YouGov survey reveals sharp decline in support for Israel across Western Europe since outbreak of war in Gaza, with record-low approval rates in France, Germany, and Denmark, and growing opposition to Israeli military actions.

The European Union has voiced deep concern over the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, urging restraint to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East and potential radioactive release.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a televised address on Friday, condemned what he described as a “savage and criminal assault”.

The retaliatory strikes came after Israel attacked Iran, killing top military leaders and scientists. The assault destroyed an aboveground nuclear enrichment plant near Natanz, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said.

US stock futures tanked early Friday after Israel's airstrike on Iran. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, declared a special state of emergency following the attack that rocked Tehran. In retaliation,

During his second government, between 2009 and 2013, he tried at least twice to launch attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme but was stymied. He faced a series of obstacles. His generals and security chiefs opposed such a move.

An aggressive counterattack risks escalation. But giving in to U.S. and Israeli demands is an unlikely alternative.