ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The latest escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict continues despite a decrease in attacks compared to the initial days of the conflict. US President Donald Trump made inflammatory remarks against Tehran on Tuesday and his cabinet is expected to deliberate on whether Washington will become directly involved.
Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a boiling point on Friday after the latter carried out an extensive operation in western Iran, killing several top commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran has carried out 11 waves of missile and drone attacks since. The devastating attacks have killed at least 24 civilians in Israel and 224 Iranians, according to latest official figures. Nearly 600 Israelis and 1,300 Iranians have been injured.
Both warring sides have reduced their military activities in the last two days as US President Donald Trump has been considering an intervention. Iran and Israel warned the residents of parts of each other's capitals in the early hours of Wednesday to evacuate as attacks renewed.
Iran said it fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of strikes. Such missiles are five times faster than the speed of sound and are difficult to track and intercept.
Trump on Tuesday cut his trip short to the G7 summit in Canada due to tensions in the Middle East, telling reporters that “I have to be back.” The announcement came after he called on Iranians to evacuate Tehran, describing its failure to strike a deal as “a shame, and waste of human life.”
He also ordered a meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room before leaving Canada. The meeting at White House took place late Tuesday and lasted for 80 minutes. There was no immediate public statement.
However, after returning to Washington, he made inflammatory statements against Iran and its supreme leader, calling for Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.”
He also claimed that they have gained full control of the skies of Iran despite his cabinet’s claims that Washington is not involved in the latest escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel. He also said that Iran’s Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is an “easy target” but they have no plans to assassinate him “for now.”
Khamenei early Wednesday that the Islamic republic will “never” compromise with Israel.
“We will never compromise with the Zionists,” Khamenei said on X. “The terrorist Zionist entity must be dealt with forcefully.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian convened a cabinet meeting early Wednesday, reported semi-official media without publishing details of the meeting.
