Tensions Rise as Israel and Iran Exchange Blows; Regional Unrest Deepens

Israel and Iran have exchanged strikes over the past three days, with regional powers and global leaders voicing deep concern over the unfolding situation.

The Israeli military has warned Iranian civilians to evacuate areas near weapons facilities, as fears grow that more strikes are on the horizon. On Sunday, Israel reported intercepting seven drones headed toward its territory, sounding air raid sirens in the north. The drones were downed by Israeli Air Force and Navy units, although it’s unclear where they were launched from. 

At the same time, Israeli police confirmed that two bodies had been recovered following Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes over the weekend, bringing the death toll to at least 10. Israel's airspace remains closed for a third consecutive day due to security threats, with all civilian flights grounded.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, strongly condemned Israel’s airstrikes, accusing the country of attempting to derail nuclear negotiations with the United States. “It is clear Israel does not want diplomacy,” Araghchi said during a briefing with foreign diplomats, calling the attack on Iran’s Gulf oil refinery an effort “to expand the war.”

Despite rising tensions, Iran signaled openness to a new nuclear agreement—so long as it respects Tehran’s rights. “We’re ready for a deal that ensures we don’t pursue nuclear weapons, but we won’t accept terms that strip Iran of its legal rights,” Araghchi emphasized.

Araghchi also accused the United States of indirectly supporting the Israeli attacks, claiming to have evidence of American military bases assisting Israeli operations. He criticized the United Nations Security Council for its silence, calling it “indifference in the face of unlawful aggression.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced they had launched hypersonic missiles toward “sensitive targets” in central Israel in coordination with Iran’s retaliation. The group claimed to have struck multiple times within a 24-hour period.

U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the crisis, warning Iran of severe consequences if it attacks the U.S. "If we are attacked in any way... the full strength of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you like never before," he posted on Truth Social. He reiterated that the U.S. had no role in Israel’s actions but called on both nations to pursue peace. “We can easily get a deal done and end this bloody conflict,” he added.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Israeli military confirmed the death of a 21-year-old soldier, Noam Shemesh, who was killed in combat over the weekend. This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza ground operations—ongoing since October 2023—to around 430.

As the conflict deepens, regional stability remains in jeopardy, with fears that the violence could spark a broader war in the Middle East.