Israeli threats

France’s foreign minister looks to prevent Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalation in Lebanon visit

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France’s foreign minister is visiting Lebanon to prevent further escalation and potential war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. France has proposed Hezbollah pull back 10 km from the Israeli border and Israel halt strikes in southern Lebanon. The proposal has not moved forward, but France wants to keep momentum in talks. Hezbollah will not discuss until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, while Israel wants calm on its northern border. Lebanon believes the French initiative could bring peace and security to the region.

Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s Rafah ahead of threatened invasion

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Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s Rafah ahead of threatened invasion

Israel has increased airstrikes on Rafah, killing at least six Palestinians, as part of their ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces are preparing for an all-out assault on Hamas holdouts in Rafah, despite warnings from allies about potential mass casualties. Residents are fleeing the area, seeking safety in nearby locations, but many are uncertain about where to go. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, with the war now in its seventh month. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.

US announces new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel

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US announces new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel

The United States announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unarmed aerial vehicle production following its missile and drone strike on Israel. The sanctions targeted individuals and entities enabling Iran’s UAV production, as well as companies providing materials for steel production to Iran’s largest steel producer. Additionally, Iranian automaker Bahman Group subsidiaries were also designated for supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Britain and the European Union also imposed sanctions on Iranian military organizations, individuals, and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries. The U.S. statement came after the Group of Seven industrial democracies and EU leaders decided to step up sanctions against Iran to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran launched the April 13 attack in retaliation for Israel’s suspected strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, leading to threats of retaliation from Israel and a potential review of Iran’s “nuclear doctrine.”

Tehran could review , ‘nuclear doctrine’ amid Israeli threats

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Tehran could review , ‘nuclear doctrine’ amid Israeli threats

Iran could review its “nuclear doctrine” following Israeli threats, raising concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel has threatened to retaliate against Iran’s missile and drone attack, which was in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Damascus. Ahmad Haghtalab, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, stated that threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities could lead to a change in their nuclear doctrine. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has the final say on the nuclear program, which the West suspects has military purposes. Talks between Tehran and Washington to revive the 2015 nuclear pact have stalled since 2022. Iran continues to enrich uranium at rates up to 60% purity, far beyond the needs for commercial nuclear use.