TEL AVIV, June 20: Israel and Iran have exchanged strikes a week into their war, with President Donald Trump weighing US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts underway. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs. He said he will decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the “substantial chance” for renewed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to be en route to Geneva for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Britain’s foreign secretary met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Before his flight, Araghchi said on Iranian state television that his country was “not seeking negotiations with anyone” as long as Israel’s attacks continued, underscoring the diplomatic challenges ahead.
Israel has conducted airstrikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also carried out airstrikes targeting the areas around Kermanshah and Tabriz in western Iran, where the military said 25 fighter jets struck “missile storage and launch infrastructure components” Friday morning. There had been reports of anti-aircraft fire in the areas.
Iran did not immediately acknowledge the losses and has not discussed the damage done so far to its military in the weeklong war. Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters that they are strengthening their air control in the region and advancing their air offensive. Israeli airstrikes also reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported.
Iran’s paramedic service Magen David Adom said Iranian missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-story building. They have provided medical treatment to five people with minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation, and anxiety. On Thursday, Israel’s defense minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would “do what’s best for America.” Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: “I can tell you that they are already helping a lot.” The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals, and nuclear scientists. (AP)
