Tehran asked Middle East nations to press Donald Trump to negotiate ceasefire

An Iranian newsreader fled in terror mid-broadcast after her station was struck by Israel, killing one staff member, while Donald Trump left the G7 summit amid the crisis.

Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities overnight with sirens ringing out into the early hours of Tuesday after Tel Aviv struck deep inside the Islamic republic, raising the Jewish state’s death toll by 11 as we enter day five of an escalating air war.

But behind the scenes, Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to appeal to US President Donald Trump to use his relationship with Israel to encourage a ceasefire, multiple well placed sources have told Reuters.

Diplomats from the Middle East nations reportedly spent the weekend on the phones attempting to prevent a wider conflict believing Mr Trump is the key to getting through to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The sources stated Iran was willing to offer “flexibility” on the nuclear deal in exchange for an end to the military action.

It came as Iran’s state media station was struck by Israel while a female newsreader was live on air prompting her to flee the studio in fear as debris rained down.

The Israeli strike killed one staff member of the TV station.

Israel’s strikes have so far killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities.

In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had “successfully” struck Israel with a salvo of missiles and warned of “effective, targeted and more devastating operations” to come.

The Iranian attacks hit Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva and Haifa – with shattered homes, smouldering wreckage and stunned residents picking through debris.

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Originally published as Tehran asked Middle East nations to press Donald Trump to negotiate ceasefire