Iran has warned it will target British, American, and French military bases and warships in the Middle East if the three nations intervene to protect Israel amid a spiraling conflict marked by deadly missile exchanges.
The threat was issued through Iranian state media on Saturday, following a new wave of Israeli strikes that Tehran claims killed at least 60 civilians in the capital, including 20 children.
Explosions have been reported in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Tehran, in what marks the most direct confrontation between the two countries in decades.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they have hit over 150 targets in Iran over the past 24 hours, including key nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz, and that operations are still ongoing.
Among those killed in Iran, according to Israeli military sources, are nine senior nuclear scientists.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations had earlier said 78 people had died in the initial waves of Israeli strikes, though it is unclear if the new toll of 60 fatalities is included in that number.
The figures remain unverified by independent observers.
In Israel, officials say three people have been killed and dozens more injured from Iranian missile attacks, some of which struck central cities, triggering air defense responses.
Nuclear Talks on the Brink
The violence has thrown planned nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States into doubt. Talks were due to resume in Oman on Sunday, but Iranian officials now say continued discussions are “unjustifiable.”
“The savage attack on our scientists and civilians makes it meaningless to negotiate,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Tehran has accused Washington of giving Israel the green light for its strikes, undermining the diplomatic framework built over five previous rounds of indirect talks.
On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board formally declared Iran in breach of non-proliferation commitments — the first such finding in two decades.
Western Caution and Regional Diplomacy
Despite the Iranian warning, the UK government says it has not engaged in any military operations in support of Israel.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and both leaders agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation.
“The UK stands ready to work with its allies to pursue a diplomatic resolution,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has warned Iran of further devastation if attacks continue: “Tehran will burn,” he said in remarks during a military briefing.
“The Iranian dictator is turning his citizens into hostages.”
With military assets mobilizing and diplomatic channels under strain, the region faces the gravest threat of full-scale war in years — one that could draw in multiple global powers.
The US has not issued a direct military response, but President Donald Trump has called on Iran to accept a nuclear deal “before more blood is spilled.”