Trump urges restraint as Israel-Iran conflict enters 100th day
International media analyse the fractured ceasefire, judicial failures in France, and overtourism tensions in Barcelona.
US President Donald Trump has instructed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept negotiations with Iran and refrain from striking back, according to reports from Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel. The directive comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its 100th day, following an exchange of hostilities that included an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Despite Trump’s explicit orders to exercise restraint, Netanyahu ignored the instruction and proceeded with retaliatory measures.
Trump reinforced his position in an interview with The Financial Times, stating that Israeli leaders would have no choice but to accept a deal with Tehran. He asserted that he controls the decision-making process regarding the conflict, telling the paper that he calls the shots rather than Netanyahu. The US president maintained that the recent strikes would not have any impact on active negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
However, the diplomatic landscape remains volatile. The Washington Post suggests that the military escalation threatens to further complicate efforts to broker a peace deal. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain active, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holding discussions with counterparts in Britain, France, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan regarding ceasefire violations on Sunday.
International media are now analysing the first 100 days of the war. Iranian outlets, including The Tehran Times and Al Jazeera, frame the nation’s survival as a victory, with state media headlining Iran’s epic resistance. In contrast, The New York Times highlights widespread despair among Iranian citizens, noting that an imploding economy has caused hopelessness across the political spectrum.
Beyond the Middle East, public anger is mounting in France following the murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna. Major newspapers, including Le Monde and Mediapart, cite systemic failure within the judicial system, noting that the girl had been missing for a week before her body was found. Thousands marched in Paris on Sunday, with critics pointing out that the main suspect was facing multiple accusations of raping minors prior to the tragedy.
Tensions are also rising in Barcelona over overtourism at the Sagrada Familia, which is nearly completed after 144 years of construction. The Wall Street Journal reports a widening gap between the basilica’s religious origins and its current status as a tourist magnet. Locals fear that the upcoming visit by Pope Leo XIV will exacerbate overcrowding and strain the city’s infrastructure.
