Cross-Border
Attacks Continue Between Iran, Israel Amid Diplomatic Push for De-escalation

Tehran,
17 Jun (ONA) — The exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran continued
today in a dangerous escalation threatening the region, amid regional and
international efforts to contain the crisis.

Iran’s
Tasnim News Agency reported today that an Israeli drone launched an attack with
four missiles on an industrial area in the city of Tabriz, northwestern Iran.
The agency stated, “An Israeli aggression drone targeted an industrial
zone in Tabriz with four missiles, resulting in an explosion in the area.”
It added that Iranian air defenses continue to intercept Israeli targets in the
city’s airspace.

Meanwhile,
an Iranian security official announced today the downing of an Israeli drone in
the Kashan area of Isfahan province, near the Natanz nuclear facility. Akbar
Salahi, the security deputy of Isfahan’s governor, told reporters that locally
made “3 Khordad” air defense systems intercepted an Israeli drone in
one of the defensive layers around the Natanz nuclear site, in addition to
shooting down several small flying objects in Isfahan.

The
fortified Natanz facility had previously been targeted in multiple attacks by
Israel last Friday, leading to radioactive and chemical contamination that
“did not leak outside the facility,” according to Iranian
authorities.

In
another development, an Israeli strike on the headquarters of Iran’s state
television in Tehran yesterday (Monday) killed at least three people, according
to a toll broadcast by the station today. The channel reported that “three
television employees were killed and others were wounded in the Israeli
attack,” without specifying the number of injuries.

On
the other hand, Israeli media reported that Iran launched a missile barrage
this morning, hitting several areas in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Herzliya, causing
casualties and material damage. Israeli outlets stated that Herzliya came under
intense missile fire, with between 20 and 30 missiles launched from Iran, one
of which directly struck an eight-story residential building, causing
significant damage and thick plumes of smoke. Israeli emergency services
reported that 10 people were injured while heading to shelters following the
missile launches.

Tehran
and other Iranian cities have been under widespread attack by Israeli forces
since last Friday, with Iran responding with repeated missile strikes on
Israeli territory.

Amid
the escalating tensions, GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi discussed the
latest developments in the Middle East and de-escalation efforts with United
Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The GCC Secretariat General stated
in a statement today that the two officials reviewed several regional and
international issues of mutual concern, primarily the developments in the war
between Israel and Iran and ongoing efforts to achieve calm and enhance
security and stability.

Al-Budaiwi
affirmed the GCC states’ commitment to supporting international and UN efforts,
as reflected in the statement issued by the 48th extraordinary ministerial
meeting of the GCC held yesterday (Monday) regarding regional developments. He
stressed that the ministerial statement emphasized the necessity of an
immediate ceasefire to preserve regional security and stability, urging all
parties to work jointly toward de-escalation and adopt diplomacy as an
effective means to resolve conflicts while exercising maximum restraint to
spare the region and its people the dangers of war.

For
his part, Guterres commended the GCC’s positive role in supporting
de-escalation efforts and promoting regional security, according to the
statement. He reiterated the UN’s aspiration to strengthen cooperation with the
GCC in various priority areas.

Separately,
leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations called for de-escalation
and a “broader cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East. In a
statement following a meeting in Canada last night (Monday), the G7 leaders
said, “We, the G7 leaders, reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability
in the Middle East, as well as the importance of protecting civilians.”

—
Ends/Khalid