Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Donald Trump that any US military intervention in the conflict with Israel would cause irreparable damage. The US president is considering the possibility of the US participating in Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The UN confirmed that Israel struck two Iranian enrichment facilities overnight, while Iran announced that it had struck Israel with a hypersonic missile.
20:09
Summary of events
- Donald Trump has declined to say whether he intends to strike Iran, saying the Iranians have reached out but it is too late.
- Qatar and Oman are trying to broker a ceasefire, with Iran saying it is willing to make a deal with the US and is asking Israel to calm down.
- Iranian government planes have landed in Muscat, Oman, where negotiations were due to take place but were cancelled due to the attacks.
- The US defence secretary said the military was ready to implement any decision the president makes on war or peace.
- Khamenei rejected Trump's surrender ultimatum as unacceptable, stressing that threats do not affect the stance of the Iran.
- The Israeli Air Force destroyed the Iranian regime's internal security headquarters in Tehran.
- At the International Maritime Organization, Iran and Israel accused each other of threats to sea lanes and energy facilities.
- The US is organizing flights and cruise ship departures to remove American citizens from Israel.
- The Iranian Red Crescent said that an Israeli attack hit an area near its building, but not the building itself.
- A new explosion occurred in the northern part of Tehran, temporarily closing a main road.
- The German Foreign Minister again called on Iran to return to the negotiating table for its nuclear program.
- Britain temporarily withdrew relatives of diplomats from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as a precaution, keeping key staff.
20:01
Israeli army: End of alert for attack from Iran
The Israeli military ordered civilians to leave shelters and protected areas, signaling that the threat of an Iranian attack has ended.
19:58
We want a deal with the US, but Israel must calm down
Qatar and Oman are trying to mediate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, according to the Jerusalem Post. An Iranian source reportedly told the Qataris that they are willing to discuss reaching an agreement with the US, but Israel must calm down.
19:55
Ankara against Israel: Netanyahu will be held accountable for crimes against humanity
Turkey directly accused Benjamin Netanyahu of crimes against humanity, following a post by the Israeli Foreign Minister that it described as vile lies and slander.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry states that Israeli officials themselves confirm the truth of what our president said and claims that Netanyahu is already on trial for genocide.
He warns that when the immunity enjoyed by Israel is lost, Netanyahu and his accomplices will be held accountable before justice.
19:32
Israeli military: Missiles fired from Iran towards Israel
The Israeli military announced that it had detected missile launches from Iran towards Israel.
19:20
Erdogan: Iran has the right to self-defense
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Iran was exercising its legitimate right to self-defense against what he called Israeli state terrorism.
As he claimed, Israeli raids on Iran have killed hundreds of civilians and have hit medical personnel, news agencies and residential areas.
These attacks were organized while negotiations on Iran's nuclear program were underway, he said. He added: Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons and does not recognize any international rules, did not even wait for the negotiations to be concluded, but committed a terrorist act in advance.
19:18
End of COBRA meeting under Starmer
The emergency COBRA meeting convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on developments in the Middle East has concluded. The meeting took place immediately after Starmer returned to London from the G7 Summit in Canada.
COBRA is convened in times of crisis, such as social unrest or natural disasters.
19:18
Carlson-Cruz clash over Iran: Republican rift deepens
Tucker Carlson attacked Senator Ted Cruz for his hawkish stance on Iran, highlighting the deepening rift within the American right. During an interview, the well-known right-wing commentator – a staunch advocate of isolating the United States from foreign conflicts – accused Cruz of adopting aggressive rhetoric without sufficient knowledge of the region.
Cruz, a hawk in the Republican Party, has openly advocated for U.S. involvement on Israel's side. Carlson, by contrast, directly challenged his approach, turning the debate into a public showdown over whether Washington should become militarily involved in the Iran crisis.
The confrontation reflects the ideological division within the American Right: on the one hand, the traditional pro-war wing and, on the other, the new MAGA line that rejects foreign intervention and prioritizes national sovereignty.
19:16
Democrats demand briefing on Middle East conflict
The leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, said that he has asked the administration of Republican President Donald Trump to provide all 100 US senators with a classified briefing regarding the situation unfolding between Israel and Iran.
"We have received briefings and I have requested a confidential briefing for all senators," Schumer said, adding that he believes this request will be approved.
18:46
Graham: If diplomacy with Iran fails, it's time for force
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he spoke with Trump about Iran the previous night and criticized his Republican colleagues who have reservations about an aggressive US stance in the region.
He claimed that Trump is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and described Israel's action as amazing, noting, however, that there is one facility that is difficult to hit without American help.
"I have never felt more confident that the end of the Iranian nuclear program is near and the world will be a better place," he said.
18:45
US: Third aircraft carrier heads to the Eastern Mediterranean
The USS Ford Carrier Strike Group is expected to deploy next week to Europe, near the Middle East, bringing three American aircraft carriers into close proximity to the Israel-Iran conflict, according to a senior US official and two other sources told CNN.
Although Ford's deployment to the European Command was scheduled for late 2024, it is expected to move to the Eastern Mediterranean, near Israel, due to escalating tensions with Iran. At the same time, another aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East, where it will either reinforce or replace the USS Carl Vinson.
CNN
18:43
What Khamenei said earlier
- Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a televised address that Iran would not surrender to anyone and that the Iranian people do not respond well to the language of threats.
- He warned that any military intervention by the United States would have irreparable consequences, while describing the Israeli attacks as a grave mistake that is already being punished.
- He added that there are plans for further action and argued that the US involvement demonstrates Israel's weakness and incompetence.
18:41
Iran: We have not sent a negotiating team to Oman
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied reports that a negotiating team had been sent to Muscat, Oman. Iran has not sent any negotiating team, he said.
18:30
US Embassy in Israel is arranging evacuation flights and cruise ship departures for American citizens
The US ambassador to Israel announced that the embassy is working to organize special evacuation flights and cruise ship departures to help American citizens leave the country safely.
18:27
Three Iranian government planes land in Oman
According to reports from OSINTdefender, three aircraft typically used to transport high-ranking Iranian officials departed southern Iran in the last hour and landed at Muscat International Airport in Oman. Sources are talking about a negotiation mission, but it is not clear with whom or for what purpose the mission is being carried out, nor why three separate aircraft were required.
18:20
Iran Red Crescent denies its building was hit by Israeli strike
In an official statement, the Iranian Red Crescent denied that it was the target of an Israeli strike, clarifying that the strike occurred in a nearby area, not in its own building.
18:06
Israeli army: Three Iranian Cobra helicopters destroyed in Kermanshah
The Israeli military announced that the Air Force detected and destroyed three Iranian Cobra attack helicopters at a military base in the Kermanshah region.
These helicopters were intended to strike Israeli aircraft operating in Iranian airspace. The flights and attacks by the Israeli air force continue.
18:05
Iran's internet shutdown after Israeli attacks
According to an update from the Israeli network N12, Iran has completely cut off Internet access throughout the country, following repeated Israeli airstrikes.
18:00
Iran denies contacting the White House
Iran's mission to the United Nations categorically denied Trump's claim that Tehran had contacted Washington.
No Iranian official was dragged to the gates of the White House, according to a written statement.
The mission described Trump's claim that he could eliminate Iran's supreme leader as a lie and a cowardly threat.
Iran does NOT negotiate under pressure, does NOT accept peace under pressure and certainly NOT with a former warlord struggling to stay in the spotlight, it is emphasized. Every threat will be met with a corresponding threat and every action will be met with countermeasures.
17:54
Israeli warplanes hit the Meissami base in Karaj
Israeli warplanes carried out a strike on the Meysami military base in the city of Karaj, Iran.
17:53
Iran Mission to the UN: We Do Not Negotiate Under Pressure – Every Threat Will Be Responded to
Iran's mission to the United Nations stated via a post on Platform X that Tehran does not negotiate under pressure and will not accept peace under pressure.
He stressed that every threat will be met with a corresponding threat and every action will be responded to with countermeasures.
17:42
Trump: The ultimate ultimatum to Iran
Minutes after saying he had not decided whether to strike Iran, Trump was asked if he had given Tehran an ultimatum. Well, you could put it that way. They know. They know what’s going on. Maybe you could call it the ultimate ultimatum, right? he replied. When asked to explain what he meant, he declined: I don’t want to say that.
17:41
Schumer requests update on Iran-Israel crisis
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he had asked the Trump administration to brief senators on developments in the Iran-Israel conflict.
17:38
Iran: Evacuation warning for Haifa residents
The Iranian news agency SNN reported that Iranian authorities issued an evacuation warning for residents of the Israeli city of Haifa.
17:37
BBC Analysis: Trump's unpredictable nature is fully revealed
Donald Trump has repeatedly said, since 2016, that the United States needs to be more unpredictable. In his first election campaign, he accused the then-Obama administration of revealing its moves in advance, talking about press conferences before each military mission. Now, in his second round of presidency, the same strategy continues, with even greater intensity.
Trump's unpredictable stance in the midst of the Iran-Israel conflict makes it impossible to predict the American response. American officials make it clear that all options are on the table, but the final decision remains murky.
Trump faces a difficult dilemma. On the one hand, he has promised not to involve the country in new, costly military adventures. This promise has particular resonance with the MAGA movement base. On the other hand, he has made it clear that he will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, which could lead him to military involvement if he believes that Israel cannot prevent this development on its own.
Whatever decision he makes, he will face either his non-interventionist supporters or Republican Party hawks who are calling for a tough stance against Tehran.
What is certain is that we may never know which option weighed more heavily, unless we see American weapons hitting Iranian targets or, conversely, if the conflict ends without American involvement.
As he put it with characteristic vagueness: I may do it, I may not. Nobody knows what I want to do.
Analysis by Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC
17:31
Trump keeps his cards close: Too late for talks with Iran
Trump, speaking outside the White House, left all possibilities open, refusing to answer whether the US was planning an attack on Iran or its nuclear facilities.
He confirmed that Tehran has been in touch, but said it was now too late for talks.
With the aversion that no one knows what I will do, Trump seeks to cultivate deliberate ambiguity, reinforcing psychological pressure on Iran, which he described as completely defenseless, without air defense.
There is a big difference compared to a week ago, he emphasized, noting at the same time that the country is facing many problems.
17:27
Hegseth: Pentagon ready to execute Trump's war or peace decisions
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that if and when Trump makes decisions about war or peace, the Department of Defense is ready to execute them.
17:25
Trump to Netanyahu: Keep going
Trump said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue operations, but clarified that he had given no indication that the United States would provide additional aid to Israel.
17:25
Hegseth: I am not publicly disclosing whether options have been given to strike Iran
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he would not reveal in a public forum whether he has presented military options to Trump for a possible strike against Iran.
17:24
Trump to Iran's leader: Good luck - Our patience has already run out
Trump, when asked about Iran's supreme leader, replied laconically: Good luck.
He stressed that the US's patience has already run out, while confirming that it still intends to attend the NATO summit.
17:13
Iranian media: Israel struck Red Crescent headquarters in Tehran
According to Iranian state media, Israeli strikes targeted the Red Crescent headquarters in Tehran. So far, no further details have been released on the extent of the damage or possible casualties.
17:13
Trump: It's too late for talks
Trump declined to say whether he was planning a military strike against Iran or its nuclear facilities, saying the Iranians had contacted him but it was too late for talks.
"There's a big difference from a week ago," he told reporters outside the White House."Nobody knows what I'm going to do."
Trump added that Tehran had offered to come to the White House for talks, without giving further details. He described Iran as completely defenseless, with no air defenses.
17:08
Trump: I don't rule out a strike on Iran - It could be over soon
US President Donald Trump said he could not say whether the US would strike Iran, noting that Tehran has a lot of problems and has communicated. They wanted to negotiate - they should have negotiated. It's not too late, but I told them it's too late, he said.
Trump stressed that there is a big difference compared to a week ago and that they proposed to come to the White House. He added that he does not know how long this will last and described Iran as completely defenseless, with no air defense whatsoever.
Commenting on his demand for unconditional surrender, he said: It means I'm done. They had bad intentions. Finally, he announced developments next week — maybe even earlier. We'll see what happens. Nothing is over.
17:02
Iranian state media: Israeli strike near Red Crescent facility in Tehran
Iranian state-run Press TV reported that an Israeli strike occurred near a Red Crescent facility in Tehran.
A little earlier, the Israeli army had announced that its air force was carrying out attacks on Iranian regime military targets in the capital.
16:56
Katz: Iranian Internal Security Headquarters Destroyed – We Will Strike the Regime Wherever It Is
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli fighter jets destroyed the Iranian regime's internal security headquarters, after the army announced that military targets in Tehran were being hit.
"We have destroyed the Iranian dictator's main mechanism of repression," he said, promising to strike symbols of power and strike the Ayatollah regime wherever it is located.
16:54
UN: Location of Iran's highly enriched uranium uncertain
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that it cannot currently verify the location of Iran's 409 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, a quantity sufficient to build ten nuclear warheads.
This stockpile should theoretically be sealed in an underground facility in Isfahan, but IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that its location is now unclear, as Tehran had warned that it might move it in the event of an Israeli attack.
Israeli businesses are preventing inspectors from continuing their work.
Bloomberg
16:48
Israeli military intercepts drone launched from Iran
The Israeli military announced that the Air Force intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) launched from Iran in the airspace south of the Golan.
According to the relevant post, the warning sirens were activated between 15:52 and 15:54.
16:46
Erdogan: Netanyahu has surpassed Hitler – Iran has the right to defense
Erdogan launched a fierce attack on Israel and Netanyahu, whom he accused of genocide in Gaza. In the Holocaust, we did not see such horrible, inhuman, conscienceless scenes as those we see today, he said, adding that Netanyahu has long surpassed the tyrant Hitler.
He denounced Israel's simultaneous attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, noting that civilians are being massacred. He stated that it is Iran's natural and legitimate right to defend itself against Israeli state terrorism and described the Israeli attack in the midst of talks on the nuclear program as an act of terrorism.
The Turkish president stressed that Turkey is closely monitoring developments, with all relevant institutions on alert for the effects of the attacks on Iran.
We are not running a grocery store, we are running one of the largest countries in the world, he said, emphasizing that Ankara will strengthen its deterrent power and achieve full independence in the defense industry.
16:33
Israeli air force destroys Iranian internal security headquarters
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli Air Force destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian Internal Security Service, as part of ongoing military operations in Tehran.
16:29
Israel strikes military targets in Tehran – Explosions in northern and eastern suburbs
The Israeli military announced that it is carrying out attacks on Iranian regime military targets in Tehran. AFP journalists reported that explosions were heard in the north and east of the Iranian capital, as the Israeli air force continues to strike facilities.
16:20
Israel urges Iranian citizens to contact Mossad via VPN
In a message posted in Persian on the official @IDFFarsi profile, the Israeli army addresses the citizens of Iran directly, stating that it understands the difficult situation they are experiencing and conveying that it is receiving many messages of concern, even from individuals who claim to be members of the regime's security services.
The message refers them to the official Mossad website for communication, emphasizing that an external VPN must be used for security reasons.
Perhaps there you will find a new path to improve your life, it is characteristically stated.
16:15
Video of Israeli strikes on Iran
16:13
Explosion in northern Tehran – Part of main road closed
An explosion was heard in the northern part of Tehran and part of a central road has been partially closed, according to AFP, as the Israeli army announces that it is striking military targets in the Iranian capital.
16:11
Explosions in Karaz, west of Tehran, near Payam Airport
Fars News Agency reported that loud explosions were heard in the city of Karaz, west of Tehran, near Payam Airport, amid tensions over the Israeli attacks.
16:06
Smoke from an explosion in Lavizan, Tehran, in a video published by Shargh
Iranian newspaper Shargh published a video showing smoke from an explosion in the Lavizan area of Tehran, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
16:02
Trump spoke with Modi
US President Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with Indian leader Narendra Modi, the White House announced.
16:01
Israel eases restrictive measures
Israel will begin to ease domestic restrictions imposed due to the war with Iran and reopen the economy, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday.
"As we continue the fierce battle against Iran until the threats are eliminated, we will reopen the economy, lift restrictions, and return Israel to a path of creativity, activity, and security," he said in a statement.
16:00
BBC Analysis: Critical turning point in the Middle East
The conflict between Iran and Israel has reached a turning point. As BBC security analyst Frank Gardner points out, the next step will depend on Donald Trump's decision - whether or not to involve the US militarily.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's televised address today ended any illusions of Iranian retreat. Instead, the elderly supreme leader sent his own ultimatum to the American president, warning of dire consequences if the United States intervenes directly.
Despite the heavy losses that Iran has suffered – due to Israeli bombings and the neutralization of its regional allies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza – it still possesses significant power.
If it is hit by the US, it is expected to target American bases throughout the Gulf, with the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, bases in Iraq and Kuwait being possible options.
However, the repercussions could extend beyond immediate military responses. Tehran has already demonstrated, with its 2019 drone attack on Saudi Arabia, how vulnerable the Gulf's oil and industrial infrastructure is.
If it feels its survival is threatened or if it perceives Arab countries as accomplices of Israel and the US, Iran could strike desalination plants, oil terminals, or even mine the Strait of Hormuz — threatening nearly 30% of the world's oil supply.
Trump's decision, therefore, concerns not only the course of a war, but the stability of the entire global energy and geopolitical balance.
BBC
15:51
Starmer calls emergency COBRA meeting over Middle East
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will chair an emergency meeting of the COBRA committee due to developments in the Middle East, according to Sky News.
Starmer returned to London after attending the G7 summit in Canada.
The COBRA committee is convened in emergencies such as social unrest or natural disasters. It followed the evacuation of British diplomats' families from Israel, amid growing concerns that Trump could involve the US militarily in a potential attack on Tehran.
15:42
Israel announces over 1,100 strikes on targets in Iran since Friday
Israeli military spokeswoman Effie Defrin said the Israeli Armed Forces have hit more than 1,100 targets in Iran since the surprise attack that began on Friday.
Among them, five AH-1 helicopters were hit at Kermanshah airport, in western Iran, which – according to the Israeli military – were intended for attacks against Israeli aircraft.
Videos released on Iranian Telegram channels and not independently verified show thick smoke and talk of continuous explosions.
15:41
Israeli Army: Attacks on Military Targets in Tehran
The Israeli army announced that it is carrying out strikes on military targets in the Iranian capital Tehran, as the conflict between the two countries escalates dramatically.
15:39
Summary of events
- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected Trump's demand for unconditional surrender, as thousands of Iranians fled Tehran due to intensified Israeli airstrikes.
- In his first public appearance since Friday, the 86-year-old Khamenei warned that any US military intervention would have irreparable consequences, saying the Iranian people would not bow to threats.
- Trump initially proposed a diplomatic solution, then said he knew where Khamenei was hiding and demanded Tehran's unconditional surrender.
- According to reports, US participation in Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities is being seriously considered.
- The overnight, 50 Israeli warplanes struck about 20 targets in Tehran, including missile systems factories.
- Israeli authorities called on residents to evacuate areas of the capital, causing traffic chaos.
- Iranian missile retaliations hit residential areas in Israel, killing 24 civilians. According to authorities, about 400 missiles have been launched from Iran since Friday, with 40 of them penetrating Israeli air defenses.
- Russia warned that the world was within millimeters of disaster and called for restraint, while Germany asked Tehran for assurances that it was not seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon.
- Iran, for its part, is exploring means of exerting pressure through the Strait of Hormuz, the main sea artery for global oil exports.
15:31
US and Russia in contact over Iran-Israel conflict
The US and Russia are in direct contact over the conflict between Iran and Israel, according to a statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, reported by the Interfax news agency.
Ryabkov warned that any direct military support from the United States to Israel could radically destabilize the already fragile situation in the Middle East, where an aerial conflict between the two countries has been raging for the sixth consecutive day.
15:05
Khamenei's statement was broadcast in full on Iranian television.
Iranian state television recently broadcast the full televised message of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The Americans, and those familiar with the politics of this region, know that US involvement will be entirely to their detriment and they will suffer a blow. Khamenei added: A blow that will be far more devastating than any damage that can be inflicted on Iran.
15:01
Appeal from the winner of the Cannes Film Festival
Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival this year for his dramatic film It Was Just an Accident, called on the United Nations and the international community to immediately and decisively, and without compensation or agreement, force the two regimes to stop the military attacks and end the killing of civilians. In an Instagram post written in Farsi and translated by the platform into English, Panahi said that the attacks on Iran are in no way acceptable and that Israel has violated international norms. He added that Israel should be tried in an international court.
At the same time, he also criticized the Iranian government by pushing for the overthrow of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as reported by Variety.
14:49
Iran to neighbors: Prevent infiltration through land borders
Iran's border guard said it expects neighboring countries to take measures against possible infiltration into the country originating from their territory, the Tasnim news agency reported, citing the relevant commander.
Border police and the army are monitoring movements at the border, he added.
During its initial barrage against Iran last week, Israel revealed that drone and car bomb attacks were carried out by Israeli intelligence agents inside Iranian territory.
14:42
Israeli Defense Minister: Israel's economy will open gradually
14:41
Germany continues special flights for its citizens wishing to leave Israel
Germany will continue to organize special flights from Jordan for its citizens wishing to leave Israel, if necessary and the situation allows, a spokesman for the country's Foreign Ministry said.
One flight, with a capacity of just under 200 seats, had already been organized for Wednesday and another is scheduled for Thursday, the spokesman said.
"There are still commercial flight options from Amman. Border crossings from Israel to Jordan are open. But the exit options offered by commercial airlines are simply not enough. And that's why we are organizing these special flights," he stressed.
14:32
BBC: Trump's Iran dilemma - Republicans divided
The dilemma of whether the US should get involved in the Israeli attack on Iran or stay out of the attack has highlighted divisive tendencies among supporters of US President Donald Trump, according to an analysis in the BBC.
The Republican president is reportedly considering helping Israel, which is targeting the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities, after Trump met with national security advisers at the White House on Tuesday.
Several supporters of Trump's America First doctrine have pointed out that he has vowed to keep the United States out of wars, such as those that have led to the deaths of thousands of American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In contrast, others in the party are urging Trump to target Iran.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said it is in the U.S. national security interest to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful, political purposes, such as energy.
14:25
Zakharova: We are just a few kilometers away from disaster, due to daily Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure
14:22
German Foreign Minister to Iran: It's never too late for negotiations
Germany's foreign minister has called on the leadership of Iran to give credible assurances that it is not seeking to build nuclear weapons and to show that it is willing to find a solution through negotiations, as fears grow of further military escalation between Iran and Israel. We are still ready to negotiate a solution. However, Iran must act urgently... it is never too late to come to the negotiating table, if it comes with sincere intentions, Johann Vandeful said in a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart.
14:18
Putin's telephone conversation with the president of the United Arab Emirates - Joint call for an immediate end to the conflict and intensification of diplomatic efforts
14:04
Khamenei rejects Trump's call for unconditional surrender
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement broadcast on Iranian television that his country would not bow to US President, Donald Trump 's demand for unconditional surrender.
In his first comments since Friday, and his speech broadcast on state media shortly after Israel began bombing the country, Khamenei announced that no one can impose peace or war on the Islamic Republic.
Smart people who know Iran, the Iranian nation and its history will never address the country with threatening language, because the Iranian nation will not surrender, he added.
Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable consequences, Iran's Supreme Leader noted.
13:57
Israel: The operation will continue until we achieve our goals
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Shaar briefed more than 30 foreign ambassadors at the site of the Iranian ballistic missile attack on the central city of Bat Yam, assuring them that Israel's operation against Iran will continue until we achieve our goals.
According to a statement from Saar's office, ambassadors from Italy, Poland, India, Canada, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Norway, Sweden and other countries are awaiting briefings at the site of the attack, where nine civilians, including three children, were killed early Sunday.
Iran is making a mistake by trying to thwart Israel's attacks, deliberately targeting populated areas and killing civilians, said Shaar. They do not understand that the Israeli people strongly and massively support Operation Rising Lion, he said, adding:
I want you to know: There are no negotiations taking place and the operation will continue until we achieve our goals.
13:40
Merz: Israel did the dirty work
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Israel for doing the dirty work for all of us by striking Iran and preventing it from building nuclear weapons.
In an interview with German broadcaster ZDF on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, Merz was asked whether he agreed that Israel was doing the world's dirty work against a regime that is seen in the West as a subversive force.
Merz said he was grateful for the journalist's use of the term dirty work.
It is a dirty job that Israel does for all of us, he said. The (Iranian) regime has brought death and destruction to the world with attacks, with assassinations and homicides, with Hezbollah , with Hamas , he added.
Merz also stated that attacks like the one launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 would never have been possible without the Iranian regime.
"I can only say that I have the utmost respect for what the Israeli army and government had the courage to do," Merz said. The alternative, he argued, would have been many more months and years of terror by this regime - and then possibly with a nuclear weapon in its hand.
13:35
Khamenei to Trump: Those who know Iran's history also know that Iranians do not succumb to threats - Iran will not accept imposed peace
13:31
Khamenei: They should know that Iran will not surrender and any attack by the United States will have serious and irreparable consequences
13:28
Khamenei: Israel made a huge mistake and will be punished for it
13:26
Khamenei: The people will not forget the blood of the martyrs nor the attack on their territory
13:25
Russia to US: Don't even think about direct military involvement
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilize the situation in the Middle East, where the war between the Iranian and Israeli air forces has been raging for six days.
Ryabkov, according to the Interfax news agency, called on the United States not to offer such aid to Israel, or even to consider it. Ryabkov also said that Moscow is in contact with both Israel and Iran.
13:17
Israel says it has hit 1,100 targets in Iran in 5 days
Israeli army spokeswoman Effie Defrin announced the number at a press conference, according to the Times of Israel.
He stressed that the attacks demonstrate that Israel is systematically attempting to neutralize the nuclear threat.
The Air Force is operating freely in Iran - this is unprecedented, Defrin added, in a statement, which was accompanied by video footage of an alleged airstrike inside Iran.
13:13
Israelis arrive at Tel Aviv train station
REUTERS/ Violeta Santos Moura
13:11
Israeli military confirms downing of Israeli drone over Iran
13:09
A giant poster in Tel Aviv with a photo of Donald Trump accompanied by the message: Mr. President, finish the job!
REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
13:04
Britain evacuates family members of its employees in Israel
Britain announced it is temporarily removing family members of staff working at the country's embassy and consulate in Israel due to the significant risks of conflict between Iran and Israel.
Family members of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the British consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure, the British Foreign Office said.
The embassy and consulate continue their essential work, including services to British nationals, the announcement added.
12:58
Qatar's Emir Receives Letter from Iranian President
The Emir of Qatar received a letter from Iranian President Massoud Pesquet, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced, without disclosing the content of the letter.
Qatar is among the countries that have called on Washington to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire and resume talks with Tehran on a nuclear deal, according to a Reuters source.
12:56
Yair Lapid: He called on Trump to join the military campaign against Iran
From the site of an Iranian missile attack on the Israeli city of Herzliya, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on US President Donald Trump to join Israel's military campaign against Iran.
"I trust President Trump to do the right thing for the United States. At the same time, both in conversations with international officials and in the international media, I constantly reiterate that the United States must participate in this campaign," he said, standing in front of a burned bus.
12:49
Iranian state TV broadcasts footage of Israeli drone shot down in Isfahan
Iranian state television broadcast footage that it said showed an Israeli Hermes drone that was shot down in Iran's Isfahan province.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that a surface-to-air missile was fired at an Israeli Air Force drone and that the drone subsequently fell in Iran.
No injuries were reported and there is no risk of an information breach, the Israeli military stressed.
12:44
Erdogan: Iran's defense against Israel's illegal attacks is natural, legal and strong
12:42
Statement by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
A televised message from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is set to be broadcast soon, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.
Khamenei's last appearance was on Friday shortly after Israel's attack on Iran.
12:39
International Atomic Energy Agency: Attacks on two Iranian centrifuge facilities
Israeli military strikes hit two facilities in Iran that manufactured components for machines that enrich uranium, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday, identifying them as the TESA Karaj laboratory and the Tehran Research Center.
At the Tehran facility, a building where advanced centrifuge machines were manufactured and tested was hit. At the second facility, two buildings where centrifuge components were manufactured were destroyed, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in X.
12:27
Why the US is sending supply tankers to the Middle East
More than 30 US military aerial refueling tankers have been sent to the Middle East in recent days, according to two US officials cited by CNN.
If US President Donald Trump orders the US to become involved in the Israel-Iran conflict, the tankers would likely be used to support Israeli fighter jet missions against Iran with mid-air refueling capabilities.
Without this capability, Israeli warplanes have limited time to stay over Iran, searching for targets before returning to Israel to refuel. The Israeli Air Force has few tankers and cannot support the number of aircraft Israel is sending over Iran—it reached 200 in the first few strikes of the conflict, according to the Israeli military.
More flight time over Iran is particularly important if Israeli aircraft seek to strike mobile ballistic missile launchers, which can fire, hide, reload, and then reappear if Israeli aircraft are not present.
The tankers could also support the U.S. Air Force's B-2 bombers if Trump orders them into action to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. In previous conflicts in the region, the B-2s have deployed from their base in Missouri and required aerial refueling to stay aloft for the round trip.
12:18
Unconditional surrender would be humiliating for Iran
Speaking to the BBC, political analyst Albert Wolf said that Trump's demand for Iran's unconditional surrender would include a demand for the complete end of the country's nuclear program.
This would be a humiliation for the Iranians, he commented.
Wolf explained that Trump's version of unconditional surrender would mean that all of Iran's nuclear facilities would have to be destroyed and the country's nuclear technology discarded.
They should abandon their missile program, as well as end support for other members of the so-called 'axis of resistance', such as Hamas and Hezbollah , he added.
Wolf stressed that this would be difficult for Iran because its nuclear program is a key part of the country's prestige and authority in the world, and abandoning it would not just be an arms control agreement, but humiliation.
12:09
What happened in the past few hours:
- Donald Trump is considering getting involved in the conflict and joining Israel's attacks on Iran, after calling for Iran's complete surrender. However, the US president stressed that the US will not kill Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at least for now.
- Khamenei responded, saying he would never compromise with Israel.
- There were no deaths from the Iranian missile attacks on Israel overnight. Israel said 400 missiles had been fired at it since Friday.
- More than 50 Israeli fighter jets carried out operations in Iran overnight, striking an Iranian centrifuge facility, a missile manufacturing facility near Tehran and a university linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
- Iranian drones and missiles fired at Israel set off sirens across the country several times overnight. Iranian media reported that Tehran had fired Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles at Tel Aviv.
12:04
Reza Pahlavi says he is ready to take over Iran's government if the theocratic regime falls
12:03
Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva: There is a line that if crossed, there should be a response - This line will be defined by our authorities and military forces
12:01
Israel's Energy Minister: Damaged Haifa Oil Refineries Will Be Back in Operation Within 30 Days
12:00
People evacuated from Israel disembarked from a plane at Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport. Photo: Bulgarian Foreign Ministry via REUTERS.
11:55
Iran: Israeli attacks are an act of war against humanity
Iran's ambassador to the United Nations told the UN Human Rights Council that the Israeli attacks constitute an act of war against humanity. He criticized the states that did not condemn them, as, he said, they exposed many people to the risk of dangerous leaks.
"The deliberate targeting of Iran's nuclear facilities is not only a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, but also threatens to expose people in the region to a possible dangerous spill. This is not an act of war against our country, it is a war against humanity," said Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
He also criticized the failure of states to condemn Israel's attacks. We hear almost nothing from self-proclaimed human rights defenders, he stressed.
11:44
Israeli Foreign Minister: Iran has a strategic plan to eliminate Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sha'ar sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council claiming that Iran has a strategic plan to eliminate his country and stressing that Israel is determined to defend itself.
Iran has a strategic plan to eliminate Israel. Israel cannot and will not accept the threat of annihilation! wrote Shaar on X, where he posted a copy of the letter.
Israel's attack on Iran, he said in his letter, was launched after a critical development in Iran's nuclear weapons program and was also aimed at deterring the immediate threat of additional Iranian missile and proxy attacks.
The decision to attack was taken as a measure of last resort, the letter said.
11:40
Thousands of people fled Tehran
Thousands of people fled Tehran and other major cities in Iran today, according to Iranian media.
Iran and Israel launched new missile attacks on each other, despite US President Donald Trump 's call for Tehran's unconditional surrender.
The Israeli military reported two barrages of Iranian missiles fired towards Israel in the early hours of this morning. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv.
11:38
What is the US involvement so far?
The US has so far taken only indirect action in the current conflict with Iran, including helping to shoot down missiles fired towards Israel.
They are deploying more fighter jets to the Middle East and expanding the deployment of other warplanes, three US officials told Reuters.
11:37
Iran: Tehran will respond strongly if US directly intervenes
Iran announced that it has conveyed to Washington the message that it will respond strongly to the United States if it directly gets involved in Israel's military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said on Wednesday.
Ali Bahreini, the Islamic Republic of Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told reporters that he considers the US to be complicit in everything Israel does.
Israel launched its air war, the largest ever waged against Iran, on Friday after saying it had concluded that the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.
"We will not show any hesitation in defending our people, our security and our land - we will respond seriously and forcefully, without restrictions," Ali Bahreini, the Islamic Republic of Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told reporters.
11:32
Why Iran's nuclear facilities are difficult to destroy
Nuclear physicist and former UN nuclear inspector, David Albright, announced that Iran's underground nuclear facility - Fordow - is located 80 meters below the ground and is very difficult to destroy.
Speaking to the BBC, he explained that the experience in Iraq helped the International Atomic Energy Agency develop incredibly good ways of investigating secret programs.
He added:"Now that Israel is attacking, I estimate that it could put the facility out of commission for a long time. The US could completely destroy it."
Albright, who is also the founder of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, said Fordow is just one of Iran's formidable nuclear facilities.
But it is not the only one, he added, and therefore its importance should not be overemphasized.
The Fordow facility was originally built as part of Iran's nuclear weapons program in the early 2000s.
11:22
Image of a ship burning at the site of an alleged collision between two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz
European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-2 via REUTERS
11:17
Iron Dome: What is its operating cost?
Israel's Iron Dome air defense shield is mostly operational, but at a reported operating cost of $250 million per night.
A Washington Post article cites a source reportedly briefed on US and Israeli intelligence, who emphasizes that without resupply or greater involvement of US forces, Israel is able to keep it in place for another 10 to 12 days if Iran continues its attacks.
11:12
What we know about Iran's leader, Ali Khamenei
Israel reportedly planned to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before alleged US intervention.
Donald Trump also warned on social media that he knows exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader is hiding.
But who is Khamenei? And why would Israel target him?
- Ali Khamenei, as reported by the BBC, is the head of state of Iran and has been in power for more than three decades. His title places him above the president, Masoud Peskov, as he is the country's most powerful religious and political leader.
- In addition to extensive powers in governing the country, Khamenei also leads the hardline clerical regime that seized control of Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- This occurred when a popular uprising overthrew Iran's monarchy led by Shah Reza Pahlavi and established a religious democracy in its place.
- There have been only two supreme leaders since then, both chosen by Iran's Assembly of Experts. The title Ayatollah refers to a senior cleric inShiite Islam.
- As supreme leader, Khamenei is the head of the country's military, which may partly explain why he is considered a target by Israel.
11:06
Nearly 800 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Iran since Israel began its attacks on the country last week, Beijing has announced.
11:04
Khamenei: No mercy for Israeli leaders
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy to Israel's leaders, AFP reports.
We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show no mercy to the Zionists, Khamenei wrote in X.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump said the United States could easily assassinate Khamenei.
11:03
Iran will respond without hesitation
Iran will respond to Israeli attacks strongly and without hesitation, Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said, according to Reuters. We will not show any hesitation in defending our people, our security and our land. We will respond seriously and forcefully, without restrictions, Ali Bahreini, the Islamic Republic of Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told reporters.
11:02
Iran demanded that citizens delete WhatsApp
10:58
CNN: The US has overthrown an Iranian government before - How it happened
Since Israel launched its coordinated attack on Iran, calls for regime change have become more intense, with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raising the possibility of targeting Tehran's all-powerful leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranians have experienced regime change in their country with US intervention in the past. Here is a timeline, as recorded by CNN.
Oilfields : In 1953, the US helped stage a coup to overthrow Iran's democratically elected prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. He had pledged to nationalize the country's oilfields - a move that the US and Britain saw as a serious blow, given their dependence on oil from the Middle East.
Height of the Cold War : The move for nationalization was considered popular in Iran and a victory for the then USSR.
Strengthening the Shah's rule : The coup's goal was to support Iran's monarch, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, to rule as Shah of Iran, and to appoint a new prime minister - General Fazlolah Zahedi.
The coup : Before the coup, the CIA, along with the British Secret Intelligence Service, helped incite the anti-Mossadegh front through propaganda. In 1953, the CIA helped bring together forces that organized large protests against Mossadegh, which were soon joined by the army.
Cash from the USA : To ensure some stability on behalf of Zahedi, the country's new prime minister at the time, the CIA secretly deployed 5 million dollars within two days of taking power, according to documents.
Recognition by the USA : In 2013, declassified CIA documents were released, confirming for the first time the agency's involvement. But the US role was already known: Former US President Barack Obama had admitted involvement in the 2009 coup.
Failure : After Mossadegh was overthrown, the US increased its support for Pahlavi to rule as Shah. Iranians resented foreign interference, fueling anti-American sentiment in the country for decades.
Islamic Revolution : The Shah became a close ally of the United States. But in the late 1980s 1970, millions of Iranians took to the streets against his regime, which they viewed as corrupt and illegitimate. Secular protesters opposed his authoritarianism, while Islamist protesters opposed his modernization agenda. The Shah was defeated in the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which ended the Western-backed monarchy and marked the beginning of the Islamic Republic and clerical rule.
10:42
Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva: Israel blindly targeted populated areas without warning
10:40
China: No reports of Chinese nationals killed in Iran attacks so far
10:39
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, described the condition of Iran's nuclear facilities as good, according to the Iranian FARS NEWS.
10:36
Amnon Aran: Trump's rhetoric suggests entering a conflict
Trump's evolving rhetoric on the Israel-Iran conflict suggests he is leaning further toward joining the Israeli offensive, the professor commented. Aran sheep, Israeli foreign policy expert.
Trump posted a post on social media overnight, saying that Washington's patience is running out, stressing that he wants to see unconditional surrender from Tehran.
Aran argued, speaking to the BBC, that this kind of rhetoric signals that a line has been crossed and it is very difficult to back down.
All of President Trump's proclamations and statements reflect this gradual shift toward greater interventionism.
"We are certainly the closest we have ever been to US involvement in the conflict since it began," Aran added.
10:28
How Gazans view the Israel-Iran conflict
In Gaza, reactions to the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel are creating a complex mix of emotions ranging from a sense of vindication at the sight of the destruction inside Israel, to deep concern that the crisis could further overshadow their own prolonged suffering, Rushdi Abualuf tells the BBC.
Some Palestinians admit to feeling a grim satisfaction in seeing Israeli buildings collapse and civilians trapped under the rubble after Iranian missile attacks.
However, this sentiment is tempered by the fear that the world's attention is being diverted even further from Gaza, after nearly 20 months of war, blockade and humanitarian disaster.
THE Hassan Omar Talba, who lost his brother, his wife and his three children in Israeli airstrikes, expresses his disappointment at what he says is Iran's symbolic support for Gaza.
"Iran has never built a school, a hospital, or sent even a single aid truck to Gaza," he said."They have never cared for a wounded person. All they did was send missiles to support Hamas, which led us to the edge of the abyss," he added.
However, he said,"I support anyone who targets Israel. Let the Israeli citizens experience, even for one night, what we in Gaza have endured for 20 consecutive months."
Alaa Saleh, a father of five, expresses similar frustration.
The war here has not stopped. Death, hunger and displacement are part of our daily lives, but now the world has become distracted from what is happening in Iran. Even the media has stopped covering the war in Gaza.
He added: We know the cost of wars after decades of endless conflict. My feelings are conflicted. Iran gave weapons to Hamas, which exacerbated our tragedy. But I distinguish between the Iranian regime and the oppressed Iranian people, who are victims of their leaders just as we are.
10:15
Iran has fired over 400 missiles at Israel
Since Israel launched its attacks on Iran last Friday, Tehran has responded by launching more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office. Benjamin Netanyahu .
The raids have hit 40 locations across Israel, Netanyahu's office said, resulting in nearly 19,000 claims for compensation being filed with the tax office so far.
So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel , more than 800 have been injured and over 3,800 people have been displaced from their homes, the office said.
At least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Friday, according to Iranian authorities.
10:05
Iran: Five arrested for tarnishing the country's image
Iran says it has arrested five suspected Israeli intelligence agents Mossad on charges of tarnishing the country's image on the internet, according to reports by Iranian news agencies.
These mercenaries sought to sow fear in the public and tarnish the image of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through their calculated activities online, the Tasnim and SNA news agencies reported, citing a statement from the Revolutionary Guards.
They added that the arrests took place in western Iran, according to AFP.
10:03
US embassy in Israel closed
The US embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed from Wednesday to Friday due to the security situation in the area and in compliance with Israeli directives, the US State Department announced.
Due to the security situation and in compliance with the directives of the Israeli Home Front Command, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed from tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) until Friday (June 20). This includes the consular sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Foreign Ministry announced on X.
09:58
The United Arab Emirates has exempted Iranian citizens from fines for staying in the country illegally, amid the closure of the region's airspace following the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
09:57
What is Israel trying to achieve?
Since Friday when Israel began its attacks on Iran, one key question remains unanswered, emphasizes Hugo Bacega, in his response to the BBC from Jerusalem: What is its ultimate goal?
Israeli military officials claim that it was a preemptive strike, aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear program, as Iran had reached the point of no return.
They have not provided any evidence for this. In fact, the latest assessments by the international community, including the US, indicate that Iran had not decided to turn its nuclear program into a weapon, something it had abandoned in 2003.
Iran, a member of Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons , claims that it has the right to have a peaceful nuclear program and systematically denies that it seeks to acquire nuclear weapons.
Israel, which is not a member of the Treaty and is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, rejects this argument.
On the eve of Israel's campaign, the International Atomic Energy Agency , declared that Iran had violated its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in two decades.
Of particular concern was Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which can be used to produce fuel for reactors, but also to build nuclear weapons.
The agency also said Iran has enough enriched uranium close to the level needed to make weapons-grade uranium to potentially build nine nuclear bombs.
Israel has attacked key Iranian nuclear facilities, including those in Natanz and in Isfahan , as well as in military and energy infrastructure, government buildings and residences.
However, it has not attacked the Fordow , where a major facility is located, buried under the mountains. The Israelis do not have the type of bomb required to carry out this attack, unlike the US, which does.
Iran claims that this is an aggressive war against it and that it has the right to defend itself.
If the Americans decide to get directly involved in the war, this could trigger a wider conflict, as Iran has threatened to attack American military interests in the region, while its partners, including in Iraq and Yemen, may join in the response.
09:48
Iranian state TV broadcast footage of the downing of an Israeli Hermes drone in Isfahan province
09:48
Ship collision in the Sea of Oman
A collision between two oil tankers occurred in the Sea of Oman. The incident was reportedly caused by a navigational error, the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Energy said, citing preliminary information.
The oil tankers Adalynn and Front Eagle collided and caught fire on Tuesday near Strait of Hormuz, where the numbers have increased electronic interference during the conflict between Iran and Israel. No injuries to the crew or leaks were reported, Reuters reported.
09:45
The Israeli military announced that it had intercepted three drones launched from Iran.
09:44
Israel begins repatriation of citizens
Israel has begun gradually repatriating its citizens stranded abroad after the country's surprise military attack on Iran, which left tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad.
The first flight, operated by the national airline El Al, landed at the airport Ben Gurion early Wednesday morning, carrying passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus.
Globally, the Israeli Ministry of Transport estimates that more than 50,000 Israelis who have been excluded are trying to return to their homeland.
El Al has announced that repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, the Rome, the Milan and the Paris Smaller competitors Arkia and Israir are also participating in the venture.
Tel Aviv airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Friday, when Israel launched its attack.
The Airports Authority reinforced its staff on Wednesday to ensure the rapid exit of arriving passengers from the airport. Passengers were transferred to their parked vehicles or by train and bus to city centers across the country.
The operation is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and safety assessments, with an emphasis on the safety of passengers, flight crews and aircraft, an Airports Authority spokesman said.
Relatives are advised to avoid going to airports for security reasons.
There are still no passenger flights departing from Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has canceled all scheduled flights through June 23.
A large number of Israelis wishing to return to their homeland have flocked to Cyprus, the closest European Union member state to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes.
Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus on Wednesday, bound for Haifa and four for Tel Aviv, carrying around 1,000 people, according to sources at the Cypriot airport management company Hermes.
Cruise company Mano Maritime, whose ship Crown Iris carries 2,000 passengers, announced that it will operate two routes from Cyprus to the Mediterranean port city of Haifa in Israel.
Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants in a Jewish heritage program, who had departed from Israel on Tuesday.
Source: Reuters
09:36
CNN: Russia will benefit from chaos, even if it loses another partner in the Middle East
Matthew Chance speaks of an awkward tension in the Kremlin's relations with the Middle East in his analysis on CNN.
As he points out, on the one hand, Russian alliances in the region are traditionally strong. On the other hand, as one of the world's largest oil and gas producers, Russia tends to benefit when things in the energy-rich Middle East go wrong and markets panic.
At first glance, Russia has a lot to lose.
Iran has been a particularly useful strategic partner for the Kremlin, not only because the two sides share a disdain for Western values and influence, but also because it supplies the Russian military with Shahed aircraft, which allows Moscow to continue its bombing of Ukraine, the analysis notes.
Much of the production of these aircraft has been moved to Russia. However, Ukrainian aircraft are now hitting Russian production facilities deep behind the front lines. Now, once-reliable supplies from Iran may be gone.
There is also a sense of faint but painful humiliation for the Kremlin that it must stand by and watch yet another key partner in the Middle East come under heavy bombardment, unable or unwilling to intervene.
The collapse of the Iranian regime would add Tehran to the list of Moscow's lost alliances in the Middle East, following the fall of Moscow-friendly regimes in Iraq, Libya and, most recently, Syria.
Moscow has issued tough statements, stressing that the attacks pose unacceptable threats. However, Russia's alleged cooperation with Iran has never extended to defending the Islamic Republic, and the Kremlin has not offered any military support to Tehran.
Furthermore, the conflict paves the way for potential diplomatic opportunities for the Kremlin, which has been facing international isolation for years.
Now, the Kremlin sees an issue on which it can cooperate jointly and productively with the USA and, possibly, emerge as an indispensable partner in the claim of the region.
09:22
Amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Flight Radar map shows huge gaps over the world's most dangerous airspaces
09:17
Passengers from the Crown Iris cruise ship wait to board buses at the port of Larnaca - Repatriation of Israelis from Cyprus has begun
Photo: Reuters
09:09
Possible US involvement - What we need to know
- The President of the United States Donald Trump is considering entering the war and joining Israel's attacks on Iran. On Tuesday, he held a meeting with his national security team that lasted nearly 90 minutes.
- A possible target for the US is the nuclear facility of Fordow in Iran. It is located deep underground and only the Americans have a 30,000-pound bomb capable of destroying it, according to the BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner.
- Trump's advisers are divided over the move, which experts say will completely change the conflict.
- In the past three days, at least 30 US military refueling aircraft used to refuel fighter jets and bombers have been transferred to the Europe.
- Iran has continued to retaliate against Israel since the beginning of the conflict – last night, Tehran launched a hypersonic missile Fattah-1 to Tel Aviv.
09:04
6th day of conflict - How the attacks escalated
- On the sixth day of the conflict, there were more Israeli attacks against the Iran , while Tehran responded by launching more missiles against Israel.
- Explosions were heard in Tehran and its surroundings around dawn.
- According to reports, the Israeli airstrikes hit a major missile manufacturing facility and an academy affiliated with the IDF. Revolutionary Guards .
- A few hours earlier, the Israeli army had issued an evacuation order for the residents of 18th district of Tehran , which includes military buildings and residential areas.
- In Israel, air raid sirens sounded twice overnight as Iran responded by saying it had used hypersonic missile , but no casualties have been reported.
- In a series of social media posts, one of which was in Hebrew, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , stated that Iran will never compromise with Israel, adding that the battle is beginning.
08:57
WSJ: Israel is depleting its stockpile of defensive interceptor missiles
Israel is depleting its stockpile of Arrow defensive interceptor missiles, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed US official, raising concerns about the country's ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
08:56
Smoke over Tehran as air war between Israel and Iran continues
Photo. Social Media via REUTERS
08:51
Iranian security authorities said they seized 14 drones, discovered drone manufacturing workshops and vehicles transporting them in various provinces, the Iranian news agency ILNA reported.
08:49
Cyprus: Repatriation flights for Israelis begin
The first flights from Cyprus to Israel departed today, according to airport sources and flight tracking websites, carrying Israelis who had been stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran.
Israel's airspace has been closed since Friday, after the two countries began exchanging attacks, resulting in the stranding of tens of thousands of people whose flights to Tel Aviv were canceled.
Israel announced yesterday special flights for the repatriation of its nationals.
An Arkia flight departed Larnaca airport in Cyprus at 07:25 a.m. bound for Tel Aviv. Nine more flights were expected to depart today bound for Haifa and four bound for Tel Aviv, carrying around 1,000 people, according to sources at airport operator Hermes.
Israel's Transport Ministry has said that approximately 150,000 Israelis are abroad, with about a third trying to return home.
A large number have gathered in Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel.
Source: Reuters
08:40
Nervousness in the markets
Worries about escalating hostilities in the Middle East remained at the forefront of markets on Wednesday, driving up oil prices and making investors hesitant to buy riskier assets.
Investors are growing increasingly nervous about the possibility of more direct US military involvement as the air war between Israel and Iran entered its sixth day, with US President Donald Trump calling for Iran's unconditional surrender and warning that US patience is running out.
It is clear that the problems in the Middle East have not been resolved and President Trump's statements only mean that the situation in that part of the world could become even more dangerous, said Joseph Capurso, head of international and sustainable economics at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
Markets are trying to assess the risk of a major US military intervention. It is difficult to say exactly what the markets are thinking, but judging by the price of oil and currencies, they are certainly calculating at least some risk that something very bad will happen there.
Oil prices continued to rise on Wednesday, with Brent futures up 0.3% to $76.67 a barrel, while U.S. crude rose 0.43% to $75.16 a barrel. Both had gained more than 4% in the previous session.
The general risk aversion in the markets since the beginning of the week has slightly decreased, however the overall mood remains pessimistic.
Source: Reuters
08:35
China evacuates its citizens from Iran
China has organized the evacuation of its first group of citizens from Iran, China News Service reported.
The Chinese nationals departed Tehran via a land route to Turkmenistan on Tuesday, the state news agency reported.
08:33
Flight cancellations in Iran are being extended until 2:00 p.m. (local time), the country's civil aviation safety authority announced.
08:24
What are centrifuge machines?
Centrifuges are machines for enriching uranium, which can be used to produce fuel for power plants and for nuclear weapons.
These are fragile devices that spin uranium hexafluoride gas at extremely high speeds using rotors.
According to the BBC, a minor technical problem, such as a power outage, could cause the centrifuge to spin out of control and cause a disaster.
08:14
IDF: We hit a centrifuge site in Iran
The Israeli military announced on Wednesday morning that it had struck uranium centrifuge production facilities and weapons factories in Iran.
These strikes, carried out by more than 50 aircraft, targeted a centrifuge production facility in Tehran as well as weapons manufacturing facilities (...) in particular facilities producing raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles, the Israeli armed forces said in a statement.
08:10
The Trump dilemma
According to converging reports from the New York Times and CNN, the American president is facing an extremely critical dilemma that will determine the dramatic developments in the Middle East, but also his presidency itself: whether he will accept what Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring him to do, to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, which are buried deep in a mountain.
This can only be done with the ferocious American GBU-57 bombs, weighing 15 tons, which can only be transported by invisible American B-2 bombers. Israel has neither bombs nor planes of this type. Republican hawks, such as South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, are in favor of open American involvement, but powerful MAGA figures such as Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson are reacting, who believe that such a thing would be a betrayal of the America First policy, which Trump has proclaimed for ten years, denouncing the long-lasting ineffective US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
08:09
Trump to Iran: Unconditional surrender
The American president called on Tehran to surrender unconditionally, intensifying the already harsh rhetoric of recent days.
We know exactly where the so-called “supreme leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but he is safe there. We are not going to neutralize him (kill him!), at least not for now. But we do not want them to fire missiles at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is running out, he wrote on the Truth Social platform.
08:07
Khamenei: The battle begins
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated in a post on X: In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins.
It is noted that Haidar is a name often used for Ali, whom Shia Muslims consider the first Imam and successor of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Iranian leader also posted on his English-language X account: We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show no mercy to the Zionists.
08:02
Live image from Tehran - Tel Aviv
08:01
Sixth day of clashes in the Middle East
- For the sixth night, the attacks on both sides between Israel and Iran continued.
- Israel is targeting Imam Hussein University in eastern Tehran, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guards.
- The elite corps of the Iranian armed forces announced in the early hours of the morning that it had launched hypersonic missiles against Israel.
- Donald Trump demanded unconditional surrender from Iran. We know exactly where Khomeini is hiding. It is safe for now, but our patience is running out, he said via Truth Social.
- Donald Trump is considering getting involved in the Israel-Iran conflict, to bomb well-armored underground nuclear facilities.
