Hostilities intensify as Trump calls for "real end" - Tehran, a city reduced to echoes
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Tehran, once bustling metropolis, now deserted - Trump promises "ultimate finish" - Trump calls for complete termination - deserted Tehran urbanscape
Donald Trump hasn't minced words - he wants a "real end" to Iran's nuclear program. Though his statement came during his early return from the G7 summit in Canada, the implications are staggering. Experts suggest Israel may require a special bunker-busting bomb, which only the US possesses, to annihilate Iran's underground nuclear facility at Fordo.
By the fifth day of conflict, both sides have continued their relentless struggle. In Israel, 24 lives have been claimed, and over 600 injured, according to the government. Censorship in Iran conceals the exact number of casualties, but they are likely much higher. Israel has taken down around 20 high-ranking Iranian military officials.
Tehran, once bustling with 15 million residents, now echoes like a ghost town. Many have abandoned their homes, and shops stand empty. The internet is heavily restricted, making it harder to get a pulse of the situation.
Tehran braces for more Israeli assaults
On the battlefield once more, Israel's air force targeted the northern district of Tehran. Witnesses report a cataclysmic explosion in an affluent and densely populated neighborhood, home to renowned shopping centers.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has promised further devastating attacks. "We will keep striking Iran hard," he declared, hinting at more than ten nuclear targets within the Tehran area.
When asked about US involvement in the conflict, Katz responded, "The State of Israel is carrying this fight on its own forces." For now, the US is merely defending Israel. "We will respect any decision made by the US and thank them for their support."
Stagnant Iranian rocket attacks on Israel
Since Friday, Iran has fired around 400 ballistic missiles and countless drones. However, these numbers have dwindled recently. The Israeli military claims they can obliterate many rockets even before they reach their positions. The Israeli air force now boasts significant operational freedom in Iranian airspace.
US bolsters military presence in Middle East
With tensions mounting, many view US President Trump's decision as a crucial turning point in recent American foreign policy. If the US joins the fight between Israel and Iran, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, warns of a larger conflict in the region. "If the United States becomes embroiled, it will undoubtedly draw the region into a broader battle, which isn’t in anyone’s interest," she stated in Brussels.
According to reports, the US is mobilizing a second aircraft carrier towards the Middle East, and dozens of tanker aircraft are being moved to Europe for quick deployment if needed. Protecting their assets in the Middle East is the priority, it seems.
Israel persists in preventing Iran's nuclear ambitions
Iran insists its nuclear program serves civilian purposes, but Israel maintains it will stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In a post on social media, Trump wrote that Iran should've signed his proposed agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program, labeling it a "waste of lives." He also added forcefully, "Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon."
Later on, Trump declared that Iran was "very close" to having a nuclear weapon, contradicting previous assessments by US intelligence agencies.
The leaders of the leading industrial nations surprisingly agreed on a collective statement during the G7 summit in Canada, tagging Iran as the epicenter of regional instability and terrorism, and stressing Israel’s right to self-defense. They underscored the fact that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Fordo's purification continues
The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that hundreds of centrifuges at Fordo are spinning at supersonic speeds, creating nearly weapons-grade uranium with a purity level of up to 60%.
The Israeli-Iranian conflict has evolved into a brutal dance, but the final move is yet to come.
Insights:
- Israel has been engaged in a direct, aggressive assault on Iran, targeting the nation's nuclear program and high-value military targets, including in and near Tehran.
- Iran has responded with large-scale ballistic missile attacks on Israeli soil, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
- Tehran has suffered grievous setbacks in the conflict, also enduring significant loss of life and resources in defense.
- The US is likely providing intelligence, diplomatic support, and maintaining high regional military readiness, while the extent of active involvement remains unclear.
- The continued escalation of hostilities underscores the potential for broader regional conflict, prompting increased international efforts to resolve the crisis.
- The European Union, aware of the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, remains committed to a comprehensive and comprehensive policy on the environment, acknowledging that peace and stability are equally important aspects of its foreign policy.
- As the political landscape and general news shifts dramatically due to the war-and-conflicts between Israel and Iran, it is paramount for the EU to remain vigilant and proactive in promoting diplomacy and de-escalation, ensuring that the Middle East does notbecome even more embroiled in turmoil.
