Israel-Iran war escalation concerns
Andy Park: As the US hails its covert attack on Iran's nuclear facilities a glowing success, the world is reacting with fears it will lead to a dangerous escalation of the Israel-Iran war. International leaders are calling for calm as Tanya Dendrinos reports.
Tanya Dendrinos: Fresh explosions ring out in Iran. The IDF saying around 20 fighter jets conducted what it called intelligence-based strikes across three Iranian locations as Israelis emerge from bunkers after another night spent sheltering from Iran's retaliatory strikes. Back on home soil meanwhile, American B-2 stealth bombers that carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities returned to a US base in Missouri. At a Pentagon briefing, the Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the administration's position.
Pete Hegseth: This mission was not and has not been about regime change. The President authorised a precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self-defence of our troops and our ally Israel. As the President has directed and made clear, this is most certainly not open-ended. It doesn't mean it limits our ability to respond. We will respond if necessary. The most powerful military in the world is postured and prepared to defend our people.
Tanya Dendrinos: But the President himself is more equivocal on the possibility of bringing down Iran's leadership. Donald Trump posting on his Truth Social platform with a play on his MAGA slogan. It's not politically correct to use the term regime change, but if the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn't there be a regime change? It's a message resonating with Trump supporters in the US.
Opinion: It's obviously his decision and hopefully it's the right decision. And time will tell, but I have confidence in him.
Tanya Dendrinos: But other American voters are less supportive.
Opinion: I think it's the wrong choice. Getting into another war.
Tanya Dendrinos: Hundreds of anti-war protesters gathered in New York and Washington.
Opinion: We don't want your racist war!
Tanya Dendrinos: Protests outside the US too, including in Islamabad, Athens and Paris. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, called for no escalation.
Emmanuel Macron: It is a grave moment for peace and stability in the Middle East, and with a clear impact on our collective security as well. I wanted to hold this meeting ten days after the strikes between Israel and Iran. Last night's American strikes opened a new phase which calls, of course, for vigilance and resolute action from us.
Tanya Dendrinos: But in Tel Aviv, the US actions were celebrated. Israel's Knesset, illuminated in the colours of the US flag, has a tribute to its closest ally. The Israeli Prime Minister commending the work of the US and Donald Trump, while giving an update on the Israeli operation.
Benjamin Netanyahu: There is no doubt that this is a regime that wants to eliminate us, to erase our existence. That is why we launched this operation, to remove the two existential threats, nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. We are progressing step by step towards achieving these goals, and we are very, very close to completing them.
Tanya Dendrinos: Iran's Foreign Minister has arrived in Moscow, and according to his Telegram channel, will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. What happens next, the biggest concern for the UN Security Council, which called an emergency session, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
Antonio Guterres: The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling. We must act immediately and decisively to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear program. We need a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution, one that restores trust, including with full access to inspectors of the IAEA, as the United Nations technical authority in this field.
Tanya Dendrinos: But the Security Council remains divided, Russia and China condemning the US action, while Israel's ambassador to the UN said the cost of inaction would have been catastrophic.
Andy Park: Tanya Dendrinos there.
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