Israel hit Iranian government targets Monday in Tehran, including the notorious Evin Prison, the Israeli Defense Ministry said, as other strikes targeted Iran’s underground enrichment site at Fordo for a second time.

Meanwhile, Iran fired a salvo of missiles and drones at Israel and warned the United States that its military now has a “free hand” to attack American targets in the wake of the Trump administration’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday.

Here is the latest: US Embassy in Qatar Urges American Citizens to Shelter in Place The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued an alert on its website Monday urging American citizens in the energy-rich nation to “shelter in place until further notice.”

The embassy did not elaborate, nor did it respond to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press on the message.

Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command. Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid in the past, but not after Sunday’s strike. Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran. Putin Meets Iranian Foreign Minister in Show of Support for Tehran Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin on Monday, calling the U.S. strikes an “absolutely unprovoked aggression” and reaffirming Russian support for Tehran.

Araghchi said that Russia has always been Iran’s partner in the peaceful nuclear energy sector and played a positive role in negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

“In the sphere of Iran’s nuclear program, Russia has always been a partner for us. It built the Bushehr nuclear power plant,” he said. Israel Striking Evin Prison, Other Targets in Iran Israel’s Defense Ministry said Israel is currently attacking Iranian governmental targets deep inside the Iranian capital of Tehran, including the notorious Evin prison.

Other targets include the security headquarters of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards, Palestine Square, and the paramilitary Basij volunteer corps, which is a part of the Revolutionary Guard. Iran’s Fordow Site Attacked Again, Iranian State TV Says Iran’s underground enrichment site at Fordow was again attacked Monday, Iranian state television reported.

The report, also carried by other Iranian media, offered no word on damage or who launched the assault. However, Israel has been conducting airstrikes throughout the day in Iran. UN Nuclear Agency Says Significant Damage Expected at Iranian Underground Site The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Monday that “very significant damage” is expected at Iran’s underground facility at Fordo after a U.S. airstrike there this weekend with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the statement in Vienna.

“Given the explosive payload utilized and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi said. EU Focuses on Diplomacy The European Union is “very much focused on the diplomatic solution” for Iran, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Monday following U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend.

“The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge,” Kallas said at the start of a foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, where Iran has jumped to the top of the agenda.

“Especially closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody,” Kallas said, referring to a maritime route crucial for oil transport.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Israel-Iran conflict: The United States launched airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities-Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on Sunday. President Donald Trump declared the operation had “obliterated” its targets, although officials are still evaluating the true impact on Iran’s nuclear program.

Operation Midnight Hammer: Dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the attack involved B-2 stealth bombers dropping over a dozen “bunker-buster” bombs on Fordow and Natanz. Simultaneously, Tomahawk cruise missiles targeted Iran’s facility in Isfahan. US timelines indicate the strikes achieved their objectives with precision.

Iran’s Response: In an emergency UN Security Council meeting, Iranian officials vehemently condemned both the United States and Israel. Tehran expressed skepticism about any diplomatic resolution, while world leaders anxiously await Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s public response.

The strikes have pulled the United States further into the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, where the two sides have exchanged attacks for more than a week. Senior US officials maintain the country is not at war with Iran. However, President Trump warned that further action could follow unless Tehran seeks peace, and hinted at the possibility of regime change if Iran refuses to comply.

Iran plans to close oil corridor Strait Of Hormuz: Iran’s Parliament has approved closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, though the Supreme National Security Council will make the final call, Press TV reported on Sunday (June 22). The move comes as Iran weighs its options after US strikes on three Iranian military sites earlier in the day.

While most experts previously believed Iran would stop short of blocking this vital waterway, the latest US attacks appear to have shifted that calculus. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi, when questioned about a potential closure, stated that “a variety of options are available with Iran,” signaling that all measures remain on the table.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. About 20 per cent of global oil and gas supplies pass through its narrow 33 km-wide shipping lane that links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Any disruption here could have a significant impact on global energy markets and further escalate regional tensions.

Why is Iran under attack? Iran is under attack primarily because Israel aims to halt Tehran’s nuclear program, which it views as an existential threat. Since June 13, 2025, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including uranium enrichment facilities and centrifuge production plants near Tehran and Isfahan. These strikes have killed hundreds, including civilians and military personnel, and damaged key infrastructure.

Israel’s goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability, which it believes would destabilise the Middle East and threaten Israeli security. In retaliation, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, escalating the conflict. The war also involves targeted killings of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders linked to arms transfers to proxy groups. Diplomatic efforts have so far failed, and Iran’s leadership warns that any US intervention would be extremely dangerous, underscoring the high stakes of this ongoing conflict.

What IAEA said? The IAEA, which initially flagged Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, told Sky News that despite Iran enriching uranium up to 60%, the agency cannot confirm any systematic effort by Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. However, Iran’s failure to meet its safeguards obligations, as noted in a recent IAEA report, combined with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion strikes, has heightened serious international concerns.

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Israel hit Revolutionary Guard sites and the notorious Evin prison in Tehran on Monday, calling them its most powerful strikes yet on the Iranian capital on the 11th day of the war.

Iran, in turn, fired missile barrages at Israel and vowed retaliation against the United States after it struck the Islamic republic’s nuclear sites a day earlier.

Loud explosions rocked the Iranian capital, where Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military hit “regime targets” with “unprecedented force”, adding to speculation that Israel may seek to topple Iran’s clerical leadership.

The targets included Evin prison, which Katz said “holds political prisoners and regime opponents”, as well as command centres of the domestic Basij militia and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Israeli military said in a statement that the targets belong to Iranian forces “responsible… for defending the homeland security, suppressing threats, and maintaining the regime’s stability”.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran before US strike. (AP)

Israel confirms Monday strike, says aim was to block access

IAEA: ‘Very significant damage’ likely at Fordo

US describes strike as one-off; Iran warns of retaliation

Iran fires back with Operation ‘True Promise 3’

Iranian general warns US of consequences

Global leaders urge de-escalation

Iran’s nuclear program in focus after 2015 deal collapse

Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment site at Fordo was struck again on Monday, Iranian state television reported, a day after the United States bombed the facility using heavy bunker-buster bombs in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict.The Israeli military confirmed on Monday that it launched air raids to “obstruct access routes” to the Fordo facility, stating that the strike was intended to cut off movement around the enrichment site.“Israeli forces struck in order to obstruct access routes to the Fordo enrichment site,” the military said. US President Donald Trump had earlier said the Fordo site had been “totally obliterated” in Sunday’s US strike.In Vienna, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Sunday’s attack likely caused heavy destruction at the sensitive facility. “Given the explosive payload utilized and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi noted. He added that the IAEA has yet to fully assess the underground impact.The US described its Sunday strike on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan as a one-time operation to damage Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.However, President Trump warned that more strikes could follow if Iran retaliates. Iran condemned the attack as a violation of its sovereignty and likened it to an invasion.On Monday, Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel, targeting cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem. Iranian state television said the barrage was part of a new wave under “Operation True Promise 3.” Israel activated its defence systems and advised residents in northern and central areas to take shelter.Iranian General Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of the joint staff, warned that the US airstrikes had given Iranian forces a “free hand” to act against American interests and forces in the region. Tens of thousands of US troops are stationed across the Middle East, many within range of Iran’s short-range missiles.Amid rising tensions, global calls for restraint have grown. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged a return to diplomacy and warned that Iran’s potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, would be “extremely dangerous.” The EU said Iran must be ready to return to direct talks with the US to help resolve the crisis.The conflict comes against the backdrop of the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement. After the US withdrew from the deal during Trump’s first term, Iran began enriching uranium up to 60% purity and restricted access to international inspectors. On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key Iranian ally.

Kristi Noem Warns Of ‘Increased Threat’ To The U.S. Over Trump’s Decision To Strike Iran

Kristi Noem Warns Of ‘Increased Threat’ To The U.S. Over Trump’s Decision To Strike Iran

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Sunday warned Americans that the Israel-Iran conflict is “causing a heightened threat environment in the United States” as the world awaits possible retaliation from Tehran over this weekend’s U.S. attack.

The latest National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin was issued by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about a day after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. hit three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

While DHS noted there were “no credible threats” against the U.S. currently, the department would remain on high alert.

“Low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against U.S. networks,” the bulletin states. “Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target U.S. Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020.”

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Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East, was killed by a strike on Baghdad International Airport in Iraq ordered by Trump toward the end of his first term in office, prompting Iran to vow “severe revenge.”

The bulletin also noted that if Tehran were to issue a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the U.S., this could prompt individual supporters of the regime to take matters into their own hands.

“Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to U.S.-based individuals plotting additional attacks,” the advisory adds.

Noem said it is her department’s “duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict.”

“The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes,” she added.

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Meanwhile, the State Department on Sunday urged Americans overseas “to exercise increased caution” amid the latest developments in the Middle East.

“There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad,” it said.

Trump said Saturday night’s operation was a big success, claiming “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” But Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine warned that while the attack did inflict “extremely severe” damage, it is too early to determine its effect on Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran has pledged to respond, with Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, suggesting Monday that Trump has given Tehran a “free hand” to “act against U.S. interests and its army,” according to The Associated Press.

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