German, French and British foreign ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran
Foreign ministers of Germany, France, the UK and a top EU diplomat are to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterparts on Friday in Geneva, according to a German diplomatic source, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
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Arabian Post
28 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
Iran Missile Shatters Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A ballistic missile launched by Iran struck the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building in Ramat Gan on 19 June 2025, inflicting substantial structural damage in the heart of Israel's financial district. This incident occurred amid a coordinated barrage that also hit key civilian infrastructure elsewhere, including Soroka Medical Centre in Be'er Sheva, intensifying already volatile regional tensions. Sirens wailed across central and southern Israel as air defence systems engaged waves of inbound missiles. Between 20 and 30 ballistic projectiles were reported, an escalation surpassing previous exchanges earlier this monthꟷnotably those on 15 and 16 June, which injured dozens and damaged residences in Tel Aviv, Bat Yam and Haifa. This latest salvo targeted multiple urban areas, with at least 32 civilians confirmed wounded by Magen David Adom teams, some in serious condition. ADVERTISEMENT The stock exchange structure, known as Birsa, sustained extensive facade damage and shattered windows, with parts of surrounding offices impacted. Video footage circulated online showing debris falling from upper floors into streets below. Emergency crews were deployed immediately to evacuate employees and assess structural integrity, though no fatalities were reported at the site. In parallel, Soroka Medical Centre at Be'er Sheva—Israel's principal hospital serving around one million residents with more than 1,000 beds—was also struck. Footage and eyewitness reports confirmed significant damage: roof collapse in some wards, shattered glass across corridors and injuries among both patients and medical staff. Hospital officials imposed strict access controls, advising the public to avoid the area as emergency protocols were activated. Israel's air-defence systems, including Iron Dome and Arrow batteries, intercepted many of the missiles but failed to prevent all impacts. Some missiles penetrated defences and struck densely populated neighbourhoods, damaging residential high-rises and injuring civilians. This pattern marks a troubling shift. Previous intercepts had been more successful, but the latest strikes have underscored vulnerabilities in urban protection. The missile offensive came as retaliation for Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Earlier on 19 June, Israeli aircraft reportedly struck the heavy-water reactor at Arak and a related plutonium-production component, in what the Israeli government called efforts to disrupt Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Iran's state media countered that the reactor had been evacuated in advance and there was no radiation leak. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly condemned the missile strikes on Israel's financial hub and its hospital network, accusing Iran's leadership of targeting civilians and vowing that Tehran 'will pay the full price'. Defence officials say that Iran deployed over 25 missiles targeting Israeli urban centres during this wave. Humanitarian services are stretched thin. Magen David Adom paramedics reported at least 32 people with injuries ranging from shock and minor shrapnel wounds to serious trauma in Be'er Sheva and Tel Aviv. Hospitals near strike zones have diverted critically ill patients and limited admissions to emergencies, raising concerns over the continuity of essential health services. Economically, the assault on the stock exchange reverberated across markets. While share trading has continued, operational disruptions occurred as staff evacuated and investigations into building safety commenced. Analysts note that the financial centre embodies Israel's economic resilience, but warn that repeated infrastructure targeting injects uncertainty into investor sentiment. As missiles fly in both directions, global powers are watching warily. US President Donald Trump indicated possible military support for Israel pending internal approval, while European leaders called for restraint and emphasised the potential for diplomatic channels. The International Atomic Energy Agency has voiced alarm over Iran's uranium enrichment practices, now exacerbated by military confrontations sparked by retaliatory airstrikes. Israeli authorities warn that this may be Iran's most sustained attack yet, burning through long-range arsenal previously reserved for strategic military targets. Intelligence assessments suggest Iran is deploying missiles intensively—over 400 since the conflict's escalation—though only a fraction have struck urban centres. With civilian infrastructure clearly in the crosshairs, the stakes are escalating dangerously. Analysts warn that further strikes on hospitals, markets or cultural institutions may invite stronger Israeli countermeasures, potentially widening the conflict. For now, cities remain on high alert as missiles continue to disrupt daily life and rattle the foundations of an already tense Middle East.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
'No war on Iran': New Yorkers rally against US and Israeli regime change plans
On a sweltering summer evening in New York City on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters assembled on the steps of the New York Public Library in Manhattan to convey what they said was a clear message to the city and country's elected officials: 'No War on Iran'. The emergency protest, organised by a coalition of advocacy groups in New York and in several cities across the country, came as rumours swirled of a possible announcement of direct US military intervention in Israel's attacks on Iran. More than 585 Iranians have been killed since Israel launched its aerial strikes on 13 June over claims Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Though Israel said it would exclusively targeting Iran's nuclear programme and military sites, Israel has struck residential buildings, hospitals, civilian infrastructure and the Iranian state television headquarters, killing hundreds of civilians in what is largely being seen as a operation geared towards regime change in Iran. Hospitals in Iran are reportedly overwhelmed with the injured and thousands have been searching for ways to evacuate the capital city, Tehran. Protesters held up Palestinian flags, as well as signs urging for the bombardment to end. Several people waved placards that read: 'Money for people's needs. Not War with Iran'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Ahmad Shirazi, an Iranian-American film-maker based in New York City, told Middle East Eye that it would be a major catastrophe for the U.S and its allies if it attacked Iran. "They tried in 1980. They were not successful. They cannot, and will not be able to get rid of one of the oldest countries in the world, like Iran," Shirazi said. He said that both Israel and the U.S have been peddling lies for as long as he could remember. Another protester, Philip, said that he had family currently in Iran and he was terrified for their safety. "They are targetting civilians, water infrastructure. These are not precision [strikes]. I have family in Iran. They are afraid every night, he said. Protesters carried placards calling for the U.S to deescalate tensions in the region (Azad Essa/MEE) Spectre of US involvement Though the US has denied direct involvement in Israel's strikes on Gaza, several reports indicated that not only has the US assisted Israel, it has also encouraged Israel to continue bombarding Tehran. On Wednesday, three officials at the Arms Control Association, said American involvement in Israel's "illegal attacks" on Iran would "set back efforts to reach an effective nuclear agreement to block Iran's pathways to the Bomb". The statement, released on Wednesday, said that a "consensus view among US intelligence agencies before Israel's bombing campaign was that Iran had not made a decision to move forward on building a bomb, and was several months away, if not longer, from being able to assemble a crude device. "There was no imminent threat that Iran was weaponising its nuclear program before Israel's attack began." For more than 20 months, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have taken to the streets to protest the ongoing war in Gaza. Many at the protest on Tuesday said the impunity had allowed Israel to expand the war to Iran. More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza;, which both human rights groups and genocide scholars have labelled a genocide. On Friday, the UN Security Council will convene for a meeting to discuss the hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Death toll from Israeli strikes in Iran reaches 639, rights group says
A US-based rights organisation says Israeli strikes on Iran have left at least 639 people dead as the conflict enters its seventh day. Human Rights Activists, headquartered in Washington, reported the figures on Wednesday, citing its sources inside Iran. The group, known for tracking casualties during Iran's 2022 protests over Mahsa Amini's death, said the toll includes 263 civilians and 154 members of the security forces. It said the numbers were compiled using local Iranian news outlets and verified through a network of informants within the country. Iranian authorities have not provided consistent updates on casualties since Israel began its strikes.
