Middle East Crisis Deepens as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates After U.S. Strike
Tensions in the Middle East surged after a U.S. military strike on Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks between Israel and Iran. Explosions rocked Tehran as Israel launched coordinated strikes on military and government sites, including the entrance of Evin Prison, a symbolically potent target known for detaining political prisoners.
In response, Iran fired multiple waves of missiles and drones into Israeli cities, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict. Amid the escalation, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Iran may suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the body of politicization.
As energy firms such as Eni, BP, and Total began evacuating staff from Iraq, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar advised citizens to stay indoors. In Vienna, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi called an emergency meeting, urging Iran to restore inspector access. While no radiation leaks were reported, he emphasized the need for urgent diplomacy.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, condemning the U.S. and Israeli actions as “unprovoked aggression” and reaffirming Russia’s alliance with Tehran amid growing global concern.
