News Screen – Tensions in the Middle East region have increased again following the heating up of relations between Iran and the United States, Israel’s attack on Lebanon, and world concerns about the security of nuclear facilities in the Gulf region.
US Vice President JD Vance said talks between Washington and Tehran were showing “good progress”. However, the US remains ready to continue military operations if negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
The statement came hours after US President Donald Trump revealed that he was considering a new attack on Iran and gave Tehran “two or three days” to reach an agreement.
Also Read: Developments in the Middle East War: Trump Threatens Iran, Israeli Attacks Kill Residents in Lebanon and Gaza
On the other hand, the Iranian military warned that it would open a “new front” against the US if it launched another attack. Iran’s military spokesman, Mohammad Akraminia, said his country was ready to use new methods and equipment in the face of possible further aggression.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on Tuesday reportedly killed at least 19 people. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the victims included women and children.
The Hezbollah group also reported clashes with Israeli troops despite a previous ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Israeli military previously issued evacuation warnings for 12 cities in Lebanon, the majority of which are in the southern region near the border.
Tensions also spilled over into the issue of nuclear security after a drone strike hit a power generator near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates.
The attack, which is said to have come from Iraq, sparked a fire, but did not cause any casualties or radiation leaks. Russia, along with a number of members of the UN Security Council, condemned the attack.
In Iran, an Iranian citizen holding a US permanent residence permit named Shahab Dalili has reportedly been released from Evin Prison after serving a 10-year prison sentence and is now returning to the United States.
Meanwhile, the Commander of United States Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, stated that the investigation into the attack on a school in Iran that killed 155 people was still ongoing.
According to Cooper, the location of the school is in the area of an active cruise missile base belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), making the investigation more complex.
The impact of the war is also starting to be felt by the global economic sector. The European Union, through Agricultural Commissioner Christophe Hansen, stated that it would prepare additional support for farmers affected by the spike in fertilizer prices due to the Iran conflict.
In Paris, the finance ministers of the G7 countries promised to strengthen multilateral cooperation to maintain world economic stability amidst increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region.***
