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| Israel Iran war news updates: Smoke and fire rise at an impacted facility site following a missile attack by Iran on Israel, at Haifa, Israel (REUTERS) |
Amid rising fears of regional escalation, global powers including Russia, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates issued urgent calls for restraint. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Moscow’s mediation services to defuse the conflict, while Germany urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table.
Diplomats Scramble as Missiles Fly
Tensions reached a new peak following Israel’s targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, including centrifuge production facilities in Karaj and Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the sites were previously under JCPOA monitoring.
Responding to the Israeli assault, Iran launched a barrage of retaliatory missile strikes—reportedly over 400 in total—resulting in 24 Israeli deaths and widespread injuries. One Iranian missile struck the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel, killing four civilians, igniting public grief, and raising fresh questions about the adequacy of protections for minority communities within Israel.
“I wish to myself, if only the missile would have hit me as well,” said Raja Khatib, who lost his wife and two daughters in the attack. “And I would be with them, and I wouldn't be suffering anymore,” he told AFP.
Supreme Leader Vows “Irreparable Damage” if U.S. Intervenes
Khamenei’s latest televised address dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as “vulgar,” warning that any American military involvement would trigger “irreparable damage.” Iranian officials, including their UN envoy in Geneva, vowed a strong and “unrestrained” response if provoked by Washington.
Trump, who cut short his G7 summit visit in Canada, met with military advisers in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday. Reports suggest that the U.S. could consider deploying its bunker-buster GBU-57 bomb—capable of penetrating Iran's fortified nuclear sites—should it opt to back Israeli forces.
Civilian Evacuations and Cyber Warfare
The intensifying hostilities have sparked a humanitarian and diplomatic scramble. India evacuated 110 students from Iran, including 90 from Kashmir. China also confirmed it had relocated nearly 800 citizens from Iran. Meanwhile, Israel began repatriating tens of thousands of its stranded citizens with special El Al rescue flights from Cyprus and Europe.
In parallel, the digital front of the conflict saw a dramatic uptick in cyberattacks. Iranian authorities claimed over 6,700 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in just three days. Iran's state-run media accused Israeli cyber units of targeting banks and vital infrastructure, prompting temporary internet shutdowns across the nation.
Regional and Global Fallout
The diplomatic fallout has reverberated across the region. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voiced support for Iran’s “right to self-defense,” labeling Israeli actions “state terrorism.” Families of Russian diplomats were evacuated from Israel, and speculation is mounting over a potential relocation of the Russian embassy due to ongoing security threats.
As part of Israel’s military operations, the IDF confirmed strikes using over 50 fighter jets targeting weapons manufacturing and nuclear-related sites in and around Tehran. The Israeli military also claimed to have destroyed five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters in Kermanshah, although Iran has yet to confirm the loss.
What Lies Ahead?
As missiles continue to fly and rhetoric grows harsher, diplomatic efforts are being overshadowed by the realities on the ground. Analysts warn that any misstep—particularly involving U.S. forces—could trigger a full-scale regional war, drawing in multiple global players.
The international community, including the UN and NATO, is closely monitoring the situation, but with little indication that either side is prepared to stand down, the road to peace remains uncertain.
For now, all eyes remain on Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Washington—where the next move could shape the course of Middle Eastern geopolitics for years to come.
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