IDF releases footage of fighter jets in strikes on Iran

Following the Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the EU has called for all involved parties to act with restraint to prevent further escalation.

"While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, the EU calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint to avoid an uncontrollable escalation, which is in no one’s interest," the EU stated in a Saturday release.

It further said, "The EU remains fully committed to lowering tensions and contributing to de-escalation and, to this end, remains in close contact with all relevant actors."

"Following the martyrdom of 10 border guards on the Goharkouh road in Taftan County, the Minister of Interior promptly assigned a team of police commanders and Ministry of Interior officials to investigate the details of this incident," the statement added.

The insurgent Sunni Baloch group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack.

Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province has been the site of numerous attacks attributed to Jaish al-Adl, a group known for its history of ambushes, bombings, and other violent operations, resulting in the deaths of both civilians and security personnel.

Jaish al-Adl advocates for an independent Balochistan that encompasses Baloch populations on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border. The group has conducted numerous significant operations in Iran's southeastern region.

In June, Jaish al-Adl announced the identification and apprehension of nine key members of a "terrorist and espionage" network associated with the Revolutionary Guards, comprising Iranian and Pakistani nationals as well as former members of the Afghan government's armed forces.

One of the most intense confrontations between the group and Iranian border forces occurred in April when Jaish al-Adl launched simultaneous attacks on five public locations, as well as military and law enforcement bases in Chabahar and Rask.

The Baloch community, alongside the Kurds, has long been one of the most persecuted minorities in Iran. The region is among the country’s most impoverished, characterized by high unemployment rates and inadequate infrastructure. As a result, many residents have turned to smuggling fuel, goods, and, in some cases, drugs as a vital means of survival.

Various countries have reacted to Israel's strikes on Iran. Switzerland condemned the escalation of violence in the Middle East, specifically noting the airstrikes on Iran, and urged all parties to de-escalate tensions.

Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and reduce regional tensions.

The Taliban condemned Israel's strikes on military targets in Iran, saying that these actions would further intensify violence in the Middle East.

While the Islamic Republic’s establishment downplays Israel’s air strikes as ineffective and praises Iran’s air defenses, many hardliners are pushing for a retaliatory response—one that risks triggering further reciprocal attacks.

Details of the Israeli attack are still unclear. The only certainty is that the air strikes targeted air defense systems and missile production facilities, but exactly how many targets were hit and what the damage was, has not yet been disclosed.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Israel informed Germany about its "precise and targeted attacks" on Iranian military sites in response to recent missile attacks on Israel.

Scholz wrote that efforts were made to minimize personal injuries, adding, "This offers the opportunity to avoid further escalation."

In a post on X, Scholz addressed Iran, saying, "We cannot continue with massive reactions of escalation. This must end now." He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, stressing, “The same applies to Lebanon. UN Resolution 1701 remains the benchmark… We expect Hezbollah to withdraw behind the Litani River."