The conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a boiling point, with both countries exchanging attacks and counter-attacks. Iranian state media reported that Iranian forces launched a hybrid attack with drones and missiles targeting Israeli cities, following Israel’s intensified military campaign against Iran. The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned that “if Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn”.
The Israeli military campaign has resulted in significant damage to Iran’s infrastructure, including a critical gas field. The South Pars gas field, one of Iran’s most vital energy sources, was struck by Israeli forces, leading to a temporary halt in production. Energy expert Manouchehr Takin described the attack as an “attempt to paralyse Iran’s economy,” noting that the domestic gas network was already under pressure due to sanctions and mismanagement.
The conflict has also taken a humanitarian toll, with Tehran reporting at least 80 people killed and over 320 injured, including women and children, following Israeli strikes on military and residential sites. Iran has vowed to retaliate, and its ambassador to the UN Security Council has warned of potential consequences.
Global leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the escalating conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for fuelling the crisis and urged an immediate halt to Israel’s actions. Erdogan also warned of a potential refugee crisis if the situation spirals further. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute call, during which Trump praised Israel’s strikes and warned Iran of harsher consequences, while Putin expressed grave concern and called for a halt to the military campaign.
The international community is calling for restraint and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, making clear Beijing’s support for Tehran. Wang told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Beijing “supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people”.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain, with both sides dug in and unwilling to back down. The prospect of a full-scale regional war looms large, and global leaders are working to find a way to contain the conflict and prevent further escalation.