A new wave of violence has swept across the Middle East as Israel and Iran engage in direct military confrontation. Iranian missile attacks have left a hospital in southern Israel heavily damaged and wounded more than 200 people, while Israeli airstrikes have targeted nuclear sites deep inside Iran, including the Arak reactor.
The rhetoric has grown more heated, with Israeli officials holding Iran’s Supreme Leader personally responsible and hinting at further action. The uncertainty has prompted countries like Australia to close their embassy in Tehran and evacuate staff, while Britain and other allies stress the urgent need for diplomacy.
President Trump has yet to decide whether the U.S. will join the conflict, keeping the world in suspense. In the meantime, Iran’s foreign minister is heading to Geneva for talks with European diplomats, hoping to find a way to de-escalate the crisis.
Inside Iran, the government has cut off most outside communication, making it difficult to verify reports or understand the full extent of the damage. Human rights groups say the Israeli strikes have killed at least 657 people and injured thousands more, but official figures are scarce. As the world watches, the next steps taken by leaders on all sides could determine the fate of the region for years to come.