Overnight, tensions between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically as both nations launched fresh attacks on each other, resulting in significant casualties and igniting fears of a broader conflict. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked, “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict,” all while cautioning Iran against targeting U.S. assets.
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Israeli rescue teams tirelessly worked through the rubble of residential buildings devastated by Iranian missiles, employing sniffer dogs and heavy machinery in their search for survivors. Tragically, at least ten individuals, including children, have lost their lives, bringing the total count over the past two days to 13.
For the first time in daylight, sirens pierced the air across Israel shortly after 4 PM, signaling fresh threats as explosions resonated in Tel Aviv.
In Iran, vivid imagery depicted the capital’s night sky illuminated by a massive blaze at a fuel depot, a direct result of Israel’s attacks on Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure. This escalation significantly impacts not only the global economy but also the stability of the Iranian state.
“Operation Rising Lion,” launched by Israel, represents a surprise offensive that dismantled key figures within Iran’s military hierarchy and inflicted damage on nuclear facilities. Authorities have indicated that this campaign will intensify in the coming days.
In a show of defiance, Iran has vowed to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation. The Israeli military has advised civilians living near military installations in Iran to evacuate, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted, “Iran will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women, and children,” amidst the ruins in Bat Yam where several casualties were reported.
An Israeli official noted that numerous targets remain on their list in Iran, refusing to specify the duration of the offensive. The recent attacks, which targeted “dual-use” fuel sites integral to military and nuclear operations, underscore the severe nature of the conflict.
President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran stated that their responses would become “more decisive and severe” if Israeli hostilities persist. Reports indicate that Israel’s airspace has been lit up with a barrage of Iranian missiles alongside Israeli interceptors during this period of conflict, with approximately 22 of the 270 missiles launched by Iran managing to breach Israel’s defense systems.
As concerns mount regarding a potential regional war and oil prices continue to spiral, President Trump has praised Israel’s military actions while denying any U.S. involvement. He warned Iran against expanding its retaliatory measures, proclaiming, “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.”
Earlier, Trump indicated a belief in the possibility of a forthcoming peace, noting, “We will have peace soon.” He emphasized that Iran could halt the conflict by consenting to stringent restrictions on its nuclear program, which Iran contends is purely for peaceful purposes, despite Western suspicions of military implications.
Scheduled nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States were abruptly canceled as Iran declared it would not engage in talks amid the ongoing Israeli assaults. This tumultuous backdrop has already pushed oil prices up by 9% prior to any strikes against Iranian oil facilities.
The market remains on edge, awaiting the resumption of trading as uncertainties about oil supply fluctuations loom. Israel has targeted various facilities, including an oil depot in Tehran and significant installations within the South Fars gas field, while steering clear of sites tied to Iran’s oil exports. Meanwhile, Iran maintains that the situation at the Shahran oil depot is under control and has advised citizens to seek refuge in public structures.
Israeli forces have reported striking 80 targets overnight, including key military centers and nuclear projects, as Iranian media broadcast911 footage of rescue operations amid the chaos. Just after 11 PM last night (9 PM Irish time), air raid sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Haifa, forcing nearly a million residents into shelters as the second night of missile assaults commenced.
While Iran could once rely on support from proxy groups across the region, prolonged conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon have weakened these alliances, limiting Tehran’s retaliatory options. An Israeli military spokesperson also revealed that operations targeted the chief of staff of Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, who had previously launched a missile toward Israeli territory.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has suggested that Israel’s operations may extend for weeks, publicly encouraging the Iranian populace to rise against their clerical leadership.
In the face of such escalating tensions, the international community watches closely, longing for peace and stability in a fractured region.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International—Monitoring.
