Israel strikes Iranian nuclear sites, energy sector; Middle East on the brink of regional war

Amid a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Tehran, declaring that its air force had secured “aerial freedom of action.”

DW.COM reports, the strikes targeted key Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, with local Iranian media reporting explosions at vital energy sites including the South Pars Phase 14 refinery and the Fajr Jam refinery, which could mark the first direct Israeli attack on Iran’s oil and gas sector.

Iran confirmed partial gas production halts due to the fires, raising fears of further escalation and contributing to a 9% spike in global oil prices.

The conflict has led to the cancellation of US-Iran nuclear talks previously scheduled in Muscat, Oman.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced the cancellation but emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable path to de-escalation.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned Iran of “great danger” should diplomacy fail, asserting that Tehran was given “chance after chance” to strike a deal.

Simultaneously, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call, according to the Kremlin, during which they discussed both the Israel-Iran conflict and stalled ceasefire efforts in Ukraine. Putin reportedly condemned Israel’s actions and expressed openness to reviving nuclear negotiations with Iran, a key Russian ally.

European leaders have also expressed growing concern.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging “utmost restraint” and calling for a return to the negotiating table. Macron reaffirmed that France opposes a nuclear-armed Iran and demanded the release of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since 2022.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, en route to the G7 Summit in Ottawa, announced the deployment of Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East for contingency support. He refrained from commenting on direct UK military involvement but stressed the importance of de-escalation.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, during a visit to Saudi Arabia, urged all parties to step back from further confrontation, warning of unpredictable regional consequences. He emphasized Germany’s support for Israel’s security but also its diplomatic efforts to influence Israeli restraint.

In response to Israeli airstrikes, Tehran has threatened to retaliate against Western military bases, including those of the US, UK, and France in the region.

However, Iraq has requested Iran refrain from targeting US facilities within its territory, citing its dual strategic partnership with both Tehran and Washington. Iranian officials reportedly responded positively.

The Iraqi government, closely allied with Iran but also host to around 2,500 US troops, is navigating a delicate balance.

Meanwhile, Washington has denied involvement in the Israeli strikes, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserting that the US is not a party to the operation.

Nonetheless, Tehran perceives the US as complicit due to its strong alliance with Israel.
The broader crisis is unfolding in a region already destabilized since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023.

Iran-aligned militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have since launched attacks on US forces in Iraq, Syria, and the Red Sea, intensifying fears of a full-scale regional war.

As a precaution, the US has reduced embassy staff in Baghdad, citing increased security threats.
With diplomacy stalled, energy markets volatile, and military movements intensifying, the world watches anxiously as the Middle East faces the most serious geopolitical crisis in years.