Iran: Israeli attacks are a declaration of warAs far as Iran is concerned, the Israeli air strikes of the past few hours are a declaration of war. That is according to the Iranian mission to the United Nations. Iran is asking the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to discuss the “Zionist aggression,” reports news agency IRNA.
The Iranian army had already announced earlier in the morning that it would not hold back in its response to the Israeli attacks. “All options are on the table,” says the general staff according to news agency Tasnim.
Earlier Iranian reactions to Israeli attacks were measured, including the rocket attack in April last year.
Russia calls Israeli attack ‘damaging and unacceptable’Moscow is not happy about the Israeli air strikes on Iran. The Kremlin speaks of an “unacceptable action” that is “damaging” to stability in the Middle East. Russia calls the timing of the attack so shortly before new talks on an Iranian nuclear deal “cynical.”
The US and Iran were scheduled to talk again this coming Sunday about the Iranian nuclear program. It is not clear whether those talks will proceed. It would be the sixth session since the talks were resumed in April.
KLM will not fly to Tel Aviv until July 1KLM will not fly to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv until at least July 1. The airline had previously suspended flights due to tensions in the region.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our flight schedule when it is safe again,” a spokesperson said. KLM had only been flying daily to Tel Aviv since the end of last month.
NU.nl foreign correspondent Matthijs le Loux on the attitude of the US“US President Trump asked Netanyahu over the phone on Monday not to attack Iran. He repeated that message publicly on Thursday, hours before the attacks,” says foreign correspondent Matthijs le Loux. “The White House expected Israel to wait, while the US negotiates a new nuclear agreement with Iran. Many experts find it unlikely that Trump gave the Israeli Prime Minister a hard no.”
“Trump toyed with the idea on Thursday that an Israeli attack could force Iran to strike a deal. ‘It could even help, but it could also ruin it,’ he said. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on Friday that the Israeli attack ‘was clearly intended to sabotage negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran.'”
NATO chief Rutte looks to US for de-escalationThere is an important task for the United States and other allies to reduce tensions in the Middle East, according to NATO chief Mark Rutte. “That is the priority now.”
“It is now crucial for many NATO countries, including the US, to work on de-escalation at the same time,” Rutte said during a visit to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm. “And I know they are doing that.”
Iranian air defenses attackedThe Israeli air force has carried out attacks on Iranian air defenses, the Israeli army reports on X. The attacks were reportedly carried out in the past few hours.
Earlier, the air defenses were allegedly hit by smuggled Israeli drones. That operation preceded the Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. It is not exactly clear when Israeli fighter jets carried out their attacks on the air defense installations.
Nuclear facility Natanz damagedThe Israeli air strikes have damaged a number of parts of the Natanz nuclear facility. This is confirmed by the Iranian atomic agency AEOI. The facility was one of the targets last night. The AEOI is not releasing any information about the extent of the damage. Israeli Channel 12 reports that the complex has been destroyed, but that has not (yet) been independently confirmed.
Cabinet regrets Israel’s step to attack IranThe outgoing cabinet regrets that Israel has attacked targets in Iran. “We regret that Israel has taken this step,” said Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defense, VVD) just before the start of the Council of Ministers. “We think it is important that it does not escalate further now.”
Prime Minister Dick Schoof is echoing a similar sentiment on X: “The Netherlands calls on all parties to remain calm and refrain from further attacks and retaliations. Immediate de-escalation is necessary in the interest of stability in the region.”
Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Casper Veldkamp called on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint, he told the press this morning. He did not want to say whether the Netherlands had been informed in advance of the Israeli attack.
Gulf States and Turkey see Israeli attack harming consultations with IranGulf state after Gulf state condemns the large-scale Israeli attacks. According to Qatar, among others, they constitute a “reckless escalation,” violate international law, and threaten to set the Middle East on fire. Turkey is echoing a similar sentiment. The United Arab Emirates urge “extreme restraint and caution” to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
Saudi Arabia is calling for intervention from the UN Security Council, but Israel’s major ally, the US, has a veto there. Qatar, among others, is also calling on the international community to take its “moral responsibility.” Oman had already condemned the Israeli attacks earlier.
Parliament concerned about escalation of war in the Middle EastParties in the House of Representatives are concerned that the situation in the Middle East will escalate. “The situation in the Middle East is extremely worrying. We are on the brink of a new regional war – and that will also affect Europe,” says Dilan Yesilgöz of the VVD. “Further escalation is a threat to security worldwide,” says Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA).
According to Rob Jetten (D66), “large-scale attacks by both Israel and Iran know nothing but losers. Let the international community now take action as quickly as possible to de-escalate.”
The PVV and SGP, parties that always support Israel, support the attack. According to Geert Wilders (PVV), Iran and its nuclear capabilities constitute “an existential threat to Israel and the entire free world.” SGP member Diederik van Dijk thinks it is “good” that Israel is “dismantling the Iranian nuclear program in a selective manner.”
Mossad involved in attack with sabotageThe Israeli Mossad, the external intelligence service, carried out sabotage activities and attacks in Iran during the attacks by the Israeli air force on Iran. That is what Israeli army radio reports.
An anonymous security official reports that the Mossad carried out three operations. In this, the service allegedly smuggled weapons and drones into Iran. These hit the Iranian air defenses shortly before the Israeli attack. The drones were allegedly smuggled into Iran a long time before the attack. Among others, the Israeli Channel 12 writes about the plans.
Ukraine used a similar tactic earlier this month in its attack on Russian airfields. The drones that were used in that were already on Russian territory.
Israel claims to have shot down Iranian dronesIsrael has intercepted the first Iranian drones, an army spokesperson reports on X. The devices were allegedly shot down outside the country’s borders. According to Israeli media, drones were intercepted in Syria, among other places. The drones that cannot be intercepted are expected above Israel from 9:00 AM Dutch time.
Jordan also reports that it has intercepted projectiles. But it does not explicitly state that these are drones from Iran.
At least fifty people have been injured in the attacks on Iran, reports Iranian state television. At least 35 of them are said to be women and children. All fifty injured people have been admitted to a hospital in Tehran.
It is likely that there are also injured people in other hospitals. For example, there would be at least one dead and 24 injured in the Qasr-e Shirin district in Kermanshah province, reports news agency IRNA.
No increased radiation at hit nuclear facilityNo increased radiation has been measured at the Natanz nuclear facility, the atomic agency IAEA reports based on the Iranian authorities. The service also reports on X that no damage has been reported at the nuclear complex near the city. The Bushehr nuclear power plant is also still in operation.
Oil prices significantly higher after Israeli attack on IranOil prices rose by more than 9 percent on Friday after the Israeli attacks on Iran. This is the largest increase in more than five months. Analysts are very concerned about oil production now that tensions in the Middle East are further escalating.
Also Iranian army general Bagheri killedThe Iranian General Mohammed Bagheri, chief of staff of the army, has been killed in the Israeli attacks, Iranian state television reports. It was previously reported that Hussein Salami, the leader of the Revolutionary Guard, had died.
The Iranian army and the Revolutionary Guard are both powerful military institutions within Iran that exist side by side and have their own tasks.
Iranian state media also reported that six nuclear scientists were killed.
Iran: ‘Israel attack shows why we need nuclear program’The Iranian government calls the Israeli attack on military targets and nuclear facilities “cowardly.” The attack is precisely the reason why the country is pursuing a nuclear program and developing cruise missiles, Tehran says in a statement via Reuters.
Air traffic in Middle East affected by attacksIran, Iraq, and Jordan have closed their airspace after the Israeli air strikes last night. Tel Aviv airport had already been closed for some time after the attack on Iran. Among others, Israeli El Al, Air India, Lufthansa, Emirates Airlines, and Qatar Airways have canceled flights. More airlines are expected to report cancellations in the coming hours. The Iraqi airspace in particular is used a lot for flights between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The Israeli attacks have caused damage in various places in and around the Iranian capital Tehran. Rescue workers are on site. According to Iranian state television, there are dead and injured, but nothing is yet known about numbers.
Israel says more than a hundred targets have been hit in IranMore than a hundred targets have been hit in the Israeli air strikes on military and nuclear facilities in Iran, says an army spokesperson. The air force has deployed two hundred fighter jets in the attack on Thursday night, the armed forces report on X.
Israel reports launch of Iranian dronesThe Israeli army says that more than a hundred drones have already been launched from Iran in the past few hours. According to a spokesperson, the air defense is ready to disable the projectiles.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has announced a temporary closure of the airspace. It refers to the increasing regional security tensions after the Israeli attacks on Iran last night. The ministry did not comment on reports that Israel would have used Iraqi airspace to attack Iran.
Advice to Dutch citizens in Iran: Let family know how you are doingThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on Dutch citizens in the region to let their friends and family know how they are doing. In a message on X, the ministry also advises to keep a close eye on the news and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Anyone who needs help is advised to contact the travel organization or travel insurer. “Or contact contact center Netherlands Worldwide of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” People are also advised to register for the Information Service of Foreign Affairs to stay informed of the latest developments.
Mediator Oman angry about Israeli attackOman has condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran and speaks of a “dangerous” and “reckless” action. The country says that the “Israeli aggression” is unacceptable and wants the international community to send a signal to Israel.
Oman is mediating between Iran and the US on the Iranian nuclear program. The sixth round of talks between the two countries is scheduled for Sunday. These will take place in Muscat, the capital of Oman. It is uncertain whether these will still go ahead.
US not involved in attack, but informed in advanceAccording to two sources from news agency Reuters, the United States is not involved in the attacks and is not providing assistance. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio confirms this in a short statement. He also mentions that Israel has informed the US that this attack was necessary in self-defense.
Israel states that Iran was ‘too close’ to production of nuclear weaponsIsrael claims that it had no choice but to attack Iran and adds that it had gathered intelligence showing that Tehran had reached the “point of no return” in its efforts to build its own nuclear weapons.
“The Iranian regime has been working for decades to obtain a nuclear weapon. The world has exhausted all possible diplomatic avenues to stop it, but the regime has refused to stop,” the Israeli army reports in a statement. The army does not disclose what kind of evidence it would have recently gathered.
Iran was criticized by the IAEA on Thursday because the country would not meet nuclear obligations. As a countermeasure, the country announced the installation of a third nuclear complex.
One of the targets of the Israeli attacks on Iran was the Natanz nuclear facility. Among other things, uranium is enriched there. The centrifuges for this would be installed deep underground, under a thick layer of concrete.
Trump hopes that negotiations with Iran on nuclear deal can continuePresident Donald Trump of the US hopes that Iran will still continue to negotiate about a nuclear deal despite the Israeli attacks, he says in conversation with Fox News.
Since taking office, the American president has been trying to reach a new nuclear agreement with Iran, after he had canceled the previous one in his first term. That agreement was concluded by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama. Iran has always stated that it enriches uranium for peaceful purposes and not to make weapons.
Prime Minister Netanyahu warns citizens for measuresPrime Minister Netanyahu expects that Israeli citizens will often and long have to spend time in bomb shelters in the coming period. Israel expects an Iranian counter-attack. Netanyahu confirms in a video message that his country has killed some Iranian military leaders, as was previously announced via Iranian state television.
In an earlier video message, Netanyahu seemed to announce that it would not be just one Israeli attack wave. “This operation will last as long as it takes to avert the threat of destruction of Israel.”
IAEA confirms that nuclear location in Natanz was target of IsraelDirector-General Rafael Grossi of the atomic energy agency IAEA confirms that the Iranian nuclear location in Natanz was hit in the Israeli attacks. The organization is in contact with the Iranian authorities about the radiation levels.
“The IAEA is closely monitoring the very worrying situation in Iran. The agency can confirm that the location in Natanz is among the targets. We are in contact with the Iranian authorities about the radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country,” says Grossi on X.
According to Iranian state television, residential areas were also hit in the Israeli attacks. It is also reported that children have died.
Army of Israel mobilizes tens of thousands of soldiersThe Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has announced in a television speech that the army is mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers. “Anyone who tries to challenge us pays a high price.”
Zamir also pointed to the consequences of the attack for the Israeli population. “People of Israel, I cannot promise absolute success. The Iranian regime will try to attack us in response. The expected costs will be different than we are used to,” said the army leader.
Iran: Israel and US will pay for Israeli attackThe supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says that Israel will receive a “severe punishment.”
According to Khamenei, Israel has revealed its “despicable nature.” “With this attack, the Zionist regime has created a bitter fate for itself, and it will not escape it,” says Khamenei in a statement.
“The armed forces will certainly respond to this Zionist attack,” added Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi. He is the spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces. Like the IRGC, he states that the US will also be held responsible for the attack.
Commander Revolutionary Guard killed in attack IsraelThe commander of the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has been killed in the large Israeli attack on Iran. That is reported by news agency Tasnim, which is considered the mouthpiece of the Iranian elite forces. General-Major Hussein Salami was killed in an attack on the headquarters of the IRGC high command. The state television had previously reported a fire there.
Two prominent nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, were also killed in the attacks, according to state television.
In Tehran, residential buildings were also hit by Israeli attacks on Friday morning, reports the official news agency IRNA, which mentioned neighborhoods in various locations in the capital. “Several deaths” would have fallen in that, including children. IRNA does not mention exact numbers.
Israel carries out air strikes on nuclear targets in IranIsrael carried out air strikes on Iran last night. Those attacks were aimed at “military and nuclear targets” in Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that the nuclear facility Natanz was a target. Israel is now waiting for retaliatory attacks from Iran.