US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that there is no reason for Israel to halt its strikes on Iran, adding, “Israel is winning decisively. I want to give them a timeframe—two weeks at most. I want to see if Iran regains its senses.” Earlier, on Thursday, Trump said he would assess the situation for two weeks before deciding on further military action against Iran.

European diplomats have urged the United States to intervene and stop Israeli airstrikes in Iran, appealing for reduced violence and dialogue. When asked if he would pressure Israel to heed these calls, U.S. President Donald Trump replied, “Israel is winning right now and doing very well. It’s hard to tell the winning side what to do in this situation.” His response indicates reluctance to intervene against ongoing Israeli attacks in Iran, implying no immediate U.S. interference is forthcoming.

Dorothy Shea, the US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, mistakenly said, “The Israeli government has also spread chaos, terrorism, and suffering,” before quickly correcting herself to say, “Iran’s government has also spread chaos, terrorism, and suffering.” Shea emphasized that Iran was ideologically and materially behind Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. She also highlighted that Iran had launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in two separate assaults last year.

At a UN Security Council emergency session, Russia’s envoy Vasily Nebenzya condemned Israel for launching a unilateral attack on Iran, ignoring UN resolutions and diplomatic efforts. He warned that Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites remain vulnerable to attacks that could trigger a nuclear disaster. Nebenzya highlighted that the attack occurred amid ongoing indirect talks between the US and Iran, undermining diplomatic progress. He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear facilities are under strict IAEA supervision, and Israel’s actions showed blatant disregard for international norms and UN authority.

Yasmin Ansari, the youngest female member of the U.S. Congress and a Democrat of Iranian descent, has expressed grave concern over how former President Donald Trump is handling the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

“I am extremely worried about the way President Trump is managing the Israel-Iran crisis,” Ansari stated. “We have a president who changes his stance every day. No one trusts his words.”

Referring to the U.S. involvement in the Iraq War, she emphasized that America has no positive or “successful” history in the region and warned against further intervention. Ansari also clarified that not all Iranians support the ruling regime. “Millions of Iranians oppose the Islamic Republic. They should not be the ones paying the price in bombings,” she said.

The congresswoman urged Trump to prioritize a diplomatic resolution to avoid unnecessary loss of American lives.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that using U.S. tactical nuclear weapons against Iran would lead to catastrophic consequences. The Guardian reported that conventional bombs may not be sufficient to destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Some U.S. defense officials have reportedly discussed nuclear options to target the site.

However, the report adds that former U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently considering using nuclear weapons against Iran.

Following a joint meeting, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have reaffirmed their unified stance that Iran must never be allowed to develop or obtain nuclear weapons. Lammy described the Middle East situation as increasingly dangerous and emphasized that there is a diplomatic window within the next two weeks to find a lasting solution.

Two Bangladeshi-American citizens have been convicted of electoral fraud in the 2021 Milbourne mayoral election. Former council members Md. Nurul Hasan and Md. Rafiqul Islam were sentenced to 36 months and one year and one day in prison, respectively, by a US court. While voter fraud was previously rare in the city, the case has raised serious concerns about election integrity.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, has reportedly been in contact with Iranian representatives, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett. Witkoff recently met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Iran’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his French, British, and German counterparts in Geneva this Friday. Halkett noted, “We expect those talks to clarify that the US is seeking a diplomatic solution.”

Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to a significant deterioration in the security situation. All Australian diplomatic staff stationed in Iran have been instructed to leave the country immediately.

In an official statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “We are actively working on contingency plans to assist Australian citizens currently in Iran. We remain in close contact with our international partners to monitor the situation.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) also announced that consular staff will be deployed to neighboring Azerbaijan, particularly near the Iranian border, to assist Australians seeking to leave Iran.

The United States has restarted student visa appointments for international students, introducing tougher screening procedures. Applicants must now make their social media accounts public for thorough background checks. Visa officers will assess content for anti-American sentiment or ties to extremist views. The policy applies to F, M, and J visa categories. Private accounts may be seen as attempts to hide information. The Trump administration emphasizes these steps are aimed at protecting national security and preventing threats from entering the country.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed back against recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal, saying the outlet has no insight into his position on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The Wall Street Journal has no idea what I’m thinking regarding Iran. I haven’t made a decision yet. Everyone’s asking, but let’s see what happens.”

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Trump’s team had given preliminary approval for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but held off on final authorization, hoping that Tehran might reconsider its nuclear ambitions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have jointly condemned Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran, describing them as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter.

In a phone call held on Thursday, both leaders called for immediate de-escalation and stressed that a diplomatic resolution—not a military one—is the only viable solution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and regional tensions. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated, “Both Moscow and Beijing believe there is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.”

President Xi further emphasized the responsibility of major powers in the region, urging them to take a more active diplomatic role in reducing tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russian specialists will remain in Iran despite growing fears of an Israeli attack. He emphasized the ongoing collaboration at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant and ruled out any withdrawal. Putin stated that while Iran hasn't asked for new military aid, Moscow maintains strong ties and open communication. He warned against regime-change strategies and called for diplomatic dialogue that ensures both Iran’s and Israel’s security. His remarks underscore Russia’s strategic positioning in the Middle East.

Former President Donald Trump has acknowledged division among his supporters regarding potential U.S. military action against Iran. “Some of my people may be a little unhappy, while others are very happy,” he said.

He claimed that his support has never been stronger: “My supporters love me more now than even during the landslide victory. And even people outside the MAGA base are happy with what's happening—though they can hardly believe it themselves.”