Israel and Iran continued tit-for-tat drone interceptions on Friday, with both nations claiming to have downed each other’s unmanned aerial vehicles amid escalating regional tensions.
According to the Israeli military, more than 15 drones launched from Iranian territory were intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace. Iran, in turn, reported activating its air defense systems around the northwestern city of Tabriz around 10 p.m. local time, successfully downing several Israeli UAVs, as reported by the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
Injuries Mount After Iranian Strike on Haifa
Local hospitals in Haifa reported 33 injuries resulting from Friday’s Iranian missile strike on the northern Israeli city. Rambam Health Care Campus confirmed one patient in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and 16 with minor injuries. Bnai Zion Medical Center received 14 additional patients classified in light condition.
Since the launch of Israel’s “Rising Lion” operation last week and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes, Israel’s emergency services report 685 people have been hospitalized with physical injuries. According to Magen David Adom (MDA), 643 of those cases were considered light injuries. The death toll in Israel since the start of the conflict has now reached 24.
Trump Warns Reporters of Risk Amid Iran Conflict
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters they were in personal danger due to the rising threat of Iranian retaliation. When asked if American citizens could become targets should he authorize military action, Trump responded, “We’re always concerned about that, and we have to take them out and be very strong.”
He added with a note of dark irony, “You’re even in danger, talking to me right now. Do you know that you are in danger talking to me right now? So I should probably get out of here.”
Iran Rebukes UK, France, Germany for Silence on Israeli Strikes
During a high-level diplomatic meeting in Geneva on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi voiced Tehran’s discontent over what he described as the “inaction” of the E3—Britain, France, and Germany—in condemning Israel’s recent military actions.
According to Iranian state-linked ISNA, Araghchi told his counterparts that Iran would continue to exercise its “legitimate right to self-defense against the Zionist regime” in order to halt further attacks and deter future ones. He reaffirmed that Iran’s nuclear activities remained peaceful and under the scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“If the attacks are halted and the aggressor held responsible for its clear crimes,” he added, “Iran will be prepared to reengage diplomatically.”
