Israel's President Herzog Declares Statements
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
21:31 Herzog: Killing Khamenei Not a GoalIsraeli President Isaac Herzog assures that the primary target is not Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and there are no plans for regime change. He acknowledges that while Iran has been provoked, it could still lead to historical benefits for the Iranian people.
21:11 Netanyahu: Israel Can Reach All Iranian Nuclear SitesAccording to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel possesses the capability to reach all of Iran's nuclear facilities. He did not specify whether a successful strike on the deeply buried uranium enrichment plant at Fordo would require US support, as previously speculated.
20:55 Umbach: Iran Uses Negotiations to Gain TimeSecurity expert Frank Umbach observes that diplomacy has proven futile in halting Iran's nuclear program in recent years. German Foreign Minister Hans-Georg Maas plans to speak with his Iranian counterpart, but a fundamental dilemma has arisen between diplomatic efforts and the urgent need for a solution.
20:42 Israel Reports New Strikes on TehranIsraeli air force has again attacked sites in Iran's capital, Tehran. Air defense systems have activated, and some impacts have been reported on Marsdaran Boulevard, a major traffic artery north of the city center. Further details of the targets are still unavailable.
20:31 Netanyahu: Iran Regime Change Must Come from PopulationIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not declared regime change in Iran as an immediate war goal, but he emphasizes that the fall of the regime is ultimately a matter for the Iranian people. Speculation about Israel bringing about regime change through targeted attacks on symbols of the Iranian government has remained unconfirmed.
20:15 Netanyahu: "We're Ahead of Our Schedule"Prime Minister Netanyahu suggests that Israel has struck approximately half of Iran's rocket launch sites. He maintains that the number of rockets Iran possesses is less important than the number of launch sites it has.
19:59 Trump to Decide on Military Action in Two WeeksUS President Donald Trump will decide whether the US will intervene in the war alongside Israel within the next two weeks, according to Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. The possibility of negotiations with Iran may take place in the near future, or not.
19:17 Merz Urges Netanyahu to Proceed Cautiously in IranGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to proceed with caution and restraint in Iran. Merz offered Germany's general support for Israel's military strikes but stressed the importance of giving diplomacy a chance.
18:21 Second Special Flight for German Israel Returnees LandsThe Foreign Office has transported another group of Germans and their close family members stranded in Israel out of Jordan via a special flight. The number of people repatriated now totals 345. Another flight from Amman is planned for Saturday.
17:48 Foreign Office Calls on Families of Diplomats to LeaveIn response to the war between Israel and Iran, the Foreign Office has called on the families of German diplomats to depart from their missions abroad for security reasons. Details about the fate of German embassy personnel in Israel and other regional countries have not been disclosed.
16:55 Israeli Minister: "This is a War Crime"Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar characterizes the attack on a hospital in Beersheba as a war crime. Israel will continue the operation against Tehran until the mission is accomplished.
16:16 Iraqi Militant Leader Threatens Attacks on US CitizensAn Iraqi militant leader has threatened to attack American citizens if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is targeted. He further warned that no American soldier or diplomat would be safe from retaliation.
15:50 Israel: Iran Used Cluster Munitions in Rocket AttackIsrael has confirmed that Iran utilized ballistic rockets equipped with cluster munition warheads in its attack on central Israel. The munitions exploded at an altitude of approximately seven kilometers and scattered about 20 smaller bombs within an 8-kilometer radius.
14:58 Putin and Xi Condemn Israel's AttacksRussian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have jointly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran and urged diplomacy as the only viable solution.
13:38 Confusion over Alleged Attack on Iranian Nuclear FacilityIsrael has since retracted its initial claim that it bombed the Iranian nuclear facility in Bushehr. Instead, the sites attacked were those in Natans, Isfahan, and Arak.
** Iranian Deputy Minister: Will Continue Self-Defense**Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh warns that Iran will continue to defend itself against aggressors and will not give in to threats.
12:51 Israeli Defense Minister: "Chamenei Cannot Be Allowed to Exist"Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declares that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, "cannot be allowed to exist." Khamenei allegedly views the destruction of Israel as his ultimate goal.
12:23 Alleged Video Shows Iran's Sajil RocketInvestigative reporting suggests that Iran may have employed its most modern rocket, the "Sajil," for the first time in the renewed attack on Israel. The newly developed weapon possesses a unique capability that escalates the threat posed by Iran's arsenal.
11:56 IAEA Confirms Hit on Heavy Water ReactorThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms that Israeli attacks struck the Iranian heavy water research reactor in Khondab. However, the reactor was not operational at the time and did not contain nuclear material, which minimizes the risk of radioactive releases.
11:29 Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson Engage in Shouting Match Over IranA heated exchange erupted between US Senator Ted Cruz and talk show host Tucker Carlson over US involvement in the Middle East conflict. Cruz has been a vocal supporter of intervention, while Carlson has criticized his position.
10:50 Hezbollah Calls Murder Threats Against Khamenei "Foolish"Hezbollah condemns the murder threats against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as reckless and foolish. The Shia militia affiliate warns that such provocations could result in catastrophic consequences. Hezbollah has so far refrained from engaging in the conflict, despite mounting pressure from various quarters.
10:34 Iranian Foreign Minister Expected in Turkey on SaturdayIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is reportedly planning to attend a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Saturday. The meeting will address the ongoing armed conflicts between Israel and Iran.
10:15 Hamas Authorities: Israel Kills 15 People at Aid Distribution PointHamas authorities report that at least 15 people have died after Israeli army attacks at an aid distribution center in the Gaza Strip. The fatalities resulted after incidents at various attack sites, including near the city of Gaza.
09:53 Japanese to Be Evacuated from Israel and IranThe Japanese government is preparing to evacuate Japanese citizens in Israel and Iran to safety due to the increasingly tense situation in the Middle East. Military aircraft have been deployed to Djibouti to facilitate the evacuation of Japanese nationals.
08:52 Israel: Also Targets Nuclear Plant in NatanzIsrael reports the bombing of the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran. The Israeli army had previously bombed the plant when the major attack on Iran began earlier this month.
07:51 Air raid sirens in several parts of IsraelAir raid sirens have sounded in several parts of Israel, indicating renewed rocket attacks from Iran. Explosions have been reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
07:29 Iranian Rocket Hits Hospital in Southern IsraelA massive Iranian rocket attack on Israel has hit a hospital in southern Israel, resulting in multiple casualties and severe damage to the Soroka Clinic in Beersheva. At least 32 people have been injured, with two reported in critical condition.
06:44 Insider: USA plans attack on Iran this weekendAccording to an unnamed source familiar with the plans, the USA is reportedly prepared to launch an attack on Iran over the weekend. The situation remains fluid, and plans may still change.
04:42 Chief of Staff Defends Chancellor's Support for Israeli Strikes on IranChancellor's Chief of Staff Thorsten Frei defends the Chancellor's endorsement of Israel's military action against Iran. He emphasizes that it is essential for a terrorist regime like the Iranian Mullah regime not to possess nuclear weapons and urges vigilance as Iran's rocket technology could endanger (even European) targets as well.
03:47 Netanyahu Thanks Trump for 'Support'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his "support" in defending Israel against Iran. Israel will continue to wage a "step-by-step" campaign to eliminate the nuclear threat from Iran and its ballistic missiles.
02:47 Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Warns US Against MilitarIran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi issues a warning to the US against militaristic intervention alongside Israel. If the Americans decide to intervene directly, Iran reserves the right to retaliate against American targets.
01:46 Wadephul Wants to Meet Iranian Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Johann Wadephul and his counterparts from France and the UK plan to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday. The purpose of the meeting is to explore a diplomatic solution to the crisis in alliance with the Iranian neighbors.
00:57 Putin would allow Iran peaceful nuclear usePresident Vladimir Putin has hinted that he would consider allowing Iran to use nuclear energy peacefully. Putin's proposal is aimed at alleviating Israeli fears about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He does not expect the Iranian regime to collapse due to Israeli air strikes.
23:57 Report: Trump has approved attack plan on IranA report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that US President Donald Trump has approved attack plans against Iran but has not yet issued the order for implementation. Trump has expressed a desire to wait and observe the Iranian government's willingness to abandon its nuclear program.
*Follow all previous updates [here](https://www.ntv.de/panorama/welt/iran-konflikt,10000000100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
- Despite Iran's threat to retaliate against American targets if the US intervenes directly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his support in defending Israel against Iran.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to proceed with caution and restraint in Iran, offering Germany's general support for Israel's military strikes but emphasizing the importance of giving diplomacy a chance.
