What is the exit strategy here?’
Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat and current columnist with the Independent newspaper, says most Israelis agree with the attack on Iran because of the threat from its nuclear programme.
“Most Israelis have been indoctrinated almost to think Iran is an imminent existential threat, that Iran needs to be dealt with – preferably militarily rather than diplomatically,” Pinkas told Al Jazeera.
“On the one hand, Israelis feel good about what is being done. Also, you have to understand in terms of the national psyche, this is sort of a correction compared to the devastation of the October 7, 2023, debacle,” he added.
“All that said, there still is a lack of understanding of what exactly is the endgame here? What is the exit strategy? What is the coherent and attainable political objective? Because you’re not going to bring about regime change from the air.”
Israeli first responders work in an area of Bat Yam in central Israel that was hit by a missile fired from Iran
There is none, Netanyahu wants perpetual war to stay in power and continue killing Palestinians.
Israeli army says it bombed Isfahan nuclear facility
The Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee says Israeli forces have bombed a nuclear facility in the central Iranian city.
According to the statement, Israel destroyed infrastructure related to uranium production and transformation, accusing the Iranian government of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. There was no immediate response from Iran.
Earlier, Iran’s Petroleum Ministry said facilities at a refinery in Isfahan were fully active and operational, according to the semiofficial ISNA news agency.
Iran says metro stations, mosques to be used as bomb shelters
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has said that starting tonight, metro stations and mosques will be available as bomb shelters for the public. The comments carried by state television indicate that Iranian officials believe Israeli attacks will continue.
Iran asks Cyprus to convey ‘some messages’ to Israel
Iran has asked Cyprus to convey “some messages” to Israel, President Nikos Christodoulides says, adding he expects to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day.
Christodoulides did not elaborate. He also said he’s not happy with the “slow reaction” by the European Union to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
Cyprus, the closest European Union member state in the region, has asked for an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, he said.
Iran-backed Iraqi fighters warn US not to enter war
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq, has issued a statement saying it is “closely monitoring the military movements” of US forces in the region.
“If America intervenes in the war, we will act without any hesitation against its interests and bases throughout the region,” the group was quoted as saying by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
It added that Iran does not need anyone’s support and has sufficient capabilities to stand against Israel.
