Chernobyl-like nuclear warnings, Fattah missile strikes, and an ‘Islamic Bomb' have left the Middle East on edge
Iran
's nuclear infrastructure and reportedly wiped out several senior military commanders. The strikes targeted key sites including
Natanz
and
Isfahan
. Although
Israel
initially said it had bombed Bushehr, it later retracted the claim.
Iran has responded with a massive barrage of 370 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones. According to the Israeli government, these have killed 24 civilians and injured nearly 600 people. Among the targets hit was the
Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba
. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting another damaged site in Bat Yam, said, "Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children."
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military has been ordered to "intensify strikes on strategic-related targets in Tehran" to dismantle what he called the "Ayatollah regime". Netanyahu added that these attacks might result in the toppling of Iran's leadership.
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
default
, selected
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Тези обувки са толкова удобни, че няма да искате да ги събуете.
ZAROTRAVEL®
КУПИ СЕГА
Undo
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, clarified that "regime change" was not currently the cabinet's official goal.
Iran deploys new missile arsenal in retaliation
Iran's response has included the deployment of multiple missile systems, including the Emad, Qadr-110, Haj Qassem, and the Fattah-1 and Fattah-2 hypersonic-capable missiles. The Iranian Embassy in India said, "The twelfth wave of Operation 'True Promise 3' has begun with the launch of ultra-heavy, long-range, two-stage Sejjil missiles."
Live Events
"Sejjil missiles, powered by solid fuel and with long-range capabilities, are among Iran's most accurate and powerful strategic weapons. They possess the ability to penetrate and destroy critical enemy targets," it added in a post on X.
Iran's
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) first unveiled the Fattah-1 in 2023. It has a range of 1,400 km and is designed to travel both inside and beyond Earth's atmosphere. Iranian media have called it their first true hypersonic missile.
But not everyone agrees.
Yehoshua
Kalisky
, senior researcher at the Israeli think tank INSS, stated, "Israel is able to intercept more than 95% of the missiles because speed is not crucial. What is important is the manoeuvrability of the incoming missiles, and so far the manoeuvrability of these missiles is limited."
Also Read:
Camera lens behind Israel–Iran conflict: How Iran's missiles are finding their mark
Nuclear rhetoric and the revival of an old threat
What has truly alarmed global security analysts is the nuclear rhetoric coming from Tehran.
Major General Mohsen Rezaei of the IRGC said on state television, "Pakistan has told us that if Israel uses nuclear missiles, we will also attack it with nuclear weapons." He claimed that Pakistan had promised to "stand behind Iran" and urged Muslim unity against Israel. "We may reach a point where we take major actions that will destabilise the entire region," he warned.
Reza Sayyad, spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, added: "Warnings for you in the coming days: Leave the occupied territories, because, certainly, they won't be inhabitable in the future! Taking shelter underground will not bring safety to the Israelis."
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif echoed those sentiments in parliament, calling on all Muslim nations to unite. "Israel has targeted Iran, Yemen, and Palestine. If Muslim nations don't unite now, each will face the same fate," he said.
The concept of an "Islamic Bomb" is decades old. Pakistani leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Zia ul-Haq floated the idea in the 1970s. In 1979, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin even warned British PM Margaret Thatcher about this potential threat. And in 2003, nuclear components were seized en route to Libya from Pakistan. AQ Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, later confessed to proliferating nuclear technology to both Libya and Iran.
Also Read:
Israel-Iran War: Can Trump bomb Iran without asking? Capitol Hill says no, invokes War Powers Act
Could Israel use nuclear weapons?
The question of whether Israel will respond with nuclear weapons now looms over the conflict. According to
SIPRI
, Israel possesses around 90 nuclear warheads.
Netanyahu has long opposed nuclear agreements with Iran, insisting Tehran can't be trusted. Now, amid Iranian missile strikes, speculation grows that Israel could use the nuclear option.
Defence analyst and Indian Air Force veteran Vijainder K Thakur wrote on X: "Both Trump and Netanyahu are clear that if Iran doesn't back down, they will use nuclear weapons."
Some analysts suggest that Israel may be letting some missiles through its Iron Dome to justify extreme retaliation. But such a move would need American approval — and that seems unlikely. It would also mean formally acknowledging Israel's nuclear status and could deepen its diplomatic isolation.
Also Read:
Inside Israel's midnight blitz which took aim at Iran's nuclear arsenal: 60 jets, 100 bombs, and a nuclear target in flames
United States keeps its cards close
US President Donald Trump, a key ally of Netanyahu, has oscillated between diplomacy and threats. "Nobody knows what I'll do," he said recently. He also speculated online about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, before demanding Tehran's "unconditional surrender."
Meanwhile, fears of wider conflict continue to grow. Russia has warned that any Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could cause a "Chornobyl-style catastrophe" in the Gulf.
Also Read:
Is it a dragon? Iran's mysterious hypersonic Fattah missile, flying at 15 times the speed of sound, goes viral
The Hypersonic hype: Real or just speed?
Iran insists it has used hypersonic missiles against Israel, but global experts remain unconvinced.
Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds above Mach 5, but speed alone isn't enough. "This is a hugely complicated task. The Iranians don't have the capacity to manufacture them," said Jack Watling of the
Royal United Services Institute
.
"Radar can see a missile on a ballistic curve because it's above the radar horizon. If it's a hypersonic glide vehicle, it can fly lower and hills get in the way," he explained.
Iran has claimed to use the Fattah-1. Still, Kalisky says, "The Fattah 1 has had minimal success. Iran has two fast and manoeuvrable missiles — Khorramshahr and Fattah 2 — that would be more difficult to intercept. But neither have been deployed."
The Israel-Iran conflict comes at a time when fears of nuclear proliferation are already on the rise. Russia, North Korea, and even Pakistan are believed to be expanding or modernising their nuclear capabilities.
A 2022 SIPRI report warned that the world is entering a new nuclear arms race. This war may just be the spark that turns a regional conflict into a global crisis.
With advanced weapons, shifting alliances, and nuclear threats flying across the airwaves, the stakes have never been higher.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
India stays sanguine amid US secondary sanction threat
NEW DELHI: India remains sanguine about the future of bilateral ties with the US, including strong defence cooperation, despite continued display of hostilities by the Trump administration. As the US threatened to further increase secondary sanctions, linking it with the outcome of the upcoming Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin meeting, government said India remained focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries had committed to and hoped that the relationship would continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests. "India and the US share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, reiterating that this partnership had weathered several transitions and challenges. Asked about the possible impact of the tariff strife on defence cooperation, the official said India-US defence ties, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, was an important pillar of the bilateral partnership. He also listed upcoming bilateral exchanges to drive home the point about continued defence collaboration. "This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains. We are expecting a US defence policy team to be in Delhi in mid-Aug. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The 21st edition of the joint military exercise, Yudh Abhyas, is expected to take place later this month in Alaska. Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 Inter-sessional meeting at the working-level towards the end of the month," said the official. Jaiswal was also responding to a question about US treasury secretary Scott Bessent's remarks that the Trump administration was considering imposing additional tariffs on India. Asked about alternative currency for Brics nations, he said this wasn't on India's agenda. "We have made our position clear on this issue earlier. De-dollarisation is not a part of India's financial agenda," said Jaiswal, as India prepares for its Brics presidency next year. Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been pushing for de-dollarisation amid the trade war with the US.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Israel In Talks With South Sudan To Relocate Palestinians; Pushes ‘Voluntary Migration' Vision
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the plan aligns with US President Donald Trump's vision to relocate much of Gaza's population. Netanyahu has referred to the effort as 'voluntary migration'.But Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have condemned the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law. News18 Mobile App -
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
After DC shock, Trump plots military-style crime crackdowns in 5 more US cities - is yours on the list?
President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping crime crackdown in Washington, DC, deploying hundreds of National Guard troops and federalizing the police force. He now warns that more cities may be added to the list. Donald Trump has launched a massive crime crackdown in Washington, DC, calling it the first step in a larger effort to restore order in American cities. With five more urban areas in his sights, his plan has sparked heated debate among Republican supporters and Democratic leaders who argue that crime rates are already falling. President Trump called it "liberation day" and promised to take back the city from what he called gangs, drug-fueled violence, and homelessness, as per a report by The US Sun. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Bahrain – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo Trump told reporters, "This is historic action to rescue our nation's capital from crime, bloodshed, and squalor." He made it clear that DC was just the start. Why did Trump start the crackdown on crime in DC? Live Events Trump said that "violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals" have taken over Washington DC and that the federal government needs to step in right away. His action comes after more and more people in the capital are worried about safety. Some journalists have even said in private that the city feels more dangerous than the official numbers show, as per a report by The US Sun. ALSO READ: Metal Legends Megadeth call it quits - thrash icons announce final album and global farewell tour, fans in shock Kyra Phillips, an anchor for ABC, even told a story about being attacked on her way to work. She said, "We can talk about the numbers going down, but crime is happening every single day because we're all experiencing it firsthand,' as per a report by The US Sun. What cities does he want to attack next? Trump said in his announcement that Los Angeles, Baltimore, Oakland, New York, and Chicago are "in a very bad place." He promised that crime would not "take over" these cities and that the DC operation could be used as a model for cleaning up other big cities. Trump also hinted that he would ask Congress to extend the 30-day limit on federal policing . He said that "almost all" Republicans would support his crime-fighting bill, as per a report by The US Sun. Also read: Orca attack mystery: What really happened to marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe What are Democrats and locals doing? Democratic leaders have fought back hard, saying that Trump is just trying to make himself look good. Brandon Scott, the mayor of Baltimore, said that his city is "the safest it's been in over 50 years," with murders down 28% this year. JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, said that Trump's threats to take over Chicago were "unconstitutional." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Republicans were ignoring states' rights. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made fun of Trump by saying that "at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave" is the most dangerous crime scene in DC, as per a report by The US Sun. Some people in the area, though, quietly welcome the extra security, saying that how safe people feel is just as important as the numbers. Joe Scarborough of MSNBC said that crime in DC isn't as bad as it used to be, but it's still "not as safe as the nation's capital should be." What do the figures say? Crime rates have been going down across the country. Recent reports say: Violent crimes in Oakland are down 19%, and murders are down 32%. Crime has dropped by 15% in Chicago, and murders have dropped by 37%. In the past year, the rate of violent crime in Baltimore has dropped by 17%. Robberies in New York City have gone down by 27%. Last year, the number of homicides in Los Angeles went down by 14%. Despite the data, Trump says the federal government must act as conditions worsen. Trump's plan puts the balance between federal power and local control in a high-stakes political and legal fight, as per a report by The US Sun. FAQs Which cities has Donald Trump targeted for potential future crackdowns? Los Angeles, Baltimore, Oakland, New York, and Chicago. What authorities enable Trump to deploy federal troops domestically? Subject to certain conditions, the president may use Title 32 authority to deploy National Guard troops and federalize local law enforcement.
