On June 12, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Iran, triggering a swift Iranian counterstrike. The tit-for-tat exchange has injected fresh uncertainty into an already tumultuous Middle East landscape.
Four days later, foreign ministers from 21 Arab and Islamic states condemned Israel's assault as "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a United Nations member state." In a joint statement, they called on the UN Security Council for immediate intervention and stressed that reviving nuclear negotiations is vital to calm rising tensions.
At Tehran's request, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman entered discussions with Washington. A Reuters report on June 16 revealed these Gulf states urged U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel toward a ceasefire and to restart diplomatic talks with Iran.
This rapid escalation underscores the high stakes in the region, where any misstep could spark a broader conflict. Observers say renewed diplomacy around nuclear issues may be the most viable path to de-escalation and long-term stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
