Tehran talks tough! Iran's Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossein Salami, sent a clear warning to Israel on Thursday. In a televised speech, he cautioned, \"We tell you [Israel] that if you commit any aggression against any point, we will painfully attack the same point of yours.\" 😳
This bold statement comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East as Israel ramps up its offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Fears of a wider conflict are growing after Iran's missile barrage on October 1, which was in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iran-allied militias. 🌍🔥
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed Israel's operations in Lebanon and Gaza with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday. And in a move to cool things down, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi landed in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials. 🕊️
The European Union is also stepping in, holding its first summit with Gulf states and urging for calm. \"We underscore the importance of diplomatic engagement with Iran – to pursue regional de-escalation,\" the EU stated. 🤝
But despite calls for peace, Israel shows no signs of easing its military campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. It's vowed to punish Iran for the October 1 attack. 😓
On the ground, the situation is dire. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a municipal headquarters in the town of Nabatieh, killing 16 people, including the mayor, and wounding over 50 others. Lebanese officials are outraged, accusing Israel of targeting the Lebanese state. 😥
\"They intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council to discuss the city's service and relief situation,\" said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The meeting was aimed at aiding people displaced by the Israeli campaign. 💔
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated when the Lebanese group opened a new front, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with EU commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, highlighting the devastating impact on civilians and aid workers. \"There is no security and safety for humanitarian work to be organized in a satisfactory manner,\" he told Reuters. 🆘
The Middle East is at a critical juncture, and all eyes are on the key players to see if diplomacy can prevail over aggression. Let's hope for peace and stability in the region. ✨🕊️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
