Israel-Iran War Enters Second Week: Firepower Overtakes Dialogue
As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its second week, both sides have escalated their attacks, with military strikes taking precedence over any talk of diplomacy.
60 fighter jets strike Tehran
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced on platform X that 60 Israeli fighter jets carried out a large-scale overnight operation, targeting dozens of military sites in the heart of the Iranian capital using over 120 munitions.
According to his statement, the targeted sites included:
- Military production facilities for missiles.
- Sites manufacturing raw materials for missile engines.
- A facility involved in producing a key component for Iran’s nuclear project.
- The headquarters of the R&D organization “SEPAND,” which supports Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Adraee stated that the missile production sites form a critical industrial hub for Iran’s Ministry of Defense. He added that the SEPAND institute, established in 2011 by nuclear project founder Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, develops advanced military technologies.
Iran strikes back
In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting several locations in southern Israel.
According to Israeli media, one missile struck Beer Sheva, causing fires near a technology park that houses Microsoft’s offices.
Haaretz reported five people were slightly injured, suffering from minor wounds, smoke inhalation, and anxiety, according to emergency services provider Magen David Adom.
Yesterday, Iran claimed it targeted an Israeli military facility near Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. However, Israel denied the presence of any military installation in that area.
In a related development, the Israeli military confirmed today that it intercepted two drones launched from Iran over the Dead Sea as part of a broader wave of drone attacks early Friday morning.
Diplomatic efforts underway
While the conflict escalates on the ground, European officials are pushing to bring Iran back to the negotiation table. U.S. President Donald Trump has said a decision on potential American involvement would be made within two weeks.
Israel maintains its strikes aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
With no sign of de-escalation, foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany, along with the EU’s foreign policy chief, are meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi today in Geneva in an attempt to defuse the conflict.
“It is time to put an end to the dangerous scenes unfolding in the Middle East and prevent further regional escalation that would benefit no one,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy ahead of the meeting.
