Daijiworld Media Network –Dubai

Dubai, Jun 15: The Middle East is on the brink of a broader conflict after Iran launched a massive missile assault on Israel over the weekend, resulting in at least ten fatalities, including children, and injuring nearly 200 people. The unprecedented escalation drew global concern, with Iran asserting that its actions were in self-defence and conditional on Israel halting its ongoing military campaign.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran had no intention of extending the conflict beyond its borders unless provoked, accusing Israel of attempting to widen the war by striking the strategic South Pars gas field, jointly operated with Qatar.

In a strongly worded statement, Araghchi denounced the strike as a “blatant aggression and a strategic mistake,” warning that dragging the conflict into the Persian Gulf would invite severe consequences. He further alleged that Israel had “crossed a red line” by targeting nuclear sites inside Iran, calling it a direct violation of international law.

The diplomatic fallout was swift, with Iran cancelling the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations scheduled for Sunday. Araghchi accused Israel of deliberately attempting to derail talks that could have led to a breakthrough agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

“It is entirely clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue. It does not seek diplomacy,” he told foreign diplomats, painting the attack as a calculated move to disrupt peace efforts.

Tehran also levelled serious accusations against Washington, claiming it possessed proof of American military support in Israel’s assault. Araghchi asserted that the operation could not have proceeded without a green light from the US, dismissing American denials of involvement as disingenuous.

“The support of American forces and bases for Israel’s military strikes is evident. This aggression could not have happened without coordination,” he said.

The Iranian leadership also took aim at the United Nations Security Council, expressing dismay at what it called the council’s “indifference” toward the attacks on its nuclear facilities. Araghchi criticised the West for condemning Iran instead of censuring Israel, despite Tehran being on the receiving end of aggression.

As the situation intensifies, international observers fear the conflict could spill over into neighbouring regions, jeopardising fragile diplomatic ties and heightening the risk of a full-scale war in the already volatile Middle East.