That concludes our live coverage for today, thanks for joining us. We'll be back again tomorrow morning with more news updates and analysis. Goodnight.
Netanyahu says more than half of Iran's missile launchers destroyed
Netanyahu has claimed that his army destroyed "more than half" of Iran's missile launchers since he launched the war against Iran last Friday, in comments made during an interview broadcast on public television.
Asked about the number of Iranian missiles destroyed in Israeli strikes in seven days of war, the Israeli prime minister told the KAN 11 reporter that what mattered to him was not so much the number of missiles as the number of launchers. And in this respect, Israel has destroyed "more than half," he said.
Israeli officials had believed that the destruction of launchers accounted for fewer missiles in the barrages of recent days compared to those from the first couple of days of fighting.
Berri '200% sure' Lebanon will not enter the war
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri told MTV Lebanon television channel that he is "200 percent sure Lebanon will not enter the war," following comments from the Iranian government implying it would trigger Hezbollah's involvement in the war with Israel, should the United States get directly involved.
"I am 200% sure Lebanon will not enter a war," Berri told the channel, "because it has no interest in doing so and would pay a heavy price."
Earlier today, Hezbollah hinted at possible "disastrous consequences" to the "stupid and reckless" death threats from Israel and the United States against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"Iran does not need us," Berri told MTV, "It is Israel that needs support."
Israeli army says it shut down 480 drones since Friday
Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin says the military has shot down over 480 Iranian drones — 95 percent of all those that approached Israel, he added — since Friday, the day Israel sparked the current war between the two countries.
In his interview with public broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu said, “American pilots are intercepting drones alongside our pilots.” According to Netanyahu, "almost none" of the drones have breached Israeli airspace.
However, "several" breached Israeli airspace, according to Defrin, in comments cited by the Times of Israel, which added that there have been no reports of drone impacts in Israel in populated areas.
Yesterday, the Israeli army claimed Iran had fired around 1,000 drones at Israel, and that only around 200 had actually reached Israel’s borders.
Trump will make a decision on Iran 'within the next two weeks,' White House says
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that U.S. President Donald Trump will decide whether to become directly involved in Israel's war with Iran "within the next two weeks."
Leavitt read out loud a statement from Trump during the press briefing: “Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future — I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”
Leavitt also confirmed earlier reporting by Reuters that there has been ongoing "correspondence" between Iran and Israel since Israel launched its attacks last Friday.
"The United States government maintains ... that Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon," the spokesperson said.
Netanyahu says war against Iran 'ahead of schedule'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “ahead of schedule” in its operation against Iran, during an interview with the Kan public broadcaster aired this evening, and cited by the Times of Israel.
“We are ahead of the schedule we set — both in terms of timing and results,” Netanyahu said on the seventh day since he launched a war against Iran that has killed around 600 Iranians and in which 25 Israelis have been killed by Iranian reprisals.
“The work has been outstanding,” Netanyahu says, explaining that he decided on the operation after Israel weakened Iran’s strongest ally and proxy, Hezbollah, at the end of last year, and when he said it was clear that Iran “was racing toward a nuclear capability,” a claim that has been refuted by the United States' intelligence community.
“The elimination of [former Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah broke the Iranian axis. What does [Iran] have left?" Netanyahu said. "This operation has been in planning for many months.”
22,000 tourists trying to leave Israel
Israel’s tourism ministry says it has registered 22,000 tourists seeking to leave the country, the New York Times reports. Israel’s airspace has been closed since the fighting started nearly a week ago, other than for special flights dedicated to bringing back Israelis stranded abroad.
Those flights began operating yesterday, but they are not yet authorized to fly passengers out for security reasons. Of the roughly 40,000 tourists who were in Israel at the start of the war, about 32,000 remain in the country, the ministry said in a statement, adding that some had left Israel via land crossings with Jordan and Egypt.
Israeli official says answer on possible US involvement to come in next two days
Israel still expects that U.S. President Donald Trump will join its war against Iran, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel, as the final word on Trump's choice between diplomacy or military involvement remains unsaid.
“The expectation is that they join, but no one is pushing them,” the official claimed. “They have to make their own decision,” adding that he believes “we’ll know in the next 24-48 hours.”
As for recent threats made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the official said that the minister's comments are in line with Netanyahu's position. “Katz always makes his statements according to what Netanyahu asks him to do. He’s not doing it on his own.”
16 Israelis rescued from yacht off Lebanese coast amid airspace closure
Sixteen Israelis who were trying to return to Israel after being stuck abroad due to the closure of Israel’s airspace became stranded off the coast of Saida and had to be rescued earlier today, Times of Israel reports, citing the Israeli Transportation Ministry.
The ministry says the boat got stranded about 25 miles west of the port of Said, Lebanon, due to an engine failure. The Israelis on board were rescued by the ministry’s Rescue Coordination Center in conjunction with the Israeli Navy.
According to the Times of Israel, a number of Israelis stranded abroad have sought out naval routes to return home due to the lack of flights.
Nine EU countries call for talks on ending trade with Israeli settlements
Nine European Union countries have called on the European Commission to come up with proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday.
The letter, addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, was signed by foreign ministers from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner, accounting about a third of its total goods trade. Two-way goods trade between the bloc and Israel stood at 42.6 billion euros ($48.91 billion) last year, though it was unclear how much of that trade involved settlements.
Araghchi and Witkoff have had several phone calls since Israeli attack
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, in a bid to find a diplomatic end to the crisis, three diplomats told Reuters.
They said the talks included a brief discussion of a U.S. proposal given to Iran at the end of May that aims to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside of Iran, an offer Tehran has so far rejected.
This week's phone discussions were the most substantive direct talks since the two began negotiations in April. On those occasions, in Oman and Italy, the two men exchanged brief words when they encountered each other after indirect talks were held.
A regional diplomat close to Tehran said Araqchi had told Witkoff that Tehran "could show flexibility in the nuclear issue" if Washington pressured Israel to end the war. A European diplomat said: "Araqchi told Witkoff Iran was ready to come back to nuclear talks, but it could not if Israel continued its bombing."
Germany calls Netanyahu to encourage diplomatic solution
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which Merz called for moderation in Israel's campaign against Iran, a German government source told Reuters on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Merz voiced Germany's support in principle for Israeli military attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure during the call on Wednesday evening but stressed the importance of seeking diplomatic solutions to the conflict, the source said, according to Reuters.
Araghchi says missile strike on Israeli hospital was targeting military base
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said on X that a missile attack on the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva this morning hit an Israeli military and intelligence centre located near Soroka hospital, causing only “superficial damage to a small section” of the health facility itself.
Araghchi also claimed that the facility was “largely evacuated” and has mainly been used “to treat Israeli soldiers” fighting in the Gaza war. According to the hospital's director, quoted by Times of Israel, the building struck was the "old surgical wing" and was indeed "evacuated in recent days."
“Our powerful armed forces will continue to pummel the criminals who target our people until they cease and pay for their criminal aggression against our nation,” said Araghchi, urging Israeli civilians to avoid military sites.
The headquarters of the Israeli army's Southern Command are located in a residential neighborhood of Be'er Sheva, which is in the Negev desert. The base is approximately two kilometers from Soroka Medical Center.
Israel detects missiles launched from Iran
The Israeli military said in a post on X that it has identified that missiles were recently launched from Iran towards Israel, and its defence systems are working to intercept the threat. It has also told the Israeli public to move to protected areas and remain there until further notice.
Hezbollah has called on its support base to perform a prayer for the "protection of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei," in its mosques, Islamic centers and homes Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Iran launches ballistic missiles containing cluster bombs at Israel
At least one of the 20 ballistic missiles Iran launched at Israel today contained a "cluster bomb warhead," according to reports from The Times of Israel, citing the Israeli military’s Home Front Command.
A cluster bomb warhead is a type of explosive weapon that releases multiple smaller submunitions over a wide area.
Netanyahu visits Soroka Hospital, says no option excluded, including targeting Khamenei
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Be’er Sheva’s Soroka Hospital, which was damaged in an Iranian missile attack earlier today, according to Israeli media reports.
During the visit, Netanyahu stated that no options are off the table, including the possibility of targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "No one is immune," Netanyahu said, adding that "all the options are open."
He further noted, “It’s best not to speak about this in the press,” signaling the sensitive nature of the discussion.
ICRC calls for respect of hospitals following Iranian attack on Israel
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the "respect" and "protection" of hospitals following an Iranian strike on Israel, which hit a hospital in the south, leaving dozens injured.
"Victims and patients, medical staff, and hospitals must be respected and protected," the ICRC stated on X, urging respect for international law on the 7th day of the war initiated by Israel against Iran.
Iran: Key power body warns Washington against intervention in the war
A key power body in Iran has warned the United States against intervening in the war alongside their Israeli ally, stating that such action would lead to a "severe response."
"The criminal American government and its foolish president must know for certain that if they make a mistake and act against Iran, they will face a severe response," the Guardian Council stated in a broadcast on state television.
24 arrested in Iran for espionage on behalf of Israel and undermining the country’s image, police says
Netanyahu: Israel will 'erase' Iran's nuclear and missile threats
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will "erase" the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles. Speaking at a press conference at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, which was struck by Iranian missiles, Netanyahu said:
"Our goal is twofold: nuclear and ballistic missiles. We will make them disappear. We are in the process of eliminating this threat." He added, "We are determined to destroy the nuclear threat, the threat of a nuclear annihilation of Israel."
Thousands left homeless in Israel after Iranian missile strikes
Thousands of people in Israel have been left homeless following Iranian missile attacks, according to Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth. The Israeli Interior Ministry has registered 5,110 individuals as homeless, including 907 in Tel Aviv.
Khamenei responds to Israeli defense minister's comments
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to remarks made by the Israeli Defense Minister, who stated that the "elimination" of Khamenei was a goal in Israel's war against Iran. Khamenei called the involvement of the U.S. allies of the "Zionist regime" a sign of the regime's weakness and incapacity.
He also addressed the Israeli public, saying, "I want to tell our dear nation that if the enemy senses your fear, they will never let go of you. Continue to act as you have until today; continue to act with strength."
France prepares evacuation for citizens in Israel and Iran
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that France is preparing to assist its citizens in both Israel and Iran in leaving those countries. According to Barrot, a convoy will be arranged by the end of the week to help French nationals without the means to leave Iran, taking them to the Turkish or Armenian borders to access airports there.
For French citizens in Israel, buses will begin departing tomorrow morning from the Jordanian border to airports in Jordan. Additionally, a flight from Amman will be chartered by the end of the week to facilitate the passage of vulnerable or emergency French citizens.
Lithuania to evacuate diplomatic families and mon-essential personnel from Tel Aviv
Lithuania has announced plans to evacuate the families of its diplomats and non-essential staff from its embassy in Tel Aviv, following Iranian missile strikes that hit buildings just 200 meters from the embassy. A spokesperson for the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision to Reuters.
Israeli military shoots down drone over Jordan Valley
The Israeli military has confirmed that it intercepted and shot down a drone "from the east" over the Jordan Valley. According to a military statement, the drone was brought down shortly after sirens were heard in the area, as reported by Israel’s Arutz Sheva media.
Israeli General: 'Iran targets civilians, we target existential threat'
Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the Israeli military spoke out in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the disparity in objectives between Israel and Iran. He stated:
"Iran targets civilians; we target an existential threat that endangers global security."
Defrin specifically referred to a ballistic missile strike by Iran early this morning, which directly hit the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. He noted that the hospital serves over a million Israelis, including Bedouins, Jews, Christians, and Arabs. He emphasized the civilian toll of Iran's attacks, contrasting it with Israel's focus on eliminating threats to global safety.
Israeli military official: Two-thirds of Iranian missile launchers destroyed
An Israeli military official estimates that Israeli strikes have destroyed approximately two-thirds of Iran's surface-to-surface missile launchers.
However, Iran is said to still have more than 100 missiles ready for launch, according to Reuters.
Saudi minister: 'We will only respond to realities'
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman addressed questions on the possibility of Saudi Arabia and Russia stepping in to replace any potential loss of Iranian oil. In his response, the prince said, "We only react to realities," according to Reuters.
The prince made the comments during an economic forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and also reiterated that OPEC+ remains a "reliable organization."
Israeli army strikes Iranian missile launchers
Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin confirmed in a statement that Israel has successfully targeted and neutralized "hundreds" of surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran. However, he cautioned that Iran still retains the capability to launch missiles, as evidenced by the strikes earlier this morning.
Defrin stressed the importance of "civilian behavior," calling it the primary defense and a key factor in saving lives amidst the ongoing conflict.
An Israeli official stated that 'it was a mistake' for a military spokesperson to have claimed earlier in the day that Israel had struck the Bushehr nuclear site.
The official confirmed only that Israel had attacked the nuclear sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak in Iran. When further questioned about Bushehr, the official said they could neither confirm nor deny whether Israel had targeted the site, where Iran has a reactor.
At least 240 people were injured in Iranian missile strikes on Thursday morning, according to reports from AP News and The Guardian.
The agency specifies that four people were seriously injured, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health. The majority of the injuries were minor, including more than 70 people from Soroka Hospital in the city of Beersheba, in the southern part of the country, where smoke rose as emergency teams evacuated patients.
Two doctors, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told AP News that the missile struck the hospital almost immediately after the air raid sirens went off, causing a loud explosion that could be heard from a secure room.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry urged Israel on Thursday to immediately cease airstrikes on the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, where Russian specialists are working, according to Reuters.
Bushehr, Iran's only operational nuclear power plant, uses Russian fuel, which Russia reclaims once it is depleted in order to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, reiterated the Russian warning to the United States not to get involved militarily in the Israeli-Iranian conflict, stating that this would have unpredictable and negative consequences.
Bulgaria closes embassy in Tehran and evacuates staff
Bulgaria has closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated its diplomatic staff and their families from the country, according to a statement by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, reported by Al-Jazeera.
Speaking to local media, Zhelyazkov noted that the embassy was located "in close proximity" to an area in Tehran that Israel had advised residents to flee. He added that the Bulgarian diplomatic staff and their families were evacuated by car to the neighboring Azerbaijan.
Russia urges Israel to stop strikes on Bushehr nuclear plant
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Israel on Thursday to immediately cease airstrikes on the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran, where Russian specialists are working, Reuters reports.
Bushehr, Iran's only operational nuclear plant, uses Russian fuel, which Russia reclaims once depleted to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Ministry, reiterated Russia's warning to the United States against military involvement in the Israeli-Iranian conflict, stating that such actions would have unpredictable and negative consequences.
67 Palestinians killed and 221 injured in 24 hours, according to Gaza Health Ministry
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces killed 67 people and injured 221 others, who were hospitalized, in the Palestinian enclave over the past 24 hours. Two bodies were also found under the rubble.
Since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, the total death toll has reached 55,706, with 130,101 injured. Since fighting resumed in March, 5,401 people have been killed, and 18,060 injured.
The ministry also noted that 12 people were killed and over 172 wounded while gathering near an aid distribution site in central Gaza.
US military aircraft disperse at al-Udeid base in Qatar
Reports have emerged that numerous aircraft have been dispersed from the Al Udeid Air Base, a critical US military facility in Qatar, following a satellite image showing the tarmac nearly empty. The shift comes after similar movements from US naval ships in Bahrain, typically a strategy to avoid potential destruction in case of an attack.
The US military has yet to acknowledge the strategic redeployment.
Israeli army strikes nuclear sites, including Bushehr, amid escalating tensions
The Israeli military confirmed Thursday that it had struck nuclear sites in Iran, including the active Bushehr nuclear plant, located on the Gulf coast. A spokesperson stated that additional sites in Isfahan and Natanz were also targeted, with plans to continue hitting other facilities.
Putin and Xi 'firmly condemn' Israeli strikes in Iran, urge diplomatic resolution
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping "firmly condemned" the Israeli strikes on Iran during a phone call, urging for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, as reported by AFP.
Paris urges nationals to leave Iran via Armenia and Turkey amid ongoing conflict
France has advised its nationals wishing to leave Iran to do so via Armenia and Turkey, as the borders remain open and no visa is required, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. This announcement came on the seventh day of the ongoing conflict.
For those looking to leave Israel, the minister suggested they head by road to Jordan and Egypt, where buses will be available to transport them to airports. A plane will be chartered from the Jordanian capital, Amman, "by the end of the week," he added.
Iran confirms meeting with European states on Friday
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that he will meet with his British, French, and German counterparts, as well as the EU’s top diplomat, in Geneva on Friday, according to Iranian state media and Reuters. He specified that the meeting was requested by the three European states.
The meeting marks a potential diplomatic breakthrough after five days of Israeli bombardments. It is also the first face-to-face diplomatic meeting since the crisis began.
IRGC commander warns US against direct involvement
Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hatam al-Nabi, issued a formal warning, stating that any direct U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict would lead to a regional escalation of the war.
“We warn criminal America that any direct involvement in this war will lead to its expansion across the region and result in painful and irreversible blows,” Nabi said in an official statement.
UN nuclear watchdog confirms strike on Iranian nuclear site at Khondab
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it has received information that the Iranian heavy water research reactor at Khondab (Arak) was struck, but that there were no radiological effects, according to Reuters.
Director of Soroka Medical Center: Hospital suffered major damage
Shlomi Kodesh, director of Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel, said the hospital sustained major damage, Reuters reports.
Around 40 patients and staff members were injured, mostly with minor wounds from shattered glass and collapsing ceilings. The facility is currently closed except for emergency treatment, pending structural damage assessments. “We don’t know if buildings could collapse or if services might fail,” Kodesh said.
Patients will be transferred to other hospitals. Those currently hospitalized include elderly patients, cancer patients, and individuals in need of urgent medical care. Located about 40 km from Gaza, Soroka has treated wounded Israeli soldiers from the Gaza conflict over the past 20 months, according to Israeli media.
Israel’s Defense Minister threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking from the site of a missile impact in Holon, issued his most direct threat yet against Iran’s Supreme Leader. “A dictator like Khamenei, who leads Iran and has inscribed the destruction of Israel on his flag — he cannot continue to exist,” Katz said.
This marks the first time an Israeli official has openly called for Khamenei’s elimination amid the current escalation.
Israel’s public broadcaster says that 137 injured people were transported from the sites attacked by Iran today for medical treatment.
France to 'facilitate' evacuation of its nationals from Iran and Israel, says Élysée
France will take steps to facilitate the departure of its citizens from Iran and Israel, according to France 24. During a national defense and security council meeting, President Emmanuel Macron instructed the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to assist French nationals wishing to leave the two countries, the Élysée Palace announced.
In Iran, the airspace and Tehran’s international airport remain closed, with no indication of when they may reopen. However, the French embassy in Iran notes that land borders with Turkey and Armenia remain open and that French citizens do not require a visa to enter those countries.
In Israel, the French embassy advises its citizens to monitor security updates on its website. For now, departures are only possible by land, specifically through Jordan and Egypt.
In a post on X, the nuclear watchdog IAEA said it has information that Iran’s Khondab heavy water reactor – also known as the Arak reactor – “was hit”.
However, because the site was “not operational and contained no nuclear material”, there are “no radiological effects”, the IAEA said.
The agency added that it has no information indicating the facility’s heavy water plant was struck.
UK foreign secretary says Tories would back military action if needed
UK Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said the Conservative Party would support the British government if it decided to join military action against Iran, according to UK news agency PA Media.
South Korea has evacuated 18 of its nationals and two Iranian family members by land from Iran, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced in a statement, according to Reuters.
US Embassy in Israel has reissued shelter-in-place instructions for American government personnel and their families.
“The Department of State is planning contingency measures to facilitate the departure of US citizens from Israel. We will alert the US citizen community if there are updates to share regarding departure options,” the embassy posted on X.
Iran on Thursday accused the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, of acting as a 'partner' in what it called Israel’s 'war of aggression.'
The International Atomic Energy Agency had accused Iran, in a report published before the Iran-Israel conflict began, of failing to meet its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation framework.
“You have betrayed the non-proliferation regime; you have turned the IAEA into a partner in this unjust war of aggression,” wrote Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on X, addressing IAEA Director Rafael Grossi.
A U.S. intervention in the conflict between Iran and Israel would lead to a “terrible spiral of escalation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, according to Interfax news agency, as reported by Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier stated that all parties should seek ways to end the fighting.
Iran said Thursday that the main target of a missile strike that hit a hospital in southern Israel was an Israeli military and intelligence base, not a medical facility, according to AFP.
The Soroka Hospital in Beersheba (south) and two cities near Tel Aviv were struck by Iranian missile fire, and Israeli emergency services reported at least 47 people injured in the latest attacks.
"The primary target of the attack was the Israeli army’s command and intelligence base (IDF C4I) and the military intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam technology park, located near Soroka Hospital," said the Iranian state news agency IRNA.
It added that the hospital was "only exposed to the blast wave" and that the "direct and precise target" was the military installation.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Reuters that only the United States has the authority to initiate negotiations with both Israel and Iran as the two countries continue their airstrike exchange.
He also expressed Greece’s deep concern for the safety of the approximately 180 Greek-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf since Israel’s first strike on Iran last week.
Greece controls the world’s largest tanker fleet, and maritime agencies have advised commercial ships to avoid Iranian waters around the Strait of Hormuz, maritime sources said Wednesday.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned Israel’s strike on the Shahid Khondab heavy water complex and its research reactor.
In a statement, the organization denounced the attack as a persistent violation of international law, which explicitly prohibits strikes on nuclear installations. They added that no casualties had been reported and that “thanks to preemptive safety measures, there is no threat or danger to the local residents.” The statement also noted that “the recent threats and aggressions by the criminal Zionist regime have been repeatedly reported to the IAEA, which unfortunately took no measures. Nevertheless, this morning’s aggression has also been reported to the IAEA.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to attend a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Saturday, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source cited by Reuters.
The special session of the 51st Council of Foreign Ministers will focus on recent Israeli strikes against Iran, particularly Thursday’s attack on the Khondab (Arak) nuclear site.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi told Al Jazeera that the agency has no information indicating Iran is actively working on a nuclear weapon.
“We have found no elements in Iran pointing to an active, systemic nuclear weapons program,” Grossi said. “We have not seen evidence, as inspectors, that a nuclear weapon was being manufactured or produced anywhere in Iran.”
European foreign ministers from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom meeting in Geneva on Friday with Iran’s foreign minister, diplomats told AFP.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas is also expected to participate, as European countries intensify calls for de-escalation following Israel’s strikes aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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A senior Kenyan official emphasized that foreign diplomatic missions must be protected by both Iran and Israel, after a strike in Tehran’s Ramat Gan district hit Kenya’s embassy — just a few hundred meters away.
Korir Sing’Oei, the principal secretary in Kenya’s foreign ministry, said: “Foreign missions are inviolable under international law and must be excluded and protected from armed conflict at all times.” He added that Kenya’s embassy staff are currently working from their residences and are safe.
Israeli ambassador to France admits US support in Iran 'would shorten the war'
Asked on France 24 whether Israel can carry out a full operation to destroy Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities alone, Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka was unequivocal: “We would not have launched this operation if we weren’t convinced we could fully achieve it.”
However, France 24 reports that he tempered his response by acknowledging the potential impact of American involvement: “It’s true that if the United States decided to join the offensive on its own, it would considerably shorten the war and could even further weaken the mullahs’ regime in Tehran.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to the Israel-Iran crisis with “cool-headedness and calm,” relying on international law, a government minister said, according to British news agency PA Media.
China evacuates over 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds more from Israel
China has evacuated more than 1,600 of its nationals from Iran and several hundred from Israel, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced Thursday, according to Reuters.
Guo said China has maintained communication with all concerned parties, including Iran, Israel, and Oman, and urged immediate steps to de-escalate the tense situation.
State media estimate that several thousand Chinese citizens are currently in Iran.
Hezbollah condemns threats against Khamenei
Hezbollah released a statement denouncing “stupid and reckless” death threats from Israel and the United States targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warning they could have “disastrous consequences.” Hezbollah praised Khamenei’s stature in Iran and the Muslim world, calling the threats an offense to hundreds of millions of believers and those connected to Islam and the resistance. Hezbollah vowed to remain “more determined” and united around Khamenei’s stance against the Israeli-American aggression toward Iran.
At least 47 injured in Israel after Iranian missile attacks
Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, reported that 47 people were injured in Iranian missile strikes. Three are in serious condition, two moderately injured, and 42 others sustained minor wounds from shrapnel and trauma. Additionally, 18 civilians were hurt while running to shelters.
Israel says it struck 'unfinished nuclear reactor' at Arak in Iran
The Israeli military announced it carried out nighttime airstrikes targeting an unfinished nuclear reactor in Arak and a nuclear site in Natanz, central Iran. The army said the strikes aimed to prevent the reactor’s use for nuclear weapons development. Around 40 fighter jets took part in the raids, hitting dozens of sites.
Hospital hit in Israel: Netanyahu warns Iran will 'pay a heavy price'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, saying Iran “will pay a heavy price.” He accused the “terrorist Iranian dictators” of firing missiles at the hospital and civilians and promised a strong response.
This morning, Israel condemned what it called a "deliberate" Iranian missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, in southern Israel. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel described the attack as “criminal,” stressing that the hospital is a major medical center for the entire Negev region.
“Iran has just struck Soroka Hospital with a ballistic missile. Not a military base. A hospital [...] The world must respond,” she wrote on X.
North Korea also entered the discussion, denouncing Israel’s offensive against Iran. In a statement issued overnight, Pyongyang described the strikes as an “illegal act” and a “crime against humanity.” The North Korean Foreign Ministry warned that the action increases the risk of a full-scale war in the Middle East and urged the U.S. and European powers not to escalate the situation further.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Iran has not requested any military assistance from Moscow, despite being a key ally in the region. “Our Iranian friends have not asked us for that,” Putin said during a press briefing with international media in St. Petersburg.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking on Wednesday, did not rule out the possibility of the United States entering the conflict to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. “I’m not looking to fight. But if the choice is fighting or letting them have a nuclear bomb, you have to do what has to be done,” he told reporters. Trump is scheduled to receive a national security briefing on Thursday in the White House Situation Room.
The morning’s missile strikes marked one of the most intense barrages from Iran to date. Israeli emergency services said 32 people were injured across various regions. Following the attack, the military lowered the alert level and allowed residents to leave shelters. Search and rescue teams were deployed in multiple areas where missiles had landed. A military official confirmed that Iran launched “dozens” of missiles during the assault.
Soroka Hospital confirmed that it had been struck in the Iranian barrage, reporting significant damage to several parts of the facility. An assessment is underway to determine the full extent of the damage and whether there are any casualties. The Israeli Foreign Ministry had earlier reported a direct hit on the hospital, which treats many soldiers wounded in the Gaza conflict.
In response to Israel’s attacks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would make Israel “regret and pay” for its actions. “Iran will continue to exercise its right to self-defense with pride and bravery,” he wrote on X, accusing Israel of trying to spread conflict across the region.
Welcome to today’s live coverage of the escalating tensions and fast-moving developments in the Middle East, with a focus on Israel and Iran.
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