The escalating confrontation between Israel and Iran has entered its third day of direct military exchanges, marking a dangerous new phase in Middle East tensions that is drawing global concern and urgent diplomatic engagement.
On Sunday, renewed Israeli
airstrikes hit Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting further
retaliatory missile attacks from Iran, as both sides appear
locked in a rapidly intensifying tit-for-tat.
According to Iranian
officials and media reports, the Israeli bombardment has resulted in dozens of deaths
and hundreds of injuries across Iran. Meanwhile, Iran’s strikes
on Israeli targets have reportedly killed at least 13 people and left 380 injured,
intensifying fears of a broader regional war.
Iran Demands Halt,
Israel Maintains Pressure
Iran’s Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Iran’s response would cease once Israel ends its
aggression, but emphasized Tehran’s readiness to defend its
sovereignty.
“The attacks will
stop the moment Israel halts its offensives. But as long as our cities are
under fire, we will respond,” Araghchi said.
These latest
developments come amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza,
where, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, 55,362 people have been killed
and 128,741 injured since the war began. The conflict
originally erupted following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led incursion into
Israel, which resulted in 1,139 deaths and over 200 hostages
being taken.
Germany Warns, G7
Diplomacy in Focus
With the spectre of
a wider regional conflict looming, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
announced that the upcoming G7 summit in Canada would seek to
reach consensus on four urgent measures to de-escalate the Israel-Iran crisis:
1.
Prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons
2.
Reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defence against
existential threats
3.
Avoid any further escalation of the conflict
4.
Create space for diplomatic engagement and
resolution
Chancellor Merz
also signalled internal security concerns, stating:
“We are preparing
for potential threats to Israeli or Jewish targets within Germany.”
This rare public
acknowledgment underlines growing concerns across Europe about the spillover
impact of the Middle Eastern confrontation.
Airspace Shut Down
In a sign of rising
domestic risk perception, the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has ordered a full
closure of Israeli airspace and all airports, grounded
commercial flights and highlighted the seriousness of the current threat
environment.
Regional Stability
at Stake
The international
community, particularly the G7, is now under pressure to mediate quickly before
a broader war erupts, one that could reshape alliances, upend oil markets, and
significantly shift global diplomatic priorities.
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