In what may be a first in the ongoing Iran-Israel war, Iran launched a ballistic missile with cluster munitions in a devastating strike on Israel, indicating that it is unlikely to back out and is far from being crippled.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) Home Front Command confirmed that Iran launched a ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb warhead aimed at targets in central Israel on June 19. It stated that the warhead split at an altitude of 7 kilometres while descending, and then spread out about 20 sub-munitions across a radius of 8 kilometres.

One of the small explosives, about the size of a small rocket, inflicted some damage on a house near the central town of Azor.

An unidentified Israeli military officer told The Times of Israel that although the explosion from each cluster bomb is substantially smaller, such a missile threatens a far larger area than Iran’s other ballistic missile warheads.

The army advised the civilians to notify authorities right away if they see any missile wreckage on the ground and to avoid approaching any such wreckage.

The conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13 with unprecedented IDF strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and its top military leadership.

Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated soon after the first round of air strikes by the IDF, and has launched dozens of missile and drone strikes on Israel, breaching its air defenses and hitting strategic assets like the Mossad Headquarters.

The IDF initially thought it would cripple Iran by assassinating the West Asian nation’s top military leadership and nuclear scientists. It said that the strike was launched to set back Iran’s nuclear program by several years–an objective that it has not achieved, as noted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently.

Earlier this week, Israel said that it had managed to establish complete air superiority over the Iranian skies and destroyed several missile launchers, hinting that Iran’s missile barrages will likely slow down and eventually come to a halt.

In contrast, the Iranians continue to unleash ballistic missiles, including the heavier Sejjil, Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles, and now unidentified ballistic missiles with multiple warheads that are much harder to intercept.

The EurAsian Times could not identify the exact Iranian type of missile that was carrying the cluster munition warhead. Last year, when Iran launched an air strike on Israel in April, the state IRNA news agency had published footage (seen below) that it attributed to the release of cluster munitions of Qadr missile warhead on IDF’s Nevatim Air Base.

The proud moment of the release of cluster munitions of #Iran’s Qadr missile warhead on the Zionist Nevatim base, which made Israel’s defense systerm ineffective. pic.twitter.com/fk2kyCNeTV — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) April 17, 2024

Iran has already demonstrated cluster munition warheads that are, at least externally, similar to those seen on older ballistic missiles, particularly Shahab-3 liquid-fueled MRBM derivatives and modifications.

Notably, the use of cluster munitions has drawn widespread condemnation from Israel and pro-Israel experts and analysts, because these bombs are often considered lethal for use on urban settlements due to their dispersal across large areas, and are banned in about 100 countries across the world, though Iran and Israel don’t prohibit their use.

The United States, Israel’s chief patron, itself has a dismal record of using cluster munitions across different battlefields. During the Vietnam War, for instance, the US military extensively used cluster bombs, such as the CBU-24 and BLU-26, dropped by aircraft over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Years later, during the 1991 Gulf War, the US forces used cluster bombs like the CBU-87 to devastate Iraqi armored divisions, destroy vehicles and personnel across large areas, and significantly weaken their ability to mount a meaningful counterattack.

The Soviet Union was no less.

During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, AO-1SCh bomblets and other cluster munitions were dropped from the sky and delivered by artillery to combat Mujahideen fighters in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.

Later, Russia deployed cluster munitions in its war against Chechen fighters, during the 2008 invasion of Georgia, and in the civil war in Syria, etc.

Iran’s use of cluster munitions has been projected by pro-Israeli and Western media as an unprecedented escalation. The use of these sub-munitions comes as Israel is allegedly running low on missile interceptors, as reported by the Wall Street Journal recently.

Why Are Cluster Munitions Condemned So Widely?

In a nutshell, cluster munitions are weapons that release multiple smaller submunitions, or bomblets, over a wide area. They can be used to target personnel, vehicles, or materiel across a broad space, making them effective against dispersed or moving targets.

These munitions are typically deployed from aircraft, artillery, or missile systems. They can also be dropped as bombs, fired as rockets, or launched via shells.

Once released, the munition’s canister opens in mid-air, dispersing dozens to hundreds of submunitions over a designated area.

Cluster munitions are considered to be extremely dangerous because those tiny bomblets make no distinction between military or civilian targets.

They cause massive civilian casualties and collateral damage, and their use is now seen as a deliberate attempt at human rights violations. A key issue with cluster munitions is their high dud rate, where some submunitions fail to explode on impact. These unexploded ordnances (UXOs) remain hazardous, posing risks to civilians long after conflicts end.

The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits the use, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. It has been signed by over 100 countries due to its indiscriminate nature and long-term risks.

However, Iran and Israel, as well as the US, Russia, and China, are not signatories.

Despite their potential to cause civilian harm, cluster munitions are still used because the dispersal of mini-bomblets over a large area makes them highly effective against dispersed targets like airfields, where a single-point explosion would be less effective.

The simultaneous detonation of multiple bomblets overwhelms enemy defenses. These small bomblets have low radar signatures, making them difficult for air defenses to intercept individually.

Moreover, even the most advanced air defense systems with high interception rates, such as Israeli Arrow or the US THAAD, are designed to target the missile itself, not the dispersed submunitions.

Additionally, the use of cluster warheads in larger salvos would also create a decoy-like effect, making it harder for defenses to prioritize targets.

By using cluster warheads, Iran can increase the chances of some submunitions reaching their targets, even if the primary missile is intercepted.

More importantly, since the Israel-Iran war now hinges on whether Iran runs out of ballistic missiles first or Israel exhausts its interceptors, Tehran may want to inflict maximum damage to stop Israel and get them to negotiate.

For now, Iran’s use of cluster munitions in missile attacks on Israel enhances its ability to target large areas, overwhelm air defenses, and disrupt civilian life, as proportionate retaliation to Israeli strikes that killed its top military leadership and caused huge military losses. It remains to be seen whether this was an isolated incident or more cluster bombs are headed for Israel.

U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers have departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri with aerial refuelling support from eight KC-135 Stratotankers.

The aircraft appear to be heading toward Diego Garcia, a strategic U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean.

Flight tracking data shows two groups of four tankers each linking up with the bombers over Kansas. The B-2 aircraft were using the callsign “MYTEE21,” which has previously been associated with stealth bomber missions.

The movement comes during a wider repositioning of U.S. military assets toward Europe and the Middle East. In recent weeks, dozens of American aircraft, including fighters, tankers, and surveillance platforms, have been deployed to the region. Two U.S. Navy supercarriers are also operating forward, along with other naval and air force elements.

The B-2 Spirit is designed for long-range strike missions and is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons. It is the only U.S. aircraft specifically designed to penetrate heavily defended targets such as underground facilities.

The presence of eight tankers supporting the mission indicates an extended-range operation. While the Department of Defense has not officially confirmed the destination or objective, the scale and coordination of the flight suggest a pre-planned deployment.

At present, there is no indication of an imminent strike. However, the timing of the movement is significant given the current tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and U.S. posture in the region.

The context

The B-2 Spirit is a long-range stealth bomber operated by the United States Air Force. It is designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons. The aircraft is capable of flying over 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling and can carry up to 40,000 pounds of ordnance internally. Its stealth profile allows it to evade radar detection, making it suitable for high-risk strike missions against well-defended targets. The B-2 has been in service since the late 1990s and plays a key role in long-range strategic operations.

The B-2 is equipped to carry the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a heavy precision-guided bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets. This 30,000-pound weapon can penetrate through layers of soil, rock, and reinforced concrete before detonating. The bomber can carry two of these munitions at a time, allowing it to engage fortified structures in a single sortie. This capability gives the B-2 a unique role in targeting underground facilities that are beyond the reach of conventional bombs or cruise missiles.

Several Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility, are located underground and protected by layers of reinforced material. These sites are believed to be beyond the reach of most air-delivered weapons, except for those carried by aircraft like the B-2.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated sharply after a wave of military strikes and counter strikes that risk drawing in regional actors and global powers.

The latest crisis began when Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, reportedly killing more than 20 senior personnel, including IRGC commanders and the Iranian armed forces chief. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israeli targets, wounding at least seven soldiers and intensifying regional fears.

In a related development, three drones were launched toward Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, which houses U.S. forces.

According to U.S. officials, the drones were intercepted and shot down, with no casualties reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident raises concern over the potential expansion of the conflict, particularly given the presence of Iran-backed militias in Iraq that have previously targeted U.S. installations in response to American support for Israel.

Meanwhile, protests erupted in Baghdad, where supporters of armed Iraqi factions took to the streets for a second consecutive day to denounce Israel’s bombing of Iran.

The international community is calling for restraint. The United Nations, the European Union, and several regional players have urged both countries to step back from further escalation. India reaffirmed its call for de-escalation and dialogue, and notably abstained from endorsing an SCO statement criticizing Israel, citing its previously stated neutral position.

With the conflict now spilling over into neighbouring territories and threatening broader regional instability, global powers are closely monitoring developments to avoid a full-scale confrontation.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s military said early Sunday it had struck Iran’s defence ministry headquarters, “nuclear weapons project” infrastructure sites and other targets, as the rival nations exchanged fire for a third day, AFP reported. The Israeli military said at around 2:40 am (2340 GMT Saturday) that its air force had just “completed an extensive series of intelligence-based strikes on a number of targets in Tehran related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project”, as well as on fuel tankers. “The targets included the Iranian Ministry of Defense headquarters, the headquarters of the SPND (Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research) nuclear project, and additional targets” which Israel said advanced Iran’s efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s military said early Sunday it had struck Iran’s defence ministry headquarters, “nuclear weapons project” infrastructure sites and other targets, as the rival nations exchanged fire for a third day.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran slams UN nuclear watchdog as ‘silent’ over Israel strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says hit Iran defence ministry HQ, nuclear weapons-linked sites Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s military said early Sunday it had struck Iran’s defence ministry headquarters, “nuclear weapons project” infrastructure sites and other targets, as the rival nations exchanged fire for a third day.

The Israeli military said at around 2:40 am (2340 GMT Saturday) that its air force had just “completed an extensive series of intelligence-based strikes on a number of targets in Tehran related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project”, as well as on fuel tankers.

“The targets included the Iranian Ministry of Defense headquarters, the headquarters of the SPND (Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research) nuclear project, and additional targets” which Israel said advanced Iran’s efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Erdogan tells Trump that Turkey sees nuclear negotiations as the only way to resolve Iran-Israel dispute.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Erdogan tells Trump that Turkey is ready to do its part to prevent an uncontrolled escalation.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s state TV says ‘heavy and destructive’ attacks by Iran against Israel expected within hours Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s state TV said on Saturday that “heavy and destructive” attacks by Iran against Israel were expected within the coming hours, as the Israeli military continues to strike several targets across Iran.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran media says air defence activated in Tehran, six other provinces

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran state TV says air defences activated around key port of Bandar Abbas

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli Military: Public safety guidelines, including closure of schools, to remain in effect until 20:00 local time on Sunday, June 15.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Ali Shamkhani, top advisor to the Supreme leader, dies in hospital a day after targeted Israeli attack, Iranian media report.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran Red Crescent says Israeli strike hits ambulance, killing two

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IAEA: As in Natanz, no increase in off-site radiation expected.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli drone strikes a refinery in Iran’s South Pars gas field, Iranian semiofficial news agencies say

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: ‘Massive explosion’ after Israeli drone strike on oil refinery, report Iran media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran media reports ‘massive explosion’ after Israeli drone strike on oil refinery

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran-US mediator Oman says no nuclear talks on Sunday

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran president vows ‘more severe’ response if Israeli strikes persist

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US still wants talks with Iran after Tehran rejection.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Turkey’s Erdogan warns against ‘devastating’ Israel-Iran war

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Netanyahu vows strikes on all targets of Iran’s Ayatollah regime Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel has escalated its military campaign against Iran, launching Operation Rising Lion on 13 June. The coordinated offensive struck over 100 Iranian military and nuclear sites, including major facilities in Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan and Tehran. Among those killed were senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, top nuclear scientists, and high-ranking officials in Tehran.

Speaking after the strikes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Israel will strike every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime.”

He emphasised that the Iranian people were not the enemy, stating, “I believe that the day of your liberation is near.”

In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Most were intercepted by air defences, aided by US support, but the barrages still caused civilian casualties, with at least three deaths and dozens wounded reported across Israel.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a blunt warning, “If … Khamenei continues to fire missiles … Tehran will burn.”

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session as global concern mounted. While Western nations called for de-escalation, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the crisis might force renewed diplomacy. He warned Iran had a “60-day deadline” to engage in nuclear talks.

Iran, however, withdrew from the upcoming nuclear negotiations in Oman. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed a “bitter and painful fate” for Israel, as large state-backed rallies took place across Iranian cities. Meanwhile, some Iranians were reported to have privately expressed support for the Israeli action and voiced frustration at their own government.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says over 20 Iranian commanders killed in Friday strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Jordan says reopens airspace after suspension over Israel-Iran conflict

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: After Tehran’s deadly retaliatory strikes, Israel threatens more attacks on Iran Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel warned of more attacks on Iran on Saturday after Iran’s deadly retaliatory strikes on Israel overnight and into the morning. Three people were killed and dozens were wounded in Israel, after a series of blistering Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program and its armed forces the previous day.

Israel’s assault on Friday used warplanes, as well as drones smuggled into the country in advance, to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists. Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in the attacks.

Israel said the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building an atomic weapon, although experts and the U.S. government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon before the strikes. It also threw talks between the United States and Iran over an atomic accord into disarray days before the two sides were set to meet Sunday.

Baghdad asks Iran to avoid strikes on US targets in Iraq: official Baghdad has asked Tehran not to target US interests on Iraqi soil, a senior security official said Saturday, as Washington’s ally Israel and Iran traded blows, heightening tensions across the region.

The government in Baghdad is a close ally of Tehran but also a strategic partner of Iran’s arch-foe the United States, which has some 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.

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

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

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

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: India asks its nationals in Palestine to remain vigilant, observe locally advised safety procedures Israel Iran War News Live Updates: India’s Representative Office in Ramallah has urged Indian nationals in Palestine to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures “in view of the current situation”.

It has also released a number which Indian nationals can contact in case of emergency.

“In view of the current situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Palestine are requested to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures. Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement. In case of an emergency, please contact us at +970592916418 or cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in. We remain at your disposal for any further guidance,” India’s Representative Office in Ramallah said in a post on X.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s top diplomat says talks with US ‘unjustifiable’ after Israeli strikes, likely signalling no weekend negotiations, reports AP.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says joining US talks ‘meaningless’ amid ongoing Israel attacks

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel military says 7 soldiers wounded in overnight Iran missile strike

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Nournews posts photo of smoke rising in what it says is in the oil refinery city of abadan. However, it is unclear if refinery hit, reports Reuters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s state media reports strike near Northwestern Tabriz refinery

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Three Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed in Israeli attack in Northwestern city of Zanjan, Reuters reports citing state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel military says aerial road to Tehran is ‘effectively open’

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists killed Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The military added that it will take more than two weeks to repair the two sites.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: ‘Tehran will burn’ if Iran keeps firing missiles at Israel, Israeli defense minister says

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: New Israeli strikes in West and Northwest Iran, AFP reports citing state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Two killed in Israeli attack on missile site in Assadabad in Western Iran, Reuters reports citing state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s state media says around 60 people, including 20 children killed in attack on housing complex in Tehran

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran airspace has been closed until further notice, AFP reports citing state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran confirms 2 additional high-ranking generals killed in Israeli strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Lebanon to open airspace on Saturday at 10 am local time, state media reports

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Limited damage at Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, spokesperson for Iranian Atomic Body tells ISNA News Agency

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Two deputy commanders at Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff killed in Israeli attacks, reports Reuters citing local media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s strikes will continue, senior military official says — Reuters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel rescuers say two killed by rocket fire on residential area

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Air attack on Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport overnight targeted hanger housing fighter jets, reports Reuters citing local media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman calls nuclear talks with US meaningless after Israeli strikes, AP reports citing state TV

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian media reports the launch of new barrage of missiles towards Israel

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says Iranian missile struck near homes in central Israel, injuring 10 people

Missile from Iran lands in Central Israel: Israeli Media A missile launched from Iran has fallen in central Israel, according to a Reuters’ report from Israeli media on Saturday. Details regarding the exact location, damage, or casualties have not been released yet.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli Military says another barrage fired towards Israel The Israeli military on Saturday confirmed that another barrage of projectiles has been launched towards Israel, reported Reuters. In a brief update, the military said, “Another barrage has been fired towards Israel.” Authorities have not yet disclosed the number of projectiles or areas targeted.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Explosions heard over Jerusalem: Reuters witness Multiple explosions were heard over Jerusalem on Saturday, according to a Reuters witness.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Air raid sirens sound in Tel Aviv; public told to take shelter Air raid sirens were heard in Tel Aviv on Saturday, according to a Reuters witness on the ground. Following the alert, the Israeli military instructed the public to “enter protected space and remain until further notice.” Authorities have urged residents to follow all emergency protocols as defence systems respond to incoming threats.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: New missile wave launched from Iran, interception efforts underway, says Israeli Military The Israeli military on Saturday said that a new wave of missiles has been launched from Iran towards Israel, reported Reuters.

The military said, “A new wave of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel,” and added, “We are operating to intercept missiles launched from Iran.”

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Air raid sirens heard across multiple regions in Israel Air raid sirens were activated Saturday in several regions across Israel, reported Reuters, citing the Israeli military.

The military confirmed, “Air raid sirens sound in several areas across Israel.” It did not specify which regions. The alert follows recent reports of missile launches and intercepted threats, prompting heightened vigilance among both military and civilian authorities.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military confirms search and rescue operations after reports of fallen projectiles The Israeli military on Saturday said that its search and rescue forces are currently active in multiple locations across the country following reports of fallen projectiles, reported Reuters.

In an official update, the military said, “Search and rescue forces are currently operating in a number of locations across the country in which reports of fallen projectiles were received.”

The military has not yet disclosed the number of impacted sites or the extent of damage.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says it intercepted missiles launched from Iran The Israeli military on Friday confirmed that it intercepted several missiles that were launched from Iran. In a brief statement, the military informed that some missiles launched from Iran were intercepted, however, the statement did not specify the number of missiles intercepted or the areas they were targeting.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Two projectiles hit area near Iran’s Mehrabad Airport: Report Two projectiles struck the area surrounding Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, reported Reuters, citing Iran’s Fars News Agency on Saturday.

The news agency did not provide details on the origin of the projectiles or whether there were any casualties or infrastructure damage. The incident has triggered heightened security in the vicinity of the airport. Fire was also reported in the area.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: China’s UN envoy Fu Cong urges Israel to stop risky military actions immediately China’s United Nations envoy, Fu Cong, has called on Israel to immediately halt all risky military operations. Cong said, “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions,” reported Reuters.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Explosions heard in east of Tehran, say Iranian media Iranian media on Saturday reported that multiple explosions were heard in areas east of the capital city, Tehran. The reports did not immediately confirm the cause of the blasts or whether there were any casualties or damage, reported Reuters.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US ground-based air defense systems are helping shoot down missiles Iran targeted at Israel, US official says.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says limited damage to Fordo, Isfahan nuclear sites after Israeli attack

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Netanyahu tells Iranians ‘more is on the way’ after Israeli strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Army says Israelis can leave shelters after Iran missile attack

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US military helped stop Iranian missiles heading to Israel, officials say Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The U.S. military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel, two U.S. officials said on Friday.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not provide further information, including whether fighter jets or warships carried out the defensive operation.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Trump, Netanyahu spoke Friday amid Israel-Iran conflict, White House official says U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, a White House official said.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel defence minister Israel Katz: Iran crossed red lines by launching missiles towards Israeli civilian areas, Tehran will pay a heavy price.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says Fordow, Isfahan nuclear sites attacked: IAEA

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, US official says.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Starmer, Trump stress need for dialogue in Iran-Israel crisis.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s Netanyahu to Iranian people: I am with you, the Israeli people are with you.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: We have taken out a large portion of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says Iran crossed ‘red lines’ after firing missiles at civilians

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel fire service says responding to ‘major’ incidents from Iran missile attack

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s air defence downs at least two Israeli fighter jets, fate of pilots unknown: IRNA

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran claims to have shot down at least 2 Israeli planes in Iranian airspace: CNN report

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Fresh missile barrage targets Israel, IDF confirms ongoing attack Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Dozens of missiles were launched at Israel late Friday night, according to a statement by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

“The attack is ongoing. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward the State of Israel,” an IDF spokesperson said, as reported by CNN’s Eugenia Yosef.

The fresh barrage follows an earlier wave of rocket fire that struck major urban centres. Explosions were heard in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with video from Tel Aviv showing smoke rising between skyscrapers.

The IDF has not yet provided casualty figures or damage assessments. Sirens sounded across multiple cities, and air defences were reportedly activated. However, several rockets breached the Iron Dome system.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran confirms missiles fired at Israel: state TV

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian senior official to Reuters: Our revenge has just started, they will pay a high price for killing our commanders, scientists and people.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s revolutionary guards say they carried out attacks against dozens of targets in Israel.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran has said that its retaliation on Israel has begun on Friday evening local time, according to state media IRNA.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian media says Iran launched hundreds of missiles towards Israel

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Several blasts heard over Jerusalem: AFP journalists

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Israel promises further strikes The United Nations Security Council will meet later on Friday over Israel’s strikes on Iran as Israel’s U.N. envoy said the military operation would continue until Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile operation were eliminated.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says strike on Iran’s Isfahan dismantled uranium reconversion facility

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel army says Iran capable of ‘significantly’ harming home front

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says missile launched from Yemen fell in Hebron; at least 5 Palestinians hurt Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The Israeli military said on Friday a missile that was launched from Yemen towards Israel fell to earth inside the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, adding that no interceptors were involved.

At least five Palestinians, including three children, sustained injuries from the missile’s sharpnel that fell in Hebron, the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a later statement.

The incident occurred amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign targeting nuclear sites in Iran that wiped out that country’s entire top echelon of military commanders and also killed nuclear scientists.

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

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel military says struck more than 200 targets in Iran Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The Israeli military said it had so far struck more than 200 targets across Iran since it began a wave of air strikes on the Islamic republic on Friday.

“So far we have struck more than 200 targets and we are continuing to strike,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military spokesperson: Israel has the capability to defence itself from any Iran retaliation without assistance from allies.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Putin condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, says ready to mediate

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel has struck Isfahan nuclear facility, military spokesman says

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei says Iranian Armed Forces will leave Israel ‘helpless’.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Macron: Should Israel be attacked by Iran, France would take part in the defence of Israel.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei says Israel will not remain unscathed, Tehran will not go for half measures in its response.

Amid tensions with Iran, Israel’s Foreign Minister calls EAM Jaishankar Amid tensions with Iran, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding ongoing developments. The talks between the two leaders come in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran.

“Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments,” Jaishankar posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the evolving situation in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran.

PM Modi shared India’s concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“Received a phone call from PM @netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared India’s concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

India had earlier in the day expressed its deep concern at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: EAM Dr S Jaishankar spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening on the latest situation

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Putin held phone calls with Israeli PM, Iranian president: Russian state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran supreme leader set to address nation: statement

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Red Crescent says 3 children injured by shrapnel, after Yemeni missile lands in West Bank

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says it has identified launch of missile form Yemen toward Israel, working on intercepting it.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel has ‘currently no plan to kill’ Iran’s political leaders: top adviser

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s National Security Adviser: Military campaign can create conditions for a US-led deal that will thwart Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s National Security Adviser: Military means cannot totally destroy Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel military chief says ‘continuing with full force’ after Iran strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Sirens in Jerusalem as Israel army says projectile launched from Yemen

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel used American equipment in Iran attack, Trump tells Axios Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel used “great American equipment” during its attack on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios in an interview on Friday.

Trump said that Iran now has a stronger incentive to agree on a nuclear deal after Israel’s strikes, Axios reported.

“I couldn’t get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen,” Axios quoted Trump as saying.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel attacks Iran’s Holy Shi’ite Muslim city of Qom Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel attacks Iran’s Holy Shi’ite Muslim city of Qom, reported Reuters citing-Mehr news agency

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Multiple blasts heard in Tehran, suburbs, reported AFP citing Iranian media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IAEA says radiation levels outside Natanz nuclear site ‘remained unchanged’ following Israeli attacks

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US State Department: Indications there may be missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi airspace.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Nournews says explosions heard and smoke seen in Alborz province, west of Tehran.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu says expects ‘several waves of Iranian attacks’

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s new Guards chief says ‘gates of hell’ will open on Israel

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran summons envoy representing US in Tehran: state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Oil jumps almost 7% after Israel’s strikes on Iran

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IAEA to convene extraordinary board meeting on Monday following Israel attack: diplomats

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: US shifts military resources in Middle East in response to Israel strikes and possible Iran retaliation, officials say, reports AP.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to PM Narendra Modi, among world leaders; briefs on regional situation

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Trump to WSJ: Attack would be great for the market because Iran will not have a nuclear, weapon. Spoke with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and plans to speak with his again on Friday.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Sirens sound in north Israel: military

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Loud blast heard near airbase in west Iran: state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran tells US security council in letter: Iran will respond decisively, proportionately to Israel’s unlawful, cowardly acts.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says it has completed a series of strikes against Iran’s surface-to-surface missile array

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s deadliest blow yet; Here’s who died and who’s replacing them

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Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s Operation Rising Lion struck deep into Iran early Friday, targeting top military leaders and nuclear infrastructure. The coordinated attack killed IRGC chief Hossein Salami and aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, along with six senior nuclear scientists. Tehran vowed “severe punishment,” firing over 100 drones at Israel in retaliation. Airspace closures followed across the region. Iran’s Supreme Leader quickly named new military chiefs. Oil prices surged, and world leaders called for restraint amid fears of a wider regional conflict.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Macron says Israel has ‘right to defend itself’ Israel Iran War News Live Updates: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said Israel had the right to protect itself and called for “maximum restraint” from all parties following Israel’s wave of strikes on Iran.

“France reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure its security,” Macron said in English on X. “To avoid jeopardizing the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate.”

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli embassies in US, UK among several closing worldwide: Statement

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

Iran confirms Israeli strike killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Revolutionary Guard’s missile programme Reports AP

Iran vows powerful response to make Israel ‘regret its foolish act’ Iran’s President, in a message to the nation, said Iran’s legitimate and powerful response will ‘make Israel regret its foolish act,’ reported Reuters.

Israel and Iran: How do they compare militarily?

So how do the militaries of Iran and Israel stack up against each other?

Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday and Tehran’s vows of reprisals have brought the two Middle East adversaries closer to an all-out war, which also threatens to draw in the United States, at least to some degree.

Iran says most of damage at underground uranium enrichment plant ‘surface level’ (AFP)

Israel Foreign Ministry: Minister Saar told French counterpart that its actions against Iran will continue Reported Reuters.

Italy’s Ita airways: Will suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until July 31 Reported Reuters.

Pegasus airlines cancels flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan Turkey’s Pegasus airlines says it cancels flights to iran until june 19, flights to Iraq and Jordan until Monday following Israel’s attack on Iran, reported Reuters.

IAEA to hold emergency meeting on Israeli strikes in Iran after Venezuela request Exceptional meeting of IAEA board of governors about Israeli strikes on Iran to be held after board member Venezuela requests one, reported Reuters citing diplomats.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Air Force continues to intercept drones launched from Iran towards Israel

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to “just do it,” but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it. Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, Just do it, before it is too late. God Bless You All! – US President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli embassy in Berlin closed until further notice amid Middle East escalation AFP reports

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says Israel strike an ‘Declaration of War’ Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran said Israel’s deadly strikes on its military and nuclear facilities on Friday were a “declaration of war” and called on the UN Security Council to act.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Fresh blasts heard in northwest Iran, reports AFP citing state TV

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s Defence Minister says most of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force leadership has been eliminated while convening at underground headquarters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Russian foreign ministry urges restraint from Israel and Iran to prevent full-scale war, reports Reuters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s actions were unprovoked and unacceptable, says Russia

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian President Pezeshkian to deliver speech soon, reports Reuters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli officials tell the AP they smuggled drones and other weapons into Iran ahead of strikes, reports AP

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran names new top brass after Israel killings – AFP

It will, of course, escalate and it will have an immediate impact on us. As far as I know, Iran did not give Israel any provocation to launch an attack. Israel went ahead and waged war on a country of its own accord. If the global powers remain silent on this, it will be truly unfortunate. What Israel has done is very similar to what Russia did to Ukraine – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Etihad Airways says guests transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to canceled flights will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iraq says Israel ‘aggression’ threatens international security

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Etihad Airways says it is re-routing a number of flights in response to restricted airspace in parts of the middle east

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iraq says its gas supply from Iran not affected by Israeli attack

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Kremlin condemns Israel-Iran ‘escalation’, says ‘concerned’, reports state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel stands down alert for citizens to remain near shelters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IAEA head says nuclear facilities ‘must never be attacked’

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: “IAEA stands ready to facilitate technical discussions and support efforts that promote transparency, safety, security and the peaceful resolution of nuclear-related issues in Iran,” says Grossi

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Atomic Energy organisation says Israel’s attack is a failure for the IAEA as a result of its director’s shortcomings

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IAEA chief Gorssi urges restraint and avoid further escalation Israel Iran War News Live Updates: “I have indicated to the respective authorities my readiness to travel at the earliest to assess the situation and ensure safety, security and non-proliferation in Iran,” Grossi said.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation says investigations have not shown any radioactive or chemical contamination outside Natanz Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The body added that that has been damage in the Nantanz nuclear facility and that there are no casualties yet.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel army says destroyed radars, missile launchers in Iran strikes

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Petronas says operations at Iraq’s Garraf Oil Field remain unaffected and proceeding as usual

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel warns foes seeking its destruction ‘will be eliminated’ after strikes on Iran

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says it has completed widespread operation against air defences in western Iran

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: IndiGo issues travel advisory

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Jordanian state media says the country’s Air Force is intercepting missiles and drones in its air space, reports AP

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Mossad commandos had operated in Iran before the strikes, Reuters reports citing sources

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says France supports Israel’s right to defend itself Israel Iran War News Live Updates: He also urged restraint from all sides.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: KLM cancels Friday flight to Tel Aviv

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Air raid sirens sound over Jordan’s capital, Amman, as Iranian drone attack targets Israel

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli airline EL AL says it is moving its planes out of Israel Israel Iran War News Live Updates another Israeli airline Arkia will also move its planes out of the country.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli military says it has begun intercepting Iranian drones, reports AP

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Qatar Airways cancels flights to and from Iraq and Iran Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran and Iraq have closed their air spaces.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Emirates airline cancels Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran flights Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The air spaces of the countries have been shut.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel Defence forces confirms the killing of top Iranian military officials Israel Iran War News Live Updates: “We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets. These are three ruthless mass murderers with international blood on their hands. The world is a better place without them

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site has not been impacted, says IAEA

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Abadan Oil Refining Company continues production Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Abadan Oil Refining Company is producing and providing stable services at full capacity and there is no disruption, the company says.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates Hamas says Israel Iran strikes could ‘destabilise region’

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Six Iranian nuclear scientists killed in the strike, reports Reuters citing Iranian state media

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s govt says Israel’s ‘cowardly attack’ shows why Tehran insists on enrichment, nuclear tech and missile power

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel jets ‘still attacking’ nuclear facilities across Iran, says Israeli military

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: India’s Ministry of External Affairs issues statement Israel Iran War News Live Updates: “We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel.

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites.

India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support.

Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories,” the MEA said in a statement.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Trump says Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, in an interview with Fox News Israel Iran War News Live Updates: He added that US will help defend Israel if needed.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel’s defence spokesperson says country is in for a rough few hours.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian authorities the IAEA that the Bushehr nuclear power plant has not been targeted, reports Reuters

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel army says intel shows Iran approaching ‘point of no return’ on its nuclear programme

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israel used 200 fighter jets to strike Iran, says military spokesperson

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Jordan closes airspace temporarily following rising tensions in the region

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s state TV says five civilians have been killed Israel Iran War News Live Updates: It reports that 20 others have been injured in the Israeli air strikes hitting residential areas in Tehran.

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Trump says had advance notice of Israeli strikes on Iran, reports Fox News

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says ‘no damage’ to oil refineries, depots in Israel attack

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran state tv says nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in Israeli strike

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli PM Netanyahu says Israel targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility, nuclear scientists and ballistic missile programme, reports AP

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli air strikes on Friday targeted three military sites in Iran’s northwest, state television reported

Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin… Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations: Air India