France, the United Kingdom and Germany expressed their support on Friday for Israel's 'right to defend itself' against the nuclear threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite deteriorating relations with Benjamin Netanyahu because of his war in Gaza and their stated preference for a diplomatic approach.

Israel and Iran kept up their bombing raids on Sunday for the third day, and their leaders exchanged more bellicose rhetoric. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of attacks that Iran “cannot even imagine,” and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened a “more painful” response if Israel continued to attack.

Israel's strikes on archfoe on Iran Friday exposed severe weaknesses for Tehran that have hampered its ability to respond militarily, analysts said.