New US strikes in the Middle East raise fears of conflict, UN expresses concern

The US military has carried out a new 'powerful' airstrike in Iran, further increasing the heat in the Middle East. In this, three members of the same family, including a child, were killed in an attack on a residential building. In response, Iran and its proxies have threatened strong military action and a long-term conflict against the US and regional allies.

At the same time, the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the joint attack on Iraq have created extreme concern around the world.

On Thursday (July 30), Iran's IRIB state news agency reported that US airstrikes were carried out late at night in the areas around the three cities of Bushehr, Jam and Khormoz in the province where Iran's only nuclear power plant is located. Although there were no immediate reports of casualties in these places, a father, mother and their two-year-old child were killed and two other children were injured in a US attack on a residential building on Qeshm Island in the south.

After the US attack, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRC) announced in a statement, "With the help of Allah Almighty, the aggressor will be severely punished today."

The IRC also said that the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territory and no foreign power will be allowed to enter it. Tehran also warned that the important commercial waterway will remain closed until the US threat stops.

Joint US-Saudi attacks in Iraq and Iran's condemnation

The US and Saudi Arabia have jointly attacked several bases of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq. The joint operation was carried out in response to drone attacks from Iraq on Saudi oil facilities, which killed at least 20 PMF members and 4 Iranian military advisers.

Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the violation of Iraq's sovereignty, calling the attack "criminal, inhumane and provocative." In addition, Baghdad and Tehran have expressed anger over the attacks on the resting places of religious pilgrims and state institutions heading to Karbala on the occasion of the holy 'Arbaeen' of Shia Muslims.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian military has claimed to have destroyed at least 5 ballistic missiles launched from Iran targeting a US military base in Jordan on the fourth day of the conflict.

On the other hand, in an interview given to the international media ABC News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it is not possible to predict Iran's position on the Strait of Hormuz in advance. However, he opined that it is possible to destroy the strategic influence of the Strait of Hormuz if energy supply is ensured through alternative pipelines through the Red Sea and Israel's Mediterranean Sea.

UN calls for ceasefire

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the serious deterioration of the situation. His deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told UN headquarters that the Secretary-General has called on both sides to immediately declare a ceasefire and return to diplomatic talks mediated by Pakistan, Qatar and others to prevent the conflict from spreading throughout the region.