Israel Iran conflict live: UK says ‘window now exists’ for diplomatic solution after Trump delays decision to strike

British nationals stranded in Israel are set to be flown home as soon as the country’s airspace reopens, foreign secretary David Lammy is set to announce.

The Foreign Office has been working with Israeli authorities to organise charter flights from Tel Aviv airport.

The number of flights is unclear at the moment, but it is understood will be based on demand.

Iran is willing to pursue a balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe, and engage rationally with both East and West, an Iranian diplomat said in Berlin on Friday.

“Meanwhile, Iran can prove to be a chess piece for Europe to ease the dual pressure between East and West,” said the diplomat, who did not want to be named.

“Despite American displeasure, Iran has shown that it is willing to pursue a wise, balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe.”

An Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in a strike on a building in Tehran on Friday, state Israeli broadcaster Kan and other local media reported.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reports.

Defence minister Israel Katz has told the military to increase its attacks on Iran as the conflict enters its second week.

“We must strike at all the symbols of the regime and the mechanisms of oppression of the population, such as the Basij (militia), and the regime’s power base, such as the Revolutionary Guard,” Katz said in a statement.

Israel has announced attacks on nuclear sites in Natanz, Isfahan, Arak and Tehran itself. Israel says it aims to stop Iran building an atom bomb. Iran denies ever seeking one.

The international nuclear watchdog IAEA has reported damage to the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, to the nuclear complex at Isfahan, including the Uranium Conversion Facility, and to centrifuge production facilities in Karaj and Tehran. Israel has also attacked Arak, also known as Khondab.

The IAEA said Israeli military strikes hit the Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, which was under construction and had not begun operating, and damaged the nearby plant that makes heavy water. The IAEA said that it was not operational and contained no nuclear material, so there were no radiological effects.

In an update of its assessment on Friday, the IAEA said key buildings at the site were damaged. Heavy-water reactors can be used to produce plutonium which, like enriched uranium, can be used to make an atom bomb.

The Kremlin said on Friday that the Middle East was plunging into “an abyss of instability and war” and that Moscow was worried by events and still stood ready to mediate if needed.

Russia, which has close ties with Iran, and also maintains close links to Israel, has urged the U.S. not to strike Iran and has called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis around Tehran’s nuclear programme to be found.

Asked on Friday if Russia had any red lines when it came to the situation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that countries in the region should have their own red lines.

“The region is plunging into an abyss of instability and war,” Peskov said.

Moscow sees that Israel wants to continue its military action against Iran for now, but Russia has lines of communication open with Israel and the U.S., Peskov added.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel is “being punished right now” in a message early on Friday as the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv enters its second week.

He posted on social media, seemingly implying that Iran had launched fresh attacks on Israel.