Iran intensified its missile barrage on Israel late Saturday, as the Israeli military continued its aggressive campaign of airstrikes across Iran. These recent attacks primarily targeted significant nuclear and military locations, resulting in the elimination of prominent figures within Iran’s leadership.
The Israeli government reported that over the previous two days, they carried out hundreds of airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of nine experienced scientists and specialists involved in Iran’s nuclear pursuits, along with several high-ranking generals. Meanwhile, Iran’s representation at the United Nations stated that the offensive had claimed 78 lives and injured more than 320 individuals.
In a subsequent development, the planned US-Iran indirect discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which were set to occur in Oman on Sunday, were called off. Oman’s foreign minister attributed the cancellation to the Israeli strikes on Iran.
In light of the situation, President Donald Trump denied any US involvement in Iran’s attacks and cautioned Iran against retaliatory actions. Trump expressed a readiness to facilitate a peaceful resolution between Iran and Israel to end the ongoing violence.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, emergency responders were active as they searched for survivors and cleared debris after a missile strike. Drones were deployed in hard-to-reach areas to aid in rescue missions as residents evacuated the area with their possessions.
The Israeli military confirmed that its operations had expanded to include a targeted strike on Iran’s Defense Ministry headquarters in Tehran. These moves also targeted facilities believed to be associated with Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While Israel stands by its actions, the International Atomic Energy Agency, alongside US intelligence, has repeatedly stated that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Coinciding with Iran’s missile waves, Israel’s defense systems reported overhead explosions within the country, including areas like Tel Aviv. Iranian state media continued to publicize the ongoing missile warfare, marking a day dense with military exchanges following Israel’s swift assault on Iranian sites.
Additionally, tension escalated as three drones zeroed in on a base housing US forces in Iraq following Israel’s offensive, but they were successfully shot down. Despite the rising strain, the US and Iran-backed Iraqi militias have maintained relative silence amid the Israeli-Iranian discord. Protests in Baghdad arose, condemning Israeli military actions in Iran while the fortified Green Zone remained unbreached.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced concern over the escalating situation through calls with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Trump, urging restraint to avoid further intensification. Macron emphasized the necessity of returning to negotiation to resolve the nuclear tension and advocated for the release of two French nationals detained in Iran.
The United Kingdom also reacted, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing the deployment of military assets to the Middle East as a preventative strategy amidst rising tensions. In discussions with global counterparts, Starmer underscored the need for de-escalation, and these efforts are set to continue at the upcoming summit in Canada.
In Iran, local governance reported significant casualties and damages from Israeli strikes. Eastern Azerbaijan province’s leadership shared early acknowledgments of a substantial death toll from Israeli military actions striking regional centers including Tabriz and other key towns. This follows state media reports citing high fatalities in Tehran from the Israeli air offensive.
China weighed into the widening conflict with its foreign minister, Wang Yi, urging Israel to consider the ramifications of its nuclear facility strikes, outlining them as dangerous precedents. In parallel communications, China reinforced its opposition to violations of Iranian sovereignty, emphasizing diplomatic avenues as vital to achieving lasting peace.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with President Trump concerning both the Middle East conflict and ongoing Ukraine negotiations, promoting a peaceful resolution strategy for the Iranian nuclear concerns.
Amidst these discussions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued thanks to President Trump for his support against Iran, likening the ongoing military operations to a cooperative endeavor for furthering their mutual interests.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences to Iran, condemning the Israeli assaults and urging for an adherence to negotiations rather than militaristic engagements. Global leaders including those from Egypt and Turkey cautioned against Israel’s recent military actions, predicting detrimental effects on Middle Eastern stability.
Reports from semi-official Iranian agencies emerged noting that an Israeli drone assaulted a refinery in the South Pars gas field, marking the first instance of a direct strike on Iran’s oil sector by Israel—a significant point in the regional conflict that has heated up in recent days.
Oman has formally indicated a pause in expected diplomatic talks between Iran and the US following Israel’s aggressive campaigns in Iran, marking a halt in previously scheduled diplomatic efforts. Despite this setback, Oman maintains its mediation role and reinforces the need for dialogue.
Russia has expressed readiness to facilitate a de-escalation, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterating Moscow’s willingness to mediate the tense Iran-Israel situation, opposing military actions as breaches of international law.
Israel announced that its missions in Tehran have struck deeper than before, with claims of eliminating numerous senior military figures in Iran as their offensive over the past day escalated into an operation dubbed “Rising Lion.” These actions were accompanied by warnings from Israel about the continuation of military raids should provocations persist from Iran.
The geopolitical tensions also impacted nearby countries, with Britain and Saudi Arabia engaging in dialogues stressing the need for reduced tensions. Simultaneously, Egypt deferred its grand museum opening, citing regional instabilities emanating from the Israel-Iran conflict.
As satellite imagery emerged detailing extensive damage to Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, the aerial bombardments reportedly brought the enrichment plant to ruin. Nevertheless, underground enrichment infrastructure seems unaffected given its subterranean location.
Though Iranian and US diplomatic channels were poised for another round of pivotal nuclear discussions, Iranian officials signaled a cessation of such talks as unjustifiable amid the ongoing escalation with Israel. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted that the strikes did not cause an increase in radiation levels.
After a brief closure due to the crossfire, countries like Jordan and Lebanon are reopening their airspaces, signaling an easing in direct military engagements over their territories. However, there remains heightened caution as regional tensions persist.
The global community continues to respond with calls for restraint, evidenced by statements from the United Nations urging for a resolute shift toward peace and diplomacy as military tensions rise. Iran retaliates with threats of further missile deployment if Israel maintains its aggressive operations.