Israeli airstrikes hit Iran city of Rasht as conflict enters second week; Geneva talks underway

Tel Aviv: The conflict between Israel and Iran deepened on Friday as Israeli airstrikes struck the Iranian city of Rasht, marking a new level of escalation in the week-old war.

The strikes come amid reports that Iran has fired multi-warhead missiles, creating fresh challenges for Israel’s Iron Dome defence system.

Israeli strikes hit Rasht industrial zone

Iranian media and social videos showed explosions around Rasht, a city near the Caspian Sea. According to reports from the semi-official Fars news agency, local air defence systems attempted to repel the incoming Israeli aircraft. The Israeli military had issued a warning urging civilians to evacuate the area near Rasht’s Industrial City, though Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has likely prevented most from seeing it.

Geneva diplomacy begins as Araghchi flies out

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is en route to Geneva for crisis talks with the EU’s top diplomat and the foreign ministers of France, the UK, and Germany. His flight, identified by the call sign IRAN05, departed from the Turkish city of Van. The Geneva meeting marks the first face-to-face engagement since Israeli airstrikes began on June 13.

France, Germany, and US push for de-escalation

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, affirming the need for renewed diplomatic contact. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed similar sentiments, saying a “serious and transparent” commitment from Iran to abandon nuclear weapons could prevent a wider war.

Air defences active over Tehran and Isfahan

Anti-aircraft batteries fired through the early hours of Friday over Tehran and Isfahan. The Israeli military claimed it had successfully targeted and destroyed missile systems and radar installations in the Isfahan region, though Iranian authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage.

Human toll rises

According to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 657 people and wounded 2,037 in Iran over the past week.

Khamenei adviser stable after injury

Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a key security adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reported to be in stable condition after surviving an earlier Israeli airstrike. "I am alive and ready to give my life away,” Shamkhani said in a statement via Nour News.

Heavy water reactor damaged

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that an Israeli strike damaged key infrastructure at Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, including its distillation unit, used in the production of heavy water.

Embassies pull out of Tehran

Australia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have closed their embassies in Tehran and evacuated staff citing worsening security. The Australian Foreign Ministry has urged its nationals still in Iran to leave immediately.

Russia dismisses nuclear threat speculation

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called rumours of a potential US nuclear strike on Iran “speculative,” warning that such an event would be catastrophic but noting there is no concrete evidence to comment further.

Window for diplomacy open, say Western leaders

Foreign officials including Britain’s David Lammy and Australia’s Penny Wong believe the next two weeks are critical to reaching a diplomatic solution. “A window now exists to avoid deeper conflict,” Lammy posted on X after meetings at the White House.

The situation remains volatile as military operations continue and diplomatic efforts intensify. Whether these parallel tracks—warfare and diplomacy—will collide or converge remains to be seen.
(With AP inputs)