"Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Saturday that Tokyo is widening its safety checks across the Gulf as tensions rise after the US and Israel exchanged attacks with Iran. Takaichi said that 'as the situation continued to escalate,' she issued instructions not only to Iran and Israel, but also to nearby countries, including Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, to confirm the safety of Japanese nationals and ensure they are protected. She said Japan has been preparing for emergencies, including early evacuation if needed, and added there are no reports of Japanese nationals being injured so far. The United States and Israel launched a joint strike on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to 'destroy Iran's missiles.'  In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said that 'widespread missile and drone attacks' against Israel were underway. US bases were also reportedly targeted in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait. The developments follow three recent rounds of talks between Iranian and American officials, one held in Muscat and two in Geneva. Russia, China, France, Bahrain and Colombia have called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, where members were divided between urging an immediate halt to hostilities and pressing Iran to abandon its nuclear programme. Iranian state media reported the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the attacks, prompting Tehran to declare 40 days of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday, with all government offices and schools closed as the country prepares for funeral rites."