Israel's Strike on Iran Sparks International Concern

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condemned Israel's strike on Iran, terming it "unjustified" and expressing regret over Western powers remaining silent on the issue.

In a press conference on June 13, Abdullah stated that Iran did not provide any reason for Israel to launch the strike, which allegedly targeted Tehran's nuclear sites and military leadership. He likened Israel's actions to Russia's attack on Ukraine, calling it an "unjustified" move.

The New York Times reported that Israeli fighter jets and drones launched a new wave of attacks on Iran on Saturday morning, killing top officials including Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of its armed forces.

Abdullah expressed his concern over the escalating situation, warning that it would impact India. "The situation will escalate... It has an immediate impact on us," he said. "It will impact our fuel prices, stock market, and flights that have to fly to the West. But more than that, it will impact the sentiments of the people."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had defended the strike in a video statement earlier on Friday, stating that Israel's military operation was aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear threat. He claimed that Iran had pursued a nuclear weapons programme despite global warnings and accused Tehran of possessing stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs.

"It is not justified for Israel to attack Iran," Abdullah emphasized. "If it is wrong for a country to attack another country, as in the case of Russia, then here too, it is not justified."

The international community has been divided over the Israeli strike on Iran, with some countries condemning the action and others staying silent. The move has sparked concerns about potential escalation and its impact on global peace.

In related news, a retaliatory barrage of missiles from Iran slammed into buildings in Tel Aviv, killing at least one person and injuring dozens. The incident has raised alarm bells over the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, which is expected to have far-reaching consequences for international relations.