Israel-Iran strike live updates: Multiple blasts heard in Tehran, reports state media

The  Israeli military said that its air force and navy intercepted the drones launched from Iran.

Iranian state media has reported that at least eight persons were killed in the Israeli strike on Tabriz airport. 

US President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal that Washington was aware of Israel’s plans to attack Iran.

State media has reported that loud blasts were hear near an airbase in west Iran.

Italy’s foreign minister has called on his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Friday to come back to the negotiating table.

Foreign minister Antonio Tajani spoke on the phone on Friday with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi after speaking with Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar, the Italian ministry said.

“Tajani called on Iran to avoid a military escalation in the conflict with Israel, a dynamic that would be extremely dangerous for the entire region,” the ministry said.

“We need to return to negotiation and diplomacy as soon as possible,” Tajani told his Iranian counterpart, saying it was the same message he gave Sa’ar earlier Friday, according to the statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said that following the Iran strikes, he is in talks with world leaders.

World leaders have urged restraint from both the countries, asking them to avoid any further escalation of the tension.

Iraq has accused Israel of using its airspace to attack Iran. The country earlier condemned the Israeli strikes on Tehran.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iran has said that it will respond decisively, proportionately to Israel’s “unlawful, cowardly acts”.

Israeli military has said that it has completed a series of strikes against Iran’s surface-to-surface missile array.

Turkey’s transport minister said on Friday that Turkish airlines, and other Turkish operators, have cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan until Monday.

IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Efi Defferin announced that Israel continues to strike targets in Iran, after having “significantly damaged” the Natanz nuclear site.

He warned of a prolonger operation and said, “Iran has intentions and capabilities” and is preparing to respond.

“We have no choice but to act against this threat,” he said.

Amid the rising tensions in the Middle East, CNN has reported that US President Donald Trump will speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.

Hamas said that Iran, its ally, was “paying the price” for supporting militant groups in Gaza in their struggle against Israel.

The Palestinian militant group said in a statement, “Iran is today paying the price for its steadfast positions in support of Palestine and its resistance, and its adherence to its independent national decision.”

Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida said in a Telegram post late on Friday that the group would stand by Iran.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron and British prime minister Keir Starmer about the Israeli strikes on Iran, Reuters reported, citing German government spokesperson.

According to Iran’s NourNews, Israeli strikes on Tehran’s residential areas have killed 78 persons, and injured 329 others.

Iran’s FARS news agency, citing security sources, dismissed Israeli reports that Tehran has launched drones towards Israel.

The source told the state news agency that Iran’s revenge will happen soon.

Following its strikes on Iran and the escalating tensions, Israel is shutting its embassies across the world, urging its citizens to stay alert and not display Jewish or Israeli symbols in public places.

The statements on the websites of these embassies said that Israel would not be providing any consular services and urged its citizens to cooperate with local security forces in case of any hostile activity.

“In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided,” read a message posted by the country’s embassies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and France.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said that Israel was seeking to drag the world into “disaster” after its strikes on Iran.

Erdogan urged the international community to stop what he termed as Israel’s “banditry”.

“The international community must put an end to Israeli banditry that targets global and regional stability,” he added.

Iranian Mehr news agency has reported that loud explosions have been heard in Iran’s Hamedan city.

French president Emmanuel Macron said that Israel has the “right to protect itself” and urged restraint after Iranian strikes.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum for reaching a nuclear deal.

“Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.’ They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump on Friday hailed Israeli strikes on Iran and said that perhaps Tehran has a “second chance”.

The United Kingdom on Friday issued a travel advisory for its citizens travelling to Israel and said that the situation could escalate quickly.

“The situation could escalate quickly and could pose significant risks, including missile fire,” an update on the government’s website said.

US President Donald Trump has said that Israeli attack on Iran is “excellent”, reports ABC News. 

Iran’s communication ministry said on Friday that internet restrictions have been introduced nationwide after Israel’s attack.

“Temporary restrictions have been imposed on the country’s internet,” the ministry said in a statement carried by ISNA news agency, adding that the curbs “will be lifted once the normalcy returns.”