Israel attacks Iran
Even after Trump told Israel not to
Good morning to a new week! It’s Monday June 8th.
I thought I had escaped the post Hajj sickness but no, got a harrowing cough but am on the mend. Everything is worth it, if it comes from Makkah, I say!
Back in full force, we’ve got big news today with strikes in Iran and Israel despite Trump telling Netanyahu not to do it, results of the Gilgit Baltistan elections, an acid attack case in a hospital in Quetta that has everyone up in arms (no more).
Waking up to new strikes across Iran and Israel is alarming. Do you think the war will restart? I hope not.
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Unofficial results from Gilgit-Baltistan’s elections show the Pakistan Peoples Party leading in 10 of 24 contested seats (confirmed seats, although official reports this morning reports state they now have 12 seats), followed by the Pakistan Muslim League (N) with six (reports of 8 seats), 2 for PTI-backed candidates and the rest for independents across several constituencies. Despite its lead, the PPP joined the PTI in alleging widespread irregularities, including delays in issuing official result forms, altered voter lists and possible vote manipulation.
Doctors in Quetta have launched an indefinite strike, shutting OPDs and elective services at government hospitals after the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir inside Civil Hospital. The doctor remains in stable condition in Karachi despite eye injuries. Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti announced a civil award for Abdul Razzaq Tarakai, the hospital employee who rushed to help Dr Nisar after she was attacked with acid inside the hospital. The suspected attacker, also a hospital employee, fled the scene and was later killed in a police encounter while allegedly trying to escape the city after opening fire on officers. There is no information about why the attack took place although doctors and colleagues of Dr Nisar protested publicly, saying a ‘third party’ might be involved (must watch video).
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has allocated Rs600 million to clean major drainage channels across the city ahead of the monsoon season, set to begin this week. The move comes as weather officials warn of generally below-normal rainfall across the country this summer, though authorities say drain cleaning remains essential to prevent urban flooding.
WAR RETURNS WITH IRAN-ISRAEL STRIKES
The Iran-Israel ceasefire is under severe strain after Iran fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, particularly a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs that killed two people and wounded 20 others. Iran had warned Israel this week, that if Israel attacked Beirut again, Iran would retaliate on Lebanon’s behalf. Israel has kept bombarding areas of Lebanon but yesterday hit Beirut despite Iran’s warning.
Israel responded to Iran’s attack by launching strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any further Israeli escalation would bring a stronger response, while Israel said Iran had made a “grave mistake” by launching missiles.
Trump was NOT happy and reportedly did not want an escalation of the war at all, given a ceasefire was being worked on. Trump revealed that he personally called Netanyahu and urged him not to retaliate, arguing that Iran’s missile attack had caused little damage and that another round of strikes would only keep the conflict going. Trump said the US was “very close” to a final agreement with Iran and did not want the latest tensions to derail negotiations.
According to US and Israeli officials, Netanyahu initially pushed back and argued in favour of a military response, but eventually agreed to delay action to give diplomacy more time. Trump later told the Financial Times that he “calls all the shots” and insisted Netanyahu would ultimately have “no choice” but to accept a deal.
Despite Trump’s call, Israel went ahead with strikes on Iranian targets, raising questions about Trump’s ability to restrain its ally.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held calls with CDF Asim Munir, as well as Turkish and British officials, to discuss the latest developments.
The escalation has triggered wider regional security measures. Iran, Iraq and Syria closed parts of their airspace, Israeli schools were shut and air raid sirens sounded across central Israel, while Saudi Arabia briefly warned residents in Al-Kharj to take shelter before later declaring the danger had passed.
Take a deep breath and jump for joy. Today is a happy, happy day.
A new war of words has erupted between Islamabad and New Delhi and this time over Gilgit-Baltistan. With elections done and results announced, the debate is about more than politics; it’s about identity, resources and the future of a million voters. If you want to understand the region and what is going on, watch this to understand what’s really at stake.
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