Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Over 400 dead, 3,500 injured in Iran since June 13, reports state media

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced that Tehran will not enter negotiations with the US while Israel’s aggression continues. Speaking on state television, Araqchi accused the US of being a partner in Israeli crimes against Iran, making dialogue impossible until the attacks end and accountability is established.

Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s nuclear agency, stated that Russian specialists continue working at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant and that the site remains stable. He expressed hope Israel heeds Moscow’s warning against attacks, as Russia strongly opposes any US-backed military strike on its ally Iran, prioritising regional stability.

After resisting Israel’s aggression, nations will rethink alliances, says Iran’s Araqchi. He predicts growing global distancing from Israel as its attacks intensify tensions across the Middle East.

Iran’s air defences have been activated in Tehran, the country’s Mehr News Agency confirmed, amid heightened tensions with Israel.

Five Iranian hospitals have been damaged, affecting patients after nearby Israeli airstrikes, Iran’s emergency services confirmed. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister warned Hezbollah’s chief, saying he hasn’t learned from predecessors and is acting under Iran’s dictatorial commands, risking a strong Israeli response.

India’s Commerce Ministry will convene a crucial meeting on Friday chaired by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, with exporters, shipping lines, and container firms to assess the impact of the Iran–Israel conflict on India’s trade. Exporters fear rising air and sea freight rates and disruption of vital routes like the Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly a fifth of global oil trade and is critical for India’s crude oil and LNG imports. The meeting aims to address concerns and develop mitigation strategies as tensions intensify.

Several fires were burning in a street in Israel’s southern city of Beer Sheva, close to a tech park that houses a Microsoft office, CNN reported on Friday, reports Reuters.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Thursday that the agency is closely monitoring Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites. The IAEA has been issuing regular public updates about potential radiological impacts and their implications for human health and the environment. The conflict, which began with Israel’s ‘Operation Rising Lion’ on June 13, has affected facilities in Natanz, Arak, Esfahan, and Tehran.

The Israeli military announced it completed a series of overnight strikes deep within Tehran, hitting several industrial sites used for missile production. Dozens of military targets across Iran were targeted, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Australia announced Friday it has suspended its Tehran embassy due to rising tensions as Israel continues airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that defence personnel and aircraft are on standby to evacuate Australians if needed, while consular staff move to Azerbaijan to aid departures.

The Israeli military said that multiple missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel. “Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the IDF said.

General Majid Khademi has been named the new head of Iran’s IRGC Intelligence Organization following the death of Mohammad Kazemi in an Israeli strike, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

According to the Tehran Times, Brigadier General Majid Khademi was appointed as the new head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization by its Commander-in-Chief, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has warned that a US attack on Iran would be a “serious mistake,” intensifying the Israel‑Iran conflict and risking a wider regional war.

Moscow’s mediation push
Peskov stated that “such conflicts can set the entire region on fire” and reiterated Russia’s willingness to help broker peace. He condemned any attempts at regime change in Iran, aligning with President Putin’s stance that such moves are “unacceptable” and would only complicate the crisis further.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met UK Foreign Minister David Lammy and spoke with Australia’s Penny Wong, France’s Jean‑Noel Barrot, and Italy’s Antonio Tajani about the escalating Israel‑Iran war.

Key messages
The US State Department reaffirmed that “Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.” Lammy called the situation “perilous” and urged using a critical two‑week window for a diplomatic solution.

Why it matters
With tensions rising after Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran, President Trump will decide within 14 days whether the US joins the conflict.

European ministers are set to meet Iran’s Abbas Araqchi in Geneva to revive talks on its contested nuclear programme, despite looming US involvement in Israel’s strikes. The E3 — Britain, France and Germany — alongside the EU, seek a path back to negotiations and to prevent further escalation. The meeting aims to address nuclear concerns, Iran’s missile programme, and the detention of foreign citizens, highlighting the urgency of dialogue even as tensions intensify across the Middle East.

Oil prices were set for a third straight weekly gain despite Friday’s dip, as Israel-Iran tensions surged. Brent dropped to $77.28 but rose 3.9% for the week, while WTI gained 1.1%, reflecting market jitters over the escalating Middle East conflict.

Iran has enforced a nationwide internet and phone shutdown, citing rising fears of Israeli cyber attacks and potential US involvement, reports Bloomberg. The Ministry of Communications called the measure temporary and vital “to protect the country’s communication network from enemy abuse,” while allowing limited access to selected domestic services and websites.

Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict. Stay tuned for the latest updates as tensions rise, with the White House warning of a potential Iranian nuclear bomb soon.