Middle East tensions escalate as Iran, Israel, U.S., Germany, and regional armed groups exchange threats and warnings   Tensions across the Middle East continued to rise on Thursday as Iran, Israel, the United States, Germany, Hezbollah, and allied groups exchanged warnings and threats amid an increasingly volatile regional security environment. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated Berlin's position on Iran's nuclear activities, stating that Tehran must "verifiably and permanently" end its nuclear program. Merz emphasized that the security of Israel and the wider Middle East must be guaranteed, warning that lasting peace in the...