day of Israel’s war with Iran ended Sunday with significantly less activity than the first 48 hours, offering the first signs that either a protracted conflict or a rapid negotiated resolution may be equally possible outcomes.
While tensions remain high, most of Sunday’s reported Israeli strikes inside Iran appeared to originate from drones and projectiles launched within the country by operatives believed to be linked to Mossad. Iranian authorities claimed they uncovered a Mossad-affiliated drone manufacturing workshop in Eslamshahr, just south of Tehran.
Additionally, two individuals alleged to be Mossad agents were reportedly arrested by Iranian security forces in Fashafooyeh. Another truck discovered inside Tehran's Tawhid Tunnel was found to be carrying suicide drones, officials said. A separate incident circulating on social media appeared to show an Iranian police officer in pursuit of a van reportedly driven by a Mossad-linked operative. Authorities later confirmed the suspect was arrested.
Iran's Chief of Police, General Ahmad Reza Radan, issued a public warning, urging property owners who recently rented homes or commercial spaces to unknown companies to report such arrangements to the authorities, citing concerns that foreign collaborators could be using these spaces as operational bases.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel on Sunday were limited compared to the barrage seen on Friday and Saturday. While missiles reportedly struck the city of Haifa, footage posted on social media also appeared to show Iranian missiles hitting the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel. According to estimates, approximately 30 missiles were launched from Iran into Israel Sunday night—down considerably from the previous two nights.
Early on Monday morning Iran launched another small wave with targets in Tel Aviv, Eilat and Haifa being hit, including a power plant in Haifa which led to power outages in Central Israel.
In a diplomatic development, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated openness to having Russian President Vladimir Putin mediate an end to the hostilities. Speaking in an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Trump stated, "Yeah, I would be open to it. [Putin] is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved."
Trump’s remarks followed a call from Putin on Saturday, during which, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president condemned Israel’s actions—suggesting the exchange may have been tense.
The tone of Trump’s Sunday statements, including a post on his Truth Social platform urging Iran and Israel to “make a deal,” marked a sharp departure from his earlier rhetoric. On Friday, he celebrated the death of Iranian “hardliners” and warned Tehran to return to nuclear deal negotiations “before it’s too late.” Trump also confirmed he was aware of Israel’s planned attacks in advance, though by Saturday he publicly distanced the United States from any direct involvement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament is scheduled to convene Monday to discuss key retaliatory measures, including potential withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In another major move, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that it will no longer cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the UN nuclear watchdog of leaking sensitive details of Iran’s nuclear program to Israel.