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France, the United Kingdom, and Germany are set to present Iran with a sweeping diplomatic proposal Friday in Geneva, aiming to revive stalled nuclear talks and prevent further escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the urgency of curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, warning against complacency as tensions mount. What to Know: Macron said the offer includes “complete negotiations” covering nuclear enrichment, missile capabilities, and regional militancy.

Talks will involve Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his counterparts from France, Germany, and the UK.

The meeting begins at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Macron called for “zero enrichment” and limits on Iran’s ballistic program.

The proposal comes as President Trump weighs a possible U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordo nuclear site.

European leaders hope to create a diplomatic off-ramp before the conflict deepens further. Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.

10:54 AM EDT US imposes new Iran-related sanctions on individuals and entities The U.S. Treasury Department announced a fresh round of Iran-related sanctions on Friday, targeting more than 30 individuals, entities, and a vessel linked to what officials described as a “shadow banking” network supporting Iran’s oil trade and nuclear ambitions. The sanctions, issued through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aim to disrupt financial channels that allegedly help Tehran fund its missile programs and regional proxies. Several designated entities are based in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, and are accused of laundering billions through front companies and exchange houses.

10:22 AM EDT Israeli envoy urges Europe to demand full rollback of Iran’s nuclear program Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Daniel Meron, said Friday he expects European foreign ministers to push for a complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program during their meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva. Speaking ahead of the talks, Meron called on France, Germany, the UK, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to take a firm stance, including demands to curb Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and end its support for regional proxies. Araghchi, however, has ruled out negotiations while Israeli strikes continue and reiterated that Iran’s missile program is off the table. The Geneva meeting marks the first direct engagement between Iranian and Western officials since the conflict erupted last week.

10:09 AM EDT Iran, European leaders meet in Geneva as war enters second week Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Friday for a high-stakes meeting with his counterparts from France, Germany, the UK, and the European Union’s foreign policy chief. The talks mark the first in-person engagement between Iranian and Western officials since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran a week ago. Before the meeting, Araghchi reiterated that Iran has “nothing to discuss” with the United States while Israeli strikes continue, though he expressed openness to dialogue with European leaders. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who traveled to Geneva after consultations in Washington, said there is now a two-week window to reach a diplomatic breakthrough and avoid further escalation.

09:54 AM EDT Iran, Europe meet in Geneva for nuclear talks amid war with Israel Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with top European diplomats in Geneva on Friday for urgent talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program, as the war with Israel entered its second week. The meeting marked the first direct contact between Iranian and Western officials since the conflict began. Araghchi reiterated that Iran would not engage with the United States while Israeli strikes continued, calling Washington “a partner in these crimes.” However, he said Iran was open to dialogue with European leaders, though not formal negotiations. The talks included foreign ministers from France, Germany, the UK, and the EU’s foreign policy chief, who presented what French President Emmanuel Macron described as a “comprehensive, diplomatic and technical offer.” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a two-week window now exists to reach a diplomatic solution, aligning with Trump’s timeline for deciding whether to launch a U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordo enrichment site. Iran’s supreme leader and Araghchi both emphasized that missile capabilities were not up for discussion, and that any talks would focus solely on nuclear and regional issues. European leaders, who helped broker the original 2015 nuclear deal, have warned that Iran’s current enrichment levels—up to 60%—pose a growing threat. They’ve also signaled readiness to reinstate sanctions if Iran fails to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

09:41 AM EDT MDA evacuates 17 injured after latest missile strike Emergency teams from Magen David Adom are treating and evacuating 17 people wounded in the latest missile attack, including three in serious condition. Among them is a 16-year-old boy with a shrapnel wound to his upper body, and two adults—aged 54 and 40—with injuries to their lower limbs. Fourteen others sustained minor shrapnel injuries, according to MDA. Teams continue to scan additional sites for casualties, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.

09:40 AM EDT Iranians unite under Israeli attack An Iranian worshipper carries her country’s flag during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. An Iranian worshipper carries her country’s flag during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo As Israeli missiles continue to strike Iran, residents across Tehran and other major cities are taking shelter in basements, metro stations, and underground garages. Amid the ongoing uncertainty and fear, a powerful sense of defiance and community has emerged. “We don’t care about governments, we will always defend our country,” one Tehran resident told Newsweek. Rather than fracture under fear, Iranians are coming together—sharing food, information, and shelter—to withstand the crisis. While headlines focus on the military clash between Iran and Israel, the war’s most immediate impact is felt in the daily lives of civilians. With trust in official institutions already low, many Iranians are turning to grassroots cooperation and mutual aid to stay safe and informed. Decades of sanctions, unrest, and authoritarian rule have forged deep social bonds often overlooked by outsiders. And while some abroad had hoped foreign pressure might trigger an uprising, the strikes have instead unified many Iranians in mutual support and to defend the country — even those who do not instinctively support its current rulers. Read the full story by Amir Daftari on Newsweek.

09:23 AM EDT Teen seriously hurt as Iran missile barrage hits Israel Israel’s national ambulance service said Friday it was transporting a seriously wounded teenager and a moderately injured man to the hospital following a fresh wave of Iranian missile strikes, The New York Times reported. A 16-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man were involved. The former is in serious condition, and the latter is in “moderate condition.”

09:22 AM EDT Top Senate Democrats warn Trump against unilateral Iran strike Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and senior Democrats on key committees issued a joint statement Wednesday expressing deep concern over President Trump’s potential decision to launch military strikes against Iran. The lawmakers criticized what they described as a lack of preparation, strategy, and clear objectives, warning that Congress must authorize any move toward war. “If he is considering taking the country to war, the president must come to Congress,” the statement read, urging Trump to prioritize diplomacy and pursue a binding agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The Democrats also spoke of the need to protect U.S. personnel and civilians in the region, cautioning against a hasty escalation that could endanger American lives.

09:08 AM EDT Iraqis rally in mass protests against Israel-Iran war Supporters of Iraqi Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, following the weekly Friday noon prayers in Baghdad’s Sadr City on June 20, 2025. Supporters of Iraqi Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, following the weekly Friday noon prayers in Baghdad’s Sadr City on June 20, 2025. Murtadha Rudha/Getty Images Iraqis marched in Baghdad and other cities on Friday after influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for nationwide demonstrations opposing the Israel-Iran conflict. Crowds filled the streets of Sadr City, waving flags and chanting slogans following Friday prayers. In Najaf, protesters held banners reading “No to Israel,” echoing al-Sadr’s call to denounce what he described as “Zionist and American terrorism.”

08:53 AM EDT Iran rules out US talks, says no diplomacy under Israeli fire Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran will not engage in negotiations with any country while Israeli strikes continue, calling the United States “a partner in this crime.” In an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, he said Iran had received multiple messages from Washington seeking talks, but rejected them outright. “There is no room for talking until this aggression stops,” Araghchi said, underscoring Iran’s position that diplomacy is off the table as long as Israeli attacks persist. However, he confirmed plans to meet with European foreign ministers in Geneva, saying Iran is open to hearing their views. “We will not miss any chance to defend Iran’s rights,” he added.

08:39 AM EDT IDF detects new Iranian missile launch, sirens to sound The Israeli military said Friday it had detected a fresh launch of ballistic missiles from Iran, warning that air raid sirens would sound imminently across affected areas. The announcement, posted on the IDF’s official Telegram channel, urged civilians to seek shelter and follow Home Front Command instructions. The launch marks the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has seen repeated missile exchanges between the two countries over the past week.

08:28 AM EDT Iran, European leaders meet in Geneva as war enters second week Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Friday for high-stakes talks with top diplomats from France, Germany, the UK, and the European Union, as efforts intensify to find a diplomatic off-ramp to the escalating war with Israel. While Araghchi ruled out negotiations with the United States, calling it a “partner in these crimes,” he signaled openness to dialogue with European leaders—though he emphasized that talks would focus solely on nuclear and regional issues, not Iran’s missile program. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a two-week window now exists to reach a diplomatic solution, echoing President Trump’s timeline for deciding whether to launch a U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordo enrichment site. European leaders are expected to present a comprehensive offer aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear activity, though Tehran insists its program remains peaceful. Germany’s foreign minister said the next move is Iran’s, urging “serious and transparent readiness” to de-escalate. The Geneva meeting marks the first direct contact between Iranian and Western officials since the conflict began.

08:13 AM EDT Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on nuclear infrastructure Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission said Friday that any military attack on civilian nuclear facilities constitutes a violation of international law. The statement follows a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, part of its broader campaign against Tehran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. “Any armed attack by any party, or any threat targeting nuclear facilities designated for peaceful purposes, is a violation of international resolutions,” the commission said, citing the UN Charter and the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

08:00 AM EDT Thousands rally in Iran against Israel, wave Hezbollah flags Supporters of Iraq’s Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr take part in Islam’s Friday prayers in the city of Basra to protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, on June 20, 2025. Supporters of Iraq’s Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr take part in Islam’s Friday prayers in the city of Basra to protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, on June 20, 2025. Hussein Faleh/Getty Images Large crowds gathered in Tehran and cities across Iran on Friday to protest Israel’s military actions. Demonstrators waved national flags, chanted anti-Western slogans, and held up posters of military commanders killed in recent strikes. State television aired scenes of packed streets in the capital, where some participants carried the yellow flags of Hezbollah, underscoring support for Iran’s regional allies. The protests come amid soaring tensions with Israel and growing calls from within Iran for broader retaliation. This aerial view shows supporters of Iraq’s Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr taking part in Islam’s Friday prayers in the city of Basra to protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, on June 20, 2025. This aerial view shows supporters of Iraq’s Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr taking part in Islam’s Friday prayers in the city of Basra to protest Israel’s strikes on Iran, on June 20, 2025. Hussein Faleh/Getty Images

07:46 AM EDT Israel, Iran continue airstrikes as Trump mulls U.S. role Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks Friday, marking one week since the war began. Israeli jets struck more than 60 targets, including missile production facilities and a nuclear research agency. Iran fired missiles into southern Israel, damaging residential buildings. President Donald Trump said he would wait up to two weeks before deciding whether the U.S. would join the conflict. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister is en route to Geneva for talks with European diplomats, though he insisted Tehran will not negotiate until Israeli strikes stop. The death toll has climbed sharply, with hundreds killed in Iran and dozens in Israel, as international efforts to broker a diplomatic breakthrough intensify.

07:33 AM EDT Israeli Air Force strikes military sites in western, central Iran The Israeli Air Force confirmed Friday that it is conducting active airstrikes on military infrastructure in western and central Iran. חיל-האוויר תוקף כעת תשתיות צבאיות במערב איראן ובמרכזה. — Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 20, 2025

What we know about Iran’s secretive ‘nuclear mountain’ – and how Israel might destroy it

By Michael Drummond, foreign news reporter

Housing hundreds of centrifuges buried deep underground, much of the Fordow plant is shrouded in mystery.

It is protected by tonnes of dirt and rock, far away from prying eyes – and foreign missiles.

But as Israeli warplanes fly unchecked above Tehran, with much of the Islamic Republic’s air defences destroyed, attention has turned to the secretive facility.

Some say only the US’s so-called “bunker buster” bomb could breach the nuclear mountain, while others argue troops on the ground are the only way.

Or maybe it is simply impossible, short of a nuclear strike.

Israel-Iran conflict live updates: The head of the UN atomic watchdog, Rafael Grossi, warned Friday that an Israeli strike on Iran’s southern nuclear plant of Bushehr could trigger a regional disaster, adding that radiation had not yet been detected in the conflict read more

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, is seen on a TV screen as he speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at the UN headquarters in New York. AFP

With neither country backing down, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, along with the European Union foreign policy chief, were due to meet in Geneva with Iran’s foreign minister to try to de-escalate the conflict on Friday. “Now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one,” said British Foreign Minister David Lammy ahead of their joint meeting with Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s foreign minister. For earlier Israel-Iran conflict updates, you may follow this live coverage page

Streets were empty with little traffic. Shops stood closed. Those who remain in the city seem to largely be choosing to stay indoors as the war between Israel and Iran continues.

Iran’s capital experienced an unusually quiet weekend on Friday, as many residents had left the capital following the Israeli airstrikes that began last week.

No footage has emerged, and the IDF has not yet provided any comment on the reported event.

It is unclear whether the incident occurred adjacent to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution center, although one is located nearby.

Media outlets in Gaza report that around 20 people were killed and dozens more injured by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) gunfire this morning while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Nitzanim Corridor area of central Gaza.

“As part of the Ministry of Transportation’s Operation ‘Safe Return’, a passenger ship bringing Israelis from the Port of Limassol in Cyprus docked today… at the Ashdod Port with over 1,500 Israelis on board,” the army said in a statement.

Israel’s army said that a first boat carrying Israelis stranded abroad due to the Iran-Israel war arrived Friday with 1,500 citizens aboard.

Maersk said in a statement that it made the decision “after carefully analysing threat risk reports regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran — particularly the potential risks of calling Israeli ports and their implications for the safety of our crews”.

Danish shipping giant Maersk announced Friday that it was temporarily suspending vessel calls in Israel’s Haifa port due to the country’s conflict with Iran.

Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission to India, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, expressed hope that Pakistan would stand by Iran amid rising regional tensions.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the losses, though it has not discussed the damage done so far to its military in the weeklong war.

The military said 25 fighter jets struck “missile storage and launch infrastructure components” Friday morning. There had been reports of anti-aircraft fire in the areas.

Israel’s military said it carried out airstrikes Friday targeting the areas around Kermanshah and Tabriz in western Iran.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will later Friday meet Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva “to make a complete diplomatic and technical offer for negotiations,” Macron told reporters, adding that France and allies Germany and the UK were “putting a diplomatic solution on the table”.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said France and other European powers would make an offer to Iran of a diplomatic solution to end the escalating conflict with Israel.

“It is essential to prioritise a return to substantive negotiations (with Iran) which include nuclear — to move to zero enrichment (by Iran of uranium) — ballistics, to limit Iranian capacities, and the financing of the all the terrorist groups that destabilise the region,” Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for the resumption of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme and urged Israel to halt strikes on the country’s “civilian infrastructure.”

“The spiral of violence triggered by Israel’s attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,” his office quoted him as saying in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The Iran-Israel air war could spark a surge in migration that would affect Europe and the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday.

Peskov added “there is always hope and always a possibility for diplomatic efforts,” and stressed Moscow has “condemned the escalation of violence in the region” and called for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. He noted, however, that “for now, Israel’s desire is to continue the hostilities, at least that is how they officially declare their intentions.”

“And the war that we are witnessing is fraught with geographic expansion, the involvement of many participants and unpredictable consequences,” Peskov said. “We are not on the other side of the ocean, this region is directly on our border. And in addition to the fact that this situation inevitably has a negative impact on the global economy, on energy markets and so on, it is, of course, potentially dangerous for us.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscow is “extremely concerned” by the tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the annual event designed to showcase Russia’s economic prowess and court investors, Peskov said the Middle East “right now is plunging into the abyss of instability and war.”

Erdogan said the solution to the nuclear disagreements with Iran was “through negotiations”. He said the violence had “raised the threat to regional security to the highest level” and Turkey was “making efforts to end the conflict”.

“The spiral of violence triggered by Israel’s attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,” his office quoted him as saying in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Israel, saying Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes a week ago, triggering an immediate retaliation.

The Iran-Israel air war could spark a surge in migration that could harm Europe and the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday.

Tehran Police announced the arrest of an alleged Mossad agent, accused of sending air defence site coordinates to a foreign handler via WhatsApp.

The statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he will decide within the same two-week period whether the United States will support Israeli military operations against Iran. European leaders are aiming to prevent further escalation by pursuing diplomatic engagement during this period.

Earlier, Lammy emphasized the importance of diplomacy, stating that “a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in Geneva ahead of planned talks between European foreign ministers and their Iranian counterpart. The discussions are expected to focus on efforts to de-escalate the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

He emphasized that, under international humanitarian law, medical institutions are protected and must not be targeted in conflict.

Dr. Philip noted that Soroka is one of Israel’s largest medical facilities and a Level-1 trauma center serving more than one million residents in the region.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has expressed strong concern over a reported Iranian missile strike that hit Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel.

He added that the Iranian government will open its airspace to accommodate the operation, with provisions made to assist Indian students as part of the effort.

Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission to India, Javad Hosseini, said that Iran is working with Indian authorities to facilitate the return of approximately 1,000 Indian nationals through three special flights, starting tonight.

In a statement earlier this week, Sadr condemned “the Zionist and American terrorism” and the “aggression against neighbouring Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen”, referring to Israel’s military operations in those countries.

In Iraq’s southern city of Basra, around 2,000 people demonstrated after the prayers, according to an AFP correspondent.

“No to Israel! No to America!” chanted demonstrators gathered after Friday prayers in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Moqtada Sadr’s stronghold in the capital, holding umbrellas to shield themselves from Iraq’s scorching summer sun.

Thousands of supporters of powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied Friday in Baghdad and other cities against Israel’s war with Iran, AFP correspondents said.

The interception followed the activation of warning sirens in several parts of the southern Golan Heights.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that a drone launched toward Israeli territory was intercepted by air defense systems on Friday.

The foreign ministry said ground convoys were being organized to bring Italians out of Iran to neighboring countries. A special charter flight was scheduled for Sunday to depart from Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt to bring out any Italians from Israel, where the main airport remains closed until further notice.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani convened Middle East ambassadors in Rome on Friday to discuss the safety and needs of Italian embassy personnel and other Italians in the region.

Italy is organizing special ground convoys and flights to help Italians leave Iran and Israel.

The protest comes during escalating regional tensions. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have so far largely stayed out of the fray in the Israel-Iran war but have threatened to attack U.S. forces and interests in Iraq and the region if Washington launches direct attacks on Iran.

The demonstration began after Friday prayers with protesters wearing white burial shrouds in a symbolic gesture of readiness to sacrifice. Some burned Israeli and U.S. flags.

Thousands of supporters of the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets on Friday in Sadr City, on the outskirts of Baghdad, in response to a call by al-Sadr to show support for Iran in its conflict with Israel.

The protest comes during escalating regional tensions. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have so far largely stayed out of the fray in the Israel-Iran war but have threatened to attack U.S. forces and interests in Iraq and the region if Washington launches direct attacks on Iran.

The demonstration began after Friday prayers with protesters wearing white burial shrouds in a symbolic gesture of readiness to sacrifice. Some burned Israeli and U.S. flags.

Thousands of supporters of the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets on Friday in Sadr City, on the outskirts of Baghdad, in response to a call by al-Sadr to show support for Iran in its conflict with Israel.

Macron also reiterated his call for Israel’s strikes on energy and civilian infrastructures and on civilian populations in Iran to be stopped. “There’s no justification for that,” he said.

“It’s absolutely essential to prioritize a return to substantial negotiations, including nuclear negotiations to move towards zero (uranium) enrichment, ballistic negotiations to limit Iran’s activities and capabilities and the financing of all terrorist groups and destabilization of the region that Iran has been carrying out for several years,” Macron insisted.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will coordinate with UK and German counterparts in Geneva before they meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“No one can seriously believe that this threat can be met with (Israel’s) current operations alone. Why? Because there are some plants that are highly protected and because today, no one knows exactly where’s the uranium enriched to 60%. So we need to regain control on (Iran’s nuclear) program through technical expertise and negotiation,” Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said European top diplomats will make a “comprehensive, diplomatic and technical offer of negotiation” to Iran in Geneva on Friday as a key response to the “threat” represented by Iran’s nuclear program.

The lack of military engagement by Hezbollah, Iran’s long-time and most strategically placed regional ally is being seen as an anomaly in the recent conflict.

One player is missing from the recent tensions between Iran and Israel.

In what appears to be a pivot away from immediate escalation, US President Donald Trump has set a two-week deadline to decide whether the United States will join Israel’s military campaign against Iran or pursue a diplomatic resolution.

Israeli fighter jets struck the headquarters of Iran’s internal security forces and special units in the Tehran area in recent days, the Israel Defense Forces said on Friday. The operation was carried out with what the IDF described as precise intelligence from its military…

“We need to hear the E3’s initiative on the nuclear issue,” the official said, referring to Britain, France, and Germany.

The official also emphasized the increasing importance of European involvement, saying that Iran is currently not open to direct engagement with the United States.

The official noted that Tehran is not prepared to accept a “zero enrichment” demand, especially under ongoing military pressure from Israel.

Iran is open to discussing limits on its uranium enrichment program but will not agree to a complete halt, a senior Iranian official said on Friday, according to a report by Reuters.

“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the army said in a statement.

The Israeli army said on Friday sirens had sounded across the country after missiles were fired from Iran.

A news anchor described “images in the sky over the occupied territories (Israel) of Iranian missiles arriving”, as the channel broadcast the footage with military music playing in the background.

Iran fired a fresh salvo of missiles at Israel on Friday, state television reported, on the eighth day of the war between the two foes.

Hezbollah suffered severe losses in a war with Israel that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November and has so far remained on the sidelines the Iran-Israel war.

Demonstrators carried the Iranian, Lebanese and Palestinian flags as well as that of Hezbollah, and chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel.” Some also chanted pledges of allegiance to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is revered as religious authority by many Shiite Muslims.

Hundreds of supporters of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Friday afternoon prayers to demonstrate in support of Tehran in the ongoing Israel-Iran war.

“We expect the European foreign ministers to take a firm stance vis-a-vis Iran and demand that there is a complete rollback of the nuclear programme, the dismantling of ballistic missile arsenal and programme, and putting an end to Iran’s regional terrorist activities and active support for its terrorist proxies,” Daniel Meron told journalists outside the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

European foreign ministers must take a “firm stance” in talks Friday with their Iranian counterpart on Tehran’s nuclear programme, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva said.

“MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and are taking a 16-year-old boy to the hospital in serious condition, with shrapnel in his upper body, and a 54-year-old man in moderate condition with a shrapnel injury to his lower limbs,” the MDA said in a statement, without specifying their location.

Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service reported two people injured by shrapnel on Friday, including a 16-year-old in serious condition, after the latest barrage of missiles fired from Iran.

“Unfortunately, the genocide in Gaza and the conflict with Iran are quickly reaching the point of no return. This madness must end as soon as possible,” he said, warning the consequences could affect the region, Europe and Asia “for many years”.

The escalating Iran-Israel confrontation is quickly reaching “the point of no return”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday, as Washington mulled the prospect of entering the war.

“We were attacked in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva ahead of a crunch meeting with European foreign ministers.

Iran’s foreign minister on Friday condemned the Israeli attacks against the Islamic republic as a “betrayal” of diplomatic efforts with the US, saying Tehran and Washington had been due to craft a “promising agreement” on the Iranian nuclear programme.

He said that “we are entitled … and determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty and security with all force. This is our inherent right.”

Araghchi asserted that “any justification for this unjust and criminal war would be tantamount to complicity.”

He said “this is an unjust war imposed on my people.” He said that Israel’s “attacks on nuclear facilities are grave war crimes.”

“In view of the intensity of military operations in Iran and the highly unstable situation on the ground, the FDFA has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran,” the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Switzerland announced Friday the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran, adding that it would continue to fulfil its role representing US interests in Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will get directly involved.

The decision is based on the “current security situation” and not the anticipation that the war between Israel and Iran will escalate further, the statement said. It says the embassy in will operate remotely for the time being.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement that “we take the protection of our staff and British nationals extremely seriously and we have long advised against all travel to Iran.”

“To the parties to the conflict — the potential parties to the conflict — and to the Security Council as the representative of the international community, I have a simple and clear message: Give peace a chance,” Guterres said, in a veiled reference to the United States, which is considering intervening militarily to support Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded Friday with all sides to “give peace a chance” in the Iran-Israel conflict, warning that the violence could spiral out of control.

About 20 missiles were fired in the latest strikes, an Israeli military official said, and at least two people were hurt, according to the Israeli ambulance service.

Iran fired missiles at the southern Israeli city of Beersheba early on Friday and Israeli media said initial reports pointed to missile impacts in Tel Aviv, the Negev and Haifa after further attacks hours later.

A week into its campaign, Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets overnight, including missile production sites, a research body involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.

Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe tried to coax Tehran back into negotiations and the United States considers whether to get involved in the conflict.

Fears of catastrophe rippled through the Gulf on Thursday when the Israeli military said it had struck a site in Bushehr on the Gulf coast – home to Iran’s only nuclear power station – only to say later that the announcement was a mistake.

Israel says it is determined to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities in its military campaign, but that it also wants to avoid any nuclear disaster in a region that is home to tens of millions of people and produces much of the world’s oil.

Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations so far pose only limited risks of contamination, experts say. But they warn that any attack on the country’s nuclear power station at Bushehr could cause a nuclear disaster.

“Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,” Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council

The head of the UN atomic watchdog warned Friday that an Israeli strike on Iran’s southern nuclear plant of Bushehr could trigger a regional disaster, adding that radiation had not yet been detected in the conflict.

“The IAEA can guarantee through a watertight inspection system that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran,” Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the UN Security Council.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog pleaded Friday for a diplomatic solution to end Israel’s strikes on Iran, saying his agency could guarantee strict monitoring in any deal on putting Iranian nuclear technology under international control.

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Israel and Iran’s air war entered a second week on Friday and European officials sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on potential US involvement would be made within two weeks.

Iran has launched a fresh wave of attacks against Israel, with missiles targeting the southern city of Beersheba, where a hospital was struck yesterday. The air strikes reportedly hit a tech park in the city and fires were reported near a Microsoft office.

Meanwhile, Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, said the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those killed include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side.

British, German and French foreign ministers will meet their Iranian counterpart Abbas Argachi in Geneva for nuclear talks, in a first diplomatic sit-down between Europe and Iran as Trump weighs US involvement.

Israel has targeted nuclear sites and missile capabilities, and sought to shatter the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Western and regional officials.

“Are we targeting the downfall of the regime? That may be a result, but it’s up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both condemned Israel and agreed that de-escalation is needed, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

The role of the United States remained uncertain. Lammy also met Trump’s special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, on Thursday in Washington, and said they had discussed a possible deal.

With inputs from Reuters

The destruction at the site of an overnight Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, Israel, on Sunday. Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images

A cancer charity that helped a 7-year-old girl with leukemia flee war-torn Ukraine to receive treatment in Israel has spoken of an “indescribable” tragedy after she was killed in an Iranian airstrike on the city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on Sunday.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Nastya Borik was killed alongside four members of her family: her mother Mariia, 30, her grandmother Lena, 60, and her two cousins — Ilya, 13, and Konstantin, 9. Ukrainian authorities said Sunday that five Ukrainian citizens were killed in the attack, but they did not release any details.

Evgenia Virovlianski, a volunteer with the organization “Chance 4 life” who had been helping Nastya’s family, told CNN that her death should never have happened.

“It shouldn’t have ended that way, it shouldn’t have happened at all. It’s indescribable that a family that escaped the war in Ukraine, that was brought here to be looked after, in this safe space… and it all ends like that? How can you even begin to grasp and process this?” Virovlianski said.

Last celebration: She said that volunteers from the charity had seen Nastya just last week, at the birthday of another child treated by the organization. “The volunteers were overjoyed that Nasty made it there, it was such a pleasant night with so much joy,” she said.

Virovlianski continued, “On the night it happened, we all stayed in our shelter and realized something had happened due to the blasts.”

“Then we saw the address of the impact scene looked familiar, but still hoped everything was fine, and that all we needed to do was to pick the family up and help them find an alternative place to stay. They didn’t pick up their phones, but we didn’t really know what had happened until they were found.”

Some background: Herzog said the family came to Israel in December 2022 because Nastya needed treatment. “Although she initially responded, the disease returned and a bone marrow transplant failed to stop the aggressive leukemia,” Herzog said.

“She came seeking life. Instead, she was murdered,” he added.

Nastya’s father, Artem Borik, is currently serving in the Ukrainian army, fighting Russia on the front line in Ukraine, Herzog said.