Israel says targeting military sites in Tehran after Iran launches missiles

Israel says attacking Tehran military targets

Israeli military said it is attacking military targets in Iran’s Tehran. This comes after the Israeli military said Iran launched missiles towards Israel

Israel says Iran launches missiles

The Israeli military said it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel on Saturday, and systems were operating to intercept them.

“The public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice,” the military said in a statement.

Remote working for Knesset employees

On June 14, Knesset employees, except for essential staff, will work remotely, a spokesperson said.

Non-essential committee meetings will not take place in the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) on June 15, the spokesperson added.

Azerbaijan says will not allow territory to be used for attacks against Iran

Azerbaijan on Saturday reassured neighbouring Iran that it would not allow its territory to be used for attacks against Tehran.

Iran has long expressed concern that Israel, a close ally of Azerbaijan and a key arms supplier, could use Azerbaijani territory to stage attacks.

“Azerbaijan will never allow its territory to be used for attacks on third countries, including friendly Iran,” Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

In a phone call with Araghchi, Bayramov warned that the “conflict risked engulfing the broader region”, and called for ” diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation”, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry press service told AFP.

The ministry added Azerbaijan had facilitated land transit across its border after Iran closed its airspace in response to the Israeli strikes.

Iraq urges US to ‘uphold responsibilities’ 

Iraq on Saturday called on the United States to prevent Israeli aircraft from breaching Iraqi airspace to carry out attacks against Iran, citing bilateral agreements and international law.

“The Iraqi government urges the United States to uphold its responsibilities under the agreements signed between the two countries and prevent aircraft belonging to the Zionist entity from once again violating Iraqi airspace,” military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said in a statement.

Air defence activated over Tehran, 6 other provinces: Media

Iranian media said air defences were activated Saturday over Tehran and six other provinces.

News agency Tasnim said air defences were responding to “hostile targets” over Tehran and in the provinces of Hormozgan in the country’s south, Kermanshah and Lorestan in the west, Qom in the centre, East Azerbaijan in the northwest, and Khuzestan in the southwest. State TV reported air defence activity in the same areas.

Another news agency, Fars, shared images of what it said was the “destruction of two Israeli aircraft in Tehran”.

Putin-Trump call on Middle East tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday, condemning the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressing concern about the risks of escalation, the Kremlin said.

Trump, for his part, described events in the Middle East as “very alarming,” according to Ushakov. But the two leaders said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear programme, Ushakov said.

Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.

Israel says struck Iranian missile facility

The Israeli military said it struck an underground facility on Saturday in western Iran’s Khorramabad that contained surface-to-surface and cruise missiles.

“This is an important site that was even featured in a propaganda video by the Iranian regime in the past,” IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists, referring to footage aired by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier this year showing what it described as a new underground missile facility.

Israel ‘dragging whole region into fire’: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday warned against a “devastating war” between Israel and Iran that could trigger a refugee crisis, in a series of calls to regional leaders, his office said.

Erdogan told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that Israel was seeking “to drag the whole region into the fire”, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

Erdogan also spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he also spoke with Erdogan, and the two agreed that “Israel’s unprovoked aggression against Iran” was “a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional peace”.

Macron asks Iran to return to negotiations

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that Tehran would not attend nuclear talks with the United States so long as Israel kept up its attacks.

In a call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian said Iran favoured diplomacy, but will not “accept irrational demands under pressure or… sit at the negotiating table while the Zionist regime continues its attacks”, according to a readout shared by the Iranian presidency.

Macron said in a statement of his own that he had asked Pezeshkian to “return swiftly to the negotiating table”.

Attacks ‘within hours’

Iran is expected to carry out heavy and destructive attacks by Israel “within hours”, Iranian State TV reported.

Iran says shot down 10 Israeli aircraft

Iranian state television said air defences were activated Saturday to respond to a drone attack at the strategic port of Bandar Abbas on the second day of Israel’s strikes on the country.

“The air defence of Bandar Abbas was activated to combat micro-drones,” state TV reported without elaborating. Citing an air defence commander, it also said that “over the past hour, 10 hostile Israeli aircraft were shot down in different areas” of the country.

‘Striking Iran at this hour’

An Israeli military spokesperson said they “will continue to attack and destroy Iranian surface-to-surface missile sites.”

On late Saturday, the spokesperson said “at this hour, we are striking Iran.”

“Iran still has an arsenal that can cause grave damage to Israel; Iranian attacks are not behind us,” the spokesperson added. Israeli forces also continue their operations in Gaza, the statement added.

Public safety guidelines in effect

Closure of schools in Israel, and other public safety guidelines, will remain in effect until 8pm local time on June 15, the Israeli military said.

‘Committed to talks’

While the Iran-US meeting on Sunday have been cancelled, a senior trump administration official said “we remain committed” to the talks.

Gas production suspended from part of South Pars field

Gas production has been suspended from part of Iran’s South Pars field following an Israeli attack on the site on Saturday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The strike had resulted in a fire which the Iranian oil ministry said was later extinguished.

The giant South Pars field, located in the southern Bushehr province, is one of Iran’s two main hydrocarbon production facilities.

UK moving fighter jets to Middle East

Britain is moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Saturday as he was en route to a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.

“We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region,” Starmer said.

Britain already has fighter jets in the Middle East as part of an operation to counter threats in Iraq and Syria.

Crews began deployment preparations on Friday morning, when it was clear the situation in the region was deteriorating, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.

Further refuelling aircraft from British bases have been deployed, and additional fighter jets will be sent, the spokesperson added.

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani dies

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani, top advisor to the Supreme Leader, died in hospital a day after a targeted Israeli attack, Iranian media reported.

4 buildings damaged at Esfahan nuclear facility

Four critical buildings at Esfahan nuclear facility were damaged in June 13 attacks, including a Uranium conversion facility and a fuel plate fabrication plant, according to International Agency of Atomic Energy.

However, as in Natanz, no increase in off-site radiation is expected, IAEA said.

2 killed in Israel strike on ambulance

An Israeli strike hit an ambulance, killing two, according to the Iran Red Crescent.

Earlier, the news agency ISNA reported that one Red Crescent member was martyred in East Azerbaijan province.

Fire in Iran gas field extinguished

The fire that erupted after Israeli strike at South Pars gas field has now been extinguished, Iran’s oil ministry said.

Iran vows ‘more severe response’ if Israel strikes continue

Pezeshkian warned on Saturday that there would be a “more severe and powerful response” if Israel continued to strike Iran.

“The continuation of Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces,” Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Iranian presidency.

Kerala CM condemns Israeli aggression

Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the international community to speak out against the “unlawful aggression of Israel against Iran.”

“Backed by the complicit support of the imperialist power bloc led by the United States, Israel continues its brazen and belligerent onslaught across West Asia”, he said in a post on X.

“No peace-loving, dignified person can remain silent in the face of such atrocities, especially the ongoing genocide in #Gaza. The time has come to stand up, speak out, and hold this rogue state accountable. Only then can we hope to restore peace and normalcy in the region,” Vijayan added.

Iran decries US ‘dishonesty’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised on Saturday what he described as the United States’ “dishonesty” for supporting Israel while Washington and Tehran were engaged in nuclear talks.

“The Zionist regime’s coordination with the United States in its aggression against Iranian territory in the midst of negotiations is a sign of America’s dishonesty and unreliability,” Pezeshkian said in a phone call with the Pakistani prime minister, according to the Iranian presidency.

Some flydubai flights cancelled

Flydubai flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are cancelled on June 15 and 16, the spokesperson of the Dubai-based carrier confirmed to Khaleej Times on Saturday.

“We have reinstated some flights across the network to destinations that were impacted, and these flights are subject to rerouting to avoid the affected airspace,” the flydubai spokesperson added.

Airline customers are advised to contact the flydubai contact centre in Dubai at (+971) 600 54 44 45; to visit the flydubai travel shop, or reach out to their respective travel agent for rebooking or refund options.

‘Clear support’ of Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel’s air strikes on Iran had the “clear support” of US President Donald Trump.

“Our enemy is your enemy… We’re dealing with something that will threaten all of us sooner or later. Our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu said in a video statement addressed to Trump on the US leader’s birthday.

“This is what Israel is doing with the support, the clear support of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the American people and many others in the world.”

No Iran-US nuclear talks

The latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Muscat will not take place, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X on Saturday. Oman has been mediating the talks.

Fire erupts after Israeli strikes on gas field

A fire has erupted following Israeli strikes at energy infrastructure of Iran’s South Pars Gas Field in Southern Bushehr Province, Iranian media reported.

“An Israeli drone hit one of the South Pars Phase 14 refineries, causing a massive explosion and fire in the refinery,” the Tasnim news agency said, while the Fars agency reported firefighters were working to extinguish a blaze that had erupted as a result of the attack.

Erdogan speaks to Saudi Crown Prince

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Saturday that the attack on Iran demonstrated that Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was greatest threat to regional stability, Erdogan’s office said.

In a phone call, Erdogan told the Saudi Crown Prince that Israel must be stopped to reduce tensions and the nuclear dispute could only be resolved by negotiations.

A potentially devastating war could create waves of irregular migration to all countries in the region, Erdogan also said, according to the statement.

Pakistan PM condemns Israel’s ‘unprovoked aggression’

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Israel’s “unprovoked aggression” and expressed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity with Iran” as he spoke to Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

Sharif also strongly condemned the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity —an affront to international law & the UN Charter”, and said “Iran has every right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

55 people injured in Iran

Authorities in Iran’s northwest said that Israeli air strikes since Friday had killed at least 30 military personnel in East Azerbaijan province, according to news agency ISNA.

“Following the Zionist regime’s aggression against this province since Friday morning, 30 military personnel and one Red Crescent member have been martyred in defence of the Islamic homeland, and 55 people have been injured,” ISNA reported on Saturday, quoting East Azerbaijan provincial authorities.

US ‘still hopes to have talks’

The United States still wants to meet with Iran, an official said Saturday, after Tehran said a meeting would be meaningless while US ally Israel is bombing Iran.

“We still hope to have talks,” a US official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Moscow condemns Israeli use of force

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in a phone call on Saturday that Moscow condemns Israel’s use of force against Iran and is ready to help de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.

Russia is prepared to continue to work to resolve issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov expressed his condolences to Araghchi for the Iranians killed in the strikes, the statement said.

Israel says will strike ‘every target’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will strike “every site and every target of Ayatollahs regime,” Reuters reported.

3 Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed

Iranian news agency Tasnim said an Israeli strike on Saturday killed three members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the country’s northwest.

“In a brutal attack by the Zionist regime, three proud and courageous Guard members of Zanjan province… were martyred,” Tasnim said, naming the slain men as Hamid Toomari, Akbar Azizi and Amir Khani.

Germany calls for de-escalation

Germany has called for de-escalation, and said that Iran’s nuclear programme threatens not only Israel, but the stability of the entire region.

The German Foreign Ministry said that the “danger of escalation in the Middle East is real” and that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “catastrophic”.

Croatian consul, wife injured in strikes on Tel Aviv

Croatia’s consul in Israel and his wife were lightly injured in Iran’s missile strikes on Tel Aviv, Croatia’s Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Saturday.

“I am shaken by the news that our consul and his wife were injured in the attack on Tel Aviv. The building they live in was hit,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Grlic Radman added that his ministry was in constant contact with the Croatian embassy in Israel and was taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its staff.

“We strongly condemn attacks on civilians and diplomatic facilities. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,” Grlic Radman said.

Iranian police chief killed

An Israeli drone killed a police chief in Iran’s west, according to AFP, which cited Iranian media.

Over 20 Iranian commanders killed

The Israeli military said on Saturday that its air strikes on Iran had killed more than 20 Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards commanders, including armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri.

“Since the beginning of the operation (on Friday), over 20 commanders in the Iranian regime’s security apparatus have been eliminated,” the military said in a statement, naming several top commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the armed forces.

The Israeli military said on Saturday that its air strikes on Iran had killed more than 20 Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards commanders, including armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri.

“Since the beginning of the operation (on Friday), over 20 commanders in the Iranian regime’s security apparatus have been eliminated,” the military said in a statement, naming several top commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the armed forces.2 Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed

Two Revolutionary Guards were killed on Saturday in an Israeli strike on a base in central Iran, the Tasnim news agency reported.

“Following the brutal attack by the Zionist regime on the Zarandiyeh Basij base, two members of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were martyred,” the news agency said, citing the Guards.

Baghdad asks Tehran not to strike US targets in Iraq

Baghdad has asked Tehran not to target US interests on Iraqi soil, a senior security official said Saturday.

Fearing being caught up in a regional escalation, the Iraqi government asked Tehran not to strike in its territory, a senior Iraqi security official told AFP.

“The request was made. They promised us positive things,” said the official, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The official added that Tehran has shown understanding with regards to Baghdad’s request.

Israel says created ‘aerial freedom of action’

The Israeli military said Saturday that its ongoing strikes in Iran had now given it the required “aerial freedom” for actions from west Iran to Tehran.

“We have created aerial freedom of action from west Iran all the way to Tehran… Tehran is no longer immune,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists.

He added that the air force “launched a massive strike involving more than 70 fighter jets, targeting objectives in Tehran” overnight.

China-led group condemns Israel’s strikes

A China-led 10-state regional group said it strongly condemns Israel’s military strikes on Iran and expressed serious concern over the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, according to a statement from the organisation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Eurasian security and political group, said Israel’s act targeted civilian facilities and nuclear facilities, causing civilian casualties.

“This seriously violated the principles of international law and the UN Charter, undermined Iran’s sovereignty, undermined regional and international security, and had a serious impact on global peace and stability,” SCO said.

‘Currently’ launching attacks on Iran, Israel says

Israel’s military on Saturday said it was “currently” launching attacks on several sites across Iran.

“We are currently launching attacks on several sites in Iran,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a televised press conference after Iran responded to Israeli strikes with waves of drones and missile barrages.

Joining US talks ‘meaningless’

The Iranian foreign ministry said it would be “meaningless” to join nuclear negotiations with the US while Iran is under attack by Israel.

“It is obvious that in such circumstances and until the Zionist regime’s aggression against the Iranian nation stops, it would be meaningless to participate in dialogue with a party that is the biggest supporter and accomplice of the aggressor,” the ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement ahead of the talks that were planned for Sunday.

Closure of Strait of Hormuz ‘being reviewed’

The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz was being seriously reviewed by Iran, IRINN reported, citing statements by Esmail Kosari, a member of the parliament’s security commission.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Oman and Iran, is the world’s most important gateway for oil shipping.

Zelensky hopes ‘aid will not decrease’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped that the escalation between Israel and Iran would not result in a drop in military aid to Kyiv.

“We would like to see aid to Ukraine not decrease because of this,” he said. “Last time, this was a factor that slowed down aid to Ukraine.”

7 Israeli soldiers wounded

Seven Israeli soldiers were wounded during an overnight missile strike launched by Iran, the Israeli military confirmed on Saturday.

UK ‘alarmed by further strikes’

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday said he was “alarmed” by events overnight in the Israel-Iran conflict.

“Alarmed by further strikes in the Middle East overnight, with reports of fatalities and injuries in Israel. We must urgently de-escalate & prevent any further harm to civilians,” Lammy said on X, adding that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi “to urge calm”.

Alarmed by further strikes in the Middle East overnight, with reports of fatalities and injuries in Israel. We must urgently de-escalate & prevent any further harm to civilians.

Following the Prime Minister’s call with PM Netanyahu, I spoke to Iranian FM Araghchi to urge calm.

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 14, 2025

Pope Leo issues heartfelt appeal for peace

Pope Leo has issued a heartfelt appeal for peace between Israel and Iran amid escalating conflict.

Expressing deep concern over the recent deterioration in relations, he urged all parties to embrace responsibility and reason.

The Pope emphasised the importance of pursuing a safer world free from nuclear threats through respectful dialogue and sincere encounters. He called for lasting peace based on justice, fraternity, and the common good, stressing that no nation should threaten another’s existence.

“No one should ever threaten another’s existence. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all,” he said.

Pope Leo appeals for peace between Israel and Iran:

“In recent days, news is arriving that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated. In such a delicate moment, I wish to renew my appeal to responsibility and reason. The commitment to… pic.twitter.com/J3oPx7prNE

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) June 14, 2025

Missile strike aftermath

Firefighters responded to an impact site in Tel Aviv after a missile attack launched by Iran on Israel on Saturday.

Meanwhile, residents and bystanders surveyed the damage to buildings in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, caused by the missile strike.

At the same location, rescue teams were seen holding Tess, a dog saved from the damaged building, highlighting the ongoing emergency efforts.

Iran’s Esfahan, Natanz nuclear sites significantly damaged

Iran’s Esfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were significantly damaged due to Israeli strikes on the two facilities, an Israeli military official said on Saturday.

The official said that it would take more than a few weeks for Iran to repair damage at the two sites.

Israel attacked over 150 targets in Iran with hundreds of munitions, the official said, adding that the aerial road to the Iranian capital Tehran was effectively open.

Explosion at Iran military base

Iranian news agencies reported an explosion at a military base in western Kermanshah province, with smoke visible rising from the site.

Israel intercepts drones

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, according to an Israeli military official.

3 more Iranian nuclear scientists killed

Three Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the latest Israeli airstrike, according to state television reports.

“Three of the country’s nuclear scientists — Ali Bekaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji — were martyred during the Zionist regime’s terrorist attacks,” the broadcaster said.

This brings to nine the overall number slain in Israel’s attack on the Islamic republic.

Israel confirmed on Saturday its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities the previous day had eliminated nine senior figures involved in Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme.

Ben Gurion airport closed until further notice

Israel’s Ben Gurion international airport is closed until further notice, a spokeswoman said on Saturday, as Israel and Iran traded fire for a second day.

“There is no date or day set to reopen the airport,” airport spokeswoman Lisa Diver told AFP.

9 Iran nuclear scientists killed

The Israeli military said on Saturday its air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities the previous day resulted in the deaths of nine leading Iranian nuclear scientists.

“During the Israeli air force strikes at the onset of Operation Rising Lion, nine senior scientists and experts, who advanced the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons programme, were eliminated,” the military said in a statement, listing the names of those killed.

Iran names new Guards aerospace chief

Iran has appointed a new Revolutionary Guards aerospace chief after Israeli strike killed commander Amirali Hajizadeh, who was in charge of Iran’s ballistic missile forces.

Israel defence minister issues warning

Israel defence minister Israel Katz warned that ‘Tehran will burn’ if Iran fires more missiles.

New strikes on Iran military bases

Iranian media reported new Israeli strikes on Saturday in cities in the west and northwest which house key defences and military bases.

The Fars and Mehr news agencies said the strikes hit the northwestern city of Tabriz as well as parts of the western provinces of Lorestan, Hamedan and Kermanshah.

Israel to attack more targets in Tehran

Israel’s military said on Saturday that its fighter jets were set to resume striking targets in Tehran, after announcing it had hit air defences in the area of the Iranian capital overnight.

“The way to Iran has been paved,” the military’s chief of staff and air force chief were quoted as saying in an army statement.

The military “is proceeding according to its operational plans, and (Israeli air force) fighters jets are set to resume striking targets in Tehran,” it added.

2 killed in Israeli attack

Two people were killed in an Israeli attack on a missile site in Assadabad in western Iran on Saturday, Iranian news sites reported.

Syria reopens airspace

Syria’s airspace is now fully open to civil aviation, following a temporary closure, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed.

Iran’s airspace closed ‘until further notice’

Iran’s civil aviation authority has declared the country’s airspace closed “until further notice,” state media reported Saturday, as Israel and Iran continued to trade fire for a second day.

“No flights will be operated at any airports in the country in order to protect the safety of passengers… until further notice,” the official IRNA news agency said.

60 killed, including 20 children

Iranian state television reported that 60 people were killed after Israeli strikes at a residential complex in Tehran on Friday.

According to a reporter at the site, 20 children were killed in the residential building, including infants as young as 6 months old. Ten bodies reportedly remain under the rubble.

Iran still undecided on nuclear talks

Iran has yet to decide whether to join a sixth round of nuclear talks with the US on Sunday, state media reported, as Israel and Iran traded fire for a second day.

“It is still unclear what decision we will make for Sunday,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said of the talks in Oman, quoted by the official IRNA news agency on Saturday.

2 Iran generals killed in Israel attack

Brigadier General Mehdi Rabbani, head of operations in the General Staff, and Brigadier General Gholamreza Mahraby, head of intelligence in the General Staff were killed in Israeli strikes, Iranian TV reported.

Israel strikes dozens of missile launchers

Israel’s military said it was striking dozens of missile launchers in Iran, after announcing it had targeted air defences with a wave of strikes in the Tehran area overnight.

The Israeli air force “continues striking dozens of surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran”, the military said in a statement.

Lebanon, Jordan reopen airspace

Lebanon reopened its airspace on Saturday at 11am UAE time, while Jordan reopened its airspace at 7.30am (5.30GMT) after a one-day suspension of flights amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict

Scenes of devastation

In a video shared by AFP, scenes of devastation unfold near Israel’s Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, where buildings and streets bear the scars of an Iranian missile strike.

Check the video below:

India issues advisory

In light of the current situation in Iran, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has urged its citizens in the country to remain vigilant and avoid any non-essential movement.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal advised the Indian community to stay updated by following the Embassy of India’s official social media channels and to strictly adhere to safety guidelines issued by local authorities.

For those in need of assistance, the Embassy of India in Iran can be reached through its emergency contact numbers:
+98 9128109115
+98 9128109109

Israel strikes Iran ‘defence array’

The Israeli military said Saturday its air force targeted Iran’s air defences with a wave of strikes in the Tehran area overnight.

“Overnight, the IAF struck dozens of targets, including surface-to-air missile infrastructure, as part of the effort to damage the Iranian regime’s aerial defence capabilities in the area of Tehran,” the military said in a statement.

“For the first time since the beginning of the war, over 1,500 kms from Israeli territory, the IAF (Israeli military) struck defence arrays in the area of Tehran.”

‘Everything was shaking’

“We just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place,” said 29-year-old Chen Gabizon as a building in central Tel Aviv — only a few metres away from the Defence Ministry — was hit during an attack by Iran.

2 killed by rocket fire

Israeli emergency services said rocket fire on a residential area killed two people in the coastal plain on Saturday after Iran launched barrages of missiles.

“Among the casualties: a woman around 60 was rescued without signs of life, a man around 45 was evacuated in critical condition… and was later pronounced dead,” the Magen David Adom said in a statement, adding that 19 others were wounded.

Israel military intercepts drones

The Israeli military said it intercepted several drones that had been launched into the country.

Aftermath of Iran attacks

A trail of destruction was left across parts of central Israel after Iran launched a wave of missile strikes early on June 14, targeting areas near Tel Aviv.

In Ramat Gan, near the heart of the city, buildings lay damaged and debris littered the streets.

Swipe right to see the rest of the photos below:

What we know so far

• Nuclear sites hit

  Israel’s attacks started in the early hours of Friday, a day of rest and prayer in Iran, and continued through the day, on various sites.

  A key target was a vast underground nuclear site in Natanz, which Israel hit several times, according to Iranian state television.

• Commanders killed

  Top brass killed included the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

  The Revolutionary Guards said its aerospace commander Amirali Hajizadeh was also killed. He was in charge of Iran’s ballistic missile forces.

• Ongoing strikes

  Additional strikes hit sites in Iran’s northwestern East Azerbaijan province, with 18 people killed there, state news agency IRNA said.

  An Israeli military spokesman said “more than 200 targets” were hit, including nuclear facilities and air bases.

• Iran’s response

  Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel, the Revolutionary Guards and Israel said, hours after the Israeli military said “most” of the 100 drones fired by Iran were intercepted outside Israeli territory.

  Early Saturday, Iran launched a fresh wave of attacks, according to state media, with the Israeli military sounding air raid sirens and reporting more inbound missiles from Iran.

• US involvement?

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the Israeli attacks “a declaration of war” and urged action from the UN Security Council, which held an emergency meeting on Friday.

  Tehran had previously warned it would hit US military bases in the Middle East if conflict occurred. The United States pulled out non-essential personnel from several sites days ahead of the Israeli attack.

• Nuclear programme

  Tehran has long denied seeking atomic bombs but had been enriching uranium to 60 percent — far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely obsolete 2015 agreement with major powers.

  However, Iran’s 60-percent enrichment level is still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.

• Reactions

  The attack, and Iran’s response, is fuelling international alarm.

  Many capitals have urged restraint, fearing the consequences if the Israel-Iran conflict widened and drew in the United States, and if Middle East oil production and shipments were impacted.

Click here for full details.

Iranian forces shoot down drones

Iranian forces shot down Israeli drones on a reconnaissance mission over the northwest on Saturday, state media reported, as exchanges of fire between the two sides continued.

“Islamic fighters (Iranian forces) in the Salmas border region successfully shot down Israeli drones that had violated the country’s airspace,” state television said, adding that the “drones had entered Iranian airspace on espionage and reconnaissance missions.”

Iran says nuclear talks with US ‘meaningless’

Iran said on Friday the dialogue with the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme is “meaningless” after Israel’s biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy, accusing Washington of supporting the attack.

“The other side (the US) acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime (Israel) to target Iran’s territory,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.

He said Israel “succeeded in influencing” the diplomatic process and the Israeli attack would not have happened without Washington’s permission.

‘Limited’ damage to Iranian nuclear sites

US President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday it was unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear programme following Israeli strikes, but experts say the damage to the country’s nuclear facilities so far has appeared limited.

While Israel’s attacks succeeded in killing Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists and striking military command and control facilities and air defenses, satellite imagery did not yet show significant damage to nuclear infrastructure, several experts said.

Iran’s above-ground enrichment plant destroyed

The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday.

“At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan,” the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Grossi told the 15-member council.

“At this moment we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has been taken place around these facilities as well.”

10 people injured

According to the Associated Press, Israeli officials confirmed that an Iranian missile hit close to residential areas in central Israel, leaving 10 people injured.

Tehran celebrates

People in Tehran celebrate in the streets after Iran launched missiles at Israel. Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in a counter-strike, after an unprecedented onslaught hammered the Islamic republic’s top military brass and targeted its nuclear facilities and bases.

Watch the video below, as shared by AFP:

Fire, heavy smoke at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport

Fire and heavy smoke billowed from Mehrabad airport in the Iranian capital early Saturday, an AFP journalist said, as local media reported a blast in the area.

The local ISNA news agency shared a video showing columns of heavy smoke rising from the area of the airport in western Tehran while Mehr news agency reported a “blast” there.

Air raid sirens sound in Israel

The Israeli military briefly called on residents Saturday to take shelter after detecting fresh missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said on Telegram at 4.40am (0140 GMT), adding that the air force was “operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat”.

About 10 minutes later, the military said: “it is now permitted to leave protected spaces and to remain near them” following a “situational assessment”.

After the attacks

A military aircraft is seen flying in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas.

Operation ‘Honest Promise 3’

Iran launched a fresh wave of attacks on Israel early Saturday, state media said, after Israel’s military reported it detected inbound missiles from Iran.

“New round of Honest Promise 3 attacks,” state television reported, referring to the name of the Iranian military operation against Israel, following deadly Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic.

Key developments so far

Tensions have erupted across the Middle East after Israel launched a major strike on Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear and military facilities. 

The fallout has been swift, with missile interceptions, regional airspace closures, and high-level casualties reported.

If you’re just joining us, here are the key developments so far:

• Israeli strikes hit Iran
  Israel launched a wide-scale pre-dawn attack on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities.

• Top Iranian officials reported killed
  Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and several other senior figures, including Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami and Gholam Ali Rashid, as well as two nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed.

• UAE flights disrupted
  Several UAE airline flights were delayed or canceled due to regional airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

• Jordan, Iraq, Syria close airspace
  As a safety precaution, Jordan, Iraq and Syria have shut its airspace, joining Iran and Israel in suspending flights.

• ‘Declaration of war’

  Iran officially called Israel’s strikes that targeted nuclear and military sites on its territory a “declaration of war”.

• Iran has second chance

  US President Donald Trump said that he has given Iran a 60-day ultimatum to reach a nuclear deal and that Friday, June 13 was the 61st day, but the Islamic Republic still has a chance to make a deal

• Revenge has started

  Iran announced that its response to Israel’s attack earier on Friday has started, as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni said that Israel initiated a war.

• Reports of injuries

  Israeli rescuers said that seven people were injured on Friday in the centre of the country, shortly after Iran fired a salvo of missiles at Israel.

Netanyahu’s message to Iranians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to the Iranian people, calling on them to stand against the regime.

“The Iranian regime has never been weaker. This is an opportunity for the Iranian people to stand up against the regime,” he said.

“I am with you. The Israeli people are with you,” he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
To the proud people of Iran,
We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion.
The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/F67bxcDitL

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran crossed red lines by launching missiles towards civilian areas in Israel and that Tehran will pay ‘a heavy price’.

Conflicting reports

Iran said on Friday that it has downed at least two Israeli fighter jets and that the fates of their pilots remain unknown, Iranian news agency reported.

In response, Israel has denied the report of downing an Israeli jet and detaining a pilot.

Reports of injuries in Israel

Israeli rescuers said that seven people were injured on Friday in the centre of the country, shortly after Iran fired a salvo of missiles at Israel.

Speaking on Israel’s Channel 12, Eli Bin, the spokesman for the Magen David Adom rescue service, said that seven people were lightly injured in central Israel. Images on Channel 12 showed what appeared to be a building hit by a missile.

Meanwhile, Israel’s firefighting service said its teams were responding to several “major” incidents resulting from an Iranian missile attack, including efforts to rescue people trapped in a high-rise building.

“Firefighting crews are handling several major incidents, mainly in the Dan region” around Tel Aviv, a statement said, adding that “firefighters are working in a high-rise building to rescue trapped individuals and extinguish a fire, as well as responding to two additional destruction sites.”

‘Revenge has started’

Iran announced that its response to Israel’s attack earier on Friday has started, as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni said that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences.

Meanwhile, explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded on Friday night across Israel.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes.

Iran attacks Israel

The Israeli military said on Friday that it had identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, and said it was operating to intercept “the threat”.

Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, marking the start of Tehran’s response to intensive Israeli strikes, Iranian media reported.

Israel’s IDF has shared a tweet on X saying that all of Israel is currently under Iranian fire.

IDF SPOKESPERSON: A fresh barrage—dozens of missiles—has just been launched at Israel. Iron Dome and other air-defense batteries are intercepting in real time; any booms you hear are interceptions or impacts. Stay close to shelters and follow every Home Front Command alert… pic.twitter.com/KpqnAGP8HV

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) June 13, 2025

Israeli briefing cut short

A live feed of a briefing by Israeli military’s spokesman Effie Defrin was cut short and its transmission ended due to an Iranian attack on central Israel, an official said.

Defrin has said that Israel has struck over 200 targets in Iran so far, adding that Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan was among them.

Khamenei addresses nation

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has addressed the nation on Friday evening, saying that the Islamic Republic armed forces will leave Israel ‘helpless’.

He added in a message that Israel will not remain unscathed.

US security alerts

Amid the escalating situation in the Middle East, the US State Department issued security alerts on for several countries in the region.

It warned American citizens not to travel to Iran and said those there should leave. “US citizens who are unable to depart Iran should shelter in place,” the advisory read.

The alerts warned of missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. “In the event of such an incident seek overhead cover and shelter in place. Do not expose yourself to falling debris,” the department said.

Late on Thursday, the State Department said it had directed all US government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.

Strong UAE condemnation

UAE has expressed its strong condemnation of the Israeli military targeting of Iran, during a phonecall between Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Sheikh Abdullah, who is also UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister, stressed the need for diplomacy and dialogue to prevail, saying that respect for the sovereignty of states, and adherence to the international law’s rules and principles are fundamental to resolving all crises.

He also stressed the need to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid an expansion of the conflict, which could threaten the security and stability of the region, as well as regional and international peace and security.

Sheikh Abdullah has also discussed regional developments with his counterparts in Qatar, Oman, France and the UK.

Sirens in Jerusalem

Sirens are sounding in the Jerusalem area following projectile fire from Yemen, Israel’s Defence Forces said on X.

The military later said that the missile fell to earth inside the city of Hebron, adding that no interceptors were involved.

Yemen’s Houthis, who usually claim responsibility for missiles launched towards Israel from Yemen, are allied to Iran.

Death toll rises

Iranian state media said that the death toll from Israeli strikes in the northwest of the country has risen to 18.

Meanwhile, Mehr news agency said Israel has launched attacks on the holy Shiits city of Qom. Iran’s Press TV said Iranian air defenses downed an Israeli drone in the vicinity of the Fordow nuclear facility located in the city.

Nuclear facilities are safe

The spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Behrouz Kamalvandi has reteirated that Natanz, the country’s biggest facility for enriching uranium, has only sustained ‘superficial damage’ as a result of the ongoing Israeli attack.

Chemical and radiation pollution has been detected inside the site, but it has not spilled outside the facility, he added.

“We need to carry out decontamination inside the site,” he clarified.

An image grab from footage broadcast by Iran’s IRINN news showed what the television described as smoke billowing from explosions in Natanz. Take a look:

Another uranium enrichment facility at the Fordow site in the Qom province is safe and unharmed, Kamalvandi said in comments at a televised interview.

Oil jumps

Oil prices jumped over 7% to multi-month highs after the Israeli attack on Iran. Brent crude futures were up $4.94, or 7.12%, to $74.30 a barrel at 1442 GMT, after hitting an intraday high of $78.50, the strongest level since January 27.

US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $4.72, or 6.94%, at $72.75, touching its highest since January 21 at $77.62 earlier in the session.

In other markets, stocks dived and there was a rush to safe havens such as gold, the US dollar and the Swiss franc.

Waves of Iranian attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected “several waves of Iranian attacks” on his country in response to its strikes on military and nuclear sites in the Islamic republic.

The Israeli leader addressed the nation in an evening televised speech.

New IRGC commander comments

The newly appointed commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, threatened to open “the gates of hell” in retaliation for Israel’s attacks that killed his predecessor Hossein Salami.

“In retribution for the blood of our fallen commanders, scientists and citizens, the gates of hell will soon be opened upon this child-killing regime,” Pakpour said of Israel in a message carried by state news agency IRNA.

‘Worried, tired, helpless’

After the intitial Israeli attacks on Iran, the public mood in Israel reflected worry, exhaustion and a deep sense of unease.

Tel Aviv resident Vered Saar said what frightened her most was the potential for “uncertainty and chaos.”

The 54-year-old pastry chef said she immediately rang her children when her phone began beeping with an extreme emergency alert overnight.

“It was very scary… I couldn’t go back to sleep,” she said.

“I’m more worried about the uncertainty, the possibility of many injured people, of chaos,” she added.

Others echoed a sense of exhaustion, including University lecturer Or Hasson, 45, who said he felt helpless.

“The feeling is that we have a government that is playing with our lives and with the lives of others,” he added.

On the other hand, some Israelis hailed the strikes.

“In principle, I think that’s a good idea,” said Alex, who gave only his first name.

“Iran is not being a very good world citizen, so to say, and the nuclear programme is obviously a problem,” he said.

Attack is ongoing

Israel’s military said that its attack on Iran is ongoing and it continues to hit targets in the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, Iranian news agency ISNA said that at least eight people were killed and 12 other wounded in Israeli strikes in Iran’s northwestern Tabriz city and its surroundings, citing Majid Farshi, governor of East Azerbaijan province, of which Tabriz is the capital.

Take a look at the following video shared by Mehr news agency:

More attacks reported in Tabriz pic.twitter.com/5se2i0dPBM

— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) June 13, 2025

Travel disruption

Many airlines were scrambling to change their flights’ plans after the attacks and the closing of airspaces in various countries. Flightradar 24 has shared a video that shows planes avoiding Iranian, Syrian and Iraqi airspaces. Take a look:

9-second video of the clearing of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. pic.twitter.com/VZLWbmk9sC

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 13, 2025

‘Flagrant violation’

Iraq has officially filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over what it called Israel’s “violation of Iraqi airspace” during its latest attack on Iran.

In a statement, the country’s foreign ministry said that Israel used the Iraqi airspace in the strikes, adding that “these practices constitute a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” the ministry said, calling on “the Security Council to assume its responsibilities” and act to “prevent the recurrence of such violations”.

Early Friday, three missiles were found in Iraqi desert areas, one of them not yet exploded in the central Diyala province and two others in the southern province of Dhi Qar.

UN Security Council to meet

Upon a request from Iran, the United Nations Security Council said that it will meet later on Friday, diplomats said.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi requested the meeting in a letter to the 15-member body, saying Israel “has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished.”

Article 51 of the U.N. Charter covers the individual or collective right of states to self-defense against armed attack.

‘Iran must do something’

Many Iranians responded with anger and called for revenge after Israel’s strikes that struck military and nuclear sites across the country.

State television said many took to the streets in anti-Israel demonstrations that were held in cities across the country, while others sheltered inside, unsure what would happen next. Many were seen holding photos of military commanders who were killed during the attack.

“How much longer are we going to live in fear?” asked Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree. “As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response.”

“They’ve killed so many university professors and researchers, and now they want to negotiate?” Moadi exclaimed, referring to calls for Iran to go ahead with nuclear talks.

“Iran must destroy him, it must do something,” Abbas Ahmadi, a 52-year-old Tehran resident, told AFP, referring to Israel’s Prime Minister.

For Farnoush Rezaei, a 45-year-old nurse wearing a colourful hijab, Friday’s attacks represented a final act by Israel, a country “on its last breath”.

“If God wills it, at least a bit of peace will come from this,” said Rezaei.

‘Rising Lion’?

Israel codenamed its attack on Iran ‘Rising Lion’, leading many to wonder what does the name signifies. It is part of a biblical verse that promises a victorious future for a powerful Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was photographed on Thursday putting a handwritten note into a crack of Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, which in retrospect pointed to the looming strikes on Iran.

The expression comes from verse 23:24 of the Book of Numbers in the Bible: “Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed a note in the Western Wall yesterday with the verse: ‘A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up’.

Photos: Ziv Koren pic.twitter.com/iRUIKEVKBg

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

‘Declaration of war’

Iran officially called Israel’s strikes that targeted nuclear and military sites on its territory a “declaration of war”, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the Islamic Republic will make Israel “regret”.

“The Iranian nation and the country’s officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act,” Pezeshkian said in a video statement aired on state TV.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of “even more brutal” attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme.

Top military brass killed

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders were killed in the surprise Israeli attack on Friday, two sources told Reuters. In addition, six nuclear scientists also lost their lives. Below is a list on come of the slain leaders and scientists:

1. Hossein Salami

Salami was commander-in-chief of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Salami, who was born in 1960, as head of the IRGC in 2019.

2. Mohammad Bagheri

A former IRGC commander, Major General Bagheri was chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces from 2016. Born in 1960, Bagheri joined the Guards during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

3. Amir Ali Hajizadeh

Hajizadeh was the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Force. Israel has identified him as the central figure responsible for directing aerial attacks against its territory. In 2020, Hajizadeh took responsibility for the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which occurred shortly after Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani.

4. Golamali Rashid

Major General Rashid was head of the IRGC’s Khatam al Anbia headquarters. He previously served as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and fought for Iran during the 1980s war with Iraq.

5. Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani

Abbasi, a nuclear scientist, served as head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013. A hardliner, Abbasi was a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

6. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi

Tehranchi, a nuclear scientist, was head of Iran’s Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

Four other scientists killed in Friday’s strikes are Abdolhamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feghi and Motalibizadeh.

Iran has a second chance

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said he had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum on a nuclear deal before Israel’s strikes earlier today, but added Tehran now has a second chance.

Iran imposes internet restrictions

Iran’s communications ministry said that internet restrictions have been introduced nationwide following Israel’s wave of strikes.

“Temporary restrictions have been imposed on the country’s internet,” the ministry said in a statement carried by ISNA news agency, adding that the curbs “will be lifted once the normalcy returns.”

Iran confirms death of Guards aerospace commander

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed that its aerospace commander had been killed with fellow officers in an Israeli air strike on their command centre on Friday.

“Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps aerospace force Major General Amirali Hajizadeh… along with a group of brave and dedicated fighters of this force, were martyred” in an Israeli attack on their command centre, the Guards said in a statement.

Trump urges Iran to make deal

US President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting US demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, “with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal”.

However, Washington said it had no part in the operation, and that Israel acted unilaterally.

‘Surface level’ damage

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said that most of the damage from Israeli air strikes targeting its underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz was at ground level.

“Most of the damage is on the surface level,” said the organisation’s spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, adding that there had been “no casualties” at the facility where the enrichment centrifuges are  housed underground.

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders killed

The Israeli military has confirmed that it ‘eliminated’ Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Israeli military noted that Hajizadeh was eliminated along with other top IRGC leaders.

According to Reuters, two sources have confirmed that at least 20 senior Iranian commanders were killed in the attacks, including Hajizadeh.

Syria shuts airspace

Syria has shut its airspace following recent Israeli strikes on Iran, heightening regional tensions.

Earlier, Jordan also announced a temporary closure of its airspace as a precautionary step.

“This precautionary measure is taken in light of the military escalation in the region,” the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) said.

New top officials appointed

Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei named Mohammad Pakpour to replace Hossein Salami as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

He also appointed Abdolrahim Mousavi to replace Mohammad Bagheri as chief of the armed forces general staff.

At least 95 wounded

A fresh Israel strike targeted Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility, Iran’s state TV reported.

Iranian authorities reported that at least 95 people were wounded in the recent attack.

Iran’s nuclear programme

Before the Israeli strikes, Washington and Tehran engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, driven by growing international alarm over its accelerated development.

This concern has deepened in recent years, particularly after the 2018 collapse of a landmark nuclear agreement. That deal — designed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief — began to unravel when the US unilaterally withdrew.

Since then, Iran has significantly expanded its nuclear efforts. As of mid-May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile had reached approximately 9,247.6kg — over 45 times the limit established by the 2015 accord.

Of particular concern is the estimated 408.6kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity — dangerously close to the 90 perc ent threshold required for a nuclear weapon.

Based on IAEA definitions, Iran now possesses enough near-weapons-grade material to potentially produce around 10 nuclear bombs if further refined.

Click this link for a full list of Iran’s nuclear key sites.

Empty Ben Gurion Airport

Normally bustling, the departures and arrival hall of Ben Gurion Airport now sits empty.

Israel has shut down its airspace to both takeoffs and landings, leaving just a handful of confused or stranded travellers milling about.

Digital boards display row after row of cancelled flights, a grim visual echo of the escalating conflict.

Israeli pilots return safely from Iran mission

All Israeli pilots involved in today’s strike on Iran have returned safely home, an Israeli military official said, as the country’s armed forces continued assessing the results of the operation.

The official, speaking to a group of foreign reporters on condition of anonymity, said the air force had launched simultaneous strikes on multiple targets, including Iranian ballistic missiles that were pointed towards Israel.

“We have already achieved a lot,” he said.

Israel was prepared for the confrontation to continue over several days, depending in part on how Iran responded, he said, adding that Iran had already launched more than 100 drones towards Israel, many of which had already been intercepted.

UN nuclear watchdog issues statement

UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi issued a statement saying nuclear facilities “must never be attacked” and called “on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation” following Israeli strikes on Iran.

“This development is deeply concerning… I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond,” Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a statement to board members.

Iran condemns ‘silence’ from UN nuclear watchdog

Iran sharply criticised the UN nuclear watchdog, accusing it of “silence” over Israel’s strikes on its nuclear facilities and scientists.

In a statement, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said it considers the “silence” from the International Atomic Energy Agency “as a form of cooperation with the Zionist regime,” adding that the Israeli attack was a “defeat for the IAEA resulting from its unjustifiable shortcomings”.

Israel issues new guidelines

Israel announced that citizens are no longer required to stay near protected spaces nationwide, a precaution it imposed in anticipation of an Iranian response to Israel’s strikes on Iran.

“End of the need to stay near protected space,” the military’s home front command said in a new guideline issued to citizens.

Earlier today, it had ordered Israelis to seek refuge in shelters as the military launched a widespread attack on Iran.

Where Hossein Salami was killed

Iranian state media have released a video clip showing the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, at the site where they say Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami was killed.

Salami, a prominent and long-serving commander, was a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and known for his fiery rhetoric against both Israel and the United States.

The clip, as shared by AFP, shows significant destruction, with debris scattered around what appears to be a heavily damaged structure.

Watch the video below:

No casualties reported

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation has confirmed that the Natanz nuclear facility sustained damage following Israeli strikes early this morning.

In an official statement, the agency said there were no casualties reported so far.

The extent of the damage has not been fully disclosed, but the Natanz site — a key component of Iran’s uranium enrichment program — was among the primary targets in what Israel called a preemptive operation against nuclear and military infrastructure.

Iran’s radars, missile launchers destroyed

Israel’s military said it destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran in a wave of air strikes.

“In recent hours, Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, completed an extensive strike against the Iranian regime’s air defense system in western Iran,” a military statement said.

“As part of the strikes, dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers were destroyed,” it added.

Turkey urges Israel to halt ‘aggressive actions’

Turkey urged Israel to stop “aggressive actions” following a wave of strikes on Iran that comes at a time of negotiations over the Islamic republic’s disputed nuclear programme.

Ankara strongly condemned the Israeli airtrikes as a “clear violation of international law” and called it a “provocation that serves Israel’s strategic policy of destabilisation in the region.”

“Israel must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts,” Turkey’s foregn ministry said in a statement.

“The fact that the strikes come at a time of intensified negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme shows that the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government is unwilling to resolve any issue through diplomatic means and is not averse to putting regional stability and global peace at risk for its own interests,” the foreign ministry said.

“We call on the international community to take urgent action to prevent the spread of war,” it added.

Large-scale military operation completed

Israel has confirmed the completion of a large-scale military operation targeting air defence systems in western Iran, according to a report by the Associated Press.

While full details of the operation remain classified, Israeli officials earlier described it as a “strategic success”.

Pakistan PM expresses condolences

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif took to X to express his “deepest sympathies to the Iranian people on the loss of lives in this attack”.

In a social media post, he also condemned “today’s unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel”.

“This grave and highly irresponsible act is deeply alarming and risks further de-stabilising an already volatile region,” he wrote, adding: “We urge the international community and the United Nations to take urgent steps to prevent any further escalation that could imperil regional and global peace.”

I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, today’s unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. I convey my deepest sympathies to the Iranian people on the loss of lives in this attack. This grave and highly irresponsible act is deeply alarming and risks further de-stabilising an…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 13, 2025

UAE airlines suspend flights

To ensure passenger safety amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, UAE airlines have suspended flights to four destinations: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran.

In addition, several flights to other Middle Eastern and Caucasus destinations have been cancelled, following widespread airspace closures across the region.

Click here for the list of affected flights.

Ensuring public safety

Air raid sirens sounded in the Jordanian capital after Israel’s attack on Iran, while the public security directorate urged people to stay at home.

“Adhere to the guidelines and stay in your homes,” said an announcement on loudspeakers in Amman.

Key developments so far

Tensions have erupted across the Middle East after Israel launched a major strike on Iran earlier today, targeting nuclear and military facilities.

The fallout has been swift, with missile interceptions, regional airspace closures, and high-level casualties reported.

If you’re just joining us, here are the key developments so far:

• Israeli strikes hit Iran

  Israel launched a wide-scale pre-dawn attack on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities.

• Top Iranian officials reported killed

  Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and several other senior figures, including Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami and Gholam Ali Rashid, as well as two nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed.

• Iran responds with drone attack

  Iran launched around 100 drones toward Israel, according to the Israeli military, which said it is actively intercepting them.

• US denies involvement

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defence.

  “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement.

• UAE flights disrupted

  Several UAE airline flights were delayed or canceled due to regional airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

• UAE, Saudi Arabia condemn the strikes

  Both nations issued strong condemnations of Israel’s actions and urged de-escalation.

• Jordan temporarily closes airspace

  As a safety precaution, Jordan has shut its airspace, joining Iran and Israel in suspending flights.

Jordan intercepts missles, drones

Jordan intercepted several missiles and drones that entered its airspace early Friday morning, according to the state news agency.

The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions following an Israeli strike on Iran earlier in the day.

“Royal Air Force aircraft and air defence systems intercepted on Friday morning a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace,” a military statement said.

Jordanian authorities did not specify the origin of the projectiles but confirmed that defence systems successfully intercepted the threats.

Rescue teams at work

Rescue teams rushed to the scene in a Tehran neighbourhood hit by an Israeli strike early today.

Rescue teams were also working near a heavily damaged structure following the Israeli strike on Tehran.

Some UAE flights cancelled

UAE airlines announced that several of their flights were either canceled or delayed following Israel’s attack on Iran earlier in the day.

Airport authorities said they are working to manage the disruption and support affected guests.

Check out this link for more details.

Aftermath of the attack

This image grab taken from footage broadcast by Iran’s IRINN news shows what the television described as smoke billowing from explosions in Natanz after Israel announced it had carried out strikes Iranian nuclear and military sites in the Islamic republic.

UAE condemns attacks

The UAE has strongly condemned Israel’s military strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions and their potential impact on regional security and stability.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) underscored the urgent need for maximum restraint and sound judgment to contain the situation and prevent the conflict from spreading further.

Stressing the importance of diplomacy over confrontation, the UAE urged all parties to pursue peaceful solutions. It also called on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate and decisive action to secure a ceasefire and uphold global peace and security.

Israel jets ‘still attacking’ Iran’s nuclear facilities

The Israeli military said its fighter jets were still conducting strikes against Iranian military and nuclear facilities after Israel launched a wave of attacks across Iran before dawn on Friday.

“Our pilots attacked and are still attacking military targets and targets related to the nuclear programme in various areas in Iran,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists.

No radiation increase at Iran’s nuclear site

The UN nuclear watchdog said on Friday that Iranian authorities told it that no increase in radiation levels have been observed at the Natanz uranium enrichment site following Israeli strikes.

“Iranian authorities have informed the IAEA… that no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site,” the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a post on X, after earlier confirming that the facility was “among targets” of the strikes.

It added that Iran’s only nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr had not been targeted.

Jordan closes airspace 

Jordan is temporarily closing its airspace as a precautionary measure, after Israel’s strikes on Iran.

“This precautionary measure is taken in light of the military escalation in the region,” the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) said.

CARC Chief Commissioner Haitham Misto emphasised that the decision aligns with international civil aviation standards and flight safety obligations. He added that the closure would be continuously assessed and adjusted based on evolving conditions.

The move comes as both Israel and Iran have also shut down their airspaces amid fears of further retaliation.

According to flight-tracking site Flightradar24, skies over all three countries were nearly empty in the early hours of Friday local time, reflecting the rapidly shifting security environment in the region.

Trump says had advance notice of Israeli strikes

US President Donald Trump revelead in an interview with Fox News that he was aware of Israel’s plans to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened and stressed that Tehran “cannot have a nuclear bomb,” according to the US broadcaster.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump said, according to Fox News.

In recent days, the US had been warning of imminent attack in the reigon. Washington initiated partial evacuations from key diplomatic and military sites across the Middle East.

Speaking on Wednesday, Trump confirmed the redeployment of US personnel, citing rising regional instability.

Iran launches 100 drones at Israel

The Israeli military has confirmed that Iran has launched approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory.

The Israeli military stated that it is actively working to intercept the incoming drones.

Saudi condemns attack

Riyadh, once a rival of Tehran before reconciling about two years ago, condemned a wave of strikes that Israel said it launched against nuclear and military sites in Iran.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Scenes after the attacks

Crowds began to gather near a destroyed building, some in shock and others trying to offer help.

Some were taking photos and videos to document the damage, while others stood silently, holding each other.

At least 50 wounded

The attacks wounded at least 50 people, including women and children, Iran’s state television reported.

“Following the Israeli attack, about 50 injured people were transferred to Chamran Hospital (in Tehran), at least 35 of whom are women and children,” the broadcaster said, without announcing any deaths.

What does Iran have in its armory to retaliate with?

Iran’s capacity to strike back at Israel following the recent attacks on Friday largely hinges on its stockpile of ballistic missiles.

According to the Military Balance 2025 report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force possesses over 100 launchers for medium-range ballistic missiles, capable of hitting targets more than 1,000km away — well within reach of Israel.

This missile arsenal includes both solid-fueled and liquid-fueled ballistic missiles.

Solid-fueled missiles offer a tactical advantage: they can be launched on short notice, while liquid-fueled missiles require hours of preparation and fueling before launch. Once fired, a ballistic missile from Iran could reach Israeli territory in roughly 15 minutes.

Israel declares state of emergency

Israel has declared a state of emergency after launching a “preemptive strike against Iran”, with explosions now heard in Tehran.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz says a missile and drone attack against Israel “is expected in the immediate future”.

US says not involved in operation ‘Rising Lion’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defence.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement.

“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” he added.

Refineries, fuel depots unaffected

Iran’s oil ministry said key refineries and fuel depots were unaffected by Israel’s deadly, with operations continuing nationwide without disruption.

“No damage was caused to the country’s refining facilities and oil depots, and currently the activities of these facilities and fuel supply are ongoing in all parts of the country without interruption,” the ministry said in a statement.

Top officials dead

Iranian state media confirmed on Friday the killing of Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami in the attack.

Senior Revolutionary Guards commander Gholam Ali Rashid was also reported dead.

The attack also killed nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

Chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri killed

Iran armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri was killed in the Israel attack, the country’s state TV reported.

Bagheri, Iran’s highest-ranking military officer, is the second senior figure known to have been killed by Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday.

Netanyahu speaks after attack

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that Israel operation against Iran to ‘continue as many days as it takes’.

Check the video below:

VIDEO: Netanyahu says Israel operation against Iran to ‘continue as many days as it takes’

“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu… pic.twitter.com/rGuuf7lV06

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 13, 2025

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei alive

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is alive and is being continuously briefed about the situation, a security source told Reuters, following an Israeli attack on Iran early on Friday.

Israel launches strikes on Iran

Israel launched strikes on Iran early Friday, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in the two countries’ long-standing shadow war.

Codenamed “Rising Lion,” the Israeli offensive targeted high-value sites including missile factories, nuclear facilities, and top Iranian military leaders.

Stay with us for real-time updates as this rapidly-developing story continues to unfold.