Iran early Saturday launched a new wave of missiles strikes against Israel from Tehran and Kermanshah, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Ahmad Vahidi, the new head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said that Iran’s Operation True Promise III will continue “as long as necessary.”

Footage provided by AFP shows one of the Iranian missiles striking a large building in central Tel Aviv.

Iranian missiles targeted the Israel’s Ministry of Defense building in Tel Aviv, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

The building was targeted as part of Iran’s Operation True Promise 3 in retaliation for Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and top military personnel.

Israel has not immediately confirmed any damage from Iran’s missiles.

The Natanz nuclear site sustained ground-level damage in Israel’s airstrikes but there is no threat to public safety, Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami confirmed on Friday.

“Fortunately, the damage was on the ground level and there were no human casualties. There was also no radiation leak that would cause concern to the people. Therefore, by the grace of God, we did not encounter serious damage. We are now carefully assessing the damage,”  Eslami said. 

He said that Israel’s attacks were part of a premeditated effort to inflict maximum damage on Iran’s nuclear facilities through repeated strikes.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Friday the nuclear agency is “closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran.”

He confirmed that the Natanz nuclear site was among the targets.

“Radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged. The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures,” he said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Steve Fagin, the new charge d'affaires of the United States Embassy in Baghdad, met to discuss Israel’s airstrikes on Iran. Baghdad has accused Israel of using its airspace to carry out the attack.

Kevin Leahy, commander of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), also attended the meeting.

Fagin and Leahy affirmed Washington’s “stated position of non-involvement in the attack in any form and expressed their country’s commitment to keeping Iraq out of the conflict, in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between the two countries,” according to a statement from Sudani’s office.

Sudani expressed his government’s “categorical rejection of the use of its territory or airspace to carry out or facilitate any acts of aggression against neighboring countries.”

Baghdad has formally submitted a complaint to the UN Security Council against Israel.

 

At least 86 people were killed and over 340 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Iran Friday, including senior military officials and nuclear scientists, according to figures from media and provincial crisis authorities.

In the capital Tehran, 78 people were killed and 329 were injured, according to unofficial figures reported by Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In East Azerbaijan, in northwest Iran, the provincial Crisis Management Office announced that “The number of martyrs of the Zionist regime's attacks on Tabriz has reached eight. The number of injured in this crime is also 12,” according to Fars.

Among those killed in the Israeli strikes were top IRGC officials General Hossein Salami, General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, General Gholam Ali Rashid, and Aerospace Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, along with nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Amir Hossein Faqhi, and Fereydoun Abbasi. Five professors from Shahid Beheshti University were also among the dead.

Civilians are also among the casualties of airstrikes that targeted residential areas.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani in a post on X condemned the attacks and said, “Iran has never initiated war, but it has never been and will never remain silent in the face of aggression.”

“The end of this story will be written by Iran,” Mohajerani said, noting that “its response will be decisive, legitimate, and delivered at the appropriate time.” 

 

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Switzerland Ambassador Nadine Lozano. Switzerland represents United States interests in Iran where Washington does not have a diplomatic presence.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s strong condemnation and protest against this Israeli act of aggression and US support for it was conveyed to her,” the ministry said in a statement.

Baghdad has submitted a complaint against Israel to the United Nations Security Council, accusing it of using Iraqi airspace when carrying out attacks on Iran, reported state media. 

“Iraq affirms that these practices represent a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and a transgression of the provisions of international law and the United Nations Charter,” INA reported but did not attribute the statement to any official. 

“Iraq demands that the Security Council assume its legal and moral responsibilities and use its powers to deter the Zionist entity and prevent it from repeating such violations,” it added.

 

Iraq has decided to return all its nationals currently in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage via land routes after all flights were suspended because of Israel’s attack on Iran, a Kurdish official said. 

Nabaz Ismail, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's endowment ministry, said in a statement that the process will begin Friday night.

 

Kurdistan Region Presidency condemned Israeli latest airstrikes against Iran and opposed the use of military force in their tensions. 

"These events further complicate the peace and stability of the region and pose a threat to regional and international security and stability," the presidency said in a statement.  

"Confrontation and military measures make the situation worse. At this sensitive time, it is the responsibility of the international community to have a rapid and urgent response and work to prevent chaos and disorder from spreading further and as soon as possible prevent further escalation of the situation," it added. 

 

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the supreme Shiite religious authority in Iraq, strongly condemned Israel’s airstrikes that targeted nuclear facilities, key military sites, and multiple densely populated areas in Iran early Friday morning.

“We strongly condemn this criminal act and expect the international community to exert pressure on this aggressive [Israeli] regime and its supporters to prevent the continuation of such aggressions,” Sistani said in a statement.

“The crime committed by the [Israeli] occupier regime” that led to “the martyrdom of a number of [Iranian] scientists, military commanders, and civilians, including women and children, and the attack on several of the country's scientific institutions and centers, once again proved the dangerous and aggressive nature of this regime,” he added.

Sistani extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

“We ask Almighty God for the continued honor and glory of the noble Iranian nation,” he concluded.

 

Sweden’s Foreign Ministry said it is monitoring the escalation between Israel and Iran and warned that the situation is "very serious."

"Naturally, we are monitoring developments very closely. We urge the parties to show restraint and refrain from escalating the situation," the Press Office of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs told Rudaw in response to an email. 
 
"We are in close contact with Sweden’s diplomatic missions in the region. All Swedish staff are safe. We will have close contact with other countries, not least other EU Member States," it added.

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan censured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "striving to drag our region and the whole world into disaster with its reckless, aggressive and unlawful actions."

He called on the international community to "put a stop to Israeli banditry, which targets global and regional stability."

 

United States President Donald Trump warned Iran that Israel could carry out more “brutal” attacks and advised Tehran to quickly finalize a nuclear deal with Washington before it loses everything. 

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. 

He warned that things will get worse.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” he said.

 

The Iraqi Ministry of Transportation said it has decided to halt all flights until further notice due to Israel-Iran tensions. 

The suspension is to “preserve passenger safety amid regional security tensions,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday called on the Iraqi government not to get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. 

Condemning Israel’s pre-dawn attack on Iran, Sadr said Tehran will not be the only target “if the language of escalation continues.”

“The most important thing for Iraq is that the land of revered [religious] figures and their sanctities be safeguarded from the war, for Iraq and its people are needless of new wars,” he added.

He warned that people should not listen to “irresponsible statements that seek to sow fear among you, for that benefits the corrupt in gaining your votes in their flimsy elections.”

Iraq is set to hold parliamentary elections on November 11. Sadr has said he will not take part.

 

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog condemned the Israeli attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in the central Isfahan province, urging de-escalation from “all parties.”

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi expressed “deep concern” over the strike, reiterating that “nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment.”

Such attacks have "serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," he warned.

Grossi urged all sides to exercise “maximum restraint to avoid further escalation,” emphasizing that any military action endangering the safety of nuclear facilities carries potentially grave consequences for Iran, the region, and the broader international community.

Grossi further stressed that “any armed attack on or threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the IAEA Statute.” He warned that such actions could result in radioactive releases with severe consequences extending beyond the borders of the targeted state.

Underscoring the urgent need for diplomacy, Grossi concluded, “The only sustainable path forward for Iran, Israel, the region, and the international community lies in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation.”

The Iraqi government said it condemns the Israeli attack on neighboring Iran “with the strongest terms.”

Basim al-Awadi, spokesperson for the Iraqi government, said in a statement that the pre-dawn attack “represents a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and poses a threat to international security and peace, especially as it occurred during the period of American-Iranian negotiations.” 

He added that the international community "must not remain a spectator to this blatant violation of international law. Invoking the logic of force to impose new realities threatens to undermine the foundations of modern international relations.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it is "deeply concerned" about Israel’s pre-dawn airstrikes on Iran that killed several top military commanders and civilians. 

Beijing urges "relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters, according to an English translation provided by AFP.

 

Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian group Hamas on Friday condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian territory as unlawful, warning they risk regional escalation and undermine diplomatic efforts.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli airstrike on Iran,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the attack came at a time when negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program were gaining momentum.

“The fact that the attacks took place at a time when negotiations on Iran's nuclear program are intensifying shows that the Netanyahu government does not want any issue to be resolved through diplomatic means and does not hesitate to risk regional stability and global peace in line with its own interests,” it said.

Israel “must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts,” the ministry added.

Early Friday morning, Israel conducted what it called a “preemptive strike” targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military commanders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal of the operation, dubbed Rising Lion, is to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival” and said it could continue for days.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Hossein Salami and chief of staff of Iranian armed forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri were both confirmed killed. Six nuclear scientists and a number of civilians were also killed, according to Iranian media.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also issued a strong statement of condemnation, saying it “considers the assault a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, as well as a clear breach of international law and its established principles.”

It called on the international community to “assume its legal and moral responsibilities and to act swiftly to halt these Israeli violations.”

The ministry added that the military action “hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions.” Qatar had played a mediating role in negotiating a short-lived ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January.

Israel said that Iran has retaliated, launching more than 100 drones that Israel’s air defence systems have begun intercepting.

Jordan’s state news agency Petra also reported that the country’s air defense systems intercepted “a number of missiles and drones” that entered Jordanian airspace Friday morning, without mentioning the source and target of the projectiles. Authorities issued emergency instructions urging residents to stay home.

Petra also cited Jordan’s Foreign Ministry saying it “condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli aggression against the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran,” and calling the attack “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a member state of the United Nations, and a blatant departure from the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

The Palestinian group Hamas, whose October 2023 assault on Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, said in a statement that the Israeli airstrike “constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilize the region.”

“Today, Iran is paying the price for its steadfast stance in support of Palestine and its resistance,” the group added.

Saudi Arabia, which restored diplomatic relations with Iran in March 2023 after a seven-year rift, said it “strongly condemns and denounces the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Iran and the United States are scheduled to continue their nuclear negotiations on Sunday.

 

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, calling it a “provocation that serves Israel's policy of strategic destabilization in the region.”

The ministry said the fact the attack took place while there are ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program shows that the Israeli government “does not want any issue to be resolved through diplomatic means and does not hesitate to risk regional stability and global peace in line with its own interests.”

It called on Israel to end its “aggressive actions” before the situation escalates further.

 

The Israeli army said it has begun intercepting Iranian drones on its borders. Jordan also said it intercepted drones and missiles, but did not identify where they came from. 

Israel has started intercepting drones “launched from Iran outside the country's borders,” said Avichay Adraee, Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The Jordanian Armed Forces said its defense system intercepted “a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace.”

“The interception operation came in response to military assessments that missiles and drones would inevitably fall in Jordanian territory, including populated areas, which could cause casualties," it added.

 

The Canadian and Italian embassies in Baghdad have issued warnings to their nationals in Iraq about security risks following Israel’s pre-dawn attack on Iran.

Canada advised its nationals to monitor the media “to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation” and be “vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities at all times, including any orders to shelter in place.”

It also warned of “travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and airspace closures.”

The Italian embassy also warned its citizens that Iraqi airspace is closed and there is a possibility of demonstrations or hostile acts.

“We recommend maximum caution and limiting travel to the bare minimum,” it said

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport warned of flight disruptions on Friday, advising passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

“Flight disruptions are expected through today at Zayed International Airport. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest status of their flights before travelling to the airport,” the airport said on X.

Iraq and Jordan have both closed their airspace.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations Security Council “to take immediate action to confront the violation of international peace and security due to the Zionist regime's blatant aggression against Iran.”

The ministry also said that under the UN Charter, Iran has “the legal and legitimate right to respond to this aggression” and warned it would hold the United States, as a supporter of Israel, “responsible for the dangerous effects and consequences.”

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday, hours after Israel carried out what it called a “preemptive strike” targeting Iranian nuclear sites, killing senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.

“In the last few hours, the Iranian regime launched more than 100 drones towards Israel, and all air defense systems are working to confront them,” IDF spokesperson for Arab media Avichay Adraee said.

Suspected Iranian drones heading towards Israel have been spotted in Iraqi skies.