Iran says Israel hit three hospitals so far

Qatar’s foreign minister on Friday condemned Israel’s targeting of Iran’s economic facilities, calling the actions “dangerous,” according to an official statement.

Israeli media reported Friday that initial assessments suggest a nuclear scientist was killed in an Israeli strike on Tehran.

According to Iran’s Shargh daily, informed sources said the target of the explosion in Tehran’s Gisha district Friday noon was indeed a nuclear scientist.

Israel hit a residential building in the Gisha district, damaging several buildings.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel must strike at "all regime symbols" and its "mechanisms of oppression" and aims to destabilize the Iranian government.

He added that he has instructed the military to escalate attacks on such targets in Tehran as the conflict between the two countries deepens.

Iran is willing to pursue a balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe, and engage rationally with both East and West, Reuters reported.

"Meanwhile, Iran can prove to be a chess piece for Europe to ease the dual pressure between East and West," the report cited an unnamed Iranian diplomat as saying in Berlin on Friday.

"Despite American displeasure, Iran has shown that it is willing to pursue a wise, balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe."

Tehran’s Friday prayer leader ruled out any negotiations with Iran’s adversaries, saying, “No one is negotiating, no one dares to, and no one is allowed to.”

Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari’s comments came in response to chants from participants saying,“Anyone who negotiates is a traitor,” signaling strong public and clerical opposition to talks amid heightened tensions.