Victor EzejaIsrael has launched an overnight attack on Iran in retaliation for Tehran’s drone and missile attack last week.
There have been tensions between the two countries since last week Saturday night’s attack by Iran on Israeli soil as the latter threatened to respond. Iran has been on high alert since then.
According to a CBS News report, a US official monitoring the situation confirmed the attack.
Iranian state media cited unconfirmed reports that there were explosions in the central province of Isfahan but did not specify that it was an attack from Israel. The explosions were said to have occurred near Iran’s nuclear sites but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed that there was no damage to the sites.
Israel has not officially commented on the incident.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had on Wednesday warned that any reprisal attack on their territory will be returned in full measure.
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UK, Germany, Others Call for Calm
Meanwhile, countries around the world have called for calm in the crisis between Israel and Iran, which is a fallout of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The countries expressed concerns that the conflict could escalate into a regional war.
UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak called for de-escalation of the conflict to avoid spiraling into a war in the Middle East, warning that is not in anyone’s interest. “Significant escalation is not in anyone’s interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.”
Germany’s spokesman Steffen Hebestreit reechoed a similar call for calm by the two warring countries, saying “De-escalation must be the advice of the hour, we must prevent a conflagration at all costs,” adding that it goes to “all sides”
China on its part said it opposes any situation that leads to escalation of the conflict. “China opposes any actions that further escalate tensions and will continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate the situation,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated.
A suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria on April 1 prompted Iran’s first-ever direct attack against Israel.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
