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The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
The Middle East cannot afford more 'close calls'
Israel's extensive strikes on nuclear and military sites across Iran early this morning – the largest such attack since the 1980s – are an unnerving escalation in a region already living at the edge of widespread conflict. The Israeli military described the strikes as 'pre-emptive', but they are more likely to ignite a dangerous chain of events than they are to prevent one. The high-profile Iranian victims are thought to include two nuclear scientists and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Maj Gen Hossein Salami, as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri. Initial Iranian retaliation was already in play within hours of attacks and where this cycle of violence and destruction will end is increasingly unclear. A combination of several factors has marched the Middle East to this point. Tehran's reckless nuclear programme, which the UN nuclear watchdog yesterday said was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, has been a cause of global concern. However, an Israel military attack leads to further instability, though in past weeks this appeared increasingly inevitable, especially given the country has been on a near-permanent war footing since the start of its invasion of Gaza. Add to this combustible mix Washington's inability – or unwillingness – to restrain its Israeli allies, and the stage is set for the kind of conflagration seen earlier today. De-escalation is needed, and it is needed right now because further direct conflict between Israel and Iran could spiral into something more than another close call to all-out war. Already, we have seen Israeli drones and warplanes hit targets in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and now Iran. Tehran has suggested that it could widen the scale of this confrontation, with Iranian Defence Minister Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh saying that 'if a conflict is imposed on [Iran] … all US bases are within reach and we will boldly target them in host countries'. Bombing runs and sabre rattling do nothing to guarantee any country's security. On the contrary, they undermine civilian efforts to defuse regional tensions. Israel's dangerous power play against Iran casts a shadow over Oman-mediated talks between the US and Iran that are still – for now – scheduled to continue on Sunday. Although both sides have traded barbs about the talks' progress, questions about both parties' seriousness now appear more pointed, not only in light of Israel's operation and Iran's admonishment by the IAEA but in the fact that the US has been preparing to evacuate non-essential staff from Middle East. This is the moment for de-escalation and to let regionally-supported mediation do its work If there is a lack of seriousness about diplomatic engagement, then it is the people of the Middle East who will suffer most. In Iran, many residential areas were struck in Israel's operation, damaging people's homes and livelihoods, and leaving civilians to pick up the pieces. In Israel, the civilian population will be bracing for Iranian retaliation. The people of the Middle East have had enough of war and destruction - something that that both sides have contributed to. Relying on the Iranian government's instinct for self-preservation is not a strategy for regional peace and security, nor is allowing unilateral action from a bellicose Israel, whose embattled coalition government is grappling with internal political divisions. This is the moment for de-escalation and to let regionally-supported mediation do its work. The alternative is further escalation that leads to the possibility of a conflict that no-one can control.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Who are the key figures killed in Israel's strikes on Iran?
Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites and ballistic missile factories on Friday, marking the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. The strikes hit several cities including the capital Tehran. Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency confirmed the deaths of prominent military commanders and nuclear scientists in the Israeli strikes. It reported that Maj Gen Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed, along with another senior IRGC commander, Maj Gen Gholam Ali Rashid and his son. The chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, Gen Mohammad Bagheri, was also killed state television reported. Two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were also killed, according to the Tasnim news agency. It later reported that six had been killed in total. Maj Gen Hossein Salami Born in Golpayegan, Maj Gen Salami joined the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War, when he was a college student. He rose through the ranks and was appointed IRGC chief in 2019. Maj Gen Salami was known for his staunch anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric. In March, he vowed swift retaliation against those who might attack Tehran: 'If a threat is carried out, we will respond in the most severe manner – decisive, crushing and devastating.' Under his leadership, the IRGC expanded its regional influence through proxies in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. He was central to Iran's missile and drone programmes. Gen Mohammad Bagheri Gen Bagheri became the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces in 2016. Previously a high-ranking IRGC officer, he played a central role in co-ordinating Iran's regular army (Artesh), the IRGC and law enforcement forces. Gen Bagheri joined the IRGC in the early 1980s, serving in the Iran-Iraq War and later rising through the ranks in intelligence and operational planning. He held a PhD in political geography and was affiliated with Iran's top military academic institutions, including the Supreme National Defence University. As military chief, Gen Bagheri was instrumental in expanding Iran's missile and drone programmes, as well as deepening military co-operation with Russia, China, and regional allies such as Syria and Hezbollah. He also took a prominent public stance during periods of regional tension, including voicing support for certain Palestinian groups and overseeing air defence alerts in Tehran. Gen Bagheri was sanctioned by western governments for his role in weapons proliferation and the suppression of nationwide protests in 2022–2023. Maj Gen Gholam Ali Rashid Maj Gen Rashid served as commander of Khatam Al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's strategic joint command overseeing operations of the IRGC, regular army, intelligence and drone and missile deployments, from June 2016. He began his military career during the Iran–Iraq War, later becoming deputy chief of staff of Iran's armed forces. Maj Gen Rashid was a key architect of Iran's regional military outreach. In interviews he acknowledged controlling 'six armies' abroad – including Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Yemen – as strategic deterrents. He publicly warned that attacking Iran would be a 'strategic mistake' and supported forward defence across the Middle East. He was designated and sanctioned by western governments for his role in weapons proliferation, command of the missile and drone programmes and leading Iran's military co-ordination.
The National
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iran to ‘open the gates of hell' if US or Israel launch attack, IRGC chief warns
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Maj Gen Hossein Salami on Thursday warned that Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by the US or Israel. "These are serious warnings to the Zionist and American authorities ... if you make the slightest mistake, we will open the gates of hell for you," Maj Gen Salami said in a video carried by the Tasnim news agency. He also warned the US that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attempting to drag it into an "unending war", echoing similar statements by the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi days earlier. Maj Gen Salami said Iran was "prioritising diplomacy while staying prepared for war at any level". Tehran and Washington have so far held three rounds of nuclear talks, with further negotiations expected to be held in the coming days. His remarks come after strong threats issued by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who warned his country would act against Iran in the same way it did with its proxies in the region. "What we have done to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus, we will do to you in Tehran," Mr Katz said, referring to deposed former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad. Israel and Iran have intensified their war of words in recent days after a Houthi missile struck close to Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv. Israel responded by launching devastating strikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport and has accused Iran of supporting the rebel group. Tehran has denied involvement in the airport attack. 'Undoubtedly, the Yemeni actions in support of the Palestinian people are independent decisions rooted in their human and Islamic solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters,' Iran's Foreign Ministry said this week. Last week, Iran accused the US of 'contradictory behaviour and provocative statements' after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for continuing to back the Houthi rebels. the US also imposed new, oil-related sanctions on Iran. The US and the Houthis have since reached a ceasefire agreement, mediator Oman announced. It said the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea, where the rebels have attacked shipping. But the Houthis have vowed to continue launching attacks on Israel and Israeli ships in the sea. They said the ceasefire with the US does not include Israel.
