Jerusalem was gripped by fresh anxiety today as a missile was spotted overhead, followed by distant explosions, according to a Reuters report. The Israeli military subsequently activated air raid sirens across central and southern Israel, citing further incoming missile threats from Iran. The development comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Over the past ten days, central Israel has sustained heavy damage, with repeated attacks also hitting the northern port city of Haifa. The ongoing conflict has significantly raised fears of a broader regional war, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts. High-level talks are reportedly underway in Moscow in a bid to defuse the crisis.
China has called on both Iran and Israel to de-escalate hostilities. “The Chinese side urges the parties to the conflict to prevent the situation from escalating repeatedly, resolutely avoid the spillover of war, and return to the path of political resolution,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday.
Meanwhile, Spain’s foreign minister announced plans to urge the European Union to suspend a key cooperation agreement with Israel and to consider a weapons embargo, stating that Europe “must show courage” in response to the escalating violence.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump stirred debates by reviving talk of regime change in Iran. In a social media post, he questioned the legitimacy of the current Iranian leadership and wrote, “If they can’t MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN—why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in the Russian capital for high-stakes talks with Russia’s top leadership. As a long-standing ally of Iran and a significant power in the region, Russia is viewed as a potential mediator in this deepening crisis.
The discussions are expected to concentrate on de-escalation strategies, broader regional security concerns, and exploring any viable diplomatic pathways to resolve the ongoing hostilities.
While Russian officials have indicated their readiness to play a constructive role in facilitating peace, the path forward remains highly uncertain. The international community, including the United Nations and other key global powers, continues to closely monitor the volatile situation, issuing urgent calls for restraint and dialogue from all parties involved.