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Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country. Israeli airstrikes on Friday included nuclear and military targets.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps chief commander, and its commander of the aerospace division were among those assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian armed forces will make Israel "miserable" as dozens of missiles were launched at Israel Friday night.
BRUSSELS -- Israel launched a large-scale strike on Iranian military and nuclear targets early Friday, prompting swift retaliation from Tehran and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The ripple effects are felt across Europe, where governments are grappling with renewed volatility in energy markets, disrupted air traffic, and mounting fears of a broader regional conflict.
CALLS FOR RESTRAINT
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as "deeply alarming" and urged all parties to "exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation."
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed those concerns, warning that the region's stability was at risk and calling for "maximum restraint." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz similarly urged caution and warned against any further destabilization.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer appealed for all sides to "step back and reduce tensions," while Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker stressed that "further escalation is the last thing this region needs."
In a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for an immediate return to negotiations. Starmer has also called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof added on X that "immediate de-escalation is essential in the interest of stability in the region."
IMPACT ON TRAVELS
As tensions escalated, several European governments updated their travel advisories and airlines began scaling back operations in the region.
France's foreign ministry urged citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and Israel, advising those already there to remain extremely vigilant. Romania and the Czech Republic issued similar warnings, with Prague specifically urging its nationals to leave Iran amid fears of further military strikes.
Meanwhile, flight disruptions spread rapidly across Europe. Multiple carriers suspended services to affected areas throughout Friday. According to Eurocontrol, around 1,800 Europe-bound or outbound flights were impacted, including approximately 650 cancellations.
France suspended all commercial flights to Iran and Israel, while Dutch airline KLM canceled its Friday service from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv.
Germany's Lufthansa extended its suspension of flights to Tehran through July 31 and broadened its no-fly zone to include Tel Aviv, Amman (Jordan), Erbil (Iraq), and Beirut (Lebanon).
The Lufthansa Group said all affiliated airlines -- Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings -- would avoid Iranian and Israeli airspace until further notice.
In the Czech Republic, Prague Airport canceled all Tel Aviv departures and arrivals for Friday and Saturday, citing security risks.
The growing airspace restrictions also affected official missions. Polish President Andrzej Duda's return flight from Singapore was delayed due to regional airspace closures.
Meanwhile, Lithuania, preparing for a possible evacuation of citizens from Israel, reported a Tel Aviv-bound flight cancellation and began assessing alternative evacuation routes, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the country's National Crisis Management Center.
VOLATILE MARKETS, RISING ECONOMIC FEARS
European markets slumped on Friday as Israel's strike on Iran rattled investor confidence and deepened global risk aversion.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.89 percent to 544.94 points by 1800 GMT, hitting a three-week low and extending losses for a fifth straight session, the longest losing streak since September 2024.
Every sector except oil and gas closed in negative territory, with travel and leisure stocks leading declines with a sharp 2.6 percent drop. Major indices across the continent posted losses, with Germany's DAX suffering the steepest decline at 1.5 percent.
Economists warned that continued escalation between Israel and Iran could further damage investor sentiment and undermine the already fragile recovery in the eurozone.
The Israel-Iran situation may currently be felt in Europe mainly through rising prices driven by surging energy and oil costs, Peeter Koppel, head of investments at Estonia's Redgate Wealth, said in comments to local media.
He cautioned that a more severe economic impact could follow if Iran blocks maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.
Carsten Brzeski, head of macro research at ING, said a significant escalation could erode consumer and business confidence across the euro area, dragging down demand and investment.
Over time, the combination of elevated energy prices and prolonged uncertainty could introduce a "stagflationary element" to the eurozone outlook, Brzeski warned, a scenario in which high inflation and weak growth become entrenched.
TEHRAN -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Friday it launched a military operation against "tens of" targets, military centers, and aerial bases in Israel.
The IRGC said that the "crushing and precise" response was in retaliation for Israel's "aggression" against areas in Iran and the killing of high-ranking Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including children, according to the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News.
According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran's air defense has downed two Israeli Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets as well as a large number of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), capturing a female Israeli pilot.
The operation began after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed in a televised message that the Iranian armed forces would make Israel "miserable."
Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC's Chief Commander Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, the official news agency IRNA reported.
Following the attacks, the Iranian leader said in another message that Israel must wait for a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran.
TEHRAN -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday vowed that the Iranian armed forces will make Israel "miserable" as dozens of missiles were launched at Israel Friday night.
Khamenei made the remarks in a message to the Iranian people while reacting to Israeli attacks earlier in the day, according to his website.
Iran's leader said the Iranian armed forces would act with strength and would make the "despicable" Israel "miserable," adding that Israel would not escape this "crime" unscathed.
According to state-run IRIB TV, the Aerospace Division of Iran's IRGC launched tens of ballistic missiles against military targets and fighter jet bases inside Israel Friday night.
Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across the country.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
Following the attacks, the Iranian leader said in another message that Israel must wait for a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran.
JERUSALEM -- Dozens of missiles were fired from Iran into Israel on Friday evening, according to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Following the launches, sirens were activated in wide areas of central and northern Israel, and explosions were heard, resulting from interceptions or fallen projectiles, the IDF added.
Explosions were heard over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to Xinhua reporters.
Local TV Channel 12 said about 150 to 200 missiles were fired in 3 barrages.
Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), noted that seven people were slightly injured, while the police reported property damage.
JERUSALEM -- Israel Defense Forces spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video briefing that Israeli air force fighter jets had completed an attack on the Isfahan nuclear facility in central Iran on Friday evening.
It added that the strike was carried out with precise guidance from the IDF Intelligence Directorate.
The IDF claimed that the site was undergoing a uranium re-enrichment process, the next stage after enriching uranium in the nuclear weapons production process.
The attack destroyed a uranium metal production facility, an infrastructure for converting enriched uranium, laboratories, and other infrastructure, it added.
Meanwhile, Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday that it "continues with full force and at a high pace to meet the goals we have set," regarding the Israeli Air Force operation in Iran.
Speaking in a situation assessment with senior commanders, Zamir added that "there will be difficult moments... We are facing a dangerous and complex enemy, and we must maintain a very high level of readiness and discipline are required on the home front," according to a statement issued by the IDF.
Earlier on Friday, the IDF said in a statement that its fighter jets carried out a precision-guided airstrike on the Natanz nuclear facility overnight.
The facility, located in Isfahan province, is Iran's largest uranium enrichment site, which has been operating for years "to obtain nuclear weapons and contains the infrastructure required for military-grade enrichment," the statement claimed.
The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, on Friday told the agency's board of governors that "nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment".
In a statement, Rafael Mariano Grossi said the IAEA is currently in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities after airstrikes by Israel, and to assess any wider impact on nuclear safety and security.
"At present, the competent Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Natanz enrichment site has been impacted and that there are no elevated radiation levels," he said. "They have also reported that at present, the Esfahan and Fordow sites have not been impacted."
Addressing the air strikes, he said, "This development is deeply concerning ... such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security."
According to media reports, at least six nuclear scientists are known to be among those killed in the strikes.
Israel said its actions were a preemptive move targeting what it called Iran's program to develop nuclear weapons and to "neutralize an immediate and existential threat to our people". Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
Earlier, Iran rejected what it called the IAEA board's "anti-Iran resolution", which alleged inappropriate Iranian progress in nuclear enrichment.
According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency, a joint statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran on Thursday said that in response to the resolution, a new uranium enrichment facility had been ordered in a "secure location" and "first-generation centrifuges at the Fordow enrichment site would be replaced with sixth-generation machines".
TEHRAN -- Iran's nuclear chief said on Friday that no radiation leak "of concern" had occurred following Israel's airstrike on the Natanz nuclear facility in central Isfahan province.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), told state broadcaster IRIB that the attack had targeted the site repeatedly to inflict maximum damage, but caused only limited surface-level equipment losses and no casualties.
"We had no radiation leak that could worry people, and there was no significant harm in this regard," Eslami said. "We are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage."
Earlier on Friday, Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing at least 78 people and wounding 329 in the capital alone, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
Among those reported killed in Tehran were top military officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid, and IRGC Aerospace Division Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, warning that Israel must "await a harsh punishment" for what he called a "crime" against the country.
Iran has announced its withdrawal from the new round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, which was scheduled to take place in Muscat, Oman on Sunday.
Oman News Agency and Iranian state television reported that the talks, diplomatic efforts aimed at restricting Iran's nuclear program, have been suspended until further notice, a decision that follows the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
The cancelled session had been expected to address disagreements over uranium enrichment limits and US sanctions relief.
Several previous rounds of US-Iran talks, at which Iran has rejected US demands to end all nuclear programs, have been held in Oman. US President Donald Trump has expressed his hope that Iran should make a deal with the US on the nuclear issue to avoid more attacks.
TEHRAN - A loud and "terrifying" sound was reported near Nojeh Air Base in Kabudar Ahang, located in Iran's western province of Hamedan, the semi-official Mehr News Agency said on Friday.
Iran has come under multiple Israeli airstrikes since early Monday, with Iranian sources reporting the deaths of several high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists, as well as damage to nuclear facilities.
TEHRAN -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday appointed new military commanders following the deaths of key security officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The appointments come after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes early Friday targeting Tehran and other Iranian cities. The strikes killed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, and Gholam-Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, according to Iranian media.
Khamenei named Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new chief of staff of the armed forces, Mohammad Pakpour as the IRGC's new commander, and Ali Shadmani to lead the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, IRNA said.
Before their appointments, Mousavi headed the regular army, Pakpour commanded the IRGC's Ground Force, and Shadmani served as deputy coordinator at Khatam al-Anbiya.
In addition to the top military leaders, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Israeli strikes also killed six Iranian nuclear scientists, including Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, as well as an unspecified number of civilians.
In a statement on Friday, Khamenei condemned the attacks, warning that Israel would face "severe punishment" for what he called a crime against Iran.
TEHRAN/JERUSALEM -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Friday that part of the Natanz nuclear facility was damaged in an Israeli airstrike carried out early in the morning, but reported no casualties or radioactive leaks.
Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, the AEOI said in a statement. It condemned the strike as a clear violation of international law and criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for remaining silent, warning that the agency's inaction could undermine its credibility.
An emergency meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors will be convened to address Israel's strikes on Iran, diplomats said on Friday. The decision follows a request made by at least one member state during the board's regular quarterly session.
Israel's military confirmed the strike, saying its air force had conducted a precision-guided attack on the underground sections of the Natanz facility, located in Iran's central province of Isfahan. The site is Iran's largest uranium enrichment plant.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted a multi-story underground enrichment hall containing centrifuges, electrical systems, and other critical infrastructure. It added that key components enabling the continued operation and advancement of Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program were also hit.
"The close cooperation between the IDF's Intelligence Directorate and the air force resulted in significant damage to the site," the IDF said.
The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity.
JERUSALEM -- Israel has temporarily closed all of its diplomatic missions worldwide as its military operation in Iran continues, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
As a result, consular services will not be available to Israeli citizens currently abroad, the ministry said. It urged Israelis overseas to complete an online form updating their location and situation, and advised those in need of urgent assistance to contact the ministry's situation room directly.
The statement also warned Israelis abroad to avoid displaying national symbols in public, refrain from posting identifiable information or travel plans on social media, and avoid attending large-scale events linked to Israel.
Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a large-scale strike on dozens of military targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities. The attacks killed several senior Iranian military commanders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, warning that Israel had "prepared a bitter fate for itself".
China expressed deep concern on Friday over the possible consequences caused by Israel's wide-ranging attack on Iran, urging all parties to avoid exacerbating tensions.
Beijing opposes the violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news conference, after Israel launched strikes against multiple targets in Iran.
China also opposes heightening tensions and expanding conflicts, Lin said, adding that escalating regional tensions does not serve any party's interest.
Urging all parties to do more to promote regional peace and stability, Lin said China is willing to play a constructive role in easing tensions.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that he was aware of Israel's actions before they occurred, expressing a preference for negotiation over Israeli strikes against Iran, he told the US media on Friday.
Speaking to US TV network Fox News, Trump noted that "There were several people in the leadership of Iran who will not be coming back." Iranian media reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, Iran's armed forces chief of staff General Mohammad Bagheri and two nuclear scientists were among those allegedly assassinated in Israeli attacks, though official confirmation has yet to be provided.
Trump went to say that "hopefully they get back to the negotiation table" while insisting that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb".
The Israeli strike may change the dynamics of US-Iran nuclear negotiations that was scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Iran has repeatedly stressed that their nuclear program is not for weaponry, but for the right of Iranians to peaceful nuclear use.
However, US officials said the US will help defend Israel if needed.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in Israeli strikes inside Iran in an effort to distance Washington from getting in between the two adversaries.
"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement.
Trump had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times recently, according to Fox News.
Earlier, Trump warned that there is a "chance of massive conflict" in the Middle East, confirming that an Israeli attack on Iran is "possible".
Speaking to reporters in the US on Thursday, Trump said he would "love to avoid the conflict" and suggested that the US would like Israel to hold off on plans to strike Iran's nuclear sites while Washington and Teheran continue their negotiations.
"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement … I'd much prefer an agreement," the US president said. "As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them (the Israelis) going in because I think that would blow it – might help it actually, but it also could blow it."
Trump skipped Israel in his first Middle East trip this year, unlike his tour in his first term.
JERUSALEM - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video statement that Iran had launched more than 100 drones towards Israel following the Israel Air Force's operation in Iran early Friday morning.
According to several Israeli media outlets, the drones would take hours to reach Israeli territory if not intercepted beforehand.
The IDF said in a statement that Israel's operation resulted in the killing of the three most senior Iranian military commanders: chief of staff of Iranian armed forces Mohammad Bagheri, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, and commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid.
It added that more than 200 air force fighter jets, guided by intelligence, struck more than 100 targets across Iran with 330 munitions. These targets include the hideouts of senior Iranian military commanders.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned military escalation in the Middle East while Saudi Arabia strongly slammed the blatant Israeli aggressions against Iran early Friday.
Addressing the Israeli attack on Iran, Guterres said that: "I condemn any military escalation in the Middle East," according to his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
"I am particularly concerned about Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, at a time when contacts are taking place between Iran and the United States regarding the status of the Iranian nuclear program," Guterres said. "I remind UN member states of their obligation to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law."
Guterres called for maximum restraint on all sides to prevent an escalation from happening, according to Farhan Haq.
In Riyadh, a statement from Saudi Foreign Ministry said: The Kingdom "expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."
The statement, released by the Saudi Press Agency, also affirms "that the international community and the Security Council bears a "great responsibility to halt this immediate aggression".
Israel should expect a harsh punishment, said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday after Israel launched attacks.
Khamenei's message was broadcast to the nation on Friday morning, hours after Israel struck locations in Tehran and other cities.
"The regime should await a harsh response," Khamenei said. "With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that (destiny) brought upon it."
Iranian Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Armed Forces, also said on Friday morning the Islamic Republic's response to the attacks will be heavy.
The Israeli regime began military strikes in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran overnight on Friday. The state TV said they saw the bodies of women and children among the victims.
Tasnim news agency of Iran reported that Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Hossein Salami and some other military and civilian figures have been assassinated in Israeli strikes. No confirmation from official sources was yet available.
Brigadier General Shekarchi also said that overnight strikes by the Israeli regime had been carried out with US support.
Israel has claimed they are attacking Iran's facilities and personnel related to nuclear programs and indicated that waves of attacks could continue.
Iran armed forces chief of staff Bagheri killed in Israel attacks: Iran's state media
Iran closes airspace following Israeli airstrikes: Iran's state-run media
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the preemptive strikes against Iran starting from midnight Friday will continue "as long as necessary", despite outside concerns of Israel violating international law.
Netanyahu said they are striking at Iran's nuclear programs, ballistic missiles and military capabilities and leading nuclear scientists.
"This operation will continue as long as necessary until we complete the mission," Netanyahu said in a statement put on YouTube, X, and other outlets.
The Iranian side is yet to issue an official statement. Iran's Press TV said Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran has been targeted, showing footage of fire and smoke billowing from a site.
Different parts in the western neighborhood in Mahallati, located in the northeastern part of Tehran were hit, which is known as a residential area and is known for having buildings that relate to residents of military officials. Some of the footage also coming out indicates that the buildings look to be residential.
Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapon program" in his statement.
But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally.
"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement on Friday.
"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.
The United States has engaged in four rounds of nuclear talks with Iran. Iran has repeatedly emphasized its nuclear program is not aimed at weaponry, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei long time ago issued a religious decree against development of nuclear weaponry.
While US officials suggested seeking to end Iran's nuclear program, Iran has emphasized its right to nuclear power generation as a member of the non-proliferation treaty.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has conducted a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country.
Israel has closed airspace for arrivals and departures, the Transportation Ministry said.
The attacks came soon after the United Nations General Assembly, at an Emergency Special Session, adopted a resolution on Thursday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in Palestine and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale.
The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties."
It strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. It stressed the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by willfully impeding relief supplies and access.
