Photo by Yuriy Vertikov on Unsplash
In a troubling increase of violence in the Middle East, Iran has reported that at least 138 individuals have been killed since 13th June due to a series of aggressive airstrikes carried out by Israel. Among the casualties, a staggering 60 deaths were reported on 14th June alone. A particularly devastating incident occurred when a 14-storey residential building in Tehran was demolished by a missile with Iranian authorities confirming that nearly half of the victims in this attack were children.
Warnings and Escalation from Israel and U.S. Leadership
As the crisis intensifies, the Israeli military has issued strong warnings to Iranian civilians residing near key weapons facilities by urging them to evacuate. This announcement followed statements from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that Israeli military operations would only become more forceful in the days ahead.
A senior Israeli official, while refraining from disclosing the duration of the ongoing campaign had confirmed that a long list of targets within Iran remains. He added that among the most recent targets were two strategic fuel facilities that are classified as “dual-use” which allegedly support both military and nuclear functions.
Trump Backs Israel but Distances U.S. Military Involvement
While strongly supporting Israel’s military offense, Donald Trump has denied accusations that the United States is directly involved in the operations. Nonetheless, he delivered a stern warning to Tehran about his true Social platform. He made it clear that any Iranian retaliation against U.S. assets or personnel would provoke an overwhelming response from the American armed forces. Despite the threatening rhetoric, Trump expressed a belief that a diplomatic resolution between Iran and Israel was still achievable and could bring an end to what he described as a "bloody conflict."
Abandoned Talks Amid Increasing Tensions
Before the escalation, diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran had been underway. The discussions aimed to extract a firm commitment from Tehran to significantly scale back its nuclear program by something Iran insists is intended solely for peaceful, civilian purposes. However, Israel remains unconvinced, citing the potential for the program to be weaponized and viewing it as a direct existential threat.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had accused Israel of deliberately undermining these critical talks, which were scheduled to continue in Oman before being abruptly cancelled. He alleged that the Israeli assault was backed, either implicitly or explicitly, by the United States and defended Iran’s military actions as acts of self-defense.
Nuclear Concerns and International Scrutiny
Adding to the already volatile situation, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced last that Iran was in violation of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Israel, notably, is not a signatory to the NPT and is widely believed to possess its own nuclear arsenal. Israeli leaders maintain that their strikes aim not only to stop Iran's alleged nuclear weapons ambitions but also to neutralize its capability to launch ballistic missiles. Though Israeli officials have acknowledged that airstrikes alone are unlikely to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but they hope that the current pressure might lead to a broader and more binding U.S.-Iran agreement.
Strategic Targets Hit Inside Tehran
In the most recent wave of attacks, Iran reported that Israel struck the Shahran oil depot in Tehran. Iranian authorities claim that the resulting situation has since been brought under control. Additionally, semi-official reports from Tasnim news agency revealed that Israel launched an attack on an oil refinery near the capital, igniting a blaze. Other strikes included one on Iran’s Ministry of Defence, which was said to have caused only minimal damage.
The US and Russia: A Shared Unease Amidst Divergent Views
The leaders of two nuclear powers, the United States and Russia have engaged in direct dialogue concerning the unfolding crisis. President Donald Trump in a social media post had indicated a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin where both expressed a desire for the conflict between Israel and Iran to cease. Interestingly, Trump used this opportunity to also suggest that Russia's ongoing conflict should similarly conclude by drawing a parallel between the two situations with Ukraine.
Earlier, top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov revealed that President Putin had conveyed to Trump his strong condemnation of Israel's actions against Iran. Putin reportedly voiced "serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict," emphasizing the "unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East." According to Ushakov, Trump reciprocated by describing the events in the Middle East as "very alarming." Notably, the two leaders reportedly did not rule out the possibility of resuming negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program, signalling a potential diplomatic pathway within the tensions.
Turkiye's Urgent Calls for De-escalation and Dialogue
Turkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been particularly active in its diplomatic outreach by underscoring its deep apprehension about the escalating situation. In a call with the Iranian President, Erdogan reportedly stated that Israel was attempting to "drag the whole region into the fire." He further suggested that Israel's attacks were a deliberate tactic to divert international attention from the humanitarian crisis and "genocide in Gaza."
Erdogan also conveyed to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Israel "needed to be stopped," identifying it as "the main threat to stability and security in the region." Consistent with his broader stance, Erdogan reiterated that the issue of Iran's nuclear program "can only be resolved through negotiations." His diplomatic efforts extended to conversations with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Significantly, Erdogan also spoke with Donald Trump, resounding the sentiment that nuclear negotiations are the sole viable path to resolve the conflict. His office confirmed Turkiye's support for Washington's view on the necessity of continued nuclear negotiations and expressed Ankara's readiness to assist in preventing an uncontrolled escalation.
China's Stance: Support for Tehran and Call for Diplomacy
China, through its Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has clearly articulated its position by demonstrating support for Iran while urging de-escalation. In a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Wang affirmed Beijing’s backing for Iran in "safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights, interests and ensuring the safety of its people."
Wang did not mince words when discussing Israel's actions, telling Araghchi that they "seriously violate the basic norms governing international relations." He particularly highlighted the dangerous precedent set by attacks on nuclear facilities by warning of "potentially catastrophic consequences." During a separate call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Wang directly expressed that Israel’s attack on Iran was "unacceptable." He emphasized that "Diplomatic means for the Iranian nuclear issue have not been exhausted and there is still hope for a peaceful solution. Force cannot bring lasting peace," signalling Beijing's willingness to mediate and play a role in de-escalating the conflict.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also spoke with the Iranian President, reiterating Qatar’s "strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of Iran." Qatar views this as a "blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law," underscoring the importance of a diplomatic solution for lasting regional peace.
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