Iran
Israel draws a new red line — at the heart of the Iranian regime
In a dramatic and unmistakable shift, Israeli leadership has drawn a new red line — not around nuclear sites or proxy militias, but around the very heart of the Iranian regime.
Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel on Sunday to avoid steps that could feed "a spiral of violence" that risked plunging the Middle East deeper into conflict.
Pope Francis leads the Regina Caeli prayer from his window at the Vatican, April 14, 2024. Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters
Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel on Sunday to avoid steps that could feed "a spiral of violence" that risked plunging the Middle East deeper into conflict.
Speaking to pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Francis said he had been following news of Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel with a sense of concern and pain.
"I make a heartfelt appeal for a halt to any action that could fuel a spiral of violence with the risk of dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict," he said.
"No one should threaten the existence of others. All nations should stand, instead, for peace, and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side, in safety,"
he added.
The pope called for a ceasefire in Gaza and negotiations to allow humanitarian aid to be provided for its people and to help free Israeli hostages seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
"Enough war, enough attacks, enough violence. Yes to dialogue, yes to peace," he said.
Writing by Keith Weir
In a dramatic and unmistakable shift, Israeli leadership has drawn a new red line — not around nuclear sites or proxy militias, but around the very heart of the Iranian regime.
Countries around the world are taking measures to evacuate their citizens from Israel and Iran as the two nations enter the seventh day of their air war and airspace in the region remains closed.
Israel's sweeping campaign of airstrikes aims to do more than destroy Iran's nuclear centrifuges and missile capabilities. It seeks to shatter the foundations of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's government and leave it near collapse, Israeli, Western and regional officials said.
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