During a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Israel’s military actions against Iran, asserting that they were intended to disrupt ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States. Erdoğan claimed these actions illustrated Israel’s reluctance to seek a diplomatic resolution to regional issues. He urged nations with ties to Israel to disregard its ‘poisonous’ narratives and foster dialogue, while calling on Muslim countries to step up efforts to impose sanctions against Israel in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
In related developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned Israel for escalating tensions in the region, alleging that its strikes on Iran could lead to a “total disaster.”
Meanwhile, in Cyprus, local authorities reported the arrest of a suspect on charges related to terrorism and espionage. While officials withheld personal information about the individual, sources indicated that the detainee is an Azerbaijani national linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The suspect has been taken into custody following intelligence received from a foreign agency, raising concerns about a potential terror plot on the island. The court has ordered the individual to be held for eight days as investigations continue.
On Saturday, Iran reported the assassination of its nuclear scientist Isar Tabatabai-Qamsheh and his wife, following an Israeli strike. This incident coincided with an Iranian drone attack on a building in Beit She’an, although no injuries were reported despite the property sustaining damage. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they intercepted two drones targeting areas in the Arava Desert, amidst ongoing aerial assaults in the Golan Heights and Galilee.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the situation, claiming that neither Russia nor the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found evidence to support Israeli assertions that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. He affirmed Russia’s readiness to assist Iran in developing a peaceful nuclear energy program.
In the backdrop of these tensions, the IDF has conducted strikes targeting sites in Iran, including underground facilities purportedly housing ballistic missiles. The IRGC confirmed that five of its members were killed in these operations, which included a focused attack on a vehicle belonging to a Quds force commander accused of funneling funds to Palestinian militant groups.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz mentioned the elimination of Saeed Izdi, a senior IRGC member, in a strike on an apartment complex in Qom, resulting in fatalities, including a 16-year-old boy. Katz hailed this as a significant victory for Israel’s military and intelligence operations.
Emerging from these developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed hopes for a robust OIC condemnation of Israeli actions when he meets with member states. He denounced the attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities—insisting that they violate international norms and asserting that Iran has the right to self-defense against such aggression. Araghchi further stated that talks would not commence until Israeli hostilities cease, insisting that Western nations share culpability for Israeli actions despite their overt absence from the conflict.
As tensions escalate, the IDF reported intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at central Israel, resulting in falling debris that caused a fire in a building. The ongoing military exchanges underscore the fragile situation developing within this volatile region.