Tensions between Iran and Israel continue to rise, with fresh missile strikes, threats, and international reactions intensifying the crisis.
On Tuesday, China strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for “pouring oil on the fire” after he urged people in Tehran to evacuate immediately. Trump made the comments on his social platform, Truth Social, warning Iranians to leave the capital and blaming Iran for not signing a nuclear deal. China called his remarks unhelpful and warned they could make the situation worse.
Meanwhile, Iran and Israel exchanged attacks for a fifth straight day, with Iran launching around 100 missiles at cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israeli media reported major damage, power outages, and fires, including at the Haifa Power Plant.
Israel’s emergency services reported 5 people killed and 87 injured in the latest Iranian missile strikes. The total death toll in Israel has now reached 20.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed their new tactics confused Israel’s defense systems, causing them to misfire.
At the same time, Iran told mediators from Qatar and Oman it will not negotiate a ceasefire while under attack. Officials said Iran will only consider talks after it has finished responding to Israeli strikes.
In another controversial development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that assassinating Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could end the conflict. However, reports from U.S. officials claim Donald Trump blocked this plan out of fear it would spark all-out war.
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the Iranian ambassador and expressed strong support for Iran. He condemned Israel’s attacks and promised Pakistan would stand with Iran at the United Nations Security Council.