Israel shuts global embassies after attack on Iran
An Israeli flag flutters as police secure the area of the embassy of Israel in Berlin, Germany, October 20, 2024. (Reuters/File Photo)
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South China Morning Post
21 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
As Israel strikes Iran, is regime change the ultimate target?
Israel's surprise attack on Iran had an obvious goal of sharply disrupting Tehran's nuclear programme and lengthening the time it would need to develop an atomic weapon. But the scale of the attacks, Israel's choice of targets, and its politicians' own words suggest another, longer-term objective: toppling the regime itself. The strikes early on Friday hit not just Iran's nuclear facilities and missile factories but also key figures in the country's military chain of command and its nuclear scientists, blows that appear aimed at diminishing Iran's credibility both at home and among its allies in the region – factors that could destabilise the Iranian leadership, experts said. 'One assumes that one of the reasons that Israel is doing that is that they're hoping to see regime change,' said Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former senior official under President George W. Bush. Israeli military aircraft preparing for strike operations in Iran. Photo: Israel Defence Forces via Xinhua 'It would like to see the people of Iran rise up,' he said, adding that the limited civilian casualties in the initial round of attacks also spoke to a broader aim.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case: Hong Kong's Chris Tang
Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city's police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government's approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the government announced on Thursday night the joint operation between local police and Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security, with observers predicting that it could be the first step in an investigation into an unusually complex collusion situation that was ultimately handed over to mainland authorities. 'The office will need to ascertain whether there were any situations specified under Article 55 [of the national security law] … we need to understand and investigate whether these had happened,' Tang said during a radio programme. Secretary for Security Chris Tang has said that no arrests have been made so far. Photo: May Tse Under the article, the office shall exercise jurisdiction over cases deemed complex due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements, making it difficult for Hong Kong to proceed.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky' Iran attacks, warns of ‘serious consequences'
A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have 'serious consequences'. Advertisement Fu Cong, China's ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. 'China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of tensions,' Fu said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. 'China condemns Israel's actions that violate Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the escalation of tensions and the expansion of conflict, and expresses deep concern over the serious consequences that Israel's actions may bring.' The comments came as Israel on Friday launched pre-emptive large-scale attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and other military targets across the country, citing a 'secret programme' by the Iranian government to develop nuclear weapons. Advertisement The attack, dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion', has killed several senior Iranian military officials and has raised global concerns that the long-standing tensions between the two countries could escalate into a full-blown war. Iran has vowed retaliation, saying Israel would face 'severe punishment' for the strikes. Later on Friday, it launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel.
