French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Friday defended Israel's right to protect itself, spoke by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a spike in diplomatic tensions, the Elysee said.

The Begin Doctrine, created after Israel's strike against Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, commits Israel to preventing any enemy state from obtaining nuclear weapons.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Israel had the right to defend its existence and the safety of its citizens but urged Israel and Iran not to take steps that further escalate the situation. Iran's nuclear program presents "a serious threat to the entire region,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sworn to take ... Those of us who believe that Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself must therefore ask: what sort of control does this mean ...

Israel has launched what it is calling a "preemptive strike" against Iran and declared a state of emergency, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a seven-minute video in which he confirmed a military operation against Iran called “Rising Lion” had begun and could last “as many days as it takes.

But the talks have appeared to be deadlocked.Trump said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen" but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution. (Reuters)US Democratic senators sharply criticized Israel on Thursday for its strikes on Iran,