As the situation in the Middle East escalates, urgent calls for restraint from the international community seem to be largely ignored. The world is on edge as tensions rise, particularly with the potential for increased military action.
Attention is focused on the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating military strikes against Iran. Such measures would mark a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in a conflict that has primarily seen skirmishes between Iran and Israel, a key ally of the United States.
Responding to the unfolding crisis, the Kremlin issued a strong warning on Thursday against U.S. military intervention in Iran, suggesting it could trigger a “terrible spiral of escalation.” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stressed to Reuters that the global community is perilously close to nuclear disaster. Simultaneously, Russia is engaged in its own conflict in Ukraine, which involves tensions over a significant nuclear facility.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency Cobra meeting—designed for national crisis management—to discuss the evacuation of British embassy personnel’s families from Tel Aviv. This high-stakes intelligence gathering came on the heels of Starmer’s participation in the G7 summit, where he and other leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and stability.
However, diplomatic efforts are increasingly confronting obstacles as Iran and Israel continue to exchange hostile attacks, with the situation showing little sign of de-escalating.
President Trump has remained ambiguous regarding potential military actions against Iran, stating, “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.” He also suggested that Iran is facing significant challenges and expressed that negotiations are in their interest. Trump indicated that the upcoming week is poised to be pivotal.
He elaborated from the Oval Office, asserting his preference for making decisions at the last moment due to the rapidly changing nature of warfare.
‘Dirty work’
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sparked controversy during an interview on Tuesday by stating that Israel is performing the “dirty work” for others by launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. “I have the utmost respect for the courage displayed by the Israeli army and government in taking this action,” Merz commented. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the U.K. are scheduled to meet their Iranian counterpart on Friday.
In a parallel response, China’s Xinhua state media reported that Premier Xi Jinping underscored the urgency of establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, asserting that the use of military force is not a viable solution. Additionally, during a telephone conversation on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi jointly condemned Israel, claiming the country’s actions in Iran are a violation of the UN Charter and international legal norms.
Both leaders emphasized that military actions will not address the concerns held by Western and Israeli leaders regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, advocating instead for a resolution through diplomacy. This follows Trump’s recent post on Truth Social demanding Iran’s unconditional surrender and warning of the U.S. capability to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei responded firmly, warning that any American assault on Iran would result in “irreparable damage” and could ignite a broader conflict.
Overnight, exchanges of missile strikes continued, with Israel targeting Iran’s Arak and Natanz nuclear facilities, and Iran retaliating with an attack that reportedly struck a hospital in Israel’s Negev region, although it was aimed at a military site. Israeli authorities have reported at least 30 injuries from the strike, with Defense Minister Israel Katz asserting that the Iranian leader “can no longer be allowed to exist.”
