Attacking Iran could have long-term impacts: WHO

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a devastating toll on civilians and potential health risks associated with Israel’s nuclear-site attacks on Iran.

“The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning – and is costing the lives of civilians, including children,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.

“Targeting of nuclear sites … may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region.”
 

Russia offers to mediate between Israel and Iran

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and Israel, both of whom it has relations with.

“President Putin has said that Russia is ready to provide mediation services if necessary,” Peskov said during a daily news briefing on Tuesday.

“At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement,” he added.

Iran is one of Russia’s top allies, but has also been keen not to alienate Israel, with which it has maintained good relations over the years.

“It’s a very difficult balancing game that Russia is trying to play,” Nikolay Surkov, assistant professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, told a news agency. “And Russia is sincerely trying to achieve some kind of a political solution.”
 

Qatar has strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said this at a press conference in Doha on Tuesday.

The attacks were carried out at a time when Iran was “progressing in a positive diplomatic course” with Washington, negotiations that many regional countries were engaged in, Majed al-Ansari said.

Qatar remains involved in mediation with the United States and “believes there is an American desire for an agreement”.
“We will continue to work for a ceasefire between the warring parties – Israel and Iran,” he said.

Majed al-Ansari said oil production at the North Dome/South Pars gas field, which Iran and Qatar share ownership of in the Gulf, is back on track after it was hit by an Israeli strike.

Inputs taken from Al Jazeera