Israel closes embassies worldwide

A loud explosion was reported near Hamadan, northwestern Iran, according to a local news reporter from Mehr News Agency.

The sound originated from the vicinity of the Noje Airbase in Kabudarahang, west of Hamadan city. Details about the cause of the explosion remain unclear.

Greece and Britain have issued advisories urging their merchant fleets to avoid the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s attacks on Iran, according to documents seen by Reuters.

Greece’s shipping association sent a notice on Friday instructing Greek shipowners to report details of any vessels passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz to the Greek Ministry of Shipping.

The advisory cited escalating military tensions in the Middle East as the reason for the heightened caution.

Separately, the UK’s Transport Ministry recommended that all UK-flagged vessels, including those registered in Gibraltar and Bermuda, avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

US President Donald Trump praised Israel’s recent military strike on Iran as “excellent” and hinted at further actions, according to an interview by ABC News Friday.

"I think it's been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more," Trump was quoted as saying by an ABC reporter on X.

Trump added that he had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum for a deal but believes Iran may now have a second chance.

Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment site at Natanz sustained significant damage during Israeli military strikes on Friday, an Israeli military spokesman said.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed the extent of the damage but provided no further details on casualties or specific impacts on Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The appointment follows the death of Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, who was killed in the Israeli strikes.

In a formal decree, Khamenei praised Mousavi’s experience and leadership, tasking him with “strengthening Iran’s defense preparedness.”