The victim, believed to be around 60 years old, died in Tel Aviv following a missile impact, according to Magen David Adom, which added that two others sustained minor injuries.

The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory, with air defense systems activated to intercept the threat.Search and rescue teams were deployed to multiple impact sites in central Israel, the military said, while witnesses reported seeing missile trails over Jerusalem.

Explosions were also heard in Jericho in the occupied West Bank.Emergency responders were seen at the scene in Tel Aviv, where a main road was partially sealed off following the strike.

Israeli authorities said earlier that at least 18 civilians had been killed since the start of the conflict, including 13 Israelis, four minors, a Filipino caregiver and a Thai national, in missile attacks attributed to Iran.

The military warned that additional missile launches were detected as Saturday approached, indicating the continuation of hostilities.Iran signals retaliationIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Tehran would impose a “heavy price” for Israeli actions, following reported strikes on major Iranian steel facilities and nuclear sites.

The exchange of attacks marks an intensification of the conflict between the two countries, with both sides continuing cross-border strikes amid mounting civilian casualties.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said discussions over the past two days had raised the prospect of a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.” Speaking later to reporters before departing Florida for Memphis, he described the talks as “very, very strong,” adding that negotiators had reached agreement on “almost all points.”

Trump said U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who had previously engaged in negotiations with Iran, held discussions with a senior Iranian official on Sunday evening and were expected to continue talks on Monday. He declined to identify the Iranian interlocutor, stating only that it was not the country’s supreme leader, and said Washington was engaging with “the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader.”

Reporter for Axios said officials from Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan had separately met Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, suggesting a coordinated mediation effort. Iran’s foreign ministry acknowledged unspecified “initiatives” aimed at reducing tensions, according to the Mehr news agency, and reiterated that Tehran expected Washington to participate directly in any negotiations as a principal party to the conflict.

The diplomatic push comes hours before a previously signaled U.S. deadline that had raised the prospect of escalation targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, a move widely seen as carrying significant regional and economic risks.

Trump said he had communicated with Israel, describing the U.S. ally as supportive of ongoing diplomatic efforts. A source briefed on Israeli planning said Washington had kept Israel informed of its contacts with Tehran and indicated that Israel was likely to mirror the U.S. pause by suspending any targeting of Iranian power plants and related infrastructure.

Trump’s comments helped ease immediate concerns of escalation, with oil prices falling and stock markets recovering as investors reassessed geopolitical risk. The prospect of a temporary halt in strikes on energy assets signaled a reduced likelihood of near-term disruption to regional supply.

Diplomatic contacts are expected to continue in the coming days as intermediaries seek to bridge remaining gaps between Washington and Tehran.

According to a statement released by the Israeli Defense Ministry, Hegseth conveyed strong backing for Israel’s military operations and said the United States stood with the country as the conflict continued to unfold. The remarks were made during a discussion between the two defence officials held overnight, the ministry said.Katz thanked the United States for what the ministry described as extensive assistance in defending Israeli citizens, highlighting the role of American support in Israel’s security response during the current crisis.Washington reiterates security supportThe statement from the defence ministry said Hegseth expressed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security and reiterated that the United States supported Israel’s efforts to respond to threats facing the country.The ministry said Hegseth told Katz that Israel should “keep going until the end,” a message it said underscored the depth of U.S. backing during the ongoing confrontation. The statement did not provide additional details about the operational context of the conversation or the specific measures discussed between the two sides.The United States has long been Israel’s primary security partner, providing military assistance, intelligence cooperation and advanced defence systems. U.S. officials have repeatedly described Israel’s security as a key component of Washington’s strategic policy in the Middle East.Israeli officials acknowledge U.S. assistanceIn the same conversation, Katz thanked Hegseth for the support the United States has provided to Israel during the conflict, according to the ministry’s statement.The Israeli defence minister said U.S. assistance had been significant in helping protect Israeli civilians, the ministry said, though it did not specify the form of the assistance referenced.The defence ministry’s statement characterised the discussions as part of ongoing coordination between the two countries’ defence establishments as the situation in the region evolves.Security cooperation between the United States and Israel typically includes joint planning, intelligence sharing and operational coordination, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.Coordination amid escalating regional tensionsThe conversation between Hegseth and Katz took place against the backdrop of widening instability in the Middle East, with military developments drawing increased attention from regional governments and global markets.Israel’s defence ministry said the talks were part of continuing engagement between the two governments as they monitor developments and maintain coordination on security matters.Officials from both countries have maintained close contact since the conflict escalated, reflecting the longstanding strategic partnership between Washington and Israel. The defence ministry statement did not indicate whether additional meetings or consultations were scheduled between the two leaders.The ministry also did not disclose whether the discussions addressed specific military operations or future policy decisions, noting only that Hegseth reiterated U.S. support for Israel and its right to defend its citizens.

The overnight exchange highlighted the ongoing diplomatic and military coordination between the United States and Israel as the conflict continues to shape the regional security environment.