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Middle East conflict

Today

Iranian protesters march in Tehran’s Revolution Square following Israeli airstrikes on the country.

Why cornered Iran could decide to spark a Middle East war

An aggressive counterattack risks escalation. But giving in to US and Israeli demands is an unlikely alternative.

Donald Trump has urged Iran to make a nuclear deal.

US moves warships as Trump warns of ‘brutal’ strikes

The US president held a national security meeting as Israel continued to launch airstrikes for a second day, escalating the crisis in the Middle East.

An Iranian general with a domestically built Sayyad-3 missile, in a photo from Iran’s defence ministry.

How Mossad plotted Israel’s attack from deep inside Iran

The targeting of leaders and sensitive sites relied on activating secret commando teams and other capabilities that had long lain dormant.

Benjamin Netanyahu makes a recorded address to Israel on Friday.

Netanyahu’s 6 reasons for hitting enfeebled Iran now

In attacking, the Israeli prime minister has short circuited the debate in Washington and started a possible new cycle of escalation.

Yesterday

Explosions rang out across Iran’s capital Tehran early on Friday as Israel launched an attack on the country, killing some of its top generals and scientists.

Do not travel to Israel: DFAT updates travel warning

Australia warns residents not go to any part of Israel; No sign of breach at Iran’s nuclear sites, says UN; top Iranian generals, nuclear scientists killed after surprise strikes. Follow updates.

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Israel wants to destroy the heart of Iran’s nuclear program

It may take days, or weeks, to assess how far Israel has set back Iran’s atomic capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Donald Trump in the Oval Office in April.

Israel’s strikes are major snub to ‘global peacemaker’ Trump

Israel’s strikes on dozens of Iranian targets appear to rebuff the US president, who has repeatedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to target Tehran.

Iran is among the world’s largest producers of oil.

Oil prices rocket as Israel strikes unleash rally in energy stocks

Brent prices surged by the most since March 2022, rocketing shares in Woodside Energy 7 per cent higher amid fears of supply disruptions.

The oil price has surged higher on news of the Israeli strikes on Iran, but that’s no surprise.

This is the only outcome markets should fear in Iran-Israel conflict

Markets have reacted predictably to the Israeli attacks on Iran: oil up, gold up, stocks down. But investors need to work through the scenarios of Iran’s response. 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned

Middle East on edge after Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear program

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened “severe punishment” for Israel as Australians are warned not to travel to Israel.

Israel has launched air strikes inside  Iran, raising risks of a broader conflict.

Why Israel hit targets inside Iran and what might come next

Israel’s military struck Tehran and other targets, raising fears of a broader regional war. The US said it was not involved in the strikes.

This Month

Palestinians carry the body of a person killed while heading to a Gaza aid hub in Khan Younis.

‘Death trap’: Dozens killed in Gaza trying to get food aid

Israel’s military denies firing on civilians after more than 30 deaths among thousands who flocked to humanitarian hubs.

A young Palestinian waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.

US slams Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff blamed the militant group for the impasse, saying its reply “only takes us backward”.

May

Displaced Palestinians collect cooked food from a community food kitchen in Jabaliya, northern Gaza.

‘Egregious actions’. UK, EU ramp up pressure on Israel over Gaza

Britain, France and Canada had issued a rare public reprimand of Israel, demanding it cease the renewed military offensive. London is also suspending FTA talks.

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis.

Israel to allow ‘basic’ food into Gaza as military expands operations

The decision will end an almost three-month blockade that has stopped aid and medicine entering the Palestinian territory.

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Yael Alexander holds a poster of her son, Edan, who was taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023.

Hamas says it has released American hostage as gesture to Trump

Edan Alexander had been held captive by Hamas for 19 months and his release is an overture towards Donald Trump as the US president heads to the Middle East.

Why $104m US fighter jets keep tumbling into the sea

A navy fighter jet plummeted into the Red Sea this week after failing to land on an aircraft carrier, marking the fourth major mishap involving the vessel.

Pedro Pascal as Joel, who is struggling with parenting a teenager, in season two of The Last of Us.

‘The Last of Us’ flips the script and sets off in a new direction

The second season of the zombie hit has more focus on action sequences than the first, and feels closer to the game with its exploration of post-apocalyptic cities, looting and foraging for supplies.

March

Trump’s tango with Russia’s autocrat Vladimir Putin over the terms of a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine has sowed doubts.

For Trump, the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must

The US president’s hastiness to secure peace overlooks the often laborious work usually required for a long-term, stable and durable solution to a conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets after fire from within Lebanon

Israel vowed a forceful response to rocket fire from Lebanon on Saturday as a fragile four-month truce with Hezbollah showed new signs of strain.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/middle-east-conflict-6h14