Escalatory strikes between Israel and Iran continued apace, with Israel targeting Iran’s unfueled and under-construction Kondab (formerly known as Arak) heavy water research reactor and an Iranian strike causing damage to the Soroka hospital in southern Israel — in response to which Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel’s military had “been instructed” that to achieve its goals, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “should not continue to exist.” That call comes the day before the foreign ministers of the UK, Germany and France, along with EU foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, are set to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Geneva. Germany's presence could prove awkward after Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday expressed respect for Israel's attacks on Iran, describing them as "the dirty work that Israel is doing for all of us." No oil tankers or export infrastructure have been damaged in strikes so far, but the conflict is stirring markets and prompting the industry to exercise greater caution in and around the Strait of Hormuz.