Summary
Israel says it didn't warn France
John Irish
Israel did not warn France ahead of its attack on Iran because it is no longer as close an ally as it was before, its ambassador to France said on Friday.
"The French state for a certain period is not as close as it was before," Joshua Zarka, who was previously in charge of the Iran dossier at the Israeli foreign ministry, told RTL radio.
"It's an ally but not to the point to be pre-warned of such an operation."
Six Iranian nuclear scientists killed, state media says
Six Iranian nuclear scientists were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes, Iranian state media reported.
'This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile'
Ju-min Park
REACTION
- OMAN, WHICH IS MEDIATING IRAN-U.S. NUCLEAR TALKS "Oman considers this act a dangerous, reckless escalation, representing a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law. Such aggressive, persistent behavior is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security."
- "The Sultanate of Oman holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences, and calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance to halt this dangerous course of action.
- SAUDI ARABIA "Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."
- SPOKESPERSON FOR UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES "The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway." "The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford."
- AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PENNY WONG "Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran. This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions."
- JAPAN FOREIGN MINISTER TAKESHI IWAYA "Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including talks between the United States and Iran, to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, the use of military force is deeply regrettable."
In pictures: The aftermath in Tehran
A damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
An injured person sits on a roadside in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
What has Israel said?
Aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
In a recorded video message released overnight Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:
"We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history."
"Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."
Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement:
"Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,"
Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and "prepared across all borders."
"We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us," he added.
Oil prices jump more than 9%
Florence Tan and Sam Li
Oil prices surged more than 9% on Friday, hitting their highest in almost five months after Israel struck Iran.
The dramatic escalation in tensions in the Middle East and raises worries about disrupted oil supplies.
Brent crude futures jumped $6.29, or 9.07%, to $75.65 a barrel by 0315 GMT after hitting an intraday high of $78.50, the highest since January 27.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up $6.43, or 9.45%, at $74.47 a barrel after hitting a high of $77.62, the highest since January 21.
Read the full market report here.
What to know about Iran's energy industry and infrastructure
Alex Lawler and Dmitry Zhdannikov
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Abadan oil refinery from Al-Faw south of Basra, Iraq September 21, 2019. REUTERS/
Essam Al-SudaniIran, the third largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, extracts about 3.3 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), or around 3% of global output.
Iran's oil production was at its peak in the 1970s with record output of 6 million bpd in 1974, according to OPEC data. That amounted to over 10% of world output at the time.
In 1979, the United States imposed the first wave of sanctions on Tehran and since then the country has been the target of several waves of U.S. and European Union sanctions.
Iran's crude exports have risen to a multi-year high of 1.8 million bpd in recent months, the highest since 2018, driven by strong Chinese demand.
Here's the full story.
Iran's nuclear facilities
'No increase in radiation levels'
Shubham Kalia
Atomic energy watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site that was targeted.
It cited information given to them by Iranian authorities.
Reaction
UK PM Starmer: 'We urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions'
an hour ago22:35 PDT
“The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
“Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
Breaking
Iran's oil production was at its peak in the 1970s with record output of 6 million bpd in 1974, according to OPEC data. That amounted to over 10% of world output at the time.
In 1979, the United States imposed the first wave of sanctions on Tehran and since then the country has been the target of several waves of U.S. and European Union sanctions.
Iran's crude exports have risen to a multi-year high of 1.8 million bpd in recent months, the highest since 2018, driven by strong Chinese demand.
Here's the full story.
Iran's nuclear facilities
'No increase in radiation levels'
Shubham Kalia
Atomic energy watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site that was targeted.
It cited information given to them by Iranian authorities.
Reaction
UK PM Starmer: 'We urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions'
an hour ago22:35 PDT
“The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
“Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
Breaking
Iran has launched more than 100 drones towards Israel in the past hours, Israel's military says
Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israel was working to intercept the drones.
Top Iranian commander killed
an hour ago
Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israel was working to intercept the drones.
Top Iranian commander killed
an hour ago
Parisa Hafezi
FILE PHOTO: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami in Tehran, Iran, January 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, was killed and state media reported the unit's headquarters in Tehran had been hit.
Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had "unleashed its wicked and bloody" hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive "a bitter fate for itself".
US says it's 'not involved'
FILE PHOTO: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami in Tehran, Iran, January 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, was killed and state media reported the unit's headquarters in Tehran had been hit.
Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had "unleashed its wicked and bloody" hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive "a bitter fate for itself".
US says it's 'not involved'
FILE PHOTO: Trump stands and Rubio in Morristown, New Jersey, June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and that the United States was hoping to get back to the negotiating table, in an interview with Fox News after the start of the Israeli air strikes on Iran.
"We will see," Trump was quoted as saying by Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin.
Trump would convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said.
The U.S. military is planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters.
Iran's armed forces spokesperson said Israel and its chief ally the United States would pay a "heavy price" for the attack, accusing Washington of aiding Israel.
While the U.S. tried to distance itself from Israel's military operation, an Israeli official told public broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated with Washington on Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in the strikes and Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally for self-defense.
"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement.
"Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he added.
The State Department issued an advisory saying that all U.S. government employees in Israel and their family members should "shelter in place until further notice".
Israel hits Iran nuclear facilities, Tehran vows revenge
Parisa Hafezi and Crispian Balmer
Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on Friday. It said it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders and that this was start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, was killed and state media reported the unit's headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.
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