Israel’s state power company reported supply disruptions on Monday after damage near a “strategic infrastructure facility” at an undisclosed location, as Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles.

“Due to damage near a strategic infrastructure facility of the Israel Electric Corporation… disruptions in electricity supply are being reported in several communities in the area,” the IEC said in a statement, without specifying the cause.

Avraham Rabukhin, head of the grid division for the Tel Aviv and Coastal district, later told AFP that a missile fell near one of the company’s facilities.

Journalists were allowed to film the area of the strike, but under Israel’s military censorship were ordered not to publish any information about the location.

Rabukhin said teams arrived on scene to assess the damage between 15 and 30 minutes after receiving the initial reports.

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

Israel intensified its military campaign on Monday with a new wave of strikes on Tehran, including renewed attacks on the Fordow nuclear facility and a hit on the entrance of Evin Prison. The escalation follows U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, drawing global concern over the potential for a broader regional war. As Iran retaliates with missile salvos, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appealed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin for support, signaling Tehran’s search for stronger backing amid mounting pressure. What to Know: Israeli strikes targeted Revolutionary Guard command centers and key infrastructure in Tehran.

Fordow nuclear site was struck again after U.S. bunker-buster bombs hit it Sunday.

Iran retaliated with missile barrages on Israeli cities; shelters were activated across Israel.

Khamenei’s letter to Putin, delivered by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, seeks deeper Russian support.

Putin condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes as “unjustified” and pledged assistance to the Iranian people.

U.S. officials say Iran’s nuclear stockpile status remains unclear; inspections have been halted since June 10.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned of “unimaginable” consequences if diplomacy fails.

Asian markets dipped amid fears of oil supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia-Iran ties have deepened since 2022, but Moscow has not offered military aid in this conflict. Stay with Newsweek for live updates.

09:16 AM EDT Netanyahu says Israel close to goals in Iran, rules out drawn-out war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is “very, very close” to achieving its objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran, following U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. In a televised address, Netanyahu said the campaign, launched on June 13, aims to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats. “We are advancing, step by step, to achieve these goals,” he said, while declining to offer a timeline for ending the offensive. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not be drawn into a prolonged “war of attrition,” but also would not halt operations prematurely. The conflict has disrupted daily life in Israel, with missile attacks from Iran forcing school closures and grounding flights. Despite the strain, Netanyahu’s approach has drawn support across the political spectrum, including from opposition leader Yair Lapid. Netanyahu also suggested that weakening Iran could help undermine Hamas in Gaza, hinting at potential progress in hostage negotiations and a broader resolution to the 20-month war there.

09:03 AM EDT Iran accelerates succession planning as Khamenei retreats from public view Iran’s clerical leadership has intensified efforts to identify a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid fears of further instability following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, Reuters reports. A three-member committee, appointed by Khamenei two years ago, has reportedly stepped up its work recently as the 86-year-old leader remains in hiding under heavy guard. Two frontrunners have emerged: Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s son and a hardline continuity candidate, and Hassan Khomeini, the reformist-leaning grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder. While Mojtaba is ideologically aligned with his father, Khomeini is viewed as a more moderate figure who could appeal to a discontented public and ease international tensions. Sources close to the succession talks say Khamenei is being briefed regularly but has not publicly endorsed a successor. The urgency of the process has grown following threats to Khamenei’s life and the deaths of several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders in recent Israeli strikes. The final decision lies with the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body constitutionally tasked with selecting the next Supreme Leader. However, insiders caution that the ongoing conflict could complicate any transition, especially if the Revolutionary Guards seek to assert greater control over the process

08:49 AM EDT White House: Iranians should decide regime’s fate if diplomacy fails Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that if Iran’s leadership continues to reject diplomatic solutions, it is up to the Iranian people to determine the future of their government. “If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a diplomatic solution, why shouldn’t the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime?” the spokesperson said, signaling growing frustration with Tehran’s stance amid escalating conflict. Despite the sharp rhetoric, the press secretary emphasized that the U.S. military posture remains unchanged, suggesting that Washington is not currently planning further strikes or troop deployments. .@PressSec on regime change in Iran:”If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a diplomatic solution, why shouldn’t the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime?”

Says for now, US military posture hasn’t changed — Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) June 23, 2025

08:46 AM EDT Israeli strikes knock out power in northern Tehran Israeli airstrikes on Tehran have damaged major power lines in the city’s northern districts, causing widespread outages, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency. The national electric company, Tavanir, confirmed that the disruption affected parts of Districts 2 and 3, home to over 1 million residents. The strikes reportedly hit infrastructure near key government and military sites, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Local authorities have begun emergency repairs, and some power has since been restored

08:32 AM EDT Iran’s exiled crown prince urges West to back people’s call for change At a press conference in Paris on Monday, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, fielded pre-selected questions about the escalating conflict and the future of Iran’s leadership. When asked whether regime change should be a formal objective of the United States or Israel, Pahlavi responded that it is “not any foreign government’s job” to define such a goal. Instead, he urged the international community to “recognize that this is the ask of the Iranian people.” “Where do Western democracies stand?” he asked. “Are they going to continue throwing the regime a lifeline, or recognize that this is a golden opportunity?” Pahlavi has positioned himself as a transitional figure for a post-Islamic Republic Iran, calling for a democratic future and greater international support for Iranian dissidents.

08:14 AM EDT China evacuates over 3,000 citizens from Iran amid conflict China has successfully evacuated more than 3,000 of its citizens from Iran, the country’s foreign ministry confirmed Monday, as Israeli airstrikes continue to target Iranian territory. An additional 500 Chinese nationals have also departed from Israel, which is facing retaliatory missile attacks from Iran. According to the ministry, all Chinese citizens who requested evacuation left safely, with operations coordinated through embassies and consulates in both countries. The evacuations come amid growing regional instability and widespread airspace closures across the Middle East.

07:54 AM EDT UN nuclear chief warns of catastrophic risk without diplomacy At an emergency meeting in Vienna on Monday, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned that the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States could lead to “violence and destruction at unimaginable levels” if diplomacy fails. Grossi urged all parties to return to negotiations and allow IAEA inspectors access to Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, which were recently struck by U.S. forces. He emphasized the need to verify Iran’s 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, warning that continued hostilities could undermine the global nonproliferation regime. While Iran has claimed no radiation leaks occurred, Grossi said the IAEA has not yet been able to fully assess the damage. He stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable path to prevent further escalation and ensure nuclear safety.

07:40 AM EDT Putin reaffirms support for Iran amid US, Israeli strikes Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on Monday, condemning recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran as “unprovoked aggression” and pledging continued Russian support. The meeting came as Israeli forces intensified their campaign against Tehran. Putin, joined by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and senior aide Yury Ushakov, told Araghchi that Russia values its “long-standing, reliable relationship” with Iran and is actively working to assist the Iranian people. He also said he had spoken with leaders from the U.S., Israel, UAE, and Iran, though the Kremlin later clarified no call with President Trump was scheduled after the strikes. Araghchi thanked Putin for standing by Iran and described Russia as being “on the right side of history.” He praised Moscow’s role in Iran’s nuclear development and diplomacy, highlighting Russia’s involvement in the Bushehr nuclear power plant, where around 200 Russian experts are currently stationed. The meeting underscored the deepening Iran-Russia alliance, which has grown stronger since Iran began supplying Russia with drones and missiles during the war in Ukraine.

07:27 AM EDT Putin condemns U.S. strikes, reaffirms support for Iran In this image released by the Roscongress Foundation, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a plenary session of the Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 20, 2025. In this image released by the Roscongress Foundation, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a plenary session of the Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 20, 2025. Vyacheslav Viktorov/ Roscongress Foundation vía AP Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin on Monday, denouncing recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran as “absolutely unprovoked aggression.” He emphasized Russia’s commitment to supporting the Iranian people and highlighted the countries’ long-standing partnership. “We are making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people,” Putin said, reaffirming Moscow’s ties with Tehran amid rising regional tensions. Araghchi thanked Russia for its vocal condemnation of the U.S. and Israeli actions, calling the strikes “completely illegitimate” and a violation of international norms. He also praised Russia’s role in Iran’s peaceful nuclear development, noting its involvement in building the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

07:14 AM EDT US Embassy in Qatar urges Americans to shelter in place The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has reportedly issued a shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens, citing unspecified security concerns. U.S. Embassy in Qatar issues message to U.S. citizens recommending they shelter in place until further notice. @Reuters — Tala Ramadan (@TalaRamadan) June 23, 2025

07:01 AM EDT Iran says Evin Prison under control after Israeli strike Iran’s judiciary announced Friday that the situation at Evin Prison in Tehran is “under control” following an Israeli airstrike that damaged parts of the facility. The statement, issued through the Mizan news agency, said authorities had taken “all necessary measures” to manage the prison complex, though it did not specify the extent of the damage. Video footage circulating online showed the prison’s main gate blasted open, raising concerns about the safety of detainees. The strike was part of a broader Israeli offensive targeting government and military sites in Tehran, including facilities linked to the Revolutionary Guards.

06:43 AM EDT Map shows US military presence in Middle East as Iran makes threats The map below from Newsweek’s John Feng shows bases in the Middle East with an American presence—and so potential targets for Iranian retaliation. Iran has said the U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities broaden the scope of what it sees as legitimate targets, a clear threat to Americans in the region. The U.S. has warned Iran not to retaliate against its troops in the Middle East, or any other American assets or personnel, saying its strikes were targeted and limited. It is urging Iran to pursue diplomacy from here.

Exiled son of Iran’s last shah calls on supreme leader to step down

As the Israel-Iran conflict continues, a news conference in Paris might not seem hugely significant.

But today the son of the last shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, has been pitching himself as the steward of a “democratic transition” in his homeland, and has called on the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to “step down” – saying he will “receive a fair trial” if he does.

Pahlavi’s father was deposed in 1979 by the Islamic Revolution, which led to today’s Islamic republic in the country.

Speaking at the Maison de la Chimie conference centre in Paris, Pahlavi said Iran is at a “crossroads”, with one path offering “bloodshed and chaos”, and the other a “peaceful democratic transition”.

Asked during pre-selected questions from journalists whether he’d like regime change to be a goal of the US and Israel, Pahlavi said it was “not any foreign government’s job” to “define regime change” but to “recognise that this is the ask of the Iranian people”, according to our US partner NBC News.

“Where do Western democracies stand?” he asked. “Are they going to continue throwing the regime a lifeline, or recognise that this is a golden opportunity?”

Why does this matter?

It might not – there will undoubtedly be scepticism about Pahlavi’s actual influence, intentions and democratic credentials.

But since the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities at the weekend, there has been debate about Donald Trump’s long-term ambition for the country.

Pete Hegseth, his defence secretary, said in a news conference at the Pentagon yesterday that the US did not want regime change in Iran. JD Vance, Trump’s vice president, also said the US is not at war with Iran but with its ambition to have a nuclear weapon.

Watch below: Hegseth’s news conference yesterday

As is his way, Donald Trump has muddied the waters on Truth Social, though. He suggested overnight he could be open to a change of government in Iran.

“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!,” the US president wrote.

Despite protests in Iran in recent years, if the current rulers were overthrown – a big if, given the control exerted by the current regime, even in its now weakened state – there would be uncertainty about whatever came next.

Pahlavi, though, is one of the few figures able to oppose the supreme leader publicly.

China has loudly condemned U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, a close economic partner, but its ability to influence events in Iran and across the Middle East is most likely limited.

Together with Russia and Pakistan, China has submitted a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Last week, President Xi Jinping warned of widescale suffering if the Israel-Iran conflict continues, saying “the warring parties, especially Israel, should cease fire as soon as possible.”

The China-Iran relationship is diplomatically close, but it is also complicated. More than 90% of Iran’s oil exports go to China, according to Kpler, a firm that tracks commodities data, revenue that has long propped up the otherwise heavily sanctioned regime. Much of that oil goes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to “use its influence” to prevent Iran from closing the strait, a key global shipping route. Iran’s state media reported that a final decision will be made by the Supreme National Security Council.

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08:30 (IST) 22 Jun 2025

US Israel Iran News LIVE Updates: World leaders react to US strikes on Iran

World leaders reacted to US strike on Iran’s key nuclear facilities. While some countries praised the move, others condemned it, calling for de-escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had urged Trump to join the attack on Iran, congratulated the US president, saying that his bold decision to attack Iran will change history.

“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history… History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres:

“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”

Venezuela Foreign Minister Yvan Gil:

“Venezuela Condemns US Military Aggression Against Iran and Demands an Immediate Cessation of Hostilities. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly and categorically condemns the bombing carried out by the United States military, at the request of the State of Israel, against nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan complexes.”

Mexico Foreign Ministry:

“The ministry urgently calls for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country’s pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel:

“We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.”

China:

A flash commentary from China’s government-run media asked whether the US is “repeating its Iraq mistake in Iran.”