As European efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Iran struggle to gain traction, German MP Johann Wadephul, addressing reporters from Oman on Monday, emphasized Berlin’s commitment to facilitating dialogue through its connections with both Israel and regional powers. “My hope and my efforts are that it will not be a prolonged war, but that we take the opportunity to enter into a negotiation phase,” he stated. Wadephul noted that for negotiations to progress, Iran must demonstrate a “clear willingness to refrain from nuclear armament.”
In an interview with ABC News on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that targeting Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could bring an end to the ongoing hostilities rather than escalate them. “The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil,” Netanyahu declared.
Reports of explosions surfaced Tuesday in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as Iranian state media announced that a new barrage of missiles had been fired towards Israel. These developments were followed by a new wave of Israeli airstrikes in western Iran, as confirmed by a military spokesperson.
Adding to the tension, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on social media Tuesday, urging Iranians to evacuate Tehran—further heightening fears of an escalation in the region.