The conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with both countries exchanging attacks and retaliatory strikes.
According to reports, Israel has launched surprise attacks on northwestern Iran, targeting military infrastructure and nuclear research facilities and employing drones and missiles launched from within Iran while Iran has fired drones and missiles towards Israel.
The conflict has resulted in significant human toll, with over 400 people killed and at least 3,056 others wounded in Iran since Israel launched its attack on June 13.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that US involvement in the conflict would be “very dangerous for everybody”, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged for accelerated nuclear negotiations between European powers and Iran, stating that Iran needs to provide guarantees that its nuclear program is peaceful.
The conflict has also raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the Israeli army is accused of taking advantage of the diverted attention to carry out more deadly attacks on Palestinians. The US has started evacuating assisted departure flights from Israel to repatriate Americans wishing to leave amid the conflict.
The international community is working to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a wider war. European diplomats have convened with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to find a solution to the crisis, while the UN Secretary-General has warned of “enormous consequences” for the region and global stability.
US President Donald Trump has also stated that he will decide on potential military action against Iran within two weeks.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and damage on both sides. In Israel, at least 24 civilians have been killed, while in Iran, over 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported that five hospitals in Iran have been damaged amid Israeli airstrikes.
Key Quotes
- “It would be very dangerous for everybody” if the US joins Israel’s “aggression”, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
- “We want to accelerate nuclear negotiations between European powers and Iran”, French President Emmanuel Macron.
- “US aiding Israel in war on Iran would be catastrophic”, Bernie Sanders.
- “Controllable Iran, and not a free Iran” is what Trump and Netanyahu want, Professor Lorenzo Kamel.
- “This isn’t complicated, it’s not a conflict, it’s not self defence. It is colonisation, it is domination, it is genocide”, Independent MP Zarah Sultana.