&w=3840&q=100)
Israel-Iran war escalates; Iran's cluster bombs bring war to civilians
As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its eighth day, tensions have reached a new high. Both countries unleashed waves of missile and drone attacks on Friday, marking the most intense exchange yet. Israel targeted key Iranian nuclear infrastructure, prompting a sharp retaliation from Tehran. In a major escalation, Iran fired missiles armed with cluster munitions — the first confirmed use of such weapons in the ongoing confrontation. One of these strikes hit an Israeli hospital, injuring dozens.
Following the hospital attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Iran's leadership would pay a 'full price'. He stated that Israel is 'ahead of schedule' in its military campaign, having already surpassed initial expectations.
'We are moving faster than planned. Our goal is clear: to neutralise Iran's nuclear capabilities before it is too late,' Netanyahu said.
Israel strikes deep into Iran
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued their focused strikes on Iranian military and nuclear assets, including infrastructure linked to Tehran's nuclear program. Notably, Israel claims it has the capability to target all of Iran's nuclear facilities — even the heavily fortified Fordow site, built deep within the mountains.
While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israeli officials maintain it is a direct threat to regional stability.
IAEA confirms strikes on multiple nuclear sites
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely tracking the fallout from Israeli airstrikes launched under ' Operation Rising Lion ' beginning June 13. Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed damage at nuclear facilities in Natanz, Esfahan, Arak, Tehran, and Khondab.
At Natanz, above-ground parts of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant were destroyed, along with electrical systems critical to underground operations. 'It was limited to this facility. There was no radiological impact externally,' Grossi said. However, contamination inside the facility was confirmed.
Esfahan's site suffered hits to a uranium conversion plant and a reactor fuel manufacturing plant. The Tehran Research Center and TESA Karaj, both involved in centrifuge production, were also struck. At Khondab, a heavy water reactor under construction was damaged, though it held no nuclear material.
Grossi warned that the volume and dispersion of nuclear material across Iran leaves 'potential for a radiological accident' very real. He added, 'Military escalation threatens lives, increases the chance of a radiological release… and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution.'
Despite a reduced IAEA presence due to security concerns, Grossi said inspections would resume once safe, and reaffirmed the agency's readiness to send nuclear safety teams. 'Amid these challenging and complex circumstances, it is crucial that the IAEA receives timely and regular technical information,' he said.
Tehran responds with cluster munitions
Iran responds with force, launching a barrage of drones and missiles at Israeli targets. The Israeli military confirmed that one of the missiles carried cluster munitions — marking the first documented use of such internationally controversial weapons in this conflict.
One of the most severe attacks hit a medical building in southern Israel, wounding 71 people. Most victims suffered minor injuries or panic-induced trauma while seeking shelter. The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the toll, stating that emergency services remain on high alert.
Washington watches closely
As the crisis unfolds, the White House signalled growing concern. In a briefing on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump would decide 'within the next two weeks' whether to extend military backing to Israel.
'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Leavitt quoted Trump as saying.
In a striking revelation, US intelligence now believes that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in 'a couple of weeks' if given the green light by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Behind closed doors, diplomatic conversations are underway. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly held multiple phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Shake-up in Iran's military leadership
Adding to the volatility, Iran has named Brigadier General Majid Khadami as the new head of intelligence at the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The appointment comes after Israeli airstrikes killed his predecessor, Mohammed Kazemi, and two other senior officers — Hassan Mohaghegh and Mohsen Bagheri — last Sunday. The change in leadership signals a potential hardening of Iran's military posture, as tensions rise.
US moves assets from Qatar base
Meanwhile, nearly 40 US military aircraft have vanished from the tarmac of a major American airbase in Qatar over the past two weeks. Military analysts suggest this could be a preemptive measure to shield US assets from potential Iranian retaliation, especially if the US becomes more directly involved in the conflict.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
29 minutes ago
- India Today
Can the Israel-Iran conflict spark the next Chernobyl or Fukushima disaster?
Missiles don't always just kill soldiers. Sometimes, they awaken buried last few days have witnessed Israel unleashing a targeted assault on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, striking Natanz, Isfahan, and the underground fortress at Fordow. These weren't power plants or reactors under fire, but enrichment sites where uranium is processed and these facilities smolder under missile strikes, a chilling question reverberates: Could the next Middle East flashpoint become another Chernobyl—or worse?advertisement What Remains UntouchedIran's nuclear power reactor at Bushehr and its research reactor in Tehran remain unscathed. This distinction matters critically. Nuclear reactors are deceptively fragile structures. A direct hit can breach containment buildings, disable cooling systems, and if fuel pools are destroyed, trigger catastrophic core spectre of Fukushima looms large: radiation leaks spreading across vast territories, contaminating land and water for generations. Fortunately, those nightmare scenarios haven't materialised Real TargetsFordow, Natanz, and Isfahan are enrichment facilities, not weapons arsenals. These sites house centrifuges spinning uranium isotopes—U-235 and U-238—under careful supervision. The process involves enrichment, not detonation. That crucial line still even without reactor meltdowns, the situation remains perilous. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed centrifuge damage at these facilities, with chemical and radiological contamination occurring within the plants. While external radiation levels remain stable for now, containment failures could unleash localised radiation leaks with devastating health impacts aren't abstract: vomiting, severe skin burns, cancer, and long-term environmental contamination. These grim possibilities hang in the balance whenever enrichment bunkers become PrecedentThis isn't Israel's first nuclear strike against regional neighbours. Iraq in 1981, Syria in 2007—both pre-emptive and surgical, executed before nuclear programs could advance. But Iran's facilities present greater challenges: older, deeper, and more dispersed infrastructure. Fordow, built beneath a mountain, exemplifies this defensive immediate catalyst was a damning IAEA resolution revealing Iran's concealment of nuclear activities at three sites—the first such serious breach warning in two Fallout AheadWhile the ingredients for disaster exist, the recipe remains incomplete. Iran hasn't developed nuclear weapons, and conventional strikes cannot trigger nuclear explosions. Chernobyl's radioactive ghosts aren't rising these attacks have shattered the illusion that nuclear facilities are immune to warfare. If strikes continue, containment systems may fail. Even without mushroom clouds, the fallout—radiological, geopolitical, and humanitarian may have already InMust Watch
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
32 minutes ago
- Business Standard
What is a cluster bomb, the weapon behind Iran's missile strike on Israel?
As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week, both nations have exchanged heavy barrages of missile and drone strikes on Friday. Israel launched attacks targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure, prompting a strong response from Tehran with confirmed use of cluster munitions. One of Iran's missiles, carrying cluster munitions, hit an Israeli hospital, injuring dozens. This marks the first reported use of such weapons in the ongoing war. In a statement following the hospital attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Iran would pay a 'full price' for the strike. He also claimed Israel's military operation was 'ahead of schedule' and had already exceeded its initial goals. What are cluster bombs? Cluster munitions are weapons that are designed to release a container mid-air, scattering explosive submunitions —or 'bomblets' — over a wide area. Depending on the model, they can disperse anywhere from a few to over 600 bomblets over a large area, and are typically delivered via aircraft or missiles. How do cluster bombs work? * Cluster bombs are delivered via rockets, missiles, or bombs. * Upon deployment, the main bomb opens in the air. * Hundreds of bomblets are released and spread out over the target zone. * The affected area can span several football fields. Why are cluster bombs controversial? * Unlike conventional arms, cluster munitions spread destruction over a wide area. * Not all submunitions detonate on impact, leaving behind unexploded ordnance (UXO). * These unexploded submunitions can remain dangerous for years. * The unexploded ordnance poses a serious threat to civilians. * Clearance operations are costly, slow, and often hazardous. When were cluster munitions first used? Cluster munitions have a long and controversial history. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), they were first deployed during World War II. Their development accelerated during the Cold War era, when they were stockpiled in large numbers. These weapons were primarily designed to neutralise spread-out military targets such as tanks or troops over wide battlefields. What damage did Iran's June 19 attack cause? One of the Iranian cluster munitions landed in the central Israeli town of Azor, damaging a residential building, according to The Times of Israel. While no casualties were immediately reported, authorities issued a safety advisory in the aftermath. The Israeli Home Front Command, via a post on X, warned residents: 'This morning we experienced a missile strike capable of dispersing small munitions over a relatively wide area. It is possible that some of the munitions will remain on the ground and not explode. Do not touch any fallen objects or suspicious objects. Immediately call 100.' How do cluster bombs differ from traditional missiles? Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which explode in a single concentrated blast, cluster bombs are engineered to disperse destruction across a wide radius. A senior Israeli military official told The Times of Israel that although each bomblet has limited explosive power individually, the collective impact can endanger large areas — especially urban zones. 'This makes them dangerous in populated zones, where the smaller munitions may hit civilians, homes, or infrastructure,' the official said. Are cluster bombs banned under international law? Yes, but with major exceptions. The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of these weapons. To date, 111 countries and 12 other entities have signed or ratified the treaty. However, key global military powers — including Iran, Israel, the United States, and Russia — have refused to join the agreement. In 2023, the United States sent cluster munitions to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. Kyiv has accused Russia of deploying the same weapons in return. Like Iran and Israel, both countries are not parties to the treaty. (With agency inputs)
NDTV
32 minutes ago
- NDTV
Violence Against Children In Conflict Zones Hit 'Unprecedented Levels': UN
From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against children in conflict zones reached "unprecedented levels" in 2024, a United Nations annual report said Thursday. "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 percent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023," according to the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The report verified 41,370 grave violations against children in 2024 -- including 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 committed previously but confirmed in 2024 -- the highest number since the monitoring tool was established nearly 30 years ago. The new high beats 2023, another record year, which itself represented a 21 percent increase over the preceding year. With more than 4,500 killed and 7,000 injured, children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said. There was also a marked increase in the number of child victims of multiple violations to 22,495. "The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict. "This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return." In its annual report, the UN compiles violations of the rights of children, those aged under 18, in some 20 conflict zones around the world. In its appendix, a "list of shame" calls out those responsible for these violations -- a powerful coalition of Haitian gangs was added this year -- which include child killings and mutilations, recruitment to violence, kidnappings, denial of humanitarian aid and sexual violence. The Israeli armed forces, which were named last year along with Palestinian terroist group Hamas, remain on the list. Conflict casualties The Palestinian territories occupy the top spot in the dismal rankings, with more than 8,500 serious violations, the vast majority attributed to Israeli forces, including more than 4,800 in the Gaza Strip. This figure includes confirmation of 1,259 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, and the UN notes it is currently verifying information on an additional 4,470 children killed in 2024 in the war-torn territory. Violence erupted there following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The report also calls out Israel's military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year. Following the Palestinian territories, the countries where the UN recorded the most violence against children in 2024 are: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (more than 4,000 grave violations), Somalia (more than 2,500), Nigeria (nearly 2,500), and Haiti (more than 2,200). "List of shame" inductees include Haitian gang coalition "Viv Ansanm," blamed for a 490 percent increase in violations, including child recruitment, murders and gang rapes. Another addition to the list is Colombian drug cartel Clan del Golfo, which is accused of child recruitment. Colombia in general recorded a significant increase in cases of forced recruitment, with 450 children in 2024 compared to 262 the previous year. Remaining on the list are the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting in Sudan for more than two years. Also listed again is the Russian army for its actions in Ukraine, where the report records a 105 percent increase in serious violations between 2023 and 2024.
