The intensifying conflict in West Asia showed no signs of easing on Wednesday, with fresh missile exchanges between Iran and Tel Aviv, even as Israel signalled that the United States and its leadership were jointly steering any potential engagement with Iran.
Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat said he believed Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were coordinating closely despite mixed signals over whether talks with Tehran were actually underway.
“Trump is negotiating with them on one hand, but also moving forces to the Gulf,” Barkat told Israeli broadcaster Kan News, adding that any agreement must leave Iran without residual capabilities and firmly tilt the balance in favour of the US and Israel.
Hostilities continue to rise sharply. Israeli Army Radio reported that Iran launched four missile salvos towards Israel within 40 minutes, with multiple explosions heard across the Tel Aviv region. Earlier, an Iranian ballistic missile struck near Hadera, where the company operates a major power station, although the Israel Electric Corporation said its infrastructure remained undamaged.
In Iran, at least 18 people were injured after a missile hit a residential building in Kamalshahr in Alborz province, destroying a four-storey structure and damaging nearby warehouses, according to AL Jazeera quoting local reports.
On the other hand, at least seven soldiers were killed and 13 injured in an airstrike targeting a site linked to the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq’s Anbar province. The Iraqi government condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law and pledged accountability.
Tensions have spilled into the Gulf, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia strongly condemning Iranian strikes on their territories.
Qatar’s representative to the United Nations warned that attacks on non-combatant states violate international law and undermine regional stability.
Hind Bint Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, the Qatari representative to the UN in Geneva, says the Iranian attacks have undermined Qatar’s “territorial integrity” and violated the UN charter.
“Attacks launched by Iran with grave repercussions are not only affecting peace and security in the world, but also human rights,” she said, condemning the drone and missile attacks.
“These attacks amount to a great source of concern for us, and we can no longer remain silent.
While Saudi Arabia described the strikes as unacceptable breaches of sovereignty.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, has emerged as a major flashpoint, with concerns growing over its effective closure and the potential impact on global oil supplies and trade routes.
While Trump has claimed that “productive talks” are underway with Iranian representatives, Tehran has categorically denied any direct or indirect negotiations. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said reports of talks were unfounded, though he acknowledged that “friendly countries” were holding consultations with both sides.
