International
Pope Leo Condemns ‘Atrocious Violence’ in Iran War, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the escalating war involving Iran, describing the ongoing conflict as “atrocious violence” and calling on all parties to immediately halt hostilities.
Speaking during his weekly Angelus prayer at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, the pontiff appealed to leaders involved in the conflict to declare a ceasefire and pursue dialogue instead of continued military confrontation.
The appeal comes as the war widely reported to involve strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, entering its third week, leaving thousands of civilians dead or displaced across the Middle East.
“For two weeks, the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the atrocious violence of war,” the Pope said, warning that violence can not bring justice, stability, or lasting peace to the region.
The Catholic leader expressed solidarity with victims of the conflict, particularly civilians who have lost loved ones or been forced to flee their homes. He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian support for affected communities.
The Pope also raised concerns about the growing instability in Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah have worsened the humanitarian situation.
Calling for a diplomatic solution, the pontiff urged global leaders to pursue dialogue that could lead to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Despite maintaining the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality, the Pope’s comments are seen as one of his strongest appeals yet for an end to the expanding regional conflict.
General News
Iranian Revolutionary Guards Threaten to Kill Israeli PM Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Conflict
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued a strong threat against Benjamin Netanyahu, vowing to pursue and kill the Israeli leader as hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States continue to escalate in the Middle East.
In a statement published Sunday on Sepah News, the official website of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the group described Netanyahu as a “child-killing criminal” and declared that it would continue to hunt him down.
“If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the Guards said.
Meanwhile, authorities in Iran have intensified security operations across the country. Local media reports indicate that at least 20 people were arrested in the northwestern province of West Azerbaijan over allegations of collaborating with Israel.
According to the Fars News Agency, the arrests were carried out during raids targeting networks suspected of working with Israeli intelligence. The provincial prosecutor, Hossein Majidi, said those detained were accused of transmitting sensitive information about military, security, and law-enforcement locations to what officials described as the “Zionist enemy.”
Iranian authorities have reportedly conducted widespread raids in recent days, leading to the arrest of hundreds of individuals suspected of cooperating with Israel and the United States.
The current escalation in the Middle East conflict began on February 28 following joint strikes by the United States and Israel that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The attack triggered retaliatory actions by Iran, further intensifying tensions in the region.
The developments have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis remain uncertain.
United States forces have carried out a large-scale precision strike targeting more than 90 Iranian military sites on Kharg Island, according to a statement released by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The overnight operation reportedly targeted facilities including naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers, and other military infrastructure located on the strategically important island in the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials said the strikes were designed to degrade Iran’s military capabilities while deliberately avoiding damage to the island’s oil export infrastructure.
Kharg Island is considered a critical hub for Iran’s oil industry, handling a significant portion of the country’s crude exports. Despite the island’s strategic importance to global energy markets, U.S. officials emphasized that the strikes focused solely on military targets rather than energy facilities.
According to CENTCOM, the operation destroyed several military compounds and weapons storage facilities believed to be linked to Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities in the region. U.S. authorities described the mission as a “large-scale precision strike,” indicating that the attacks were carefully planned to limit broader economic disruption.
The strikes come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides trading warnings over military activities in the Gulf region. Iran has previously threatened retaliation against the U.S. assets and allies in the Middle East if its territory or strategic infrastructure is targeted.
Security analysts warn the latest escalation could further destabilize the region and raise concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
As of the time of reporting, Iranian authorities have not issued a detailed official statement on the extent of the damage or possible casualties resulting from the strikes.
The United States embassy in Baghdad has been struck in a missile attack, according to Iraqi security sources, raising fresh concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
Sources said a missile hit inside the embassy compound located in the heavily fortified Green Zone, an area that houses government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions. Smoke was reportedly seen rising from the facility following the strike.
Initial reports indicate that the projectile struck a helipad within the embassy complex, causing damage but with no immediate confirmation of casualties. Security officials said investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of the attack.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with diplomatic facilities and military installations increasingly targeted as regional hostilities escalate.
The U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, one of the largest American diplomatic missions in the world, has been targeted multiple times in the past by rockets and drones fired by armed groups operating in Iraq.
Authorities have yet to confirm who was responsible for the latest strike, and no group has immediately claimed responsibility. Iraqi security forces have reportedly begun an investigation while monitoring the situation in the capital.
Further details on the extent of the damage and possible casualties were not immediately available.