Iran's response to Israel has begun - IRNA.

Iran's response to Israel has begun - IRNA.

In the wake of Israel's preemptive strikes on Iran, the Middle East is on the brink of further escalation. Early Friday morning, Israel launched a wave of strikes targeting key nuclear facilities and senior Iranian commanders, according to the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz [3]. This move has sparked a series of responses from both regional and global actors, with Iran vowing to retaliate and the international community calling for restraint.

Iran's response, as reported by IRNA, has begun with a pledge of "legitimate and powerful" retaliation. The Iranian government has condemned the attacks as a "crime" and warned that Israel will face severe punishment [1]. This escalation comes amidst ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program.

The global reaction to Israel's strikes has been mixed. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged for "maximum restraint" to avoid deeper conflict, while the United States has stated that it is not involved in the strikes and that its top priority is protecting American interests in the region [2]. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have both condemned the attacks, labeling them as a breach of international law and a violation of Iran's sovereignty.

The financial implications of this escalation are yet to be fully realized. However, the potential for increased volatility in the Middle East region could have significant impacts on global energy markets, as Iran is a major oil producer. Additionally, the geopolitical risks could lead to further instability in the region, potentially affecting trade routes and economic growth.

In the coming days, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor developments in the Middle East. The risk of miscalculation and further escalation is high, and any significant changes in the region could have far-reaching consequences for global markets.

References:
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/czdy9nj73l8o
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/13/how-the-world-is-reacting-to-israel-attacks-on-iran-nuclear-military-sites
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/middle-east-live-updates-israel-launches-preemptive-strike/?id=122797400