Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified dramatically, with no signs of de-escalation. The situation took a severe turn on the night of June 12-13 when Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, which it named Operation Rising Lion. In response, Iran initiated its own retaliatory campaign called Operation True Promise III, targeting Israel's two major cities, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Following this, Israel carried out another significant strike, this time targeting Iran’s capital, Tehran.
As the hostilities continue, the number of casualties has been rising rapidly. Iran has refused any ceasefire negotiations for now. According to a Reuters report, Iranian officials have informed mediators from Qatar and Oman that Iran is not willing to engage in any ceasefire talks while it is still under attack. One Iranian official, speaking anonymously, said that negotiations can only take place after Iran completes its response to Israel’s aggressive actions. Iran’s position remains firm—they will not agree to any truce until their retaliation is complete.
Iran has also accused Israel of causing extensive civilian damage. The Iranian health ministry, quoted by the Associated Press, stated that over 90 percent of those affected by the Israeli attacks are civilians, including women and children. The ministry reported that within the first 65 hours of the Israeli assault, a total of 1,481 injured and deceased individuals were taken to hospitals, with 224 confirmed dead. This includes men, women, and children. Iranian officials strongly criticized Israel's claim that it is only targeting military infrastructure, calling it false and misleading.
Adding to the controversy, Reuters reported that Israel had planned to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, according to two U.S. officials, American President Donald Trump vetoed this Israeli plan. Senior American officials clarified that the United States would not support targeting political leaders unless Iran directly harmed American personnel. The report also revealed that Israeli leadership believed they had an opportunity to eliminate Khamenei but refrained due to Trump’s objection.
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked about this alleged plan and Trump’s veto, he dismissed the reports as false. Netanyahu said there are many such fabricated stories and he has no interest in entertaining them. He added that Israel will do what it needs to do and believes that the United States knows what is best for itself.
Meanwhile, Trump made a series of public statements on the issue. In a post shared on June 15, he clarified that the United States had no involvement in the Israeli strikes on Iran. He warned that if the U.S. were attacked, the full force of the American military would be unleashed. Trump also claimed that the United States could easily mediate a resolution between Iran and Israel to end the bloodshed.
In another post, Trump referenced his previous efforts with India and Pakistan, suggesting that a similar approach could help resolve the Iran-Israel conflict. He remarked that he is capable of achieving great things without seeking credit and expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would also play a role in bringing peace to the region.
As the situation continues to develop, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, with further escalation likely. Civilians remain the primary victims of this conflict, and international diplomatic efforts have yet to produce any meaningful breakthrough. We will continue to monitor and report on updates from this rapidly evolving situation.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on reports from various news agencies and official statements. The information presented reflects the situation as of the time of reporting and may evolve as events unfold. The views and claims made by governments, officials, or agencies mentioned are their own and not independently verified by this platform. Readers are advised to follow official sources and verified news outlets for the latest updates on the Israel-Iran conflict.
