ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Early Saturday morning, loud explosions reverberated through Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks targeting multiple Israeli cities. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, prompting military authorities to order civilians to seek shelter amid what they described as an “intensifying assault.”
Video footage from Tel Aviv captured by Reuters showed thick smoke rising shortly after a projectile impacted the ground. The Israeli military confirmed detecting additional incoming missiles from Iran, heightening fears of escalating conflict.
Iran’s Retaliation Follows Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Facilities
The recent missile barrage came shortly after Israel conducted preemptive airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. These strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander-in-chief General Hossein Salami.
As tensions escalate, the risk of a broader regional conflict looms, drawing global attention to the volatile situation.
International Crisis Group Calls on Trump to Act to Prevent Regional Collapse
The International Crisis Group (ICG) issued a stark warning about the deteriorating situation, emphasizing the critical role of U.S. President Donald Trump’s next steps. The ICG cautioned that without careful diplomatic engagement, the Middle East risks “plunging into the abyss.”
In a strongly worded statement, the group criticized Trump’s initial remarks framing Israel’s strikes as leverage in nuclear negotiations, calling this viewpoint “a mistake.” The ICG urged the U.S. administration to de-escalate the conflict by pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to cease its military operations and by offering Iran incentives such as sanctions relief to encourage restraint.
The think tank also proposed that Trump might consider threatening to halt weapons transfers to Israel if the conflict worsens, warning that failure to act could ignite a prolonged and devastating war across the region.
“Such a course would require difficult diplomacy and for Trump to face down what would be fierce opposition in Washington,” the ICG noted.
“But moving in the opposite direction, as he appears to be doing now, is far worse.”
Global Powers Monitor the Escalating Israel-Iran Crisis
With the situation on a knife-edge, world leaders and international organizations are closely observing developments in the Israel-Iran conflict. The prospect of wider regional involvement remains a pressing concern as diplomatic efforts seek to prevent further escalation.