Iran Hypersonic Missiles Spark Tensions, Israel Targets Ayatollah
The conflict has sparked concerns about the safety of commercial ships in the region, with oil tankers advised to avoid Iran's waters, and the international community is calling for a diplomatic solution to prevent further escalation.
Israel's Defence Minister Katz has announced that eliminating Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a war goal for Israel, in response to an Iranian missile strike that damaged four sites in central and southern Israel, including the Soroka hospital. The attack has raised concerns about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with potential repercussions for the region.
The Iranian missile strike on the Soroka hospital in southern Israel has been widely condemned, with Israel's defence minister stating that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist". The hospital was evacuated prior to the attack, but several parts of the medical centre were still damaged, and several people were injured. The incident has heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with Israel vowing to take action against Iran's leadership.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, is set to meet with European states on Friday in Geneva, in an effort to ease tensions and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, Iraq's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has warned against targeting Iran's leadership, saying it could plunge the region into chaos. The US president, Donald Trump, has suggested that the US should launch strikes against Iran only if the "bunker buster" bomb is guaranteed to destroy the critical Fordow facility.
The conflict has also raised concerns about the safety of commercial ships in the region, with Greek owners controlling the world's largest fleet of oil tankers advising ships to avoid Iran's waters. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation and repercussions for the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the conflict will be resolved, and what the implications will be for the region and the world. The international community is watching with bated breath, as the prospect of war between Israel and Iran threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East.