Israel threatens Iran’s supreme leader after dozens wounded in Iranian strikes

Israel has once again found itself in the crosshairs of conflict, with Iranian state television announcing that the Arak heavy water reactor has been attacked by Israel. The main hospital in southern Israel also bore the brunt of an Iranian missile attack, sustaining extensive damage but thankfully resulting in no serious injuries. Tel Aviv’s high-rise apartment buildings and other central Israeli sites were not spared either, as more missiles struck, leaving 240 individuals wounded, with four of them in serious condition, as confirmed by Israel’s Health Ministry.

Following these attacks, Israel did not hesitate to retaliate by targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the Arak heavy water reactor being the latest site to face Israeli strikes. In response to these events, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz unequivocally placed the blame on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, going as far as to assert that for Israel to achieve its goals, Khamenei’s existence should be terminated.

Meanwhile, amidst the escalating tension, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran, stressing that the conflict could have severe repercussions not only for the involved parties but also for neighboring countries in the region. Xi’s plea urged for a swift halt to hostilities to prevent a dire escalation of the situation and the subsequent spillover of conflict.

Adding to the volatile situation, Iran’s supreme leader appointed a new commander for its ground forces following the targeted killings of several high-ranking military officials in Tehran by Israeli strikes. Furthermore, an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Harakat al-Nujaba, threatened to target U.S. citizens should Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei become the focus of attacks in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

In a surprising turn of events, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot highlighted France and European partners’ willingness to engage in negotiations with Iran, signaling a flicker of hope for diplomatic resolutions amidst the chaos. Barrot’s remarks came in light of Iran’s openness to discussions, provided a ceasefire was reached to de-escalate tensions and pave the way for substantial steps to address Iran’s nuclear and regional destabilization activities.

As the conflict unfolds, damage reports have emerged, with a major Israeli hospital, the Soroka Medical Center, being hit by an Iranian missile barrage. Patients were evacuated as emergency responders grappled with the aftermath of the strike, which resulted in injuries and structural damage to the facility. Similarly, Iran’s state-run broadcaster suffered a severe blow as Israeli strikes decimated the building, leaving behind a scene of debris and destruction.

The situation in the region continues to escalate, with U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack cautioning Hezbollah against intervening to bolster Iran militarily. Israel’s Defense Minister reiterates that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “cannot continue to exist,” emphasizing the volatile and high-stakes nature of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.