Air strikes between Israel and Iran have entered their second week, intensifying the conflict and causing global concern. On Friday, Israel warned residents of a village in northern Iran to evacuate, signaling impending strikes on nearby military infrastructure.
The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel’s actions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a Thursday interview that Israel has destroyed over half of Iran’s missile launchers.
On Thursday, Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate by firing missiles and drones at Israel, including an attack on an Israeli hospital overnight. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians, noting the use of a missile that scattered smaller bombs over a wide area—the first reported use of cluster munitions in the conflict.
“That is state-sponsored terror and a blatant violation of international law,” Defrin declared during a press briefing.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility, stating they targeted Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near the hospital. Israeli officials denied any military presence in the vicinity.
Israel reportedly attacked the special forces headquarters of Iran’s internal security apparatus in Tehran within the past 24 hours. Earlier, Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that the military was instructed to intensify strikes on strategically important targets in Tehran.
As night fell on Thursday, Iranian media reported that air defenses were engaging hostile targets in northern Tehran.
International Reactions
The escalating conflict has drawn reactions from around the world. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group’s alignment with Iran, stating that Hezbollah will “act as it deems suitable” in confronting what he described as “joint American-Israeli aggression” against Iran.
In Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani directed authorities to monitor potential radiation risks amid the conflict. This followed a meeting to assess the country’s readiness to respond to potential nuclear emergencies.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty renewed calls to halt the military escalation and advance a ceasefire, emphasizing negotiations as the only path to regional stability during a phone call with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Friday at Iran’s request. Additionally, foreign ministers from Germany, France, and Britain plan to meet with Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva to discuss ensuring Iran’s nuclear program remains solely for civilian purposes.
