Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday warned Israel of a “heavy price” after attacks on steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites, among other infrastructure.

“Israel claims it acted in coordination with the US. Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact heavy price for Israeli crimes.”

Earlier, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the country could achieve its goals in Iran “without any ground troops”, stating that the operation was expected to conclude in “weeks, not months”, Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking to reporters following a G7 meeting in France, he said ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remained open to shipping was likely to pose an “immediate challenge” even after the US accomplished its military objectives in Iran.

He said the US would seek international cooperation on a plan to keep the strait open after hostilities end.

“Not only is this illegal, it’s unacceptable. It’s dangerous to the world,” Rubio said of the possibility that Iran would seek to restrict traffic through the strait.

“And it’s important that the world have a plan,” he added.

Rubio ⁠also said Iran may ⁠decide to ⁠set ⁠up a tolling system for the ‌Strait of Hormuz.

He also said that weapons destined for Ukraine are not being diverted for use in the war on Iran, “but that could happen.”

Pakistan playing ‘pivotal role’ in ending US-Iran war: Khawaja Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that Pakistan was playing a very “pivotal role” in ending the war between the United States and Israel.

Speaking in an interview on programme ‘Naya Pakistan’ on a private media outlet, he said Egypt, Turkiye and Pakistan were involved in the effort to stop the war and prevent further destruction in the region.

“It is a matter of honour for us for Pakistan’s leadership to be playing an important and pivotal role in ending a conflict in which our brotherly Muslim community is involved.”

He credited Pakistan’s greater role in the conflict’s mediation to its “enhanced image and worth” internationally and among Muslim countries after last year’s military conflict with India.

The defence minister also pointed towards Pakistan’s ramped-up diplomacy in the conflict’s aftermath, saying the country was in a “unique phase” in its history where there was strong trust and confidence present.

“Another side of this coin is our relations with the US and the direction they’ve taken,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan had never before achieved the kind of position as the present in its diplomacy with the US.

The minister further said that Pakistan was in an active state of war with Afghanistan, with “lukewarm tensions” present with India as well.

“I think history is in the making. Pakistan’s leadership, and the hybrid system … is delivering. Not only within Pakistan … but the way our prestige has enhanced internationally, I think both Pindi and Islamabad have realised that Pakistan’s respect is rooted in a joint leadership front.”

Asif said Pakistan was in a position to play a role, adding that it was an opportunity by history for the government to mark its position for future generations to remember.

“We have to build on these opportunities that nature provides. I think staying away is not an option,” he said, adding that there were not a lot of huge risk factors for Pakistan in the situation.

“I think the benefits are huge,” he added.

Questioned about the mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia possibly kicking in if the Gulf states responded to Iran, the defence minister said: “We could be subject to the situation, you are absolutely right. This is why the role of diplomacy is all the more important, so we don’t let that situation arise and avoid it.”

Questioned about reports of Pakistan hosting US-Iran talks, Asif said it was better for him not to comment on the situation so that it could come to fruition on its own.

On recent disparaging remarks by the Indian leadership about Pakistan’s role, the minister said: “I think they are tearing their mouth off … it is their failure, there is no doubt in this. Jaishankar and his father were diplomats … diplomacy is his family profession, and he is mocking us as a ‘broker’? he is a ‘broker’ by heritage and he is mocking us.”

He also questioned whether India had not attempted a similar role in the Russia-Ukraine war.

“I think India has been defeated on both the military and diplomatic levels … the face of the butcher of Gujarat has come to the fore.”

On the progress in the operation against Afghanistan, he said Pakistan had succeeded in creating pressure but could not predict the long-term situation. “The offence we started has not concluded, there was a lull due to Eid and the world’s attention is currently on a bigger conflict. We will not give them any respite; there is no doubt about it. We have to conclude this operation to attain maximum results.”

The minister expressed hope that China’s influence on and in Afghanistan would be able to conclusively solve the crisis.

US, Israel waging ‘illegal, ruthless war’: Iran FM tells UNHRC

Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US and Israel of waging an “illegal” and “ruthless” war against Iran, during remarks at an emergency session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today, according to a post shared by Press TV on X.

Addressing the session convened in response to the deadly strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Araghchi said Iran was facing “an illegal war imposed by the US and Israel, two nuclear-armed aggressor regimes.” “This war is unjustified and brutally ruthless,” he added.

The UNHRC session was called after the February 28 strike on the school in southern Iran, which reportedly killed scores of civilians, most of them children, drawing widespread international concern and calls for an investigation.

Iran has consistently blamed the United States and Israel for the attack, while both countries have denied deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and say investigations are ongoing.

US, Iran could meet for direct talks in Pakistan ‘very soon’: German FM

The United States and Iran have already held indirect contacts and are preparing for direct talks, according to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Al Jazeera reported on Friday.

Talking to Deutschlandfunk radio, Wadephul said preparations are underway for a meeting between representatives from both sides, expected to take place soon in Pakistan.

“Based on my information, there have been indirect contacts, and preparations have been made to meet directly,” he said. “That would be very soon in Pakistan, apparently.”

Ukraine-Saudi Arabia defence deal

Additionally, President Zelensky says Ukraine and Saudi Arabia’s Ministries of Defence have reached an agreement on defence cooperation while in an officially unannounced meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Zelenskyy said on X that the document “lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment.” He provided no details.

Ukrainian experts in drone combat – with experience of more than four years fighting Iranian drones used during Russia’s invasion – are helping five Middle East and Gulf countries to counter attacks, according to Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian leader said he would meet later in the day with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Europeans to press Rubio over Russian support for Iran

European powers accused Russia of helping Iran target US forces in the Middle East war and said they would raise the issue on Friday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France.

Rubio is joining the second day of the gathering of ministers of leading Western democracies, taking place amid wars in Iran and Ukraine, economic uncertainty and mounting unease over unpredictable US foreign policy under Donald Trump.

The ministers are also expected to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the critical Gulf waterway for the transport of oil and gas, which Iran has effectively blocked, spiking energy prices and roiling financial markets.

Two Western security sources and a regional official close to Tehran told Reuters that Moscow has been providing satellite imagery to Tehran and has also helped Iran upgrade its drones to emulate the equivalent versions used by Russia against Ukraine.

Other media outlets have also reported that Russia is aiding Iran in the conflict with the United States and Israel, just as Tehran has helped Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

“We’re deeply concerned about the links between Russia and Iran that have been longstanding in terms of shared capabilities – for example, drones provided to Russia by Iran that have been involved in the conflict in Ukraine,” British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said.

UAE wants to join force to open Strait; IRGC forbids shipping for US-Israel allies

The United Arab Emirates has told the US and other Western allies that it would participate in a multinational maritime task force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The UAE is trying to push dozens of countries to create a “Hormuz Security Force” to defend the strait from Iranian attacks and escort shipping, the report added.

At the same time, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and “any transit through the waterway will face harsh measures,” according to Iranian state media.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) added that all shipping to and from ports of allies and supporters of the American-Israeli enemies is prohibited through any corridor or any destination.

Additionally, several US allies have said they have no immediate plans to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, rebuffing a Trump request for military support to keep the ​vital waterway open.

France said on Thursday it had held talks with around 35 countries seeking partners and ‌proposals for a mission to reopen the strait, but only once the US-Israeli war on Iran ends.

Read: Trump says he will ‘pause’ destruction of energy plants in Iran by 10 days

Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas, spiking energy prices and fuelling fears of global inflation.

The UAE is also working on a UN Security Council resolution with Bahrain to provide any future task force with a mandate, but Russia and China could oppose the move, the report added.

UN Security Council members have begun negotiating resolutions to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including a Bahraini draft that would authorise the use of “all necessary means”, Reuters reported earlier this week.

Bahrain’s military says its air defences have intercepted a total of 154 missiles and 362 drones from Iran since the start of the war.

Last week, a senior Emirati official said the UAE may join a US-led effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran all but shut the waterway to ships.

The waterway is vital to the economy of the UAE, a major oil exporter and trade hub. Iran has repeatedly attacked an Emirati port located outside the Gulf that is used to load oil exports.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Additionally, Kuwait’s Shuwaikh port was hit by drones, causing material damage with no injuries reported, the Kuwait ports authority said on Friday, according to Reuters.

According to Al Arabiya, the Saudi Press Agency, quoting the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said that two drones have been intercepted and destroyed in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Naftali Bennett criticises Netanyahu

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “does not know how to win in any arena,” criticising the government’s handling of military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, according to Israeli media, Anadolu Agency reported.

“The current government’s political leadership is obstructing the army’s ability to achieve victory across multiple fronts,” Bennett said in an interview with Channel 12, accusing leaders of prioritising political considerations over security needs.

He said the military is facing a shortage of about 20,000 troops, arguing that drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews could help fill the gap but that “the government is avoiding the move for political reasons.”

“The current leadership in Israel does not know how to win in any arena,” Bennett added.

Qatar lowers heightened security alert

Qatar has lowered its heightened security alert after the ministry of interior sent a message to residents saying the “threat has been eliminated and the situation has returned to normal”, according to Al Jazeera.

Qatar’s emergency services issued a heightened security alert, sending screeching messages on phones across the country — the first in a week.

The alert asked people to stay indoors and away from windows, and suggested an incoming missile or drone.

UN Security Council to meet today

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will hold closed-door talks on strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure at Moscow’s request.

“The Russian Federation has requested closed-door consultations with the UN Security Council due to the ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including educational and healthcare facilities,” said Evgeny Uspensky, spokesman for Russia’s envoy to the United Nations.

Israeli military displaces, wounds civilians

According to Drop Site News, the BBC reports that at least seven civilians have been killed in a US-Israeli strike on residential units in the city of Urmia in northwest Iran.

Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli military has said residents of Sajd village in southern Lebanon should leave immediately as Israeli forces will “act against it forcefully.”

Residents need to evacuate the village, believed to be in the Jezzine district of Nabatieh Governorate, and “move north of the Zahrani River”, the military said.

Anadolu Agency stated that, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 2 Palestinian youths were shot and wounded by Israeli forces during a raid on Qalandiya camp north of Jerusalem.

Five Palestinians were injured on Thursday evening in Israeli army fire and attacks by occupiers across the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.