Israel and Iran trade fire as Europe's diplomatic effort yields no breakthrough
Israel and Iran have traded strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump weighed US military involvement and key European ministers met Iran's top diplomat in Geneva in a scramble to de-escalate the conflict.
But the first face-to-face meeting between western and Iranian officials in the week-long war concluded after four hours with no sign of an immediate breakthrough.
To give diplomacy a chance, Mr Trump said he would put off deciding for up to two weeks whether to join Israel's air campaign against Iran.
US participation would most likely involve strikes against Iran's underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility, considered to be out of reach to all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs.
Whether or not the US joins, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operation in Iran would continue 'for as long as it takes' to eliminate what he called the existential threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. Israel's top general echoed the warning, saying the Israeli military was ready 'for a prolonged campaign'.
As the talks ended in Switzerland, European negotiators expressed hope for more negotiations in the future. Iran's top diplomat said he was open to further dialogue.
But foreign minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the US while Israel continued attacking. Israel said its warplanes hit dozens of military targets in Iran early Friday, including missile-manufacturing facilities.
'Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes,' he said in a statement.
Iran previously agreed to limit its uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors access to its nuclear sites under a 2015 deal with the US, France, China, Russia, Britain and Germany in exchange for sanctions relief.
But after Mr Trump pulled the US unilaterally out of the deal during his first term, Iran began enriching uranium up to 60% – a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% – and restricting access to its nuclear facilities.
As negotiations kicked off in Geneva, Iranian missiles crashed into the northern city of Haifa, sending plumes of smoke billowing over the Mediterranean port and wounding at least 31 people.
The war between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13, with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.
Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned against attacks on Iran's nuclear reactors, particularly its only commercial nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr.
'I want to make it absolutely and completely clear: In case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment,' said Rafael Grossi, chief of the UN nuclear watchdog. 'This is the nuclear site in Iran where the consequences could be most serious.'
Israel has not targeted Iran's nuclear reactors, instead focusing its strikes on the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, centrifuge workshops near Tehran, laboratories in Isfahan and the country's Arak heavy water reactor south-west of the capital.
Mr Grossi has warned repeatedly that such sites should not be military targets.
After initially saying there was no damage visible from Israel's strikes on Thursday on the Arak heavy water reactor, the IAEA on Friday reported that 'key buildings at the facility were damaged', including the distillation unit.
The reactor was not operational and contained no nuclear material, so the damage posed no risk of contamination, the watchdog said.
Although strikes on uranium enrichment facilities can carry some risk of radiological and chemical contamination, the chance of a serious incident is far lower than at reactors such as the Russian-built Bushehr power plant.
After a call with Mr Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has secured Israel's promise to keep Russian workers at the plant out of harm's way.
Iran has long maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. But it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60%. Israel is widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country with a nuclear weapons programme but has never acknowledged it.
Dozens of Israeli warplanes struck targets across the country early Friday, including industrial sites in the north, missile storage and launchers in the west and the headquarters of an advanced research institute in Tehran, known by its acronym SPND.
The US alleges SPND has conducted research and testing that could be applicable to the development of nuclear explosive devices.
Iranian state media reported explosions from Israeli strikes in an industrial area of Rasht, along the coast of the Caspian Sea. Israel's military had warned the public to evacuate the area around Rasht's Industrial City, south-west of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off – now for more than 48 hours – it's unclear just how many people could see the message.
While praising the Israeli military's 'significant achievements' in the conflict with Iran, army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir warned that 'difficult days still lie ahead'.
'We are preparing for a wide range of possible developments,' he told the public in recorded remarks, describing the offensive against Iran as the most complex in Israeli history. 'The campaign is not over.'
From the ruins of the Weizmann Institute of Science hit in an Iranian missile barrage this week, Mr Netanyahu also vowed that Israel would fight as long as necessary to destroy Iran's nuclear programme and ballistic missile arsenal.
'We face an existential danger,' he said.
The Israeli military believes it has destroyed most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers, contributing to the steady decline in Iranian attacks.
But several of the 35 missiles that Israel said Iran fired on Friday slipped through the country's vaunted aerial defence system, setting off air-raid sirens across the country and sending shrapnel flying into a residential area in the southern city of Beersheba, a frequent target of Iranian missiles where a hospital was hit on Thursday.
A handful of cars were set ablaze in the attack but no one was seriously wounded, as residents had hunkered down in bomb shelters. The Israeli military said Iran had fired a missile rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions in its attack on Beersheba on Friday for the second time.
In northern Israel, a projectile fell in downtown Haifa, wounding at least 31 people, according to the city's Rambam Medical Centre. Black smoke rose over the city's main port. The windows and walls of several buildings, including a mosque, were blown out by the blast.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
20 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Middle East situation ‘perilous', says Lammy amid calls for more talks
David Lammy flew from Washington to Geneva on Friday to meet Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi alongside his French and German counterparts as the UK continued to press for a diplomatic solution to the Middle East crisis. The talks followed US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would delay a decision on joining Israeli strikes against Iran for up to two weeks. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Lammy told reporters: 'It is still clear to me, as President Trump indicated yesterday, that there is a window of within two weeks where we can see a diplomatic solution.' Urging Iran to 'take that off ramp' and talk to the Americans, he said: 'We have a window of time. This is perilous and deadly serious.' He added that the US and Europe were pushing for Iran to agree to zero enrichment of uranium as a 'starting point' for negotiations. But Mr Araghchi said Iran would not negotiate with the US as long as Israel continued to carry out airstrikes against the country, and insisted his country's nuclear programme was entirely peaceful. Both sides continued to exchange fire on Friday, with Iranian missiles targeting the city of Haifa while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tel Aviv's military operation would continue 'for as long as it takes'. Meanwhile, the UK Government has announced it will use charter flights to evacuate Britons stranded in Israel once the country's airspace reopens. Mr Lammy said work is under way to provide the flights 'based on levels of demand' from UK citizens who want to leave the region. The move follows criticism of the Foreign Office's initial response, which saw family members of embassy staff evacuated while UK citizens were not advised to leave and told to follow local guidance. The Government said the move to withdraw temporarily family members had been a 'precautionary measure'. On Friday, the Foreign Office announced that UK staff had also been evacuated from Iran, with the embassy continuing to operate remotely. But the Government continues to advise British nationals in the region to follow local advice, rather than urging them to leave.
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump turns against Fox News after shock poll and singles out anchor Jessica Tarlov for 'soiling' evening broadcast
Donald Trump continued his recent feud with Fox News, saying liberal commentator Jessica Tarlov's appearances are what 'make MAGA absolutely hate' the network. Trump posted to Truth Social Friday: 'Why does Fox News allow failed TV personality Jessica Tarlov to 'soil' The Five? Her voice, her manner, and above all else, what she says, are a disgrace to television broadcasting.' The president appears to be reacting to Tarlov - the most consistent Trump-hating voice on the show and network - discussing negative polling numbers on Friday's show. 'I've had the best poll numbers that I've ever had, and she is constantly saying the exact opposite. The just out highly respected Rasmussen Poll is at 56%, Insider Advantage 54%, and many others are at 56% to 68%! Sadly, the audience has to listen to her spew off that I am doing poorly in the polls, while I am beating the democrats by 15%+ points and, more importantly, I just won an election against two candidates, Sleepy Joe and Kamala, in a Landslide by winning all 7 Swing States, and the Popular Vote by millions, with records broken everywhere!' Trump still stood by commentators Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, saying the pair are 'terrific' but that they 'don't see all of these poll numbers and can't, therefore come to my defense. But I can!' He continued: 'Nobody can stand Tarlov! She lies over and over again, and MAGA is complaining, BIG LEAGUE, that she's all over Fox. Watch their ratings go down by keeping her on the show — nobody wants to listen to her. Why doesn't she talk about the fact that I had ZERO illegal aliens come into our Country last month, whereas Sleepy Joe Biden allowed 62,000 people in, many from prisons, mental institutions, and gangs.' The president finished by writing that 'people like Jessica Tarlov make MAGA absolutely hate Fox!' Tarlov was citing polls that had Trump in the red with both independents and overall voters on key issues. The president appears to be reacting to Tarlov (pictured) - the most consistent Trump-hating voice on the show and network - discussing negative polling numbers on Friday's show 'When we say the people don't like this, they don't like it. That doesn't mean that Democrats aren't still unpopular. That doesn't mean I don't know if the election was held again today Donald Trump might very well win again if it was.' However, she said that 'directionally' the polling numbers are going against the president. His comments Friday come after Trump went on a tear Thursday morning after a new Fox News Channel poll showed Americans split on the Republican's immigration policy. 'The Crooked FoxNews Polls got the Election WRONG, I won by much more than they said I would, and have been biased against me for years. They are always wrong and negative,' Trump posted to Truth Social. 'It's why MAGA HATES FoxNews, even though their anchors are GREAT,' Trump fumed. 'This has gone on for years, but they never change the incompetent polling company that does their work.' He then pointed to the latest survey. The poll, which was released Wednesday, showed Trump with a 46 percent approval rating overall, with another 54 percent disapproving of the job he's done so far. His numbers on 'border security' were better - with 53 percent approving and 46 percent disapproving. Trump still stood by commentators Jesse Watters (pictured center) and Greg Gutfeld (pictured right), saying the pair are 'terrific' but that they 'd on't see all of these poll numbers and can't, therefore come to my defense. But I can!' When voters were asked about 'immigration' his numbers were lower again. Forty-six percent said they approved and 53 percent said they disapproved. His lowest numbers were actually on the topic of 'inflation,' with 64 percent disapproving of Trump's handling of this top economic issue, and just 34 percent approving. Still, he took offense at how he was being rated on the border. 'Now a FoxNews poll comes out this morning giving me a little more than 50% at the Border, and yet the Border is miraculously perfect, NOBODY WAS ABLE TO COME IN LAST MONTH,' he wrote. '60,000 people came in with Sleepy Joe in the same month last year.' 'I hate FAKE pollsters, one of the Worst, but Fox will never change their discredited pollster!' the president complained. The outburst came Thursday morning as the world continued to wait and see whether the United States would join Israel in its current bombing campaign against Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday night that Trump had signed off on an attack plan for Iran but the president had yet to issue a final order. Overnight Thursday the U.S. did not get involved in the week-long war between Israel and Iran. 'The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!' also wrote on Truth Social Thursday morning. The president also slammed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell - who he appointed - after the Fed decided Wednesday not to push interest rates down as Trump has demanded. '"Too Late" Jerome Powell is costing our Country Hundreds of Billions of Dollars. He is truly one of the dumbest, and most destructive, people in Government, and the Fed Board is complicit,' Trump wrote. 'Europe has had 10 cuts, we have had none,' he continued. 'We should be 2.5 Points lower, and save $BILLIONS on all of Biden's Short Term Debt.' 'We have LOW inflation! TOO LATE's an American Disgrace!' Trump wrote.
Auto Blog
31 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Trump Tariffs to Add $1,760 to New Car Prices in 2025
Automakers Expected to Pass Tariff Costs to Consumers If you've been saving your pennies, hoping to scrimp together enough money to afford the new vehicle you've been wanting, you may need to dig deeper into the couch cushions. Its price is likely to go up by nearly $2,000 – and possibly a good bit more thanks to Pres. Donald Trump's new tariffs on imported autos and auto parts. All told, automakers will take a $30 billion hit this year due to the new trade sanctions and while manufacturers will swallow some of the tab, predicts a new study, they'll pass 80% of the cost onto consumers. Don't be surprised to see some products disappear from the market entirely, said suburban Detroit consultancy AlixPartners, especially some of the import models likely to be hit hardest by the new tariffs. Land Rover Defender 90 'A Big Wall of Cost' 'These tariffs bring a big wall of cost,' Mark Wakefield, the head of AlixPartners' auto practice said during an online briefing with reporters, with 'consumers taking the majority of the hit.' If there's any shred of a silver lining to the 2025 AlixPartners Global Automotive Outlook it's that we could see the White House continue to revise its tariffs on import autos and auto parts, even as it works up trade deals that. The consultancy anticipates this will eventually lower the sanctions from 25% to an average closer to 7.5%. Even Domestic Models Will be Impacted The White House has rolled out an assortment of new tariffs and has yet to fully lock down the rules, David Steinert, a partner in the AlixPartners auto practice, said during a follow-up interview with Autoblog. 'The tariffs have changed a lot over the last 60 days,' and will likely continue to be revised in the months ahead. As a result, it's difficult to come up with hard numbers – but the consultancy's 'best guess,' he added, is that the typical vehicle will cost at least $1,760 more than before the tariffs went into effect. And for foreign-made luxury models that could ran into the tens of thousands. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 'Vehicles that are produced in the US today are the most advantaged,' Steinert said, 'but even domestically-sourced vehicles bring in lots of (foreign-made) parts' that are now subject to tariffs. And the duties will be especially high if those parts come in from China. Entry-Level Cars May Vanish as Costs Rise Automakers are expected to pass on about 80% of their tariff costs – though they won't do it uniformly, the AlixPartners study anticipates. 'Entry-level and mainstream cars will have less of a pass-through' than luxury and exotic models, explained Steinert. Automakers want to avoid driving budget buyers out of the new vehicle market. On the other hand, with 'higher-end brands, with customers who are less price-sensitive, more of the tariffs (will be) passed through.' In some cases, manufacturers may not find it worthwhile to absorb tariff costs. Nissan has already decided to dump the Versa, what is today the most affordable product line in the U.S., at the end of this year, according to Automotive News. Even some higher-end models could be dropped, said Steinert, if manufacturers find higher prices dry up sales. Luxury and Imported EVs Face Steepest Increases Battery-electric vehicles are seen as especially vulnerable, warned AlixPartners. A number of today's models, such as the Audi Q5 e-tron and Mercedes EQE sedan, are imported and face hefty tariffs. Even domestically assembled models, like the Tesla Model Y, typically rely on batteries either shipped in from China or built domestically using Chinese raw materials. Complicating matters: the federal budget bill backed by the Trump administration and now working its way through Congress. It is expected to eliminate federal tax credits of up to $7,500. And, said Wakefield, buyers are likely to 'follow their pocketbook' and stick to more affordable vehicles with internal combustion engines. In its 2023 Global Automotive Outlook, AlixPartners forecast EVs would account for 31% of the U.S. market. It now anticipates a figure closer to 17%. Source: Mercedes-Benz New Car Sales Likely to Decline Through 2027 Conventional wisdom suggests the new tariffs will result in declining new vehicle sales. The real question is how much of a slump might they trigger. Last month, Cox Automotive forecast demand could drop to as low as 15 million, about 1 million below the 2024 total. And the study warned that could dip into the low 14 million range in the event of a recession. For his part, AlixPartner's Wakefield is more upbeat. He thinks the U.S. market will decline by about 1 million – but over a three-year period – and then begin to bounce back. But there's a caveat. This would require the Trump administration to deliver on its promise to negotiate new trade agreements with key partners. So far, however, it's struggling to follow through, with only one big deal in place with the United Kingdom. About the Author Paul Eisenstein View Profile
