Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically following a series of devastating air attacks exchanged between Israel and Iran, triggered by a direct U.S. military strike on three of Iran’s major nuclear facilities. Explosions shook Tehran as Israel launched coordinated assaults on government and military installations across Iran. In retaliation, Iran fired multiple waves of missiles and drones into Israeli territory, with strikes reported in several cities.
As part of its sweeping offensive, the Israeli Defense Forces targeted the entrance of Tehran’s Evin Prison—a high-security facility known for housing political prisoners, dual nationals, and regime critics—signaling an expansion of Israeli objectives beyond strictly military targets.
Amid the intensifying crisis, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declared that the legislature is weighing legislation to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Qalibaf insisted Iran remains committed to peaceful nuclear activity but criticized the agency’s alleged politicization and failure to uphold its professional commitments. He warned that continued non-compliance by the IAEA could force Iran to withdraw entirely from cooperation.
The conflict’s ripple effects spread across the region, prompting major energy companies operating in Iraq—such as Eni, BP, and Total Energies—to begin emergency evacuations of foreign personnel, according to Iraq’s state-run Basra Oil Company. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued an urgent advisory instructing American citizens to stay indoors until further notice, citing the ongoing hostilities and U.S. air operations against Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
In Vienna, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, convened an emergency session of the agency’s Board of Governors to address the unfolding situation. He urged Iran to restore full IAEA access to nuclear facilities, particularly to monitor enriched uranium stockpiles. Grossi confirmed that Iran’s key sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were struck by cruise missiles and ground-penetrating munitions. While no abnormal radiation levels have been detected off-site, he emphasized the urgency of negotiations and a return to technical oversight. IAEA inspectors remain in Iran and are prepared to resume their duties, he said.
Grossi’s call for restraint and transparency came as Tehran signaled its intent to limit cooperation with the agency unless provided with credible assurances regarding the IAEA’s impartial conduct.
As diplomatic efforts intensified, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow. Expressing firm support for Iran, Putin condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes as an “unprovoked act of aggression” and reiterated Russia’s strategic alliance with Tehran. He noted ongoing consultations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE President Mohammed Al Nahyan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
During the meeting, Araghchi denounced the attacks on Iran’s facilities as violations of international law and expressed gratitude for Russia’s steadfast position. Both sides affirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination as the regional crisis continues to unfold.