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Here’s where things stand on Tuesday 17 June 2025:
- Explosions rock Iran and missiles hit Israel as attacks continue for a fifth-straight day with a Mossad office targeted in Tel Aviv and an alleged high-level assassination in Tehran.
- The Israeli military claims killing Iran’s wartime chief of staff after Iranian media say preparations under way for what they call the largest and most intense missile attack on Israeli soil.
- US President Donald Trump says he is seeking a “real end” to the conflict and “not a ceasefire”, after issuing a warning on social media urging Tehran’s residents to flee while vowing Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
- The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Iran has risen to more than 220, including 70 women and children. More than 20 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel.
- Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers have killed dozens of more Palestinian aid seekers, according to officials.
- Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 55,432 people and wounded 128,923, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks and more than 200 taken captive.
New missiles launched from Iran spotted over Tel Aviv, occupied West Bank
According to reports in Israel, up to 10 missiles have been launched from Iran.
A short while ago, sirens sounded in Amman. Just as we were coming on air, they sounded in Amman another siren indicating that the missiles were not over Jordanian airspace anymore. They were sighted over the occupied West Bank and Tel Aviv.
At this time, there are no confirmed reports of missile impacts. Israeli medical and emergency services have not reported treating any injuries. There is also no visual confirmation of any strikes so far.
The area in Israel where alarms have been triggered is extensive, stretching beyond the boundaries of the larger Tel Aviv district.
Israel says it shoots down ‘most’ Iranian missiles
Israel’s military says “most” of the missiles launched from Iran have been intercepted. It didn’t say if any penetrated air defence systems and landed in the country.
“In the last hour, several missiles were launched at the State of Israel from Iran, most of which were intercepted. The Home Front Command’s instructions must continue to be followed,” the air force said in a statement.
Trump shares cryptic text from his ambassador to Israel
The US president has posted a screenshot of a text message with religious overtones that he said was from his Israel envoy Mike Huckabee.
The message suggest that Trump is faced with a major decision without elaborating on its details.
“You have many voices speaking to you Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice,” it reads, referring to God.
Huckabee is a devout Christian Zionist.
“No president in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945. I don’t reach out to persuade you,” the text said. “Only to encourage you. I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else’s.”
Former President Harry Truman saw the end of the second world war and authorised dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan.
What does Israel need to destroy Iran’s Fordow facility?
Israel has targeted multiple Iranian nuclear programme sites but has not been able to destroy Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility.
The site is buried deep underground, and to eliminate it, Israel may need the 13,600kg (30,000-pound) GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which uses its weight and sheer kinetic force to reach deeply buried targets and then explode.
But Israel does not have the munitions or the bomber needed to deliver it. The penetrator is currently delivered by the B-2 stealth bomber.
According to manufacturer Northrop Grumman, the B-2 can carry a payload of 18,000kg (40,000 pounds) but the US Air Force has said it successfully tested the B-2 loaded with two GBU-57 A/B bunker busters – a total weight of some 27,200kg (60,000 pounds).
The strategic long-range heavy bomber has a range of about 11,000km (7,000 miles) without refuelling and can reach any point in the world within hours, according to Northrop Grumman.
Trump ‘repeating the same mistakes’ as Bush: CAIR
The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned Trump’s call for mass displacement in Tehran, warning that the US president may be using accusations of Iran being close to having a nuclear weapon as a pretext to go to war.
“President Trump is repeating the same mistakes of President George W Bush,” CAIR said in a statement. “Just like Iraq did not have and was not pursuing weapons of mass destruction, Iran does not have and was not pursuing a nuclear weapon.”
Smoke billows over Iran’s Isfahan
Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows massive plumes of smoke rising from several areas in Iran’s Isfahan province.
The visuals come shortly after Israel said it had carried out a wave of attacks on western Iran.
If you’re just joining us
Here’s a recap of the recent developments:
- Israel and Iran are continuing to trade attacks for a fifth day, fuelling fears of a broader regional war.
- Israel claims one of its latest strikes in Tehran assassinated Iran’s Armed Forces chief Ali Shadmani. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of more “significant” attacks today.
- Iran says its missile attacks hit a military intelligence centre and a Mossad operations planning centre.
- President Trump, after leaving the G7 summit early, said he is not pushing for an Israel-Iran ceasefire but wants a “real end”, with Iran “giving up entirely” on nuclear weapons.
- Israel’s attacks have continued across Gaza, killing 89 people today. About 70 of the victims were fired at while seeking food aid in Khan Younis.
Israeli military says new missile salvo launched from Iran
The Israeli army says missiles have been fired from Iran towards Israeli territory.
“The defence systems are working to intercept the threat. You must enter the protected areas upon receiving the alert, and remain there until further notice,” the military warned citizens.
We will bring you more when we have it.
IFJ demands accountability for Israel’s strike on Iranian broadcaster
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned Israel’s deadly attack on Iran’s state broadcaster on Monday.
“The IFJ reminds all parties that, under international law, journalists are civilians, and deliberate attacks against them constitute war crimes,” IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said.
“We once again urge warring parties to refrain from targeting media facilities. Claiming that a media outlet’s editorial line is hostile to your cause does not justify an attack. Those responsible for crimes against journalists must be brought before international criminal courts.”
Attacking Iran’s nuclear sites could have long-term impacts: WHO
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a devastating toll on civilians and potential health risks associated with Israel’s nuclear-site attacks on Iran.
“The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning – and is costing the lives of civilians, including children,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.
“Targeting of nuclear sites … may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region.”
AGaza death toll rises to 89 after bloody day of Israeli attacks
Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 89 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza, with more than 70 people dying while waiting for aid in southern Khan Younis.
“Bodies were strewn in the streets. People were attacked while waiting for aid and flour to arrive … People are hungry and desperate, they just wanted food,” said survivor Awad Barbakh.
Witness Saeed Abu Lebda said civilians were “blown to pieces, body parts were scattered all over the place”.
“The number of victims is way more than those brought to the hospital. But no one could reach them to provide help,” he said.
What is the NPT, and why has Iran threatened to pull out of the treaty?
The Iranian government says parliament is drafting legislation to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as it is engaged in an escalating military conflict with Israel.
Under the agreement, which Iran signed in 1968, it agrees not to seek or acquire nuclear weapons.
While Iran’s stated position on not seeking nuclear arms remains unchanged, leaving the treaty would free it from the NPT’s requirements, including oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency and obligations related to nuclear transparency.
Read more here.
Concerns among many in US amid ‘contradictory messaging’
The White House has released some messaging to reporters saying that President Donald Trump has been very clear all along.
In fact, they put out 40 different examples of where the US president on the campaign trail said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, as well as 15 different times that he has said it since coming into office.
But what can also be noted is that in recent weeks, Trump also suggested that Iran may be able to have a nuclear programme for civilian purposes – and when the two sides were very close to sort of inking that deal, then the goal posts moved and the president went back to his refrain that they cannot have a nuclear weapon.
So there has been contradictory messaging.
This has also been evident in the form of the US president essentially ignoring the director of his national intelligence who has testified in the US Senate that in fact, Iran was not close to weaponising its enrichment programme.
The US president insists right now that the United States is in a defensive posture in terms of assisting Israel, but there is the suggestion and the possibility of an offensive posture.
That is certainly what is concerning many Americans right now, and that’s what is being considered in the Situation Room, given the fact that the US president returned early from the G7 in order to meet with his national security team.
Iraq treads tightrope to avoid spillover from Israel-Iran conflict
With Iraq an ally of Iran and a strategic partner of the United States, Baghdad may struggle to avoid the fighting spreading to its territory, an analyst warns.
“There is a sizeable risk of a spillover escalation in Iraq,” said political analyst Sajad Jiyad. “Iraqis have a right to be worried.”
Jiyad said if the US supports Israel’s attacks, it “may lead to pro-Iran elements inside Iraq targeting US troops” or other American interests such as the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil.
This could lead to the US and Israel taking retaliatory actions within Iraq, he added. Israel’s use of Iraq’s airspace to attack Iran has angered pro-Tehran groups, who accused US forces of allowing it.
Israel carries out more attacks on western Iran
The Israeli army says it carried out a wave of attacks in western Iran a short while ago.
We will bring you more on this as soon as we can.
Russia offers to mediate between Israel and Iran, says Israel ‘reluctant’
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and Israel, both of whom it has relations with.
“President Putin has said that Russia is ready to provide mediation services if necessary,” Peskov said during a daily news briefing.
“At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement,” he added.
Iran is one of Russia’s top allies, but has also been keen not to alienate Israel, with which it has maintained good relations over the years.
“It’s a very difficult balancing game that Russia is trying to play,” Nikolay Surkov, assistant professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, told Al Jazeera. “And Russia is sincerely trying to achieve some kind of a political solution.”
Trump dismisses US intelligence showing Iran was not building nuclear weapons
When asked about the assessment by his own intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard that Iran is not building a nuclear bomb, the US president said: “I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one.”
In March, Gabbard had testified before Congress that the US intelligence community “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon”.
Ukraine urges citizens to leave Israel and Iran
We have a statement from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
“Due to the significant deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that Ukrainian citizens leave the territory of the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran as soon as possible until the situation in the region stabilises,” it said in a statement.
Earlier, China and South Korea also advised their citizens to leave Israel and Iran.
UN nuclear watchdog says ‘no change’ at Iran’s Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has conducted more satellite imagery analysis of Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
Based on its research, the watchdog said it has further evidence indicating “direct impacts” on the “underground enrichment halls” in the Natanz facility.
However, the IAEA said its analysis did not show any such change at two of Iran’s other major nuclear facilities targeted by Israel – Isfahan and Fordow.
China’s Xi ‘deeply worried’ about Israel’s military action against Iran
Chinese state media are carrying comments made by President Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan during a meeting with his Uzbek counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
“Israel launching military action against Iran has caused a sudden escalation in tension in the Middle East. China is deeply worried about this,” the Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying in Astana.
“We oppose any act that infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries.”
Meloni discussed Iran and Gaza with Trump: Statement
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a bilateral meeting with Trump yesterday on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, according to a statement issued by her office.
“The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the most recent developments in Iran, reaffirming that it would be opportune to reopen negotiations,” the statement said.
During the conversation, Meloni “also stressed the need at this time to work towards reaching a ceasefire in Gaza”, it added.
‘Israeli assault seeks to bring Iranians to streets against gov’t but has had opposite effect’
We have more from the interview with Abas Aslani, the senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies.
Speaking from Tehran, the analyst said the intensifying Israeli attacks targeting not just nuclear facilities but also hospitals and residential complexes appear to have unified people in Iran.
“It seems that Israel really wants to create a sense of fear among the Iranian public and intimidate them in order to create chaos and bring them to the streets against the government,” Aslani told Al Jazeera.
“But, in actual practice so far, it has had the opposite effect and people have been rallying around the flag, calling for a decisive response against Israel.”
Aslani said Iran has been facing pressure, including sanctions and assassinations, for decades but that has not prompted it to abandon its nuclear programme.
“[That is] because I think as soon as Tehran does it, I think the likelihood of a much more bigger aggression will be possible in the future.”
Pressure on Iran ‘to backfire’
Analyst Abas Aslani says Iran has long been familiar with contradicting messages coming out of the US, adding that he expects the pressure on the Iranian leadership to “backfire”.
“If the United States and the American president want to somehow get more compromises from Iran following this military aggression, meaning if they want zero enrichment, I think this won’t be accepted by Iran,” he told Al Jazeera.
“During the George Bush administration, Iran was facing pressure, but from a couple hundred centrifuges, now we are seeing thousands of advanced machines, which are producing a significant amount of enriched uranium,” said Aslani, a Tehran-based senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies.
He added that it also depends on what Trump would want to achieve in any negotiations.
“If it is the nuclear issue and if he means to eliminate Iran’s nuclear programme, I think this will not be achievable.”
How will Russia respond to Israel-Iran conflict?
After Israel launched what it described as “preventive” attacks on Iranian military and nuclear targets last week, Russia’s position appeared clear.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow condemned what it called “unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign UN member state”, referring to Iran.
Both Iran and Russia shared an ally in former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and intervened on his behalf in the Syrian war until his eventual defeat late last year. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed kamikaze drones to be used on Ukrainian targets, and last year, there were reports that Russia received hundreds of Fath-360 ballistic missiles from Iran, which are known to be accurate at short range.
However, while Russia might be sympathetic to Iran, the extent of their relationship should not be overstated, some analysts say.
Read more here.
Is the world close to a nuclear radiation incident?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to launch strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities has led to concerns among sections of the global community, atomic energy regulators and experts on the risks of nuclear contamination.
On Monday, Rafael Grossi, head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, said there’s a possibility of both radiological and chemical contamination from the damaged Natanz installation, Iran’s major nuclear hub.
So do Israel’s attacks point to a growing risk of nuclear radiation, especially after two nuclear-armed neighbours – India and Pakistan – also came to blows in May and with Russia and Ukraine tussling for control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest?
Read the full story here.
![A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on January 24, 2025. [Handout/Maxar Technologies via Reuters] REUTERS]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-06-13T070750Z_957636081_RC20TCAC2S1V_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-NUCLEAR-SITES-1749800102.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C524&quality=80)
Gaza death toll rises
At least 61 bodies have been brought to Gaza’s hospitals over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry says.
Additionally, at least 397 people were injured in Israeli attacks over the same period.
The figures bring the number of people killed in the territory since the start of the war in October 2023 to 55,493 with at least 129,320 wounded.
Israeli attacks have killed 5,194 Palestinians and injured 17,279 since Israel broke a ceasefire with Hamas in March.
Jordanian king says Israel is expanding its ‘battleground’
Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has called for an end to the Israel-Iran conflict, describing it as a global threat.
“With Israel’s expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end, and that is a threat to people everywhere,” Abdullah said.
“Ultimately, this conflict must end. If the world fails to act decisively, it will be complicit in Israel’s crimes.”
Israel says it’s ‘on verge of destroying’ 10 nuclear targets in Tehran
We can now bring you more remarks from Israel’s defence minister.
In comments carried by The Times of Israel, Katz said Israel’s air force will wage more “very significant” attacks in Tehran today against “targets of the regime and infrastructure”.
Thanks to Israel’s air power, he said, Israel is “on the verge of destroying” at least 10 nuclear targets in the Iranian capital.
Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility – built so deep underground that only US bunker-buster bombs are believed capable of seriously damaging it – is “an issue that will certainly be addressed”, Katz added.
Israel’s ‘big prize’ is blowing up Fordow nuclear site in Iran
Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat and current commentator, says Israel’s determination to neutralise the perceived threat from Iran will not succeed unless the US military becomes involved.
“If there’s going to be a de-escalation, it’s going to be from the US. Whether that comes or not we don’t know. President Trump is issuing contradictory statements every day,” Pinkas told Al Jazeera.
In Israel’s view, if the fighting with Iran were to stop today, the country “would gain nothing”, he said.
“Israel cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear-military infrastructure alone. That requires munitions, bombers and delivery systems that Israel does not have, which is why Mr Netanyahu is so insistent and focused on dragging the US into the war.”
He said “the big prize” in Israel’s assault is the heavily fortified Fordow uranium enrichment plant south of Tehran.
“For Israeli military planners, they would like nothing less for the US to deliver the final blow, but they’re also realistic and know that may not happen,” Pinkas said.
Iran open to negotiation ‘only if red lines respected’: Security official
I have spoken to a high-ranking Iranian security official who told me that Iran is not going to agree to stop striking back under the circumstances.
However, he said Iran is ready to start a line of negotiation – only if its red lines are observed and considered.
The official said Israel’s current strategy has not fulfilled its objectives and they are starting new ways of attacking.
The official also said any potential US intervention would run the risk of dragging the entire region into war. That sounds like a very clear message to the Americans.
Qatar assures oil production steady at South Pars after attack
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari says oil production at the North Dome/South Pars gas field, which Iran and Qatar share ownership of in the Gulf, is back on track after it was hit by an Israeli strike on Saturday.
Iran partially suspended production at the facility – which is by far the world’s largest gas field – after the Israeli attack sparked a fire there.
Trump’s administration? ‘More hawkish than MAGA antiwar’
Ryan Costello, the policy director at the National Iranian American Council, a lobby group, says Trump operates in an administration that is “probably more hawkish than MAGA antiwar”.
Costello noted the US president’s first term likewise had its fair share of foreign policy hawks. Back then, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, his replacement Robert O’Brien and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all advocated for militarised strategies to deal with Tehran.
“But there’s a big difference between Trump’s first term, when he elevated very hawkish voices on Iran, and Trump’s second term,” Costello said.
He added that this time, scepticism over US involvement in the Middle East extends throughout the ranks of the administration.
Costello pointed to a recent conflict between the head of US Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. The news outlet Semafor reported on Sunday that Kurilla was pushing to shift more military assets to the Middle East to defend Israel, but that Colby had opposed the move.
That schism, Costello argued, is part of a bigger shift in Trump’s administration and in the Republican Party at large.
“You have many prominent voices making the case that these wars of choice pursued by neoconservatives have been bankrupting Republican administrations and preventing them from focusing on issues that really matter,” Costello said.
Read more here.
What are Netanyahu’s goals in attacking Iran?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is “changing the face of the Middle East” with its military campaign against Iran, which could lead to “radical changes” in Iran.
Israel is “pursuing three main objectives: the elimination of the nuclear programme, the elimination of ballistic missile production capability, and the elimination of the axis of terrorism”, he said, referring to Iranian-backed armed groups in the Middle East.
“We will do what is necessary to achieve these goals, and we are well coordinated with the United States,” he said.
He also did not rule out killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Netanyahu has said the Israeli offensive aims to thwart the “existential” threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Anger at Israel builds in Tehran as attacks continue
The sound of explosions can be heard from time to time here in the capital, Tehran. Smoke can also be seen rising, with initial reports suggesting Israel has targeted a fuel depot.
A group of people has decided to leave Tehran, but still, part of the population has decided to stay. There is considerably less traffic, but there are long lines at petrol stations.
People are anxious – that goes without saying – but at the same time, they are extremely angry.
Pro-Iran supporters rally in Iraq
Pro-Iran Iraqi protesters burned the Israeli flag and held portraits of slain Iranian military commanders during a rally in Baghdad as Israel and Iran continue to trade deadly fire.
With warnings of all-out regional war intensifying following Israel’s surprise assault on Iran last week, fears are growing over an intervention by Iran-backed Iraqi factions, which have been calling for the withdrawal of US troops deployed in Iraq.
Cyberattack ‘disrupts’ Iranian state-owned bank
Sepah Bank, one of Iran’s main state-owned banks, has been targeted by a cyberattack that interrupted online services, according to the Fars news agency.
The report said the bank expects to resolve the problem in the coming hours.
An Israel-linked hacking group called Predatory Sparrow – or Gonjeshke Darande in Persian – has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack, saying it “destroyed” bank data.
Israeli army intelligence chief praises ‘extraordinary achievements’
The head of the Israeli army’s Intelligence Directorate, Shlomi Binder, has praised his personnel for intelligence gathering that he says “opened the route to Tehran” and promised to continue into “additional arenas”.
“You delivered the intelligence that opened the route to Tehran and enabled a strike on the Iranian General Staff,” said Binder, according to the Israeli military. “Soon you will do so in additional arenas.
“Always remember that we are not only operating in one arena,” he added. “We are operating against Iran but we also keep our eyes on our hostages in Gaza and on the various threats to the soldiers at the front and the civilians on the home front,” said Binder.
“From extraordinary challenges, you led us to an extraordinary achievement,” he added.
Qatar condemns Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites
Qatar “strongly condemns” Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and calls them “an uncalculated measure that will have very dire repercussions”.
The attacks were carried out at a time when Iran was “progressing in a positive diplomatic course” with Washington, negotiations that many regional countries were engaged in, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said.
Qatar remains involved in mediation with the United States and “believes there is an American desire for an agreement”.
“We will continue to work for a ceasefire between the warring parties – Israel and Iran,” he said in Doha.
WHO cites aid distribution after latest Gaza mass killing
The World Health Organization says it received reports of the mass casualty incident in Gaza as people waited for food supplies.
“This is again the result of another food distribution initiative,” said Thanos Gargavanis, WHO trauma surgeon and emergency officer.
Earlier, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli tank and drone fire killed at least 51 Palestinians as they awaited aid trucks in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The killings are the latest in near-daily mass deaths of desperate people seeking food in the past weeks, including near sites operated by the Israel-US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
“There’s a constant correlation with the positions of the four announced food distribution sites and the mass casualty incidents,” Gargavanis said, saying trauma injuries in recent days were mostly from gunshot wounds.
Half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation, a global hunger monitor said last month.
Since morning, 74 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza: Medical sources
At least 74 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the besieged Gaza Strip since dawn, medical sources tell Al Jazeera.
Among them were at least 56 aid seekers.
More than 600 foreigners flee Iran into Azerbaijan
Hundreds of foreign nationals have crossed from Iran into neighbouring Azerbaijan since Israel began striking the country.
“Since the start of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, more than 600 citizens of 17 countries have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan,” an unnamed government official told the AFP news agency.
The evacuees, who crossed the border via the Astara checkpoint on the Caspian Sea coast, are being transported to Baku airport and “flown to their home countries on international flights”, the source said.
Among those evacuated are citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as Germany, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China and Vietnam.
Iran blasts G7 for ignoring Israel’s ‘cruel aggression’
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has criticised the G7 leaders for disregarding what he described as Israel’s “blatant aggression” against his country.
At the summit of the informal grouping of wealthy nations that was held in Canada, leaders including Trump on Monday called for “de-escalation” while stressing that Israel had the right to defend itself.
“The G7 member states, especially the three permanent members of the UN Security Council, must assume their legal and moral responsibility for this blatant act of aggression against a UN member state,” Baghaei said in a social media post.
“Hundreds of innocent people have been killed, our public and state facilities and people’s homes are brutally demolished and hospitals & health centres are targeted. Iran is defending itself against a cruel aggression. Does Iran really have any other choice?”
Baghaei said stability in the region will only come after an “immediate end to Israel’s aggression”.
Thailand planning to evacuate its citizens from Israel, Iran
The Thai government has ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate its citizens from Israel and Iran.
“We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare planes to bring them home from Israel and Iran,” government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
IRGC’s claim of strike on Israeli intelligence site remains unanswered
In Israel, only about five people have been reported injured so far, treated for light injuries sustained while trying to get to the shelters during the last volley of ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
Still, we were able to see images of buses on fire and direct impacts were reported in the larger Tel Aviv area but also in Herzliya.
In Herzliya, the Israeli military censor has forbidden the publication of images and information about that site, classifying it as sensitive – that usually means that it’s either a military, intelligence or strategic asset or site that the Israeli military censor does not want to disclose.
Overnight, there has been a tightening of restrictions, so the information is difficult to verify.
Having said that, Iran’s IRGC said in a recent statement that they targeted the intelligence buildings in Herzliya, the Mossad and the Israeli (Aman) military intelligence, so that claim remains unanswered from the Israeli side.
‘For now, the war will most likely continue in the sky’
We’ve spoken to Marina Miron, a military analyst and researcher in the War Studies Department at King’s College London, about whether the conflict could escalate from being a war of the skies to on-the-ground fighting.
Here’s what she said:
“Of course have to consider every scenario even if it’s not very possible, or the probability is very low for it, but I would for now, at least exclude a clash of land forces of both armies.
“And we have to bear in mind that Iran is about nine times bigger than Israel – so it has much more potential, it is less compact. The question would be, on which territory would such a clash take place? It could be Iraq, could be Syria. So, it is complicated.
“But for now, the war will most likely continue in the sky, with Israel having more advanced, or very advanced, air power capabilities, using US F-35s, modified F-35s against the somewhat antiquated Iranian air defences.
“However, Iran has a strength in terms of its missile programme, which has been going on for decades now, and despite the sanctions, the Iranians have managed to produce quite a lot of variants, including the Fattah-1, which is believed to be a hypersonic missile.”
Israel’s defence minister says Iran’s Khamenei could face same fate as Saddam Hussein
Israel Katz warns that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could meet the same end as Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq who was ousted and executed after the 2003 US-led invasion of his country.
“I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launching missiles at Israeli civilians,” Katz said, according to local media.
Officials in Iran said dozens of Iranian civilians have been killed since Israel began launching attacks on the country on Friday.
“He [Khamenei] would do well to remember the fate of the dictator in the country neighbouring Iran who chose this same path against the state of Israel,” Katz added.
“We will continue today as well to act against regime and military targets in Tehran,” Katz added, repeating Israeli threats for residents to leave Tehran.
Trump’s mixed signals part of ‘psychological warfare’ against Iran
The US president is engaging in psychological warfare with his conflicting comments on the Israel-Iran confrontation, says Adel Abdel Ghafar from the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.
“Things can escalate, but I think ultimately President Trump wants this to wind down because if US facilities are attacked, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, there’s going to be an impact on the US economy and the global economy,” he told Al Jazeera.
A war in the Middle East will not serve Trump’s interests of economic growth, Ghafar said. Israel, however, has its own agenda, including Netanyahu “fighting for his political survival and wanting perpetual war”.
Other Israeli objectives include “some sort of regime change” in Iran and “pulling the world’s attention away from Gaza”, he added.
“We have the use of famine as a tool of war, which is clearly a war crime. But unfortunately, now the world’s attention is focused on the conflict between Iran and Israel and not on the crisis in Gaza.”
Turkiye expects no issues with oil and gas supply
Turkiye does not anticipate any problems meeting its domestic oil and gas needs during the ongoing fighting between Israel and Iran, although energy prices may keep rising, according to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Bayraktar told reporters should shipping through the Strait of Hormuz be disrupted, Turkiye would need to find alternatives for Gulf crude oil, which accounts for 20 percent of its total supply.
However, he emphasised that Ankara does not foresee any threats to oil and natural gas supply security.
Iran is the third-largest producer among members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and there’s widespread concern the fighting could affect exports.
Iran recalls all doctors, nurses from leave
Iran’s deputy health minister has announced that all doctors and nurses on leave must report back to work.
“All leave for doctors and nurses has been cancelled, and they have been asked to be continuously present at medical centres to not only provide services but also play an effective role in boosting the morale and psychological stability of treatment teams,” said Deputy Health Minister for Treatment Seyed Sajjad Razavi.
“The Ministry of Health stands with you and is ready to provide support and assistance should any need arise,” he added in comments carried by the Tasnim news agency.
Specialised guides on treating mass-casualty victims have been sent to medical centres and universities, Razavi said.
Iran’s IRGC says it targeted Israeli army centre, Mossad operations hub
In a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed its missile strikes in Israel hit a military intelligence centre and a Mossad operations planning centre.
Earlier, Israeli reports described a missile impact in the central coastal city of Herzliya as targeting a sensitive site – often code for a military or strategic target.
Trump says seeking ‘real end’ to conflict, not ceasefire
We now have more lines from Trump speaking to reporters on Air Force One.
On the issue of potential Iranian attacks on US interests in the region, the president said: “We will come down so hard if they do anything to our people.”
He added: “Then the gloves are off. … I think they know not to touch our troops.”
Asked whether the president was looking for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, he said “a real end, not a ceasefire” before adding: “Giving up entirely is OK too.”
Trump says ‘may’ send VP Vance for Iran talks
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump says he “may” send US Vice President JD Vance and his special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials for discussions.
“It depends on what happens when I get back,” he added.
Moreover, Trump reiterated his stance that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
Photos: Israelis take shelter as some Iranian missiles make impact
Many of those wounded in Israel’s attacks at Gaza aid site are in critical condition
We have just received confirmation from the Gaza Health Ministry that 51 Palestinians have been killed in the attack on the city of Khan Younis, while at least 200 others have been wounded. Of those, 21 are in critical condition.
This has been an absolute tragedy.
The attack happened as aid seekers gathered at points leading to a recently established point for aid distribution by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in the eastern part of the city of Khan Younis. Witnesses said they had gone to collect food aid but were met with live ammunition and drone attacks without any kind of warning.
This attack was not the only assault on aid seekers this morning.
There was also one near the Netzarim Corridor, where another GHF site turned into a death trap. We know that at least one person was killed there, while 60 others were wounded.
Israeli assassinations part of plan to decapitate Iran’s chain of command
The Israeli military says Armed Forces chief Ali Shadmani is the second Iranian official in this position it has assassinated since launching its attacks on Friday.
Shadmani is a prominent figure in the Iranian chain of command. He is a man who is significant to the war effort, to Iran’s attempts to retaliate against Israeli strikes.
Israel has made a point of highlighting how many Iranian officials – both military leaders and scientists – it is assassinating.
The narrative is that Israel’s efforts to stop Iran from retaliating centres on hitting its chain of command, in addition to targeting its military capabilities.
Witnesses describe Israeli ‘massacre’ at Gaza food site
The death toll from yet another attack near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza has risen to at least 51 with witnesses saying Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of people searching for food.
“Tens of thousands of hungry civilians gathered for the aid. Two Israeli shells were dropped in the middle of the crowd. Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed, and no one could help or save lives,” survivor Saeed Abu Liba, 38, told Al Jazeera. “May God punish the Israelis for their crimes.”
Yousef Nofal, another witness, said he saw many people motionless and bleeding on the ground. “It was a massacre,” he said, adding Israeli soldiers continued firing on people as they fled the area.
Mohammed Abu Qeshfa said he heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire and tank shelling. “I survived by a miracle,” he said.
Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said more than 200 people were wounded as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive flour.
“Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” he said.
Explosions in Tehran spark fear and anger among residents
When we speak about Tehran, we are dealing with over 10 million people living in the city itself, and more than 14 million residents in the wider Tehran province, which includes several other cities.
There is a strong sense of anxiety and fear among residents. But interestingly, there is also a distinct feeling of solidarity among those who remain in the capital. However, a significant portion of the population has chosen to leave Tehran in response to the explosions and repeated warning messages by Israel.
When I spoke to people, particularly those living in neighbourhoods that were targeted, there was a deep sense of anger.
Residents say they have no connection to the nuclear programme or to military facilities, and that they are ordinary citizens whose lives are now being directly affected by these events.
Israel using ‘psychological warfare’ against Iranians
Abas Aslani, a Tehran-based analyst of Iranian affairs, says Israel is waging “psychological warfare” in Iran through assassinations and increasingly harsh threats.
Israel has “been trying to intimidate the public and increasing the level of their threats in order to stop Iran from responding to Israeli attacks,” said Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies. “But the fact is that Iran so far has not come with full force yet because they have kept open the possibility the US might engage in this conflict.”
Rather than stir fear or chaos, Israel’s attacks and threats have actually created a stronger sense of national unity in Iran, he said.
The Israeli strikes “will not deter the country [Iran] from responding”.
Three people pulled alive from rubble in Tehran
Iranian media are reporting that three people were rescued from the rubble of a residential building that was struck by the Israeli military.
The IRNA news agency published footage of the Red Crescent rescue operation, but did not provide further details.
Spanish foreign minister calls for a return to talks
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says he sees no indication of a de-escalation between Israel and Iran.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Albares called for a return to “negotiation on the nuclear file” and said, “Let’s stop this exchange of missiles.”
