The Israeli army attacks around the western Iranian city of Kermanshah on Monday as fears grow of a broader regional conflict after the United States entered the war by attacking Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump's operation raised urgent questions about what remained of Tehran's nuclear program and how its weakened army could respond.
Iran lashed out at the United States for crossing "a very big red line" with its risky tactic of attacking the three nuclear facilities with missiles and 15,000-kilo bombs in its so-called Operation Hammer, which directly entered the open war between Israel and Iran.
The Iranian Army warned President Donald Trump on Monday that the "war" he started with Iran will be "finished" by Tehran and warned Washington of "serious, regrettable, and unpredictable consequences" for the attacks on its soil.
German Foreign Minister: Iran must negotiate directly with the US
German Foreign Minister said on Monday that Iran needs to engage in direct talks with the United States following the American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, although the European Union remains willing to play a role in the negotiations.
"Iran says it only wants to negotiate with Europe, and we see that as a good sign, but we also say that is not enough. We want to see the United States involved," said the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, in remarks to reporters in Brussels before a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers.
"I renew my call to Iran to now be ready for talks. However, the United States has asked us, in recent weeks and right now, to stay in touch, and Europe has a role to play," he added, as reported by Reuters.
War with Iran could redefine Netanyahu's legacy, marked by October 7
In the days following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed like a shadow of himself, shocked and dismayed by the surprise assault that created a national emergency and caused his popularity to plummet.
Now, as Israel faces another unprecedented crisis in a war with Iran, Netanyahu appears rejuvenated. With the support of the United States against a threat he has dedicated his life to confronting, Netanyahu is showing a resurgent confidence that could signal a new turning point in his long political career.
Even as Iranian missiles strike Israeli cities, 75-year-old Netanyahu has the opportunity to save his dwindling political fortunes and reshape a legacy tarnished by Hamas attacks, a corruption trial, and a history of divisive governments. If successful, he will solidify his reputation within Israel as a political wizard who can rise from the ashes, as analyzed by Ap.
Possible impact of an Iranian missile in southern Israel
Israeli media report the possible impact of an Iranian missile in the Ashdod area in southern Israel, according to a breaking news report from Reuters.
China warns of the risk of an extension of the Iran-Israel war
Beijing warns of the risk of the Iran-Israel war "spreading," according to a breaking news report from Afp.
Iran to France: "Silence and inaction" after the US aggression will have broad consequences
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, held a phone conversation with his French counterpart to convey that "silence and inaction after the US aggression will have broad consequences for all countries," as reported by Reuters in a breaking news update.
Investors stoically endure nervousness as stock markets do not dramatically decline
The nearly 6% escalation seen in the European Brent price overnight, above $81, has now stabilized at 1%, at $73 per barrel. The American West Texas Intermediate has risen slightly more, by 1.5%, to $75.
The opening of European stock markets is slightly more volatile than the session seen in Asia, where major indices closed, even with gains. The Ibex 35 falls by 0.5% in early trading, to 13,779 points; the German stock market drops by 0.4%, a decline replicated in Paris or the EuroStoxx 50. The FTSE Mib in Italy, for now, is the most affected, with losses of 0.8%, as reported by Laura de la Quintana, Economy editor of EL MUNDO. Tense calm in the markets: European stock market turns red and oil climbs another 1%
Can Iran still build nuclear weapons after the US bombing?
This is the question posed by The Times after the US B-2 bombers targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, highlighted by EL MUNDO correspondent Lucas de la Cal in his international press summary. The conclusion is that they may not have "completely destroyed" the three sites bombed in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, as President Trump claimed, but the attack likely caused significant damage to these facilities. "The key is that the enrichment and metal conversion facilities are currently out of service and could be destroyed. Rebuilding those capabilities will take weeks or months," said Ian Stewart, director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Japanese Prime Minister to cancel NATO summit attendance due to Middle East situation
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to cancel his scheduled attendance at the NATO summit, which will take place this week in The Hague, due to the situation in the Middle East, as reported by local media on Monday, according to Efe.
Ishiba was set to travel from Tuesday to the Netherlands to attend the NATO leaders' summit taking place there until Wednesday, where they will set the new 5% of GDP military spending target to address Russia and other threats.
Government sources told state broadcaster NHK that the Prime Minister is "considering" canceling his trip due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East following the US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, although Ishiba avoided confirming it in statements to the media.
"I will make a decision after studying the situation of other participating countries," Ishiba said, explaining that he had planned to meet with the leaders of South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, other Asia-Pacific countries participating in the summit.
Although Japan is not part of the Atlantic alliance, it is one of NATO's partners in this region, as is South Korea, whose President, Lee Jae-myung, also announced today the cancellation of his trip due to the growing instability in the Middle East and local priorities.
Iranian Army: "Mr. Trump, you started this war, but we will finish it"
The Iranian Army warned President Donald Trump on Monday that the "war" he started with Iran will be "finished" by Tehran and warned Washington of "serious, regrettable, and unpredictable consequences" for the attacks on its soil.
"Mr. Trump, the gambler. You started this war, but we will finish it," said the spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Unified Operations Command, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, as reported by IRNA, according to Efe.
Iran threatens the US with "serious consequences" for its attacks
Iran threatened on Monday to take military action against the United States and inflict "serious consequences" following its unprecedented attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
"This hostile act (...) will expand the scope of the legitimate objectives of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pave the way for the extension of the war in the region," said a military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari.
"The fighters of Islam will inflict serious and unpredictable consequences on them with powerful and selective (military) operations," he added in a video broadcast by state television, as reported by Afp.