In the seventh day of escalating airstrikes, Israel and Iran have traded blows with no end in sight. On Thursday, Israeli jets struck suspected nuclear sites in Iran, marking an unprecedented move since the conflict began.
Iran retaliated overnight, launching missiles and drones that hit an Israeli hospital. Military spokespeople on both sides accuse the other of targeting civilian and military sites. Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the Israeli Defence Forces called the hospital attack "state-sponsored terror" after Iran's drones reportedly scattered cluster bomblets across a wider area.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed their strikes aimed at Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near the hospital – an assertion Israel has denied. In Tehran, Defrin confirmed further Israeli strikes on the special forces headquarters of Iran's internal security apparatus, while Defense Minister Israel Katz urged intensified operations against strategic targets.
As night fell in Iran's capital, state media reported air defenses engaging "hostile targets" over northern Tehran. The conflict has reached critical infrastructure, including the Arak heavy water research reactor facility in Khondab County – prompting Iran's Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami to urge the International Atomic Energy Agency to condemn the attacks.
The United States has signaled potential involvement. The White House announced President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel militarily – a move that could reshape regional dynamics.
With the IRGC appointing Majid Khademi as its new intelligence head, tensions are unlikely to ease soon. For young global citizens and business, tech, and policy enthusiasts, monitoring this conflict is crucial as it may alter energy markets, security alliances, and diplomatic relations across G20 nations.
Stay tuned to see how the next chapter unfolds in this high-stakes standoff that continues to impact global security and geopolitical trends.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
