Hello and welcome to this live blog. Here we keep you informed of the latest developments surrounding the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Liveblog
Pope after attack on Iran: Humanity calls for peacePope Leo XIV has called for an end to wars in his weekly prayer in the Vatican. He said he wanted to respond to “disturbing news from the Middle East.” He says he sees that “humanity is calling for peace.”
“Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility to end the tragedy of war, before an irreparable gap arises,” said Leo XIV in his Angelus address.
Turkey fears regional and global escalationTurkey fears that the American bombardments of Iranian targets carry the risk of “an escalating regional conflict and instability.” This could spread worldwide, the Foreign Ministry says.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt have made roughly the same statements. The UAE is calling for de-escalation “to avoid serious consequences.” The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also wants rapid de-escalation because Cairo fears that the American attacks could drive “the entire region to new levels of instability.”
The American attacks on Iran and possible Iranian retaliation will have major, harmful consequences for the NATO summit in The Hague, according to former NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Trump may stay away as a result, he says in the political talk show Buitenhof. And crucial issues such as the war in Ukraine will be overshadowed as the hostilities in the Middle East absorb all the attention, he said.
Whether Trump will still come to the summit on Tuesday, according to De Hoop Scheffer, depends on the Iranian response to the American attacks. If the country attacks American military bases in, for example, the Gulf States and other American targets, Trump will have no choice but to stay in Washington, he said.
France ‘concerned’ about American attacks on IranFrance has watched the American attacks “with concern,” writes Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on X. The country asks the US and Iran “to exercise restraint to prevent the conflict from spreading.”
“France is convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution,” the minister writes. According to him, France wants to help in discussions between the countries.
Iran wants UN Security Council to condemn US attacksIran wants an emergency consultation of the United Nations Security Council on the American attack on the country. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi asked the council for an “unequivocal condemnation of the criminal act of aggression” by the US against Iran and believes that the council should hold America accountable.
National Security Council meets on Middle East situationThe National Security Council met around noon to discuss the American attack on Iran. That is what outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof reports on X. He calls the developments in the Middle East “worrying” and says that the cabinet is following the situation “closely.”
Schoof also does not yet express an opinion on the American bombardments. “Regarding the nuclear program, the Netherlands has always been clear: Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. I call on all parties to prevent further escalation. Negotiations are ultimately the only way to a sustainable solution.”
VVD and NSC join call for negotiationsVVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz points in a reaction to the American attack on the “existential threat” that Iran’s nuclear program poses to Israel and “the rest of the free world.” She shares the opinion of US President Trump that Iran must now return to the negotiating table.
NSC Member of Parliament Isa Kahraman joins in. “Iran must stop its nuclear program,” he believes. He calls Trump’s call on Iran to resume negotiations on this “concessions” that the country should seize “to achieve lasting peace.”
According to the Israeli authorities, at least 86 people have been injured following Iranian missile attacks today. Previously, there were sixteen injured. Most of the victims suffered minor injuries.
In the past ten days, at least 24 people have died from Iranian attacks. According to the authorities, more than four hundred people have died in Iran, mainly civilians.
Little to no nuclear material hit in IsfahanThe latest military attacks on the Iranian nuclear complex in Isfahan hit six buildings, in addition to the four buildings that were previously damaged. These buildings contained little to no nuclear material, says atomic watchdog IAEA in a statement.
“The facilities that were attacked today either contained no nuclear material or small amounts of natural or low-enriched uranium. This means that any radioactive contamination is limited to the buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.”
Von der Leyen and Merz also urge negotiationsThe negotiating table is the only place to resolve the security crisis in the Middle East, writes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. She says that “now is the moment for Iran to come to a credible diplomatic solution.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also repeated his call to Iran to immediately negotiate with the US and Israel and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Iranian minister says he doesn’t know what there is left to negotiateThe Iranian Foreign Minister says he does not know how Iran should return to the negotiating table. Several countries and the European Union have called for this. Abbas Araqchi writes on X that first Israel and now also the US are making such talks impossible.
“Last week we were negotiating with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw?” Araqchi writes. With “E3/EU” he refers to a meeting between foreign ministers from Germany, the UK, France and the EU foreign chief Kallas in Geneva.
“According to Great Britain and the EU, it is up to Iran to ‘return’ to the table. But how can Iran return somewhere where it never left, let alone blew up?”
Red Cross fears war with irreversible consequencesThe recent developments in the Middle East threaten to plunge the region and the world “into a war with irreversible consequences.” The Red Cross warns of this in a statement. “The world cannot endure a limitless war. Respecting international humanitarian law is not a choice, but a duty,” says Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The organization is once again calling for civilians to be kept out of the violence and for aid workers to be allowed to do their work. The Red Cross is deploying extra people in Iran and Israel to provide assistance.
Qatar fears ‘disastrous consequences’ after US attack on IranGulf state Qatar says after the American attack that it fears “disastrous consequences” for the region and the rest of the world. It calls on the parties involved to “act wisely and with restraint and avoid further escalation.”
The largest American base in the Middle East is located in Qatar. It is still unclear whether Iran will retaliate for the attack on nuclear locations by attacking American targets in the region. Iran says it can invoke the right to self-defense.
Brekelmans: US attack on Iran did not come as a surpriseThe American attack did not come as a surprise to the cabinet. That is what outgoing Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans says in the television program WNL on Zondag. The Netherlands was “not formally informed,” but did see the attack coming, says the VVD minister.
Brekelmans does not yet want to say whether the Netherlands supports the violence against Iran. The cabinet will meet later in the day to determine a position on this. The minister did say that he hopes that the Iranian regime will respond to the call from US President Trump to return to the negotiating table.
This is what the nuclear factory near Fordow looked like. The facility is located dozens of meters underground and is hidden in a mountain. Only the US has bombs heavy enough to achieve that goal.
Fordow, which is located near the holy city of Qom, is considered the heart of Iran’s nuclear program. According to Trump, the complex has been “completely destroyed” after the American bombardment, but that is contradicted by Iran.
‘UK was aware of attack, not asked for help’The United Kingdom was not involved in the American attacks on Iran and has not been asked to help either, says Minister of Trade and Economy Jonathan Reynolds. The UK was informed in advance of the attack.
Concerns in opposition House of Representatives about American attackOpposition parties in the House of Representatives have major concerns about the American attack. Party leader Frans Timmermans of GroenLinks-PvdA speaks on X of “a reckless action that could lead to further escalation of war violence in the wider region.” According to Timmermans, de-escalation is “urgent” and “a return to the diplomatic path.” The Netherlands and the European Union must “immediately” commit to this as far as he is concerned.
D66 is also very critical. “Trump was supposed to be president of peace. And now he starts an extra war in the middle of the night,” writes Member of Parliament Jan Paternotte on X. “So Netanyahu managed to drag Trump into a reckless adventure.” According to Paternotte, the American president has provided “no proof” that Iran was actually making a nuclear bomb.
EU foreign chief calls on parties to negotiateEU foreign chief Kaja Kallas urges all parties in the war between Israel and Iran to take a step back and return to the negotiating table, in order to prevent further escalation. EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow in Brussels.
Like British Prime Minister Starmer, Kallas repeated in her message on X that “Iran must not develop nuclear weapons.”
Countries around Iran measure no extra radiationCountries around Iran say they have not measured any increase in radioactivity after the American attacks. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia gave updates on this this morning. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran previously made similar reports.
The IAEA has also not yet measured any increased radiation. However, the head of the agency, Rafael Grossi, has convened an emergency meeting for tomorrow.
Enriched uranium Fordow has been moved, according to IranA senior Iranian security source tells news agency Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium at the Fordow nuclear complex has been moved to another location, prior to the American attack. Also, the amount of personnel would have been minimized.
Atomic watchdog holds emergency meeting tomorrowRafael Grossi, head of atomic watchdog IAEA, has announced an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors. The council consists of 35 countries. “Given the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the council tomorrow,” he writes on X.
Saudi Arabia calls for political solution to Iran crisisSaudi Arabia calls on the international community to make “twice as hard” efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Iran. The country is following the situation with “great concern,” according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry on X.
According to Saudi Arabia, other countries must look for a political solution under the current “very sensitive circumstances.” The country is calling for de-escalation.
Dutch cabinet meets in security councilThe Dutch cabinet will meet later today in the national security council, reports Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on X. “The cabinet has taken note of the American attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran. This is a further escalation of a worrying situation in the Middle East.”
Dutch soldiers in Iraq cannot leave yetThe Netherlands is not yet succeeding in withdrawing its soldiers from Iraq. A part of 150 soldiers are waiting to return and the fear of Iranian attacks on Western targets is increasing after the American bombardments. They are doing well, Defense tells news agency ANP.
“It is still being considered” how they can be brought back. Because the airspace is closed, they are stuck. In recent months, they protected NATO advisors who assisted the Iraqi security services, but their work is done.
The American attacks have not stopped the work of Dutch soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, says Defense. They are more alert than normal and, for example, go out less often for patrols.
Iran condemns American attackIn a reaction on X, Iran condemns the attack by the US. The country calls it a “serious and unprecedented violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.” Iran calls on the UN, the Security Council, the IAEA and other international organizations to act against the attack by the US.
British Prime Minister urges negotiationsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer urges Iran to return to the negotiating table. According to him, stability in the region is the priority at the moment. “Iran’s nuclear program poses a serious threat to international security. Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken measures to reduce that threat,” the Prime Minister writes in a statement.
NATO ‘closely monitoring’ what happens after US attacksNATO is “naturally monitoring closely” what is happening in and around Iran, a source at the alliance tells Reuters. Iran previously retaliated for an American attack with shelling of American targets in Iraq. NATO troops are stationed in neighboring Iraq, until recently Dutch. Due to the hostilities of recent weeks, they have not yet been able to leave the country.
Israel reports attacks on military targets in IranThe Israeli army (IDF) reports that it is carrying out attacks on Iran. These would be military targets in the west of the country, including missile launchers and personnel.
Rescuers and firefighters assist a resident of an affected location in Tel Aviv.
Injured in Israel after Iranian attackAt least sixteen people have been injured after Iranian missile attacks on Israel this morning. Most of the victims suffered minor injuries, reports news site Times of Israel. According to the Israeli medium, residential areas in Tel Aviv, Nes Tziona and Haifa have been hit.
Damage in Tel Aviv after an Iranian missile attack on Israel.
International Atomic Energy Agency confirms: no extra nuclear radiation after attackThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms on X that so far no increase in radiation levels has been reported outside the three nuclear locations in Iran after the American attacks. “The IAEA will further assess the situation in Iran as soon as more information becomes available.”
Explosions in various places in IsraelThe Israeli army reports that rockets have been fired from Iran towards Israel. Explosions are heard in various places in the country, reports news agency Reuters based on witnesses.
Iran warns America after attack on nuclear facilitiesIranian minister Abbas Araqchi calls the American attacks on three nuclear facilities in Iran “excessive” and states that these attacks will have “eternal consequences” for America. Iran would keep all options open to defend itself.
Iran calls damage to nuclear facility limitedIt is still unclear how much damage the three nuclear complexes Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan have suffered after the American attacks. US President Donald Trump said after the attacks that the nuclear facilities were completely destroyed. “Fordow is gone,” the president said. But the Iranian authorities deny that.
The complex in Fordow is located in a bunker deep under a mountain. According to an Iranian spokesperson, the location is “not seriously” damaged. Especially the top of the complex would have been hit and the damage would be easy to repair. Earlier, NU.nl made this video about the possible use of the American bomb and the nuclear complex Fordow.
Israel closes airspace after American attacks on Iranian nuclear targetsIsrael has closed its airspace after the American attacks on three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in Iran. This was announced by the Israeli Aviation Authority. According to President Trump, all three were completely destroyed. Iran denies that.
Ministry warns Dutch citizens in Iran to stay away from possible targetsThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns Dutch citizens in Iran and other countries in the Middle East for escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran after the American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The ministry advises people in Iran to stay away from possible targets. People in other countries, including Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, are advised to avoid crowded places and possible targets.
According to Iran, there is no increased radiation after attacksAccording to Iran, there are no signals that there is increased nuclear radiation in the areas around the affected nuclear facilities. There would also be no increased radiation in the vicinity of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. This is reported by the nuclear supervisor of Saudi Arabia on X.
UN chief Guterres calls US attack on Iran a threat to peaceSecretary-General António Guterres of the United Nations calls the American attack on Iran a “dangerous escalation” and a “direct threat to international peace and security.” This is reported by news agency Reuters.
The UN chief states that the risk is increasing that the conflict will get out of hand. “With catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world.” Guterres pleads urgently to “avoid a downward spiral of chaos. There is no military solution to this conflict. The only way forward is diplomacy.”
Trump threatens new attacks if Iran does not agree to peaceIf Iran does not agree to peace, the US will carry out new attacks. This was stated by US President Donald Trump in a short speech. According to Trump, there are many other goals that the American army can hit. “If peace does not come soon, we will tackle the other goals with precision, speed and skill.”
Good morning, and welcome to this live blog. Last night, the United States attacked three nuclear complexes in Iran. With that, the US is emphatically interfering in the conflict. We will keep you informed of the latest developments again today.