On Friday, Israel and Iran exchanged attacks. There seems to be a shift regarding US involvement, as European officials are working to revive nuclear discussions with Tehran.
Israel reported striking 60 Iranian aircraft early Friday morning. Iranian sources claimed that Israeli strikes also reached Rasht by the Caspian Sea.
According to reports, at least one Iranian missile hit Bercheva, Israel’s largest southern city, early that day, damaging the facade of an apartment building and leaving a crater in a residential area. It was noted that this attack occurred near a high-tech park that includes a Microsoft office.
Iran, in turn, targeted civilian areas near Haifa, injuring dozens of individuals and causing panic among shoppers, as reported.
In response, Israeli officials stated they struck a hospital in Bercheva after an Iranian attack on Thursday, resulting in injuries to around 80 patients and healthcare personnel. The Israeli defense chief accused Iran of committing war crimes and indicated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be held accountable.
As per reports, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) conducted bombings in central Tehran overnight, targeting missile storage and launch sites in Tabriz and Kermansha as well.
Israeli military spokesman Brigg noted, “We are enhancing air force operations in the region and continuing with air strikes.” General Effy Defflin mentioned that there are additional targets in Tehran, western Iran, and beyond.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with the British Foreign Secretary to discuss diplomatic avenues for resolving the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut is set to meet with European officials in Geneva regarding the new nuclear agreement. Earlier in the month, Iran rejected a US proposal that would have led to the completion of its nuclear program and the relocation of enrichment facilities.
On Thursday, the White House released a statement from President Trump indicating a decision on US involvement in the Israeli conflict would be made within two weeks. Israel’s significance in relation to its nuclear program is applying pressure on the US to possibly deploy a “bunker-buster” bomb at the deeply buried Forduran enrichment facility in Iran.
While Trump hasn’t publicly committed to resuming talks with Tehran, Aragut mentioned that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is being pursued. “The Americans are the ones reaching out,” he said, adding that serious messages were sent, but clarified that no discussions could occur as long as the attacks continue.
This week, Trump advised civilians in Tehran to evacuate quickly and noted that a third US naval destroyer had been dispatched to the eastern Mediterranean.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation near Beersheva Hospital, expressing confidence in Trump to “act in America’s best interest.” He added, “I can say they’re already providing significant support.”
