Iran-Israel war: latest developments
Israel's war with Iran entered its second week on Friday with the Israeli military chief warning of a "prolonged campaign" and Tehran ruling out further nuclear talks with the United States until Israel halts its attacks.
Here are the latest developments:
- 'Prolonged campaign' -
Israel's armed forces chief Eyal Zamir warned that his country should be "ready for a prolonged campaign" against Iran, as the longtime foes exchanged fire for the eighth day.
"We have embarked on the most complex campaign in our history to remove a threat of such magnitude, against such an enemy. We must be ready for a prolonged campaign," Zamir said in a video statement to Israelis.
Israel launched attacks against Iran on June 13 which have combined targeted assassinations of key military personnel with strikes on Iran's nuclear and missile facilities.
Zamir said the Israeli military had prepared for "years" for the campaign against Iran, even while Israeli troops continue their devastating offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
He said that Israelis needed to brace for more difficulties, as the country comes under daily attack from Iranian ballistic missiles.
"Although we have made significant achievements, difficult days still lie ahead. We must remain alert and united until the mission is complete."
- Geneva meeting -
As US President Donald Trump mulls the prospect of entering the war between the two foes, top diplomats from Britain, France and Germany met with their Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva.
Referring to nuclear negotiations with Washington that had been derailed by the war, Araghchi said after the meeting that "Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again and once the aggression is stopped".
Tehran did "support the continuation of discussion with" the European countries and was willing "to meet again in the near future", Araghchi told reporters.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said "we invited the Iranian minister to consider negotiations with all sides, including the United States, without awaiting the cessation of strikes, which we also hope for".
- Trump says Iran wants talks -
Trump said the Europeans were "not going to be able to help" in ending the war.
"Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us," he said.
In an interview with German publication Bild, Israel's top diplomat Gideon Saar said he did not "particularly" believe in diplomacy with Iran.
Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council earlier, Araghchi condemned Israel for launching its military action while Iran was still in nuclear talks with the United States.
"We were attacked in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process," the Iranian minister said.
- New day of strikes -
Israel's military said it struck missile launchers in Iran after hitting targets including a nuclear research centre in Tehran overnight.
Iran launched two salvoes of missiles at Israel during the day. At least 19 people were injured in the northern Israeli port city of Haifa, a local hospital said.
At least 25 people have been killed in Israel since the war began, according to Israeli authorities.
Iran said Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. Authorities have not issued an updated toll since.
A US-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, put the death toll in Iran at 657 people including at least 263 civilians, citing Iranian sources and reports.
- Diplomats quit Tehran -
As the conflict raged, Britain said it had withdrawn its embassy staff from Iran, while Switzerland announced the temporary closure of its embassy.
"Due to the current security situation, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw our UK staff from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely," the British foreign ministry said.
Switzerland cited the "highly unstable situation on the ground" for its decision. It said it would continue to fulfil its role representing US interests in Iran.
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