Israel and Iran have begun a new round of attacks, as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fourth day.

"Israel is being assisted this way or that way by some Iranians," ex-Israeli National Security chief Giora Eiland told Newsweek.

Iraq was already facing a crisis prior to the Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliation. In May, the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq sent a delegation to Washington to sign energy deals that could be worth up to $110 billion with HKN Energy and WesternZagros.

Rising tensions with Iran and fears of an Israeli strike prompted the U.S. to move some of its nonmilitary personnel out of the region.

Mapped: Where Iran and Israel’s missiles have struck as Middle East tensions escalate - Tensions escalate after Israel launches largest bombardment on Iran in decades early on Friday

A US commentator urged against involving American troops in the Iran-Israel conflict, calling for focus on national interests.

Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.

Israeli, Iranian, and most of Iraqi airspace remains closed amid a rapid escalation in tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv, which began with an Israeli missile attack on multiple targets in Iran on June 13. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel prompted the latter's carriers to reposition their aircraft abroad for safety.

A Connecticut senator traveling in the Middle East this week was stuck in Iraq after Israel launched an attack on Israel Thursday, heightening tensions in the area.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has issued a travel advisory for Iran, Iraq and Jordan amid tensions between Iran and Israel, urging its citizens to defer non-essential travel and prioritise their safety.

President Donald Trump abruptly announced that he would leave the G7 summit a day early and return to Washington shortly after posting an ominous social media message that appeared to suggest more carnage in Iran.