The conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with both countries exchanging deadly attacks for a fifth consecutive day. A Mossad office in Tel Aviv was targeted, and an alleged high-level assassination occurred in Tehran. The Israeli military claims to have killed Iran’s wartime chief of staff, while Iranian media reports preparations for what they call the largest and most intense missile attack on Israeli soil.
US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the conflict, stating, “we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” However, it’s unclear who the “we” refers to in this statement. Trump also wrote in a social media post, “Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA”.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers have killed dozens of Palestinian aid seekers, according to officials. The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Iran has risen to over 220, including 70 women and children. More than 20 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with at least 55,432 people killed and 128,923 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The international community is growing increasingly concerned about the conflict’s potential impact on the global economy. Qatar has warned that Israeli attacks on Iran’s energy facilities will affect oil prices. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said if Iran does not make concessions, the “complete destruction” of its nuclear programme could be “on the agenda”. Merz added, “The Israeli army is obviously unable to accomplish that. It lacks the necessary weapons… But the Americans have them”.
Analyst Hamed Mousavi believes the US is already “very much involved” in the conflict, supplying Israel with advanced weaponry and defending it at the UN Security Council. Mousavi warned that if the US were to enter the war, it could lead to a wider regional conflict. Yasmine Taeb, legislative and political director for MPower Change Action Fund, expressed concern that Trump is listening to foreign policy hawks within his administration, which could lead to further escalation.