EU nation's consul injured in Iranian strikes on Israel
The minister confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating that the injuries sustained by the diplomat and his spouse were 'minor, and they are not in any life-threatening condition.'
'I am shaken by the news that our consul and his wife were injured in the attack on Tel Aviv. The building they live in was hit,' Grlic Radman wrote.
'We strongly condemn attacks on civilians and diplomatic facilities. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,' the minister added.
Israel launched a major attack on Iran early on Friday, striking nuclear facilities and military installations across the country. Multiple senior Iranian military officers and high-profile nuclear scientists were killed in targeted assassinations. According to official Iranian estimates, at least 78 people perished in the Israeli strikes, and over 300 were injured.
West Jerusalem has claimed the attack, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, was a preemptive measure aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran, however, has repeatedly denied harboring any plans to produce such a device and insisted its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes.
Tehran retaliated with a major ballistic missile and kamikaze drone barrage fired at Israel, pledging to continue strikes for as long as it deems necessary. According to Israel, the strikes inflicted considerable material damage, killing at least three and leaving more than 150 injured.
The escalation comes after five rounds of US-Iranian talks on the country's nuclear program that have stalled and failed to produce any breakthrough. Following the attack, Tehran said the continuation of dialogue with the US was 'meaningless,' while the host country, Oman, confirmed that the sixth round of talks, originally scheduled for Sunday, had been called off.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
7 hours ago
- Russia Today
Israel's EU envoy criticizes bloc's ‘obsession' with human rights
Israel's ambassador to the EU, Haim Regev, has urged the bloc to stop focusing on Israel's human rights record and has warned against taking any actions to punish the country for its military campaign in Gaza. Israel has faced mounting backlash over the conflict, with several Western countries recently announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state and, in some cases, reduce military or trade cooperation with Israel. In an interview with Politico published on Wednesday, the envoy claimed that some EU states have an 'obsession' with Israel's human rights record and singled out Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia as the most unfair. He also accused France, Germany, and the UK of making statements that play into the hands of Hamas and anti-Semitic groups. Regev insisted that Israel was a 'dream' neighbor for the EU because it is a democracy, has no migration issues, and protects gay rights. 'Israel is the only player in the region that serves directly the interests of the EU,' he added. The envoy warned that attempts by EU states to exert pressure on Israel over Gaza 'will never work' and would only damage relations and weaken the bloc's influence in the Middle East. He noted that moves to suspend Israel's participation in EU research programs or cut trade would make it difficult to see the EU 'playing any role' in the region in the future. Regev claimed that Europe is 'going back to the old days' when anti-Semitism was common, adding that being a Jew in Europe is 'not safe' now. The Gaza war broke out in 2023 when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 captives. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 61,000 people in the enclave, according to recent estimates. The UN has reported 'mounting evidence' of famine, with spokeswoman Olga Cherevko warning that 'the lives of over 2 million people are at stake.' Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 200 people, including 98 children, have already died from malnutrition.
Russia Today
10 hours ago
- Russia Today
India plans to diversify non-US trade
India is planning to boost its export presence in 50 countries in an effort to mitigate the effects of increased US tariffs, local media outlets reported on Tuesday, citing government sources. New Delhi has expanded its strategy to now focus on the 50 nations that account for around 90% of its total exports, the Times of India said. The strategy entails boosting engagement with new markets in the Middle East and Africa in particular, a CNBC TV18 report said. The approach will be tailored to specific products and will be guided by three main objectives: diversifying exports, substituting imports with domestic products, and improving export competitiveness, the report added. The new policy is aimed at reducing dependence on any one market and minimizing the risks associated with trade disruptions. India Expands Exports Horizons from Africa to Middle East - #TrumpTariffsReducing the reliance on a single market, India is broadening its horizons with 50 trade partners - while striving to improve every product and make it competitive. (ET)The 50 account for 90% of India's… The move comes as India faces concerns about a slowdown in global demand and potential challenges from US tariff measures. Last week, the White House announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, thus bringing the overall tariff level facing the South Asian nation to 50%. US President Donald Trump said the latest measures were imposed due to India's continued purchases of Russian oil. The Middle East is being targeted as a growth region for Indian engineering goods and gems and jewelry, while Africa presents opportunities for exports of pharmaceuticals, auto components, and agricultural products, according to reports. Indian exports of merchandise remained largely steady year-on-year in June, coming in at $35 billion, as global economic uncertainties had a dampening effect. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the US in September for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Trump is also expected to address the session.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
EU staff push back against Gaza policy
European Union staff are in a standoff with the European Commission over their right to protest its stance on Israel, accusing the bloc of breaching their moral and legal obligations, Politico has reported. The civil servants say the EU's position on the Gaza war puts them in violation of European and international law, the outlet cited unnamed officials from the bloc as saying on Tuesday. One official said 'complicity' has been imposed on employees, violating their 'moral and legal obligations, suppressed conscientious resistance and delayed meaningful action.' Since late July, around 1,500 officials have reportedly signed an open letter warning of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and a surge in starvation-related deaths unless more aid is allowed. Some have considered picketing, although the labor unions remain divided and the legal implications are unclear. An internal group has alleged 'intimidation' tactics against protesters, including the removal of staff, forced deletion of videos, and non-renewal of contracts. A Commission spokesperson said EU foreign policy is set by national governments and that civil servants must remain neutral, adding that the workplace is not a venue for activism. Rights groups have accused the bloc of indirectly backing Israel's war by maintaining arms exports, preferential trade, and joint research projects – despite its own diplomats finding Israel in breach of human rights clauses. Humanitarian agencies say that from early March to May, aid deliveries to Gaza were completely blocked off. The UN has reported that convoys continue to face obstruction and looting, warning by late July of 'mounting evidence' of famine, with images of severely malnourished children circulating worldwide. Last week, West Jerusalem approved a plan to seize Gaza City, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting it was the only way to secure the release of Hamas-held hostages and demilitarize the enclave. His remarks have resulted in widespread criticism and domestic protests. Around 50 hostages remain unaccounted for in Gaza, with only about 20 believed to be alive. Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting 251 more. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in West Jerusalem's military campaign, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
