Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, declared on Friday that the war against Iran could be "prolonged," as the two adversaries exchanged fire and European diplomats scrambled to broker a ceasefire.
Eight days after Israel launched a massive wave of strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program—a claim Tehran denies—Zamir urged Israelis to prepare for a drawn-out conflict.
"We must be ready for a prolonged campaign," he said in a video statement. "We have embarked on the most complex operation in our history to eliminate a threat of this scale. The campaign is not over. Despite significant achievements, difficult days lie ahead."
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks, killing
at least 25 people in Israel, according to authorities. The latest strike hit a
mosque in Haifa, injuring 19, including one critically. Tehran, meanwhile,
claims Israeli assaults since June 13 have killed 224 people, including
military personnel, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Rising Tensions
As the conflict intensifies, European powers are pushing for a diplomatic solution. Britain, France, and Germany held talks with Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi on Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating they were "putting a diplomatic solution on the table."
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing whether to intervene, saying he will decide "within the next two weeks." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed the urgency, stating that "a window now exists for diplomacy," while reaffirming Western demands that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iran
enriches uranium to 60%—higher than any non-nuclear-armed nation—but found no
evidence of a functional warhead. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi cautioned that
speculation on Iran’s nuclear timeline was unreliable without proof of covert
activities.
Accusations and Warnings
Araghchi accused Israel of sabotaging diplomacy, telling the UN Human Rights Council that the attacks were a "betrayal" during ongoing nuclear negotiations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, dismissed diplomacy with Iran, calling past efforts "failures."
The UN Security Council convened for emergency discussions,
with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warning the conflict is nearing
"the point of no return." UN Secretary-General António Guterres
pleaded for restraint, urging all sides to "give peace a chance."
Human Toll and Regional Fallout
Civilians in Iran described harrowing conditions, with food shortages and internet restrictions imposed to prevent cyberattacks. Authorities also reported arresting a European national for alleged espionage.
Protests erupted in Tehran after Friday prayers, with demonstrators chanting loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Switzerland announced the temporary closure of its Tehran embassy but pledged to continue representing U.S. interests in Iran.
As the conflict escalates, fears grow of a wider regional
war—one that could draw in global powers and reshape the Middle East’s fragile
balance.