The eighth day of war between Israel and Iran opens up hope for de-escalation. The heads of French, German, British, and EU diplomacy meet this afternoon in Geneva with the Iraqi Foreign Minister in a meeting that could be the first step towards de-escalation of the conflict. The three European powers will make a "comprehensive negotiation offer" to Iran that will include nuclear issues, ballistic activities, and the financing of "terrorist groups" in the region, as stated by French President Emmanuel Macron. They will also convey that the US is willing to engage in direct talks after Donald Trump gave himself two weeks to decide whether to attack Iran, hinting at a "substantial" possibility of negotiation with Tehran. Iran has so far ruled out talks if Israel continues its attacks.
After half past two in the afternoon, Spanish peninsular time, the weapons have spoken again. Iranian media have reported the launch of a new barrage of missiles against Israel, and witnesses cited by Reuters have confirmed explosions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This is the latest known episode so far of the war between Israel and Iran.
The Iranian government claims without giving details that Israel has attacked three hospitals since the beginning of the war
The Iranian government has claimed on Friday that Israel attacked a hospital in Iran this morning, which is the third one hit by Israeli missiles since the offensive began a week ago. The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Health, Hossein Kermanpour, reported on the early morning missile attack on a hospital in the capital, of which he did not provide details, but stated that it is "the third Iranian hospital attacked." He added that six ambulances and a comprehensive health center "were also brutally attacked by the Zionist enemy."
Israel expects European ministers to take a "firm stance" against Iran
European foreign ministers are expected to take a "firm stance" against Iran during the nuclear negotiations on Friday, demanded by the Israeli ambassador to the UN in Geneva. Israel hopes that the Europeans "demand the complete dismantling of the nuclear program, as well as the ballistic missile program and arsenal, and put an end to Iran's regional terrorist activities," stated Daniel Meron, shortly before the Iranian Foreign Minister addressed the Human Rights Council.
Two injured in Israel from the latest Iranian attack
Israeli emergency services report two injuries after an Iranian missile strike.
Iran launches a new barrage of missiles against Israel, state media reports
Iran has launched a new barrage of missiles against Israel, state television reports. "They are watching images of the sky from the occupied territories [Israel] as Iranian missiles arrive," a presenter said, in footage accompanied by military music.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that sirens were sounding throughout the country due to the arrival of missiles from Iran. Witnesses cited by Reuters confirm that explosions have been heard over Jerusalem, where alert sirens have been heard, and over Tel Aviv. A column of smoke has also been seen over the port city of Haifa.
Iran willing to accept limits but not to give up enrichment, according to Reuters
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is willing to discuss limitations on its uranium enrichment but stated that the prospect of zero enrichment would undoubtedly be rejected, especially while Israel is attacking Iran.
Israel criticizes the UN Human Rights Council for giving Iran the floor
The Israeli ambassador to the UN raised a "vehement objection" to Iran addressing the Human Rights Council before the talks with their European counterparts in Geneva to try to de-escalate the conflict, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
"Granting the floor to the Iranian Foreign Minister before this body continues to undermine the Council's credibility and constitutes a blatant betrayal of the numerous victims of this regime worldwide," said Daniel Meron in a letter to the Council President, Jurg Lauber. The Council said on Friday that the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, was scheduled to speak. Shortly after, he is expected to hold talks with the EU's Foreign Policy Chief and his counterparts from Great Britain, France, and Germany in order to de-escalate the conflict.
European Foreign Ministers to convey to Iran this afternoon that the US is open to direct talks
European Foreign Ministers will convey to their Iranian counterpart that the United States is open to direct talks, even if it considers joining the Israeli attacks aimed at crushing Tehran's nuclear capability. Diplomatic sources revealed this before the meeting scheduled for this afternoon in Geneva. The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will be told that Iran must send a "clear signal," two diplomats revealed to Reuters, amid increasing pressure on Tehran to agree to tough restrictions on its nuclear program to prevent the potential development of a nuclear weapon.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with several Western counterparts before the Geneva meeting, indicating a willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Tehran. Washington has not confirmed this latest development, although CNN quotes a US official as saying that President Donald Trump supports the diplomacy of allies that could bring Iran closer to an agreement.
However, Tehran has repeatedly stated that it will not talk to the Trump administration until the Israeli attacks cease. The Foreign Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Germany, known as the E3, along with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, have met before the scheduled face-to-face talks with Araqchi.
Israel launches another wave of attacks on central and western Iran
The Israeli Army announced on Friday around 13:20 (Spanish peninsular time) that it had launched a new wave of bombings on central and western Iran, shortly after Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered an increase in attacks on the Islamic Republic. "The Army is currently attacking military infrastructure in central and western Iran," the military reported in a brief statement that did not provide further details on the attack.
By midday, the Army announced that it had concluded a previous wave of attacks on 35 missile warehouses and launch infrastructure components in Tabriz and Kermanshah, both in western Iran. These attacks throughout the morning coincide with Defense Minister Israel Katz's orders to the Army to increase attacks on the Islamic Republic to undermine the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who rules the country, among other objectives.
More than 1,500 Israeli civilians return to Israel on a ship from Cyprus
More than 1,500 Israeli citizens returned as repatriates early Friday to Israel aboard a ship from Cyprus, the Israeli Army reported in a statement.
"The ship arrived at 4:30 (1:30 GMT) at the port of Ashdod with more than 1,500 Israelis on board," the military said in a statement, adding that after disembarking, the passengers were transported to their homes by buses.
The vessel was escorted by an Israeli Navy ship, and upon arrival in Ashdod, the Israelis were transported to their homes in vehicles organized by the Ministry of Transportation.
According to the newspaper The Times of Israel, an estimated 100,000 Israelis are stranded abroad following the closure of airspace due to the escalation of hostilities with Iran that began on Friday, June 13.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Israeli airline El Al announced that it would begin operating emergency flights to repatriate the thousands of Israeli citizens stranded abroad.
Thousands of people protest in Tehran against Israel
Thousands of people protested against Israel in Tehran on Friday after the weekly prayers, chanting slogans in support of their leaders, according to images broadcast by state television.
"This is the Friday of solidarity and resistance of the Iranian nation throughout the country," said the news presenter.
The images showed demonstrators with portraits of commanders killed since the start of the war with Israel, while others waved Iranian and Hezbollah flags.
According to television, there were demonstrations in several cities in the country, especially in Tabriz in northwestern Iran and Shiraz in the south.
Macron warns that military action alone will not neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat
French President Emmanuel Macron justified on Friday his call for negotiations as the way to address and neutralize the threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb because military action alone will not be enough.