Israel-Iran war updates | Trump to hold talks with Iran 'next week'

The head of Israel's military said Wednesday that Israeli commandos had operated secretly inside Iran during the countries' 12-day war.

Chief of staff Eyal Zamir in a televised address hailed the "coordination and tactical deception carried out by our air force and ground commandos", who "operated in secret, deep in enemy territory, and allowed us complete operational freedom".

The head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service thanked the US Central Intelligence Agency on Wednesday for its help in "joint" operations during the recent 12-day war with Iran.

In a video distributed to Israeli media on the second day of a fragile ceasefire between the warring countries, Mossad chief David Barnea thanked his agents for their work making Israel "safer, more powerful and better prepared for the future".

"I also wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to our key partner -- the CIA -- for the joint action and the operations that were successfully carried out, as well as to its director, who supported the Mossad in making the right decisions," added the spy chief, who rarely offers public remarks.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Wednesday hailed what it called its ally Iran's victory over Israel after 12 days of war, declaring it the start of a "new historical phase".

In a statement, Hezbollah offered its "most sincere congratulations" to the Islamic republic, praising its "glorious divine victory".

The victory, it said, was "manifested in the precise and painful strikes it launched" against Israel, as well as "the lightning response to the American aggression against its nuclear facilities".

Iran's armed forces confirmed on Wednesday the death of top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ali Shadmani following an Israeli air strike last week, state media reported.

The military's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which Shadmani led, vowed "severe revenge" for what it called the "criminal act" by Israeli forces, announcing the commander had died from injuries sustained in the attack, according to the IRNA state news agency.

The Israeli military said on June 17 that it had killed Shadmani in a strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran".

Israel described him as "the most senior military commander" and "the closest figure to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei".

The confirmation of his death came a day after a US-announced ceasefire ended 12 days of open conflict between Israel and Iran.

US President Donald Trump says that Washington has not given up its maximum pressure on Iran, including restrictions on sales of Iranian oil, but signals a potential easing in enforcement to help the country rebuild.

“They’re going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen,” Trump says at a news conference at the NATO Summit when asked if he was easing oil sanctions on Iran.

Trump said a day earlier that China can continue to purchase Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, but the White House later clarified that his comments did not indicate a relaxation of U.S. sanctions.

Trump imposed waves of Iran-related sanctions on several of China’s independent “teapot” refineries and port terminal operators for purchases of Iranian oil.

US President Donald Trump says Iran was not able to move highly enriched uranium from key facilities before they were hit by American bombs on Sunday.

“We think we hit them so hard and so fast they didn’t get to move, and if you knew about that material, it’s very hard, and very dangerous to move,” he says at a press conference at the NATO Summit in The Hague.

“Oh yeah, we think we got it. We think it’s covered with granite and steel.”

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would hold talks with Iran next week, with a possible agreement on the table about Tehran's nuclear programme.

"We're going to talk to them next week with Iran, we may sign an agreement, I don't know," said Trump.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believed the war between Iran and Israel was finished, as both sides were keen to end the fight.

Asked why he was confident the conflict was over, Trump told reporters: "I dealt with both and they're both tired, exhausted."

"They fought very, very hard and very viciously, very violently, and they were both satisfied to go home and get out," said Trump.

Iran's nuclear facilities were "badly damaged" in US and Israeli strikes during the 12-day war with Israel, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told Al Jazeera English on Wednesday.

"Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, thats for sure, because it has come under repeated attacks by Israeli and American aggressors," Baqaei told the broadcaster.

Qatar has been in touch with “all sides” involved in Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal talks in an attempt to take advantage of momentum in the wake of the Israel-Iran ceasefire, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari tells CNN.

“This is the time now for President Trump to push for it and we believe he is sincere about it… We are willing to help on that,” says Ansari.

“There was momentum created by the ceasefire in Iran and Israel,” he continues, “but we’re not out of the woods yet. There are a lot of details that I can’t discuss right now about the deal in place but I can tell you it’s the same parameters that keeps going in and out of the talks.”

Ansari also calls the Iranian strikes on a US base inside of Qatar a “scar on the relationship” of his country with Tehran.

Iraqi authorities said they arrested a political commentator on Wednesday over a post alleging that a military radar system struck by a drone had been used to help Israel in its war against Iran.

After a court issued a warrant, the defence ministry said that Iraqi forces arrested Abbas al-Ardawi for sharing content online that included "incitement intended to insult and defame the security institution".

Iranian authorities on Wednesday announced the gradual easing of internet restrictions imposed during the 12-day war with Israel, following the implementation of a ceasefire between the longtime foes.

"The communication network is gradually returning to its previous state," said the Revolutionary Guards' cyber security command in a statement carried by state media.

The country's communications minister, Sattar Hashemi, said in a post on X: "With the normalisation of conditions, the state of communication access has returned to its previous conditions".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump will meet during the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday, a senior Ukrainian presidency source told AFP. The source said that both sides are expected to make brief statements ahead of the talks that are scheduled to start at around 13:30 local time (1130 GMT).

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi issued a statement thanking the people and various segments of India for supporting Iran in its war with Israel.

US President Donald Trump, while speaking at NATO Summit, said that the Iran-Israel ceasefire was a ‘tremendous victory’. He also said that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will tell about the specifics of the destruction of nuclear sites of Iran. He also called out CNN for spinning the story about US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and reapeated that it was ‘obliterated.’

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said he stands by his message of congratulations to US President Donald Trump for his “decisive action in Iran. Rutte congratulated Trump and called the US attack on Iran “truly extraordinary,” in text messages posted by the president to social media Tuesday.

Iran’s parliament has approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, Iran’s Nournews reported. The country’s Supreme National Security Council would still need to give final approval to the move, the report says.

Iran will hold state funerals for senior military commanders and top scientists killed during the country’s 12-day war with Israel on Saturday, official media says. “The national funeral ceremony for… commanders and scientists martyred in the Zionist regime’s aggression will be held on Saturday from 8:00 am (0430 GMT)” in Tehran, official news agency IRNA reports, a day after the warring sides had agreed to a ceasefire.

Iranian authorities have arrested 700 people accused of being “mercenaries of Israel” throughout its 12-day conflict, state-affiliated Fars News Agency reported Wednesday.

As Iran and Israel wake up Wednesday morning, a ceasefire brokered by Qatar appears to be holding as there were no fresh wave of missiles fired from any sides

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Jun 24) doubled down on his claims that the Iranian nuclear sites were "obliterated" in US strikes. In a post on Truth Social, the US President insisted that the three nuclear facilities were "completely destroyed" as he ridiculed media houses that published reports casting doubt on his claims of the destruction of three nuclear sites in Iran -Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

Iran said Wednesday that it executed three men accused of spying for Israel, the day after a truce between the two countries came into effect.

"Idris Ali, Azad Shojai and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, who attempted to import equipment into the country to carry out assassinations, were arrested and tried for... cooperation favouring the Zionist regime," the judiciary said, referring to Israel.

"The sentence was carried out this morning... and they were hanged."

Trump in a post on Truth Social blasted CNN and the New York Times, claiming that the two publications teamed up to "demean one of the most successful military strikes in history", and declared Iran's nuclear sites are “completely destroyed”.

“What I call the Trump Doctrine is quite simple. Number one, you articulate a clear American interest and that’s, in this case, that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Number two, you try to aggressively, diplomatically solve that problem. And, number three, when you can’t solve it diplomatically, you use overwhelming military power to solve it, and then you get the hell out of there before it ever becomes a protracted conflict. That is the Trump doctrine,” said the US VP.

"And to the Americans who are worried about become this becoming a protracted conflict, I think the president solved that very quickly. Not only did we destroy the Iranian nuclear program, we did it with zero American casualties. And that's what happens when you've got strong American leadership," he added.

Britain will reintroduce fighter jets capable of carrying atomic weapons to support NATO's nuclear mission, expanding the country's deterrence arsenal, which is currently limited to submarine-launched missiles, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said Tuesday.

Downing Street said in a statement that the country will purchase 12 nuclear weapon-capable F-35A fighters in the "biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation." It added that Starmer would announce the plan at the NATO summit on Wednesday.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards deny earlier reports today that there was a drone attack in the northwestern city of Tabriz. 

Earlier today, Iranian media said air defences were activated in the area amid a shaky ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

In a phone conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the President stated: 'We are prepared to settle matters between Iran and the United States based on international frameworks, and we never make demands beyond our legitimate rights.'

Read more: 'Prepared to settle matters': Iranian President Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince discuss ceasefire

Meeting US President Trump on the sidelines of a NATO summit, Turkish President Erdogan hails Iran-Israel truce, urges 'close dialogue' on Russia-Ukraine

Israeli intelligence assesses that US and Israeli strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by “several years,” but did not completely destroy it, as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed, a senior Israeli official told news outlet The Times of Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summed up Israel’s Operation Rising Lion against Iran on Tuesday saying, “We achieved a historic victory.” Thanking US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said that Israel has never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. "The US forces destroyed the underground Fordo enrichment site and we sent Iran’s nuclear programme down the drain,” Netanyahu added.

Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and told him that “Israel will respect the ceasefire as long as the other side does.” Katz said in a post on X that he thanked his American counterpart for Trump’s “bold decision to act with Israel against the Iranian nuclear threat.”

Hegseth “praised Israel and the IDF for the historic achievements made,” added Katz. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the “end of the 12-day war” imposed by Israel in a message to the nation carried by the official IRNA news agency on Tuesday. 
“Today, after the heroic resistance of our great nation, whose determination makes history, we are witnessing the establishment of a truce and the ending of this 12-day war imposed by the ‘adventurism and provocation’ of Israel,” Pezeshkian said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel “must hold”. “This is an opportunity to secure much-needed stability in the Middle East. Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and they must now return to the table and work towards a lasting settlement," he said in a post on X.

“That’s the message that I’m discussing with other leaders at Nato today,” Starmer added, while referring to the Nato Summit taking place in the Netherlands.

The IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said on Tuesday that “despite the phenomenal achievement, we must keep our feet on the ground. Many challenges lie ahead. We must remain focused; there is no time to rest on our laurels.”

“We have concluded a significant chapter, but the campaign against Iran is not over. We are entering a new phase, one that builds upon the achievements of the current operation. We have set Iran’s nuclear project back by years, and the same goes for its missile program,” Zamir added.

A top US military official has said that Iran still possesses “significant tactical capability” despite an American strike over the weekend on three of the country’s nuclear sites. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper told lawmakers that that capability was demonstrated by Iran’s limited retaliatory missile strike on a US military base in Qatar.

In response to a question about whether Iran still poses a threat to US troops and Americans around the world, he replies, “They do.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that Israel and the United States “cannot impose unjust aspirations by force,” as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel came into effect after 12 days of fighting.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran was forced into the military conflict to defend itself, and I hope that we will never be forced to fight again,” Pezeshkian said.

US president Donald Trump has said both Israel and Iran wanted to “stop the war equally” and that it was his “great honour” to destroy the latter’s nuclear capabilities.

Writing on his Truth Social network, he said, Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the War, equally! It was my great honour to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capabilities, and then, STOP THE WAR!

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that Beijing supports Iran in achieving a “genuine ceasefire”.

In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Wang said:

“China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and, on that basis, achieving a genuine ceasefire so that people can return to normal life.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said, that it will respect a ceasefire announced by Donald Trump, provided that Israel also upholds its terms, AFP reported.

“If the Zionist regime does not violate the ceasefire, Iran will not violate it either,” Pezeshkian said during a phone conversation with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to the presidency’s website.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that shortly before the ceasefire was due to take effect, “Iran launched a barrage of missiles, one of which took the lives of four of our citizens in Be’er Sheva. The ceasefire took effect at 07.00.”

“At 07.06, Iran launched one missile at Israeli territory, and two additional missiles at 10.25. These missiles were either intercepted or fell in open areas, and caused neither casualties nor damage,” he added. 

Further, Netanyahu said that in response to Iran’s violations, the Air Force destroyed a radar installation near Tehran.

However, after the conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel has refrained from additional attacks.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed after his conversation with Trump, that Israel avoided additional strikes. 

Israel said 'refrained' from further strikes on Iran after Trump call. 

Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not want to see “regime change” in Iran, which he said would lead to chaos.

While speaking to reporters, he said Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had called him and offered to help with Iran, Reuters reports.

Qatar's prime minister said Doha will pursue "diplomatic and legal measures" against Tehran following an Iranian attack on the US Al Udeid base hosted in the Gulf state.

Trump in another post, said that the ceasefire is in effect, asking Israel to not attack Iran and turn around the planes.   

“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,” he wrote on Truth Social. 

Israeli army radio on Tuesday said that the military attacked Iranian radar near Tehran. Moroever, Iran's Mizan and Shargh report northern city of Babolsar being attacked by the Israeli army. 

Meanwhile, two explosions were heard in Iranian capital. This comes just minutes after US President Donald Trump again called for a ceasefire, saying that he is “unhappy” with Israel for violating ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (June 24) stressed that he is "unhappy" with Israel as it fired a missile after the agreement.

Read the full story HERE. 

US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that both Israel and Iran violated a ceasefire, adding that he was not happy with either country but especially Israel, Reuters reported. Speaking to reporters before leaving for the Nato summit in The Hague, Trump said Israel “unloaded” right after agreeing to the deal. 

Air India in a post on X issued a new travel advisory after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. 

“As airspaces gradually reopen in certain parts of the Middle East, Air India will progressively resume flights to the region starting today, with most operations to and from the Middle East resuming from 25 June. Flights to and from Europe, previously cancelled, are also being progressively reinstated from today, while services to and from the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada will resume at the earliest opportunity,” it read. 

Meanwhile, some flights may experience delays or cancellations due to consequential impacts and extended re-routings/flight times, but the airline stated that it is “committed to minimising disruptions and restoring our schedule integrity. Air India will continue to avoid airspaces assessed as unsafe at any given time.”

Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday (June 24) stressed that the US proposed that Qatar should initiate the ceasefire proposal, adding that all parties "must respect" the ceasefire.

Read the full story HERE. 

“Got a call from the Iranian president, our leader expressed that such hostile acts are not expected from a friendly country. The matter should be contained as soon as possible,” said the Qatari PM. 

“Our friends in the US proposed that Qatar initiate the proposal of a ceasefire - we communicated with Iran and announced by the US president, but unacceptable ceasefire violations are happening unacceptable. All must agree to the agreement and must respect,” said the Qatari PM. 

“We should look at the development in the region - violations by Israel's occupation forces and such attacks on Qatar etc, such actions would bring instability in the region in a more difficult situation,” said Qatari PM. 

Qatar PM said, "We strongly and vehemently condemn Iran's attack on the US base near Doha - Qatari PM. 

“Israel's continued violation of the ceasefire with Lebanon should be condemned. We support Lebanon's will to normalise relations with neighbours. From day one, Qatar condemned the Israeli attack. Iranian people are neighbouring people who don't harm, and an attack on Qatar is an acceptable act,” said the Qatari PM.  

Qatari PM and Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam hold a joint news conference, to discuss the Israel-Iran war and ceasefire condition. 
 

The IDF intercepted more than 15 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran during the night. This was after Iran rejected the claims of ceasefire violation. According to Tasnim News Agency, the Israel has claimed since a few minutes ago, that Iran, in violation of the cessation of hostilities, has launched a missile toward the occupied territories.
 

The claim of missile launches and the Israel's psychological operations to induce a dichotomy between diplomacy and the battlefield

According to Tasnim News Agency, the Israel has claimed since a few minutes ago, that Iran, in violation of the cessation of hostilities, has launched a missile toward the occupied territories.
 

After Israel's claim of ceasefire violation, Iran said it remains “on high alert” to respond to “any act of aggression." The Islamic Republic further said that the “compelled” Israel should “unilaterally halt its aggression.” 

Qatar has summoned Iran's ambassador to condemn the missile attacks in Doha targeting US airbases. The notice came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday (June 24) that he had ordered the army "to respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire" after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military. 

"I instructed the Israeli army to respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire by launching powerful strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran," Katz said in a statement.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday (June 24) that he had ordered the army "to respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire" after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military.

"I instructed the Israeli army to respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire by launching powerful strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran," Katz said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump announced a phased 24-hour ceasefire process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, which Israel said it had agreed to. Iran has not formally accepted a ceasefire.

After the announcement of a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, Sirens echoed in northern Israel as the army warned of incoming Iranian missiles. This came after the IDF had said that Tehran had continued its aerial strikes as Iranian missiles had been detected by the Israeli Army later on Tuesday (June 24).

After Israel confirmed the ceasefire in its war against Iran, Saudi Arabia welcomed Donald Trump's ceasefire announcement on Tuesday (June 24). On Monday (June 23), the American president announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to an agreement after “12 days of war.” Although, Iran has said that there is no such agreement as of now. 

After the announcement of a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, the IDF has said that Tehran has still continued its aerial strikes as Iranian missiles have been detected by the Israeli Army later on Tuesday (June 24). This came shortly after Israel confirmed the ceasefire announced by the American President Donald Trump between the two nations in the West Asia after “12 days of war.” 

Europe's main stock markets rose sharply in opening deals on Tuesday after Israel said it had agreed to a "bilateral ceasefire" with Iran proposed by US President Donald Trump.

The Frankfurt DAX index rose 1.9 percent, the Paris CAC 40 of blue-chip stocks gained 1.7 percent and London's FTSE 100 advanced by a more modest 0.5 percent in early trading.

Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike killed three people Tuesday in the country's south, the latest such raid despite a November ceasefire with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

"The strike launched by an Israeli enemy drone on a vehicle" in the Bint Jbeil district "resulted in the death of three people", the ministry said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency.

Iranian state television said Tuesday an overnight Israeli strike killed a nuclear scientist in northern Iran, before US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire was taking effect between the Middle Eastern foes.

Citing sources, the broadcaster reported the killing of Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber at his parents' residence in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh in northern Iran.

Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber was under US sanctions. Several days ago, his 17-year-old son was reported killed in a strike on their home in Tehran, the broadcaster said.

Israel's opposition leader on Tuesday called for an end to the more than 20-month war with Hamas in Gaza, after Israel announced it had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran.

"And now Gaza. It's time to finish it there too. Bring back the hostages, end the war," Yair Lapid wrote on X.

This comes Israeli government said on Tuesday that it has agreed to a proposal by Trump for a “bilateral ceasefire” with Iran.

Three people have been pronounced dead and several more are injured in Israel from Iranian aerial attacks, according to a spokesperson for Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national emergency medical service.

Israel said Tuesday it had agreed to a "bilateral ceasefire" with Iran proposed by US President Donald Trump, following 12 days of war with its arch-foe. It further warned Iran that “Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.”

Thanking Trump, it added, “Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and for their participation in removing the Iranian nuclear threat.”

Oil prices sank more than five percent Tuesday after Israel said it had agreed to US President Donald Trump's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire with Iran.

At around 0640 GMT, Brent was down 5.0 percent at $67.93 per barrel, while the main US crude contract WTI was 5.1 percent lower at $65.01 per barrel.

Israel said Tuesday it had agreed to a "bilateral ceasefire" with Iran proposed by US President Donald Trump, following 12 days of war with its arch-foe. It further warned Iran that "Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire."

Iranian media on Tuesday said an overnight Israeli strike on the north of the country killed nine people, ahead of US President Donald Trump's announcement of the start of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

"Four residential buildings were completely destroyed and several neighbouring houses were damaged in the blasts," said Fars news agency, citing Ali Bagheri, an official in the northern province of Gilan.

Israel said Tuesday it had agreed to "bilateral ceasefire" with Iran proposed by US President Donald Trump, following 12 days of war with its arch-foe.

"Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the cabinet... to announce that Israel had achieved all the objectives of Operation 'Rising Lion' and much more," the government said in a statement, adding that it had removed "an immediate dual existential threat: nuclear and ballistic".

"Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and for their participation in removing the Iranian nuclear threat," the statement said, adding that "Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire."

The Israeli government on Tuesday (Jun 24) said that it has agreed to US President Donald Trump's proposal on a ceasefire with Iran. It added that it has“achieved all objectives” in the war and removed the “dual existential threat” of Iran's nuclear programme and missiles.

Tel Aviv also warned Iran that it will “react with force” in case of any violation of the ceasefire.

Israel’s skies have reopened to incoming flights after a brief closure due to Iranian ballistic missile fire, Israel Airports Authority says.

Rescue teams are combing through the rubble of an apartment building in Beersheba that was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile this morning.

Emergency services are climbing through the mangled slabs of concrete and twisted metal as they rescue survivors.

Police have said there are no reports of people missing, but that they are checking “room to room” in the partially collapsed building.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is "NOW IN EFFECT."

"THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US leader had earlier said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said an Iranian strike in the country's south killed four people on Tuesday, revising a previous toll of three dead.

The missile struck a residential building in the city of Beersheba, where rescue workers were searching through the rubble, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.

“In response to heightened tensions in conflict affected areas in West Asia, #IAF C-17 aircraft commenced missions from Jordan and Egypt to extricate Indian nationals, and citizens of friendly countries. The IAF remains committed as first responders to provide assistance within the country and across the globe in times of need,” Indian Air Force posted on X.

“An IAF C-17 flight evacuated 165 Indian nationals from Israel under #OperationSindhu. They were received by MoS Dr. L. Murugan upon arrival in Delhi. The aircraft landed at 0845 hrs on 24th June from Amman,” Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

Iranian television says that a ceasefire has begun, soon after firing a number of missile barrages at Israel.

Iran’s Press TV says that a ceasefire came into effect with the conclusion of the multiple missile barrages fired at Israel.

Most of the missiles were intercepted, but one struck an apartment building in Beersheba, killing at least four people and wounding several others.

There is no comment from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Sirens sound in Haifa and central Israel amid Iran’s sixth salvo of ballistic missiles launched at Israel since this morning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting that carried on into early Tuesday morning as US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran, set to go into effect later on Tuesday.

Following the meeting's conclusion, Netanyahu asked ministers to avoid making public statements, reports The Jerusalem post.

Ned Price, a former spokesperson for the US State Department, has criticised the ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel announced by Trump, describing it as “neither verifiable nor permanent”.

In a series of posts on social media, Price, who served under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, wrote, “Success would’ve been permanently and verifiably preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuke, just the type of arrangement Trump needlessly tore up in 2018.”

As airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, we are prudently and progressively resuming operations on these routes. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless travel. Please stay updated via our mobile app or website, IndiGo says

The Reuters news agency says explosions have been heard over Tel Aviv, as air raid sirens blare in central and southern Israel.

Israeli army says Iranian missiles fired at Israel 'short while ago'

Flight-tracking data monitored by the Associated Press news agency showed that the commercial airliner has resume its flights in Qatari airspace early on Tuesday, signaling the capital believed the threat on the energy-rich nation had passed.

Qatar had earlier shut down its airspace over the Iranian attack on Al Udeid Air Base.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi highlighted, 'as Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around.'

"As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later," he added.

An unidentified drone targeted a site at Iraq's Taji military base north of Baghdad, the Iraqi state news agency reported early on Tuesday, citing a military official. There were no casualties, the official said.

The Air Force intercepted four unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran. Following alerts that were activated regarding the intrusion of a hostile aircraft between 01:34-01:35 in the southern Golan Heights area, the Air Force intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iran, says Israeli military

“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire,” says US President Donald Trump

Hours after Iran struck the American base Al-Udeid in Qatar, Israel issued a warning to its citizens residing in Tehran. The military has shared a map demarcating an area in red and has urged people to move away, also mentioning ‘your presence in this area puts your life at risk’. 

Read more: 'Your presence in this area puts your life at risk': Israel issues advisory to citizens in Tehran, urges evacuation

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Athens on Monday (June 23) to condemn US  strikes on Iran.

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Monday (June 23) to celebrate Iran's attack on the Al Udeid U.S. airbase in Qatar. Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital following Tehran's threat to retaliate for US airstrikes on its nuclear sites. 

"It's a spiral of violence that puts the region at risk of a generalised conflagration, which would have very serious repercussions right here at home," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday warned of the risks of an "uncontrolled escalation" in the Middle East in the wake of US strikes on Iran. 

Speaking from Oslo during a state visit and ahead of a NATO summit this week, Macron said the risk of escalation "was clearly obvious". Macron spoke just before Iran launched an attack on a US military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.

"Seven missiles were launched from Iran towards the US airbase in Qatar. 12 missiles were launched in a second attack from Iran towards the base, and 11 were thwarted," says Qatar Defence Ministry official

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran did not harm anyone and will not accept aggression “from anyone under any circumstances”. In a post on X, he said, “We have not violated anyone's rights, nor will we ever accept anyone violating ours, and we will not surrender to anyone's violation; this is the logic of the Iranian nation.”

Jordan has affirmed its strong condemnation of the aggression launched by Iran against the sisterly state of Qatar. This aggression constitutes a blatant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter, and constitutes a dangerous escalation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, affirming the Kingdom's absolute solidarity with Qatar in confronting all threats to its security and stability.

The United Arab Emirates on Monday denounced in the "strongest terms" an attack by Iran against Al Udeid base in Qatar, the largest US military facility in the region. The UAE "condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's targeting of Al Udeid Air Base in the sisterly State of Qatar, considering it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace," Abu Dhabi's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by official news agency WAM.

The Israeli military said on Monday that Iran's retaliatory attack on US military bases has proved that the country was a threat to "the entire world". "I want to say that this is further proof of hostility and violence and of the fact that Iran is a terrorist state, which threatens not only Israel, but the entire Middle East, including its neighbours, and the entire world," military spokesman Effie Defrin told reporters in a televised press conference.

French President Macron expressed solidarity with Qatar and said the ‘spiral of chaos’ must end. “I express France’s solidarity with Qatar, struck by Iran on its soil. I am in close contact with the country’s authorities and our partners in the region. I call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, to de-escalate, and to return to the negotiating table. The spiral of chaos must end,” he said.

Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam has condemned Iran’s attack on Qatar. “I condemn in the strongest terms the attack that the sisterly state of Qatar was subjected to and affirm Lebanon's full solidarity with it, government and people. I also ask God to protect it and its people from any harm,” he said on X.

The Pentagon has confirmed that the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar was attacked by short- and medium-range ballistic missiles launched from Iran, reports BBC. A defence official noted that there are so far no reports of US casualties in the attack. The official said that defence officials are monitoring the situation and "will provide more information as it becomes available."

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the aggression launched by Iran against the sisterly State of Qatar, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness. It is unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a post on X.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has said in a statement that Iran “shattered” the US air base in Qatar, but the attack in no way “presents any danger to Qatar or its people,” and added that Iran “remains committed to maintaining and continuing its warm and historic relations” with Qatar.

Iran has said that it fired the same number of missiles at the US airbase in Qatar as the number of bombs used by US on its nuclear sites, signalling a desire to de-escalate, said media reports.

The Indian embassy in Doha, Qatar, has urged all Indian nationals in the country to be cautious and remain indoors. “Please remain calm and follow local news, instructions, and guidance provided by Qatari authorities. The Embassy will also keep updating through our social media channels,” it said in a post on X..

Qatar has condemned the attack on Al-Udeid Air Base by Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and termed it a “flagrant violation” of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. “Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law. We reassure that Qatar’s air defences successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles”, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Dr Majed Al Ansari, said in a post on X.

Bahrain says instructions issued to allow ‘relevant authorities’ to use roads efficiently, says interior ministry on X. Authorities have urged citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary in light of recent developments and regional security condition.

The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Reuters reported, citing a senior White House official.

Air defence system activated in US Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq amid fears of a potential attack by Iran, military sources have told Reuters.

Iran has launched missiles at a US base in Qatar in retaliation for Washington’s strikes on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran's state TV announced the beginning of Iran's ‘Operation Glad Tidings of Victory’ against US forces in Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base.

Qatar has shut down its airspace temporarily as part of measures taken to ensure safety of residents and visitors amid developments in the region, a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry says on X.

The shutdown of Qatari airspace comes as Iran repeated threats to retaliate against the United States after strikes on its nuclear sites.

France’s foreign minister on Monday accused Israel of putting two of its citizens in danger after an airstrike hit an entrance to Tehran’s Evin prison, adding that all strikes have to stop immediately to open the door to renewed diplomacy. Israel struck Tehran’s most notorious jail for political prisoners, including a number of foreign nationals, in a potent demonstration that it was expanding its targets beyond military and nuclear sites to aim squarely at the pillars of Iran’s ruling system.

“The strike targeting Evin prison in Tehran put our citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been held for three years, in danger. It is unacceptable,” Jean-Noel Barrot said in a post on X.

Israeli and US attacks on Iran “sent wrong signals to the world and set a bad precedent,” China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

All parties to the conflict should take measures to cool down the situation and return to dialogue and negotiation, he says.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with former British prime minister Tony Blair in Beijing, according to a statement released by his ministry.

"We've made very clear when it comes to Iran, our objective is not regime change, but that may be the byproduct," says Israeli government spokesman David Mencer.

IDF urges to stay away from weapons production plants, military headquarters, and security institutions affiliated with the regime.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah ousted by the 1979 Islamic revolution, expresses willingness to help lead the country.

"There is only one way to achieve peace: a secular, democratic Iran," he said while expressing his readiness.

Speaking to the  Federation of German Industries on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, "There is no reason to criticise what America did at the weekend. Yes, it is not without risk. But leaving things as they were was not an option either."

“The president wants to thanks the brave pilots who flew nearly 40 hours and more than 7000 miles to conduct this highly successful and complex precision strikes on Iran nuclear facilities," the  White House said on Monday.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte while addressing the press ahead of NATO leaders summit in The Hague, said that Tehran should not be allowed to have a nuclear bomb.

"When it comes to NATO's stance on Iran's nuclear programme, allies have long agreed that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon," said Rutte

 Air Force fighter jets, guided by Military Intelligence, attacked military headquarters of the Iranian regime, missile production sites, radars, and missile storage infrastructure in the Tehran area in Iran, claimed Israel.

In a post on X, Israeli defence minister Israeli Katz said, the Evin prison for political prisoners in Iran was struck among other targets by the IDF.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran is seeking to suspend cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Speaking to the media, Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said,  “At this moment, the Air Force planes are deepening the strikes in the Tehran area, with an emphasis on commanding headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards. All the elements of the threat on the State of Israel.”

Iran called U.S. President Donald Trump a "gambler" for joining Israel's military campaign and said attack on its nuclear sites expanded the range of legitimate targets for its armed forces.

The UN nuclear watchdog head has demanded the return of agency inspectors to Iran’s nuclear sites in a bid to “account for” its highly enriched uranium stockpiles following the Israel, US strikes.

"Maintaining security and stability in this region is in the common interest of the international community,” Guo Jiakun, China's foreign ministry spokesperson said in a press briefing on Monday. 

Adding further he said, “China calls on all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent regional turmoil that could have a greater impact on global economic development.”

 Iran expects Russia to play an active role at a time of conflict between Tehran and Washington, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday (June 23), as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was in Moscow to consult with President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday told Araqchi in talks in Moscow that aggression against Iran was groundless.

Putin made the comments at the start of Kremlin talks and said Russia was ready to help the Iranian people.

Russia deeply regrets and condemns the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the Kremlin said on Monday.

IAEA director General Rafael Grossi on Monday said, “At this time, no one, including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordow. Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday slammed strikes on Tehran as "unprovoked aggression" and said Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people as he hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.

"This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran," Putin told Araghchi, calling the strikes "unjustified" and adding that Russia was "making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people."

The gate of Iran's notorious Evin prison in Tehran is hit in a suspected Israeli strike, Iranian state television says. Evin prison is known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. 

The EU's top diplomat warned Monday it would be "extremely dangerous" should Iran shut down the crucial Strait of Hormuz trading route over US strikes on its nuclear sites.

"Any Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be extremely dangerous," Kaja Kallas wrote on X, as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels for talks with the Iran-Israel conflict high on the agenda.

Israel has attacked Iran's Fordo nuclear site, reports Iranian media

Israeli military on Monday said it is striking government targets in Tehran with ‘unprecedented intensity’

The head of UN's nuclear watchdog convened an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday.

Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, called the meeting in light of the "urgent situation" in Iran, following the US strikes on three of the country's nuclear sites.

France’s foreign minister said Monday it would be “illusory and dangerous” to try to bring about a change of government in Iran through military force.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot added that “if we want to solve this existential problem for Israel, for the region, and for ourselves, we will have to go through negotiation.”

Fresh blasts were heard over Jerusalem after Israel army warning of Iran missiles, news agency AFP reports.

Sirens sounded in Israeli communities along the Lebanon border, following the launch of ballistic missiles from Iran. Civilians in areas where sirens sound are instructed to enter bomb shelters and remain in them until further notice.

Remotely piloted aircraft destroyed 15 Iranian regime fighter jets and helicopters as part of the effort to deepen air superiority in Iranian skies, the IDF attacked six Iranian regime airfields in western, eastern , and central Iran.

The new head of Iran’s military, Major General Amir Hatami, on Monday (June 23) said that every time Americans have committed crimes against Iran, they’ve received a decisive response, and it will be the same this time.

Throughout the history the Islamic revolution and even before the Islamic revolution and throughout Iran's history, we have repeatedly witnessed crimes committed by the Americans. In 1979, during the sacred defence era we witnessed their direct crimes. Every time they committed a crime they received a decisive response. And this time will be no different.

Oil prices surged on June 23, marking their highest levels since January, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran sparked fears of significant disruptions to global oil supply.

Read here

Israel Air Force fighter jets hit military infrastructure in Kermanshah, Iran on Monday (June 23).

North Korea has condemned US strikes on Iran. Calling the bombing a violation of the United Nations charter, Pyongyang blamed the tension in the Middle East on the "reckless valour of Israel".  

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US which severely violated the UN Charter with respect for sovereignty," said a spokesperson of the North's foreign ministry, according to a statement carried by the state news agency. 

France is to send military A400M aircraft to Israel to fly out any of its citizens who wish to leave for Cyprus, the foreign and defence ministries said Sunday. The flights will be carried out subject to Israel's clearance and will supplement the chartered civilian flights already operating, the ministries added.

"Two more flights are coming, and starting tomorrow, our military planes will be engaged," wrote French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on his X account.

France has some 250,000 of its citizens in Israel -- around 100,00 registered on consular lists.

President Donald Trump had been strongly considering taking US military action in Iran for days before he gave his top aides a directive: Tell the media that he would decide within two weeks whether to act, as a means of hiding his true thinking. 

Read more here

Citing a US official, The New York Times has reported that the US military and intelligence have uncovered plans by Iran-backed groups to attack US bases in Iraq.

So far, the groups have held off on striking the American targets, and Iraqi officials are working to dissuade them from attacking, the official says

Israel is set to allow outbound flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport starting today (Monday, Jun 23), ending a ban on departures that had been in place since June 13 due to the ongoing war with Iran. According to officials, over 1,000 passengers are expected to leave the country today, with each flight capped at just 50 passengers. The limited departures aim to help foreign nationals stranded in Israel return home and to accommodate Israelis with an urgent need to travel. Priority, as per reports, will be given to humanitarian, life-saving, and national security-related cases.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to prevent Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US airstrikes. “I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio said in an interview on Fox News. 

Why China?

About 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and China happens to be Iran’s biggest oil customer and maintains friendly relations with Tehran.
 
 

Two supertankers, both capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude, U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz after US airstrikes on Iran raised the risk of a response that will ensnare commercial shipping in the region.

The Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty both entered the waterway and abruptly changed course on Sunday, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The two empty freighters then sailed south, away from the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which cover the entirety of Iran. It said of those dead, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel killed.

Human Rights Activists, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, cross-checks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country.

Iran has not been offering regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimised casualties in the past. On Saturday, Iran’s Health Ministry said some 400 Iranians had been killed and another 3,056 wounded in the Israeli strikes.

Australia backs the United States' air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities but wants to avert a spiral into "full-scale war" in the Middle East, the government said Monday.

"Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. We support action to prevent that from occurring, and this is what this is," Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters.

"What happens now matters. We do not want to see escalation. We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East."

The IDF on X said that across central Israel, sirens have been sounded after missiles were launched by Iran. 

Oil prices surged in early trade on Monday, after the United States joined Israel's campaign against Tehran's atomic programme by bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

Brent and the main US crude contract WTI both jumped more than four per cent to hit their highest price since January. They then pared gains and at 2335 GMT Sunday Brent was up 2.4 per cent up at $78.83 per barrel and WTI was up 2.5 per cent at $75.66.

The US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans on Sunday, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those travelling or living abroad at an increased security risk.

"There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," and "the Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution," said the State Department's security alert.

Air defences activated in Iran's central Tehran districts to counter 'enemy targets': Iranian news agencies

B-2 Stealth Bombers return home safely to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri following strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s adviser Ali Shamkhani, reacting to the US strikes, said ‘surprises will continue’. While Donald Trump in his address said, ‘key nuclear facilities have been completed and totally obliterated’, Shamkhani responds with, ‘game isn’t over’.

Read more: 'Game isn’t over': Khamenei's adviser Shamkhani says after US strikes Iran nuclear sites

France is to send military A400M aircraft to Israel to fly any of its citizens who wish to leave to Cyprus, the foreign and defence ministries announced on Sunday.

The flights will be carried out subject to Israel's clearance and will supplement the chartered civilian flights already operating, the ministries added.

"There has been no substantive evidence of Iran having nuclear weapons. Iran is acting on the grounds of self-defence, sovereignty and protection of our people," said Amir Saeed Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations

“Iran was preparing for the next round of diplomatic dialogue with US, but Israeli actions have destroyed diplomacy,” said Amir Saeed Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations

After US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, praised the US airstrikes. He called it ‘brave’ and ‘necessary’, in addition to saying that the move will only eliminate the greatest threat to global security.

Read More: 'In last 24 hours, history changed': Israeli UN ambassador thanks US for strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Israeli Military Chief Of Staff, Eyal Zamir said, "We are on day ten of Operation ‘Rising Lion’. So far, we have achieved many objectives, including significantly damaging Iran’s (military) nuclear program. We’ve reached a turning point in the campaign, following last night’s very precise and impressive strike by the US military on key nuclear sites.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets are carrying out a new wave of strikes against Iranian military sites in Tehran and western Iran, the IDF announced. Iranian news websites report a large explosion heard in the Western city of Kermanshah.

Protesters gather in Times Square, in New York, against the US strikes in Iran. 

UN chief Antonio Guterres warns of a cycle of retaliation after US carried out strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. He said, “And yet we now risk descending into a rabbit hole of retaliation after retaliation. To avoid it, diplomacy must prevail.”

An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said on Sunday that the bases used by US forces to launch attacks on Iranian nuclear sites “will be considered legitimate targets.”

“Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” said Ali Akbar Velayati in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.

Velayati added that the United States “no longer” has a place in the Middle East after its overnight strikes.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets hit an Iranian ballistic missile engine production site near Iran’s Shahrud last night, some 2,000 kilometres from Israel, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said in a press conference.

According to the military, the strike hit “planetary mixers and critical machinery used to manufacture missile engines,” the kind being fired at Israel.

“The targeted site is part of the effort to disrupt the Iranian regime’s surface-to-surface missile production industry, which is intended to produce thousands of missiles in the coming years,” the IDF added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew about the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites “at least 24 hours before,” an Israeli official has told The Times of Israel.

Israel, however, does not expect any drastic escalation by Iran, the official added. “We expect more of the same, like what they’ve done this morning.”

“It depends on Iran, not on us,” said the official on being asked if Israel is willing to end the bombing if Iran agrees to dismantle its nuclear programme. “We are happy to wrap it up now, if there’s an agreement at the end, Israel will be content with the result.”

At least nine members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in Israeli attacks on central Iran on Sunday, local media report.

“Following the aggression of the barbaric Zionist regime and its mercenaries against two military centres in Yazd city, seven Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps personnel and two conscripts were martyred,” the Tasnim news agency said in a report, quoting an IRGC statement.

Others were injured in the attack, it adds. The Fars news agency earlier said Israeli strikes targeted two military sites in Yazd.

The leaders of Britain, France, and Germany on Sunday urged Iran not to take any actions that would further destabilize the region, following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities overnight.

“We have consistently been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and can no longer pose a threat to regional security,” the government heads of the three countries said in a joint statement.

“We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear programme,” the leaders add.

Iran says that it is ready to defend itself by “all necessary means,” after unprecedented US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

“Iran is resolutely determined to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security, and people by all necessary means,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X, condemning what he described as an “unconscionable act of aggression—perpetrated by a nuclear-armed state… against a non-nuclear weapon country.”

Iran’s health ministry has acknowledged that the US strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities wounded an unspecified number of people, but claimed that none of them “showed any signs of radioactive contamination” after seeking treatment.

“For years, the Ministry of Health has set up nuclear emergency units in the nearest medical facilities to nuclear sites,” ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said on X. “Fortunately, none of the injured individuals who were transferred to these centers following the American bombardment showed any signs of radioactive contamination.”

A short while ago, Israeli Air Force fighter jets flew over Iranian territory and began striking storage facilities containing long-range surface-to-surface missiles, known as “Khorramshahr,” in the Yazd area.

“They should know that this industry has roots in our country and the roots of this national industry cannot be destroyed,” said Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, according to Tasnim news agency 

An Israeli airstrike killed three members of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, semiofficial news agencies in the Islamic Republic report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and prayed with the Wall's rabbi for the success of the ongoing war against Iran - and for the well-being of US President Donald Trump. Among other things, according to the special prayer text composed for Netanyahu's visit, it was written: "And may the President of the United States be elevated for taking upon himself to expel evil and darkness from the world."

"Earlier today (Sunday), with guidance from the IDF Intelligence Directorate, approximately 30 IAF fighter jets struck dozens of military targets throughout Iran with over 60 munitions. As part of the strikes, IAF fighter jets struck the "Imam Hussein" Strategic Missile Command Center in the Yazd area, where long-range Khorramshahr missiles were stored. Approximately 60 missiles have been launched from this command center toward the State of Israel," IDF posted on X.
“In parallel, missile launchers were struck in Isfahan, Bushehr, and Ahvaz. Strikes were also conducted on military sites involved in the production of aerial defense batteries, the ‘Third Brigade’ UAV command center, and a UAV storage facility near the command center. During the strikes, an IAF aircraft identified Iranian Armed Forces soldiers loading missile launchers and eliminated them. The IDF will continue to reach and strike in any area within Iranian territory to eliminate threats posed to the State of Israel,” it added.

Iran's parliament has approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, state media Press TV reported on Sunday (June 22). A fifth of the global oil and gas supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping route. 

The head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, says there have been no fatalities in the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “Fortunately, we did not have any martyrs in last night’s events of the US aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities,” he said, according to state television.

Iran’s Health Ministry said on Saturday that at least 430 civilians have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded since Israel’s launched its surprise attack on June 13.

Iran has reported that there is 'no danger' near nuclear sites attacked by US. Iran also said that nuclear know-how 'cannot be destroyed'

Asked whether regime change in Iran is off the table as a US policy goal, Hegseth replied: “This mission was not, is not about regime change.” He described the attack as a “precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear programme”.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff says an assessment of the destruction sustained at Iran’s nuclear facilities will take time to confirm.

“I think PDA [preliminary damage assessment] is still pending and it would be way too early for me to comment on what or what my not still be there,” General Dan Caine told reporters at the Pentagon.

We devastated the Iranian nuclear program. The US strike on Iran was an incredible and overwhelming success. The operation did not target Iranian troops or people. Any retaliation by Iran will be made with force with far greater than what was witnessed last night.

Iran media reports 'massive' blast in Bushehr province, home to nuclear reactor
 

China strongly condemns the US attack on Iran and its attack on nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This move by the US seriously violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and exacerbates tensions in the Middle East. China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiations. China is willing to work with the international community to pool efforts, uphold justice, and make efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East.

Russia said Sunday that it "strongly condemned" the United States's bombings of nuclear sites in Iran, calling the attacks "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law"."It is already clear that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry added in a statement.

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said on Sunday that the U.S. strikes on three sites in Iran early Sunday "were carried out in coordination with the IDF." "These actions mark a crucial step stopping the Iranian regime's aggression and its ability to pose a threat to the region and the world. The regime's ability to threaten Israel is being dismantled piece by piece," said Defrin.

President Emmanuel Macron will convene an emergency cabinet meeting to assess developments in the Middle East following US air strikes on Iran.

Macron has spoken with several leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and plans to hold additional discussions with European and regional leaders throughout the day, the French presidency said in a statement.

France is taking all necessary measures to expedite the evacuation of its citizens wishing to leave Iran and Israel, it added.

Putin has no plans to speak to trump after US strikes on Iran, but call can be quickly arranged

Addressing a press conference in Istanbul after US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that his country reserves its right to defend itself because the United States has betrayed diplomacy by helping Israel in its action against the Islamic Republic.

“This is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed,” he said in a post on X. 

"Immediately enter into negotiations with the US and Israel and to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict", said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it has launched 40 missiles, including its Khorramshahr-4 missile, during the latest attack on Israel on Sunday morning.

Yemen's rebel government said on Sunday it supported a vow by its armed wing a day earlier to hit US ships in the Red Sea should Washington launch strikes on Iran. "We affirm the Republic of Yemen's commitment to the armed forces' declaration that they were ready to target US ships and warships in the Red Sea," the government said in a statement after the United States launched attacks on Iran.

Iranian missiles struck Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s biological research center, and alternate command-and-control facilities, a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards' strikes on Israel said Sunday (June 22). "The missiles used in the attack were guided munitions equipped with manoeuvrable warheads capable of terminal guidance and carrying high-explosive and destructive payloads," he added.

Iran has formally called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn recent US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, describing the attacks as a violation of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In a letter addressed to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, protested what he called “aggressive strikes on Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear sites by the United States,” urging the agency to take a clear stance.

Iran submits letter to UN, issues condemnation of US strikes on its nuclear facilities. 

Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel. We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region. 
 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America.

https://x.com/KSAMOFA/status/1936677836510675006

Israel's port city of Haifa struck by its own missile. IDF confirms interceptor missiles misfired hitting Haifa.

UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said on X, “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1936675855675035868

Israir, an Israeli airline, said it is suspending the sale of seats on all its flights through July 7, citing the ongoing uncertainty. All passengers with flight reservations through July 7 can cancel their trip without fees. Passengers will be entitled to a credit voucher for the full purchase amount, which will be valid for two years on any future Israir flight. Following recent security developments — including the US attack on Iran — Israir’s operations are halted until further notice, due to the closure of Israeli airspace.

Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to double efforts in such 'highly sensitive circumstances' to reach a political solution to end the crisis, its foreign ministry said on X. 

Iran's foreign ministry said the US attacks Sunday (June 22) on nuclear facilities showed that Washington "will stop at no illegality or crime" to support Israel. "It has now become abundantly clear to all that the very regime which enjoys permanent membership in the Security Council is beholden to no principle or morality and will stop at no illegality or crime to serve the aims of a genocidal, occupying regime," the ministry said in a statement, referring to the United States and Israel respectively.

The Israeli Air Force has initiated a series of strikes on military sites in western Iran. “In addition, this morning, the Air Force attacked missile launchers in Iran ready to be launched towards the territory of the State of Israel, soldiers in the Iranian military forces, and closed the circle and destroyed launchers that had launched towards the territory of the State of Israel a short time ago,” the IDF said in a post on X.

Iran's foreign ministry to international institutions stated that “silence in the face of this blatant aggression exposes the world to an unprecedented and pervasive danger.”
 

Iranian authorities executed a man on Sunday after convicted of being an agent for Israel's Mossad spy service, the judiciary said.

"Majid Mosayebi... was hanged this morning after going through the full process of criminal procedure and after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said. It also added that he sought to provide "sensitive information ... to Mossad." Iranian officials arrested multiple people suspected of spying for Israel since its attack on June 13.

Iran's Foreign Ministry stated it considers it its right to resist with full force against US military aggression.
 

A Mano Maritime cruise ship transporting 1,800 stranded Israelis from Cyprus has been delayed from docking at the Ashdod port due to a directive from the Home Front Command and the ongoing closure of Israeli airspace. The cruise operator has notified passengers onboard as well as those scheduled for departure to Cyprus today about the delay.

Several missiles were reportedly intercepted in the sky above the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Sunday morning. The interceptions followed after the US launched an attack on Iran, striking three Iranian nuclear sites.

The top diplomat of Iran warned on Sunday that the US attacks on its nuclear sites “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.

Iran recognises “no red lines” after the US strikes on its nuclear sites, a political analyst and host of a television talk show said on Sunday (June 22). “The Islamic Republic of Iran now considers all U.S. military bases in the region, and all forty to fifty thousand American military personnel stationed here, as legitimate targets,” Mehdi Khanalizadeh, political analyst and host of IRIB Channel 3's “Foreign Policy” programme, said.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that around 20-30 ballistic missiles have been launched by Iran in its latest attack. Meanwhile, medics are scanning several impact sites for possible injuries.

After Iran launched a fresh missile attack on Israel, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a post on X, “A short time ago, alerts were activated in several areas across the country due to the detection of missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. The public is requested to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. At this time, the Air Force is operating to intercept and strike wherever necessary to eliminate the threat. The defense is not hermetic, and therefore, it is necessary to continue following the instructions of the Home Front Command.”

Emergency responders and security forces are attending to reports of ballistic missile strikes in central and northern Israel as Iran launches a fresh wave of attacks. Sirens are still active in multiple locations.
 

Air raid sirens blared in Tel Aviv as explosions were heard in Jerusalem, according to a report by AFP.
 

Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said the United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has violated the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking the country's peaceful nuclear installations.

“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,” Araghchi said in a post on X.
 

After US airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, the Israeli military heightened its national threat level, limiting operations to essential services only. In a post on Sunday (June 22), the Israel Defence Forces’ Home Front Command directed a halt to educational activities, public gatherings, and most workplaces starting at 3:45 a.m. (0045 GMT). The development followed after President Donald Trump confirmed late Saturday (June 21) that American forces had targeted Iran’s three primary nuclear sites.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump after the US military air strikes on Iran. “In the pages of human history, this is a moment in which the principles of freedom, responsibility, and security prevailed. A moment of decision between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope. Thank you President Trump. Thank you United States of America. This critical action serves the security interests of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future in the Middle East - and will also assist in the urgent release of our hostages from captivity in Gaza, ” Isaac Herzog said in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump following American air strikes on Iran. "Trump created a ‘pivot of history’ that will help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace", Netanyahu said.

Israeli Airport Authority confirmed that following US strikes on Iran, Israel has responded by closing its airspace.

United States Senator for Missouri, Eric Schmitt, said President Trump is a foreign policy realist not an ideologue. "He has taken limited military action to achieve a crucial objective that is in the core national interest of the United States: preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He doesn’t want another Forever War. He wants peace. What happens now is up to Iran," Eric Schmitt said in a post on X.

Hamas issues a statement condemning the US strike against the nuclear facilities of Iran. “This brutal aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation and a blind adherence to the agenda of the rogue Zionist occupation,” Hamas said. 

The terror group stated that the Trump administration and Israel are fully responsible for the grave repercussions of this aggression. “We affirm our solidarity with our brothers in the Islamic Republic… and our complete confidence in Iran’s ability to defend its sovereignty and the interests of its people,” Hamas added.

Rep. Ilhan Omar criticised the US bombing of Iran, saying the airstrikes, launched on President Trump's orders without congressional approval, represent a “dangerous and reckless escalation of an already volatile conflict in the Middle East.”

She added, "Military strikes will not bring peace. They will only provoke more violence, destabilize the region, and endanger U.S. troops and civilians. We've seen what happens when diplomacy is sidelined in favor of bombs. It only brings more death and destruction. "Congress must vote immediately on Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Tim Kaine's War Powers resolutions when we return to session. The American people are tired of endless war. We need to end this madness before more lives are lost."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (Jun 22) hailed US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike three nuclear sites in Iran. In a video message, Netanyahu said that the US has “done what no other country on earth could do.” This comes after Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the US conducted a “very successful attack” on Iran's three nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

Read more here.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that US air strikes had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities and threatened more attacks if Tehran does not make peace.

"There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember there are many targets left," Trump said in a late-night address to the nation.

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Donald Trump on Sunday after the president said the US military bombed three nuclear sites in Iran.

"Congratulations President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated "America has been truly unsurpassed."

Netanyahu added that Trump had created a "pivot of history" that will "help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace".

Iran's atomic agency said on Sunday that the country will carry on with its nuclear activities despite the US attacks on key facilities.

"The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the great nation of Iran that despite the evil plots of its enemies ... it will not let the path of development of this national industry (nuclear), which is the result of the blood of nuclear martyrs, be stopped," the organisation said in a statement published by state media. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern Saturday at strikes carried out by the United States on Iran nuclear sites, calling them a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge."

"At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said in a statement. "There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy.  The only hope is peace."

Iran's atomic energy organisation condemned Sunday the US attacks on key nuclear sites including the mountain-buried Fordo as "barbaric" and in violation of international law.

"At dawn today, the country's nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan were attacked by the enemies of Islamic Iran in a barbaric act that violates international law," the organisation said in a statement published on state media.

The top Democrat in the House of Representatives berated Donald Trump Saturday over the US air strikes on Iran, accusing the president of pushing the country toward war.

"President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," congressman Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump, in his first address to the nation after the United States' strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, called Tehran the 'bully of the Middle East.' Trump said that Iran's nuclear sites were “completely and totally obliterated”.

Read more here.

US President Donald Trump arrives at the White House after spending the last 24 hours in Bedminster, New Jersey. Trump is set to address the nation at 10 pm (0200 GMT) on Saturday after he said the US military launched an attack on three Iranian nuclear sites including the Fordow uranium enrichment plant.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posts on X, “President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, Donald Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”

Advisor to the Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council: Fordow did not suffer any irreversible damage as a result of the aggression.

IRIB says, “No serious damage in Fordow.”

"We had great success tonight. Your Israel is much safer now," President Donald Trump was quoted as saying in a phone call with Axios.

Israel army raises alert level in country after US strikes on Iran

US gave Israel 'heads up' before Iran strikes: White House official

On Truth Social, Trump announced, “I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD.”

“IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR”.

IDF Spokesperson for the Arab Media said, “With the approval of the Minister of Defense and at the conclusion of the situation assessment, it was decided that starting today at 03:45, there will be an immediate change in the home front's sheltering policy.”

He added, “As part of the changes, it was decided to move all regions of the country to the level of essential work. The instructions include prohibiting educational activities, gatherings, and work centers, with the exception of essential work areas. You must continue to follow and obey the instructions of the Home Front Command.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “The military operations in Iran should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says. The President gave Iran’s leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement.”

“President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated. That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision, and clarity. The President’s decisive action prevents the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants “Death to America,” from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet. This is America First policy in action,” he added.

“God bless our brave men and women in uniform - the most lethal fighting force on the planet - as we pray for their safe return home. May God bless America.”

IDF Spokesperson for the Arab Media on X said that the nation was moving to ‘essential work only’.

“With the approval of the Minister of Defense and at the conclusion of the situation assessment, it was decided that starting today at 03:45, there will be an immediate change in the home front's sheltering policy.”

“As part of the changes, it was decided to move all regions of the country to the level of essential work. The instructions include prohibiting educational activities, gatherings, and work centers, with the exception of essential work areas.”

“You must continue to follow and obey the instructions of the Home Front Command.”

In the aftermath of the US strike on Iran, NYPD police on X say they're deploying additional resources to sensitive sites.
“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran. Out of an abundance of caution, we're deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jun 21) announced a “very successful attack” on Iran's three nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Iranian officials confirmed that the bombing took place at 2:30 am local time.

Read more here

US President Donald Trump announces a “very successful attack” on Iran's three nuclear sites - Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. On Truth Social, he revealed that a ‘full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow’.