EU foreign policy chief calls for restraint in Middle East

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed Mohammad Pakpour as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), following the killing of Hossein Salami in Israeli airstrikes.

In the decree, Khamenei promoted Pakpour to the rank of major general and directed him to "enhance the IRGC’s capabilities, readiness, and internal cohesion."

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Israeli Air Force officials, cited by public broadcaster Kan, said Friday that the military strikes on Iran were not a limited operation but part of a "planned war" conducted 1,500 kilometers from Israeli territory.

According to the report, officials said the attacks had been prepared for months, with operational conditions selected to ensure surprise. They acknowledged that not all drones launched by Iran in response were intercepted but stated that the situation is "under control."

The Air Force added that while defenses are prepared, interception is not airtight. All pilots and crews involved in the strikes have reportedly returned.

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Iran’s Red Crescent Society said on Friday that emergency response teams are operating in more than 60 locations affected by Israeli attacks.

In a statement posted on X, the organization urged the public to remain calm and avoid crowding the affected areas to allow rescue efforts to proceed more efficiently.

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IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Friday that the agency is ready to support technical discussions and efforts aimed at ensuring transparency, safety, and non-proliferation in Iran following Israeli strikes.

In a statement, Grossi said he had conveyed to the relevant authorities his willingness to travel to Iran "at the earliest" to assess the situation on the ground.

He also called on all parties "to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation."

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Russia and China have both voiced concern following Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Moscow condemns the sharp escalation and is monitoring the situation closely, according to the Interfax news agency.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters that Beijing is "deeply concerned" about the possible consequences of the Israeli operations and called on all parties to avoid further escalation. He said China is paying close attention to developments and is ready to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions.

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