Israel strikes Iran despite Trump’s plea to hold off, as US president insists “I call the shots”

Israel struck military targets in western and central Iran on Monday, defying a direct appeal from US President Donald Trump to hold off on further attacks as Washington pursues a peace deal with Tehran.

Trump had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone for less than half an hour on Sunday from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, urging him to refrain from strikes because “we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal,” according to a US official cited by...