US watches as Iran, E3 talk on day 8 of Israeli strikes: what we know so far

Iran vows to retaliate, launches more missiles

• Khamenei appeared in a defiant video rejecting Trump’s calls to surrender, saying any US attack would cause “irreparable damage.”
• Tehran warned of retaliation on US soil if Washington intervenes, but left door open to diplomacy
• Iran reiterated it may pursue nuclear weapons if Khamenei is assassinated or Fordow is hit.
• New salvos Thursday hit a major hospital in southern Israel
• IRGC media reported attempts to mobilize Qom clerics for compromise with Israel.

Tehran shaken, losses mount

• Rights groups say more than 300 have been killed in Iran, including nuclear scientists and IRGC members.
• Strikes have hit almost every Tehran district, prompting mass flight.
• Air defenses activated again Thursday night amid new Israeli strikes.
• Targets included the Intelligence and Foreign ministries and key military sites.
• Funerals and martyr posters are now common across the capital.

US prepares, denies offensive role

• The USS Ford strike group and over 30 refueling tankers are in the region.
• Satellite images show US military aircraft being removed from a base in Qatar.
• Trump’s G7 exit and social media posts stirred speculation about imminent US action.

Diplomacy intensifies but stalls

• US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Abbas Araghchi have held multiple phone calls.
• UK foreign minister to deliver US message to Iran in Geneva Friday; France and Germany joining.
• UN chief Guterres welcomed the talks but said violence must end now.
• Iran told Guterres it will keep fighting until the UN acts against Israel.
• Hezbollah’s deputy chief said the group is “not neutral” and backs Iran.

Global fallout escalates

• Russia evacuated nationals; Czechia closed its Tehran embassy.
• Germany urged Israel to show restraint in military operations.
• Oil prices spiked; Iran faces the worst internet blackout since 2019.
• Iran threatened Israeli Channel 14 with military action.
• Iran arrested over 160 people for alleged online support of Israel.
• Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi called for a ceasefire and international peace push.