NN Report :
Tensions in West Asia continued to intensify on Wednesday as Israel and Iran exchanged fire for a sixth straight day, plunging the region into its most severe crisis since the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.
Israel expanded its military campaign with widespread airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, military installations, and private residences. On Tuesday, Israel’s military claimed it had eliminated Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff.
The Israeli Defence Forces also confirmed carrying out extensive strikes on Iranian military assets, including weapons depots and missile launchers, according to AFP.
In a related development, a fire broke out on Tuesday at the headquarters of Iran’s state television in Tehran. The broadcaster attributed
the renewed blaze to strong winds, following damage caused by an earlier Israeli strike that killed three individuals. An AFP journalist reported seeing a plume of white smoke rising from the area.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had targeted a Mossad intelligence facility in Tel Aviv. The Guards claimed responsibility for strikes on what they described as Israel’s military intelligence command (Aman) and a centre linked to Mossad’s operational planning. The statement, broadcast on Iranian state television, said the sites were ablaze.
Against this volatile backdrop, the Government of Bangladesh has begun relocating its nationals, including embassy staff, to safer areas within Tehran. With commercial flights currently unavailable, Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique told reporters on Tuesday that Bangladeshi authorities have advised citizens in Tehran to seek shelter in secure locations.
“We have instructed them to move to a safer place as there is currently no way to leave Iran by air,” Siddique said during a media briefing. “The relocation process is underway using funds available to our mission.” He expressed concern over the safety of approximately 400 Bangladeshi nationals currently residing in Tehran.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the escalating situation, telling reporters on Tuesday that he would not settle for a ceasefire but was seeking “something better than a ceasefire.”
Speaking aboard his return flight from a shortened appearance at the G7 summit in Canada, Trump issued a stark warning to Iran against targeting US personnel or interests in the region. “If they do, we’ll respond with overwhelming force – gloves off,” Trump said. He also posted a warning on his Truth Social platform urging an immediate evacuation of Tehran.
While Trump has stopped short of confirming any direct US involvement in the ongoing Israeli strikes, he has maintained a tough rhetorical stance on Tehran, calling for a full Iranian withdrawal from nuclear ambitions in exchange for peace. China responded critically to Trump’s remarks, accusing him of “pouring oil on the fire” amid a highly volatile situation. Beijing’s statement follows concerns that US rhetoric could further destabilise the region.
The conflict erupted last week when Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign targeting locations across Iran. Israeli officials say the strikes are intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons – a charge Tehran continues to deny.
The escalation has cast a shadow over diplomatic efforts, particularly the already fragile nuclear negotiations, and raised fears of a broader regional war.
