Diplomacy Begins as Trump Talks Peace, Both Sides Attack Oil Infra

US prez reiterates claim he stopped India-Pak conflict; Israel, Iran launch day-time strikes

- AGENCIES @Jerusalem/Dubai/New York

EVEN as Israel and Iran stepped up their attacks on each other for the third straight day on Sunday, hitting defense, infrastructure, and civilian targets, US President Donald Trump claimed a peace deal is in the works to stop the war.

In a social media post, he said "many calls and meetings" were taking place at his instance to de-escalate tensions. Reiterating his claim that he interfered to stop the military engagement between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Trump said: "Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make."

Meanwhile, the total toll on both sides mounted with 13 deaths officially confirmed in Israel and 78 in Iran since Friday. However, reports pegged the toll in Iran at 406.

In Israel, the main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day.