Israel military says missiles launched from Iran

TEL AVIV: The Israeli military reported that missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel early Thursday morning, as the conflict enters seventh day.

The conflict began last Friday when Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military personnel, scientists and its nuclear sites.

Read more: Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s Shah, remarks on possible regime change suggest cooperation with Israel

Russian President weighs in

Around the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that is in contact with both, Israel and the United States (US) President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Putin called for a dialogue to resolve the deadly conflict, stating that “it would be right to search for ways to stop the fighting and find avenues for agreement over Iran”.

The Russian President noted that Iranian society was consolidating around its political leadership, despite recorded general resentment towards the Islamic regime.

Putin also addressed the situation at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He noted that Russia has workers on-site and has reached an agreement with Israel to ensure their safety. He stated that both Russia and Iran could continue their cooperation in nuclear energy. “Interests of Iran in nuclear energy could be ensured”, he stated rather diplomatically.

Israel and Iran’s nuclear programme

Israel started the recent conflict during ongoing US-Iran talks, with Israeli officials claiming that the Islamic Republic was nearing weapons-grade uranium enrichment capabilities.

This claim has been contested by several experts, including by the United States Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, herself. In March, the intelligence director stated that Iran was not working on a nuclear warhead.

The Israeli airstrikes have also been criticised for deliberately stalling diplomatic efforts, as key Iranian mediators were killed in the ensuing strikes.

European powers to hold talks with Iran

Meanwhile, European powers, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have agreed to hold talks with Iran in Geneva on Friday; the aim is to secure assurances that Iran will only pursue civilian uses of its nuclear programme.

Tensions have further escalated with calls from belligerent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to eliminate the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; something that Trump has not dismissed.

The Republican US President has even mulled in a recent meeting the possibility of joining Israel in striking Iran.

To protect itself, Iran has reportedly prepared to strike US military bases in the Middle East, including those in Iraq. Iran even launched a hypersonic missile towards Israel on Wednesday.

Read more: Trump says he has not made a final decision yet on Iran

Death toll

The week-long conflict has already caused several casualties, with reports indicating that over 230 Iranians and fewer than 30 Israeli have been killed.

Israel’s other military engagements

In parallel, Israeli atrocities continue in Gaza and even the occupied-West Bank, with reports of over 55,000 Gazans brutally slaughtered so far; including 18,000 children.