By George, It's Gone Mad! Airstrikes, Retaliation, and Enough Tension to Stun a Dragon!

A Rather Unpleasant Surprise: Explosions Over Tehran!

Honestly you'd think after all these years people would learn that resorting to 'eye for an eye' tactics *never* ends well. I mean haven't they read 'Hogwarts: A History'? Apparently not! Reports are flooding in (via muggle means of course though I *did* try to get Ron to send an owl for confirmation – he just stared blankly) that Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iran. The rationale apparently is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It all sounds dreadfully… complicated.

Important People Gone Too Soon?

The reports are saying that Hossein Salami (commander in chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and two nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were tragically killed. Honestly it's all a bit much isn't it? Deaths are never pleasant regardless of the reasoning behind them. One can only hope that those in charge realize that using this 'tit for tat' strategy only makes the situation worse. As Dumbledore said "Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

Promises Promises: Revenge Is a Dish Best Served… Where?

Predictably Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has promised to avenge the attacks. "With this crime the Zionist regime has brought a bitter and painful fate upon itself and it will certainly face it," he declared. Honestly it's like listening to Voldemort rant about the downfall of the Ministry. It's all a bit… theatrical isn't it? And utterly unproductive if you ask me.

Lockdown! Security Measures and Canceled Flights.

Israel naturally isn't taking this lying down. A state of emergency has been declared and everyone is being warned to brace themselves for retaliation. Incoming and outgoing flights from Tel Aviv have been cancelled – talk about a logistical nightmare! Honestly it's all rather disruptive. I bet even Rita Skeeter couldn't conjure up a story quite as sensational as this one.

From Natanz to Khandab: Ground Zero?

The airstrikes weren't confined to Tehran mind you. Apparently Natanz (home to a key nuclear facility) Khandab (with its heavy water nuclear reactor) and Khoramabad (a ballistic missile base) were also targeted. It's all rather worrying isn't it? One can only hope that cool heads prevail and that someone somewhere decides to pick up a book instead of a bomb. 'Hogwarts: A History' perhaps?

The Muggle Economy Takes a Tumble!

And of course the inevitable economic fallout. Oil prices have skyrocketed (apparently more than 8%!) and the stock markets are wobbling like a first year trying to mount a broomstick. It's all rather grim isn't it? Even Gringotts must be feeling a bit nervous. Meanwhile the US isn't officially involved though they were briefed. President Trump says he would "much prefer an agreement." Well Mr. President so would I!