JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON/DUBAI: Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other on Wednesday as the air war between the two longtime enemies entered a sixth day despite a call from US President Donald Trump for Iran’s unconditional surrender.

The Israeli military said two barrages of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel in the first two hours of Wednesday morning. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv.

Israel told residents in the area of Tehran to evacuate so its air force could strike Iranian military installations. Iranian news websites said explosions were heard in Tehran and the city of Karaj west of the capital.

Trump warned on social media on Tuesday that US patience was wearing thin. While he said there was no intention to kill Iran’s leader “for now,” his comments suggested a more aggressive stance toward Iran as he weighs whether to deepen US involvement.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” he wrote on Truth Social, referring to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “We are not going to take him out , at least not for now … Our patience is wearing thin.”

Three minutes later Trump posted, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!“

A White House official said Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Tuesday.

Trump’s sometimes contradictory and cryptic messaging about the conflict between close US ally Israel and longtime foe Iran has deepened the uncertainty surrounding the crisis. His public comments have ranged from military threats to diplomatic overtures, not uncommon for a president known for an often erratic approach to foreign policy.

Britain’s leader Keir Starmer, speaking at the Group of Seven nations summit in Canada that Trump left early, said there was no indication the US was about to enter the conflict.

Trump met for 90 minutes with his National Security Council on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the conflict, a White House official said. Details were not immediately available.

The US is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, three US officials told Reuters. The US has so far only taken defensive actions in the current conflict with Iran, including helping to shoot down missiles fired toward Israel.

Iran’s Khamenei vows ‘no mercy’ for Israel leaders

US President Donald Trump said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was currently not at risk. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy toward Israel’s rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.”

“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,” Khamenei posted on X.

Israel last week launched an unprecedented bombing campaign hitting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas.

Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones, and early Wednesday said it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel.

On Tuesday, Trump demanded the Islamic republic’s “unconditional surrender” and boasted that the United States could easily assassinate Khamenei.

Iran arrests five for ‘tarnishing’ country’s image

Tehran: Iran said Wednesday it had detained five suspected agents of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency on charges of tarnishing the country’s image online, Iranian news agencies reported.

“These mercenaries sought to sow fear among the public and tarnish the image of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through their calculated activities online,” the Tasnim and ISNA news agencies quoted a statement from the Revolutionary Guards as saying.

They added that the arrests had been made in the western province of Lorestan.

Regional influence weakens

Khamenei’s main military and security advisers have been killed by Israeli strikes, hollowing out his inner circle and raising the risk of strategic errors, according to five people familiar with his decision-making process.

With Iranian leaders suffering their most dangerous security breach since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country’s cybersecurity command banned officials from using communications devices and mobile phones, Fars news agency reported.

Israel launched a “massive cyber war” against Iran’s digital infrastructure, Iranian media reported.

Ever since Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and triggered the Gaza war, Khamenei’s regional influence has waned as Israel has pounded Iran’s proxies — from Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and militias in Iraq. Iran’s close ally, Syria’s autocratic president Bashar Assad, has been ousted.

Israel launched its air war, its largest ever on Iran, on Friday after saying it had concluded the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has pointed to its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the international Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.

Netanyahu has stressed that he will not back down until Iran’s nuclear development is disabled, while Trump says the Israeli assault could end if Iran agrees to strict curbs on enrichment.

Before Israel’s attack began, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

The IAEA said on Tuesday an Israeli strike directly hit the underground enrichment halls at the Natanz facility.

Israel says it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign in coming days.

But Israel will struggle to deal a knock-out blow to deeply buried nuclear sites like Fordow, which is dug beneath a mountain, without the US joining the attack.

Iranian officials have reported 224 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Residents of both countries have been evacuated or fled.

Global oil markets are on high alert following strikes on sites including the world’s biggest gas field, South Pars, shared by Iran and Qatar.

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06:56 KEY EVENT

‘I survived by a miracle,’ recounts one man

Yousef Nofal said he saw many people motionless and bleeding on the ground. He said: “It was a massacre,” claiming soldiers continued firing as people fled the area.

Mohammed Abu Qeshfa said he heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire and tank shelling. He added: “I survived by a miracle.”

Samaher Meqdad was at a hospital looking for her two brothers and a nephew who had been in the crowd. She said: “Why did they fire at the young people? Why? Aren’t we human beings?”

The Israeli army said it was investigating the incident, the latest in a series of catastrophes at distribution centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. An army spokesman said: “Earlier today, Gazans were identified gathering next to an aid truck that got stuck in Khan Younis, next to Israeli forces operating in the area.

“We are aware of reports of a number of casualties from IDF fire after the mass neared [troops]. The details are being checked.”

Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said: “Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded.”

Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at Nasser hospital, said nearly 700 casualties had been treated in hospital.

He added: “Most of the cases are in serious conditions due to the tanks’ missiles and now the situation at Nasser medical complex is out of control. We can’t deal with such a high number of cases, so we asked the hospitals around Khan Younis city to support us and send ambulances to transfer cases to those hospitals.

“We are suffering a lot due to lack of medical supplies and instruments in addition to the lack of medical and nursing staff. We are trying to control the situation but now we can’t do anything more.”

In recent weeks, there have been growing protests from Israelis about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military policy inside Gaza.

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv. (Photo: AP)

Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Amid renewed airstrikes between Tel Aviv and Tehran, a human rights group has said that Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others, Associated Press reported. Israeli authorities and President Trump have claimed that Israel has full control over Iran’s skies. Iran says that it hit a major intelligence center in Tel Aviv with Israeli sources confirming that there have been hits on civilian and military targets. India has relocated students in Iran and diverted flights from Iranian airspace. Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi urged the MEA to evacuate the 120 Indians stranded in Iraq.

What has happened till now: Explosions rocked Iran and missiles struck Israel on the fifth consecutive day of hostilities, with a Mossad office reportedly targeted in Tel Aviv and a high-level assassination carried out in Tehran. The death toll from Israel’s strikes on Iran has climbed to over 220, including at least 70 women and children, according to Iranian officials. More than 20 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel. The United States has now sent two fighter jets into Iran, urging leaders to surrender unconditionally.

G7 Summit pressure: World leaders had gathered in Canada to attend the G7 Summit with a goal to help diffuse the heightened tension and pressure built between Israel and Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron said that Trump told G7 leaders that he is considering the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. “An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions,” Macron said. German Chancellor Mertz said that combined, the US and Israel have the capacity to wipe out Iran’s nuclear facilities. Now, the G7 nations expressed support to Israel and labeled Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East. Live Updates 14:21 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: ‘Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war,’ says Iran A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry issued a warning Wednesday that an American intervention in the ongoing Israeli strikes targeting his country would spark “an all-out war.” Esmail Baghaei made the comments in an interview live on Al Jazeera English. It was his first in the ongoing conflict. Baghaei said: “Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.” President Donald Trump initially distanced himself from Israel’s attacks on Iran but has hinted at greater US involvement, saying he wants something “much bigger” than a ceasefire. The US has also sent more warplanes to the region. (AP) 13:46 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran to respond ‘strongly’ to Israeli strikes, says Iran UN representative “We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint,” Ali Bahreini, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations in Geneva, told reporters. (Reuters) 13:13 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Situation in Iranian nuclear facilities ‘good’, says official Iran’s nuclear chief Eslami said that the situation in Iranian nuclear facilities is “good”, reported news agency Reuters. This comes as Israel continues to attack Iran’s nuclear and military bases in an attempt to prevent Tehran from developing an atomic weapon. 12:36 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel is running low on defensive missile interceptors, WSJ reports Israel is running low on defensive “Arrow” missile interceptors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed U.S. official, raising concerns about the country’s ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran. (Reuters) 12:13 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military says it intercepted 3 UAVs launched from Iran The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said that it intercepted three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which were launched from Iran in the Israeli region on Wednesday, Reuters reported. 11:57 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after Iran strike Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country’s surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al , touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel’s transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. “We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home,” Transportation Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. “We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of ‘Safe Return’. Land safely,” she added. Tel Aviv’s airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure the arriving passengers exited the airport quickly. They were shuttled to their parked vehicles or transported via train and bus to city centres nationwide. – Reuters 11:35 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iranian police reports intercepting drones and identifying hostile domestic drone facilities Iran’s police force have intercepted 14 drones and identified hostile drone-producing workshops and drone-carrying vehicles across various provinces, police spokesperson Saeed Montazerolmahdi said on Wednesday according to the Iranian Labour news agency. 11:18 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Repatriation flights start for Israelis stranded in Cyprus Flights took off for Israel on Wednesday from Cyprus, airport sources and web flight tracking sites showed, ferrying home Israelis stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran. Israel’s airspace has been closed since the two countries began trading attacks on Friday, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled. Israel announced special flights for the repatriation of its nationals on Tuesday. One flight operated by Arkia left Cyprus’s Larnaca airport at 07:25 am (0425 GMT) for Tel Aviv. Nine more were expected to depart Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in airport operator Hermes said. Israel’s Transportation Ministry has said as many as 150,000 Israelis are abroad, with about a third trying to get home. Large numbers have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member nation closest to Israel. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants in a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday. – Reuters 11:08 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel claims it is close to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program The Israeli military has claimed that it is close to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program after it was confirmed with satellite images that Israeli strikes have hit Natanz nuclear site, with destroyed equipment visible above ground. However, reports claim that several equipment and components are buried deep underground which raises questions about how much damage airstrikes can do to them, DW reported. 10:59 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: 2 US Navy aircraft carrier strike group available in Middle East amid Israel-Iran conflict Amid the heightened tension and conflict between Israel and Iran, the US Navy has said that it expects two aircraft carrier strike groups, one led by the USS Nimitz and the other by the USS Carl Vinson, to be available in the Middle East. According to US officials, the USS Nimitz group left South Asian waters on Monday for the Middle East region where it is poised to join the USS Vinson group, which ahs already been in the region for the past seven months due to its deployment, reported CNN. 10:40 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: US State Department establishes Middle East task force for citizens’ support amid Israel-Iran conflict The US Department of State has announced that they have setup a Middle East task force for the American citizens to help and coordinate during the Israel-Iran conflict. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce announced the formation of task force during a press conference on Tuesday. “We continue to monitor the complex and rapidly evolving situation on the ground as we continue to assess and address the needs of US citizens,” Bruce said, reported DW. 10:20 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Russia calls Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites ‘illegal’ Russian foreign ministry has called the Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear site as “illegal” and stressed that diplomacy was the only way forward. The Russian Foreign Ministry called Iran’s nuclear program “peaceful”, reported DW. 10:17 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Israel doing ‘dirty work for us’ in Iran Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has supported Israel in its war against Iran and said that Tel Aviv is doing the “dirty work for all of us”. 10:09 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel unleashes intense airstrikes in Tehran in conflict that has killed nearly 600 across Iran Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s capital early Wednesday in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said it had identified 239 of those killed in Israeli strikes as civilians and 126 as security personnel. The group, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, crosschecks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded. Uncertainty roiled the region and residents of Tehran fled their homes in droves on the sixth day of Israel’s air campaign aimed at Iran’s military and nuclear program. Israel asserts it had to launch its airstrike campaign to stop Iran from getting closer to being able to build a nuclear weapon. It came as Iran and the United States had been negotiating over the possibility of a new diplomatic deal over Tehran’s program, though President Donald Trump has said Israel’s campaign came after a 60-day window he set for the talks. – AP 09:52 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military says it attacked several weapon production sites in Iran The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has stated that they have attacked a centrifuge production site and several weapons production sites on Iran on Tuesday night, Reuters reported. 09:42 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump vs Khamenei on social media amid Israel-Iran conflict As tensions and hostilities rose between Israel and Iran, a social media conflict was up between US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Here’s a look at their messages in past 24 hours: Trump claimed “complete and total control of the skies over Iran”. The US president warned Khamenei: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” In his final attack on the supreme leader of Iran, Trump posted “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” In a series of posts on X, Khamenei said Iran “will never compromise with Zionists”. “We will show the Zionists no mercy. The battle begins,” added Khamenei. 09:19 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Where have the airstrikes hit in Israel and Iran? The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has said that strikes by Iran have hit the capital city Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa and both are densely populated area of Israel. Meanwhile, Israel has conducted more than 100 airstrikes on Iran’s capital city Tehran, which is home to about 10 million people. 09:13 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: US moving fighter jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran war rages The US military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, bolstering US military forces in the region as the war between Israel and Iran rages, three US officials said. One of the officials said the deployments include F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter aircraft. Two of the officials stressed the defensive nature of the deployment of fighter aircraft, which have been used to shoot down drones and projectiles. – Reuters 08:55 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others, a human rights group has said, Associated Press reported. 08:50 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Air raid sirens sound in northern Israel due to hostile aircraft infiltration, says IDF The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have said that air raid sirens were sounded in northern Israel after a hostile aircraft infiltrated the airspace, Reuters reported. 08:39 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump set to meet Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir on Wednesday US President Donald Trump is all set to meet Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir on Wednesday, amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran. Trump and Munir will have lunch together in the White House and reports suggest the meeting was already scheduled. According to BBC, Pakistan’s General Munir has been in the United States since June 14. The meeting could be significant as Iran and Pakistan share border with each other and there are speculations that Israel, Iran conflict could spill over in the region. 08:22 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump weighing option of deploying US military to target Iranian nuclear sites, reports say As US President Donald Trump returned to Washington after cutting short his G7 Summit trip to Canada and two US officials have said that the president is weighing options and warming up to the idea of using US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, CNN reported. According to the report, Israel is awaiting the response of the White House whether or not President Trump would help Tel Aviv in finishing the job of destroying Iran’s nuclear program. 08:18 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Missiles seen flying across Israeli skies on Tuesday night amid Iran’s offensive As Iran launched missiles at Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, the projectiles could be seen flying and hovering above the skies of Israel’s capital city Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, BBC reported. 08:15 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Air defenses in Tehran repelling projectiles fired by Israel, local media reports Air defenses situated in Iran’s capital Tehran are repelling the projectiles fired upon by Israel, the semi-official Iranian outlet Mehr News Agency reported. The news agency posted a video related to the incident on its X page wherein flashes could be seen in the sky as explosions were heard throughout Tehran, CNN reported. 07:37 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran asks its people to delete WhatsApp from their devices Iranian state television on Tuesday afternoon urged people to remove WhatsApp from their smartphones, alleging without specific evidence that the messaging app gathered user information to send to Israel. In a statement, WhatsApp said it was “concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.” WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, meaning a service provider in the middle can’t read a message. “We do not track your precise location, we don’t keep logs of who everyone is messaging and we do not track the personal messages people are sending one another,” it added. “We do not provide bulk information to any government.” End-to-end encryption means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is a garble that can’t be unscrambled without the key. Gregory Falco, an assistant professor of engineering at Cornell University and cybersecurity expert, said it’s been demonstrated that it’s possible to understand metadata about WhatsApp that does not get encrypted. – AP 07:32 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran issues evacuation order for neighbourhoods in Israel’s Tel Aviv The Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued an evacuation order for the neighbourhoods in Israel’s capital city Tel Aviv, reported Iran’s local media. The development comes after Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it intercepted two drones flying from the east, which led to the red alert sirens in the Dead Sea region of Israel, BBC reported. 07:22 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel strikes Imam Hossein University, linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards In its latest barrage of strikes on Tehran, Israel has attacked Imam Hossein University which is linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Eastern Tehran, Reuters reported quoting Iran’s local media outlets. 07:04 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel targets Khojir missile production facility in Tehran Israeli military is targeting Khojir missile production facility in Iran’s capital Tehran in its latest strike, Iranian state media has said, as reported by Reuters. The Khojir missile production facility is significant to Iran as it is a ballistic missile-related infrastructure and it was targeted by Israel in October 2024. 06:55 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Oil prices extend rise as Iran-Israel conflict enters sixth day Oil prices ticked up in early trading on Wednesday after ending the previous session up more than 4% on worries that the Iran-Israel conflict could disrupt supplies. Brent crude futures rose 19 cents, or 0.25%, to $76.64 a barrel by 0029 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 23 cents, or 0.31%, to $75.07 per barrel. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as the Iran-Israel air war entered a sixth day. The US military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the region to bolster its forces, three officials said on Tuesday. Analysts said the market was largely worried about supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil. Two oil tankers collided near the strait and caught fire on Tuesday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations had warned on Monday that electronic interference is affecting ships’ navigation systems. Iran is OPEC’s third-largest producer extracting about 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, but analysts say other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries could use their spare capacity to make up for a drop in Iranian output. Markets are also looking ahead to a second day of US Federal Reserve discussions on Wednesday, in which the central bank is expected to leave its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range. – Reuters 06:40 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: What did the Iranian state media say regarding launch of Fattah-1 missile at Tel Aviv The semi-official state media Mehr news agency confirmed on X that Iranian military has launched Fattah-1 missile at Tel Aviv on Wednesday. “The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) described the latest phase of the operation as a ‘turning point,’ saying the deployment of first-generation Fattah missiles marked ‘the beginning of the end’ for Israel’s ‘mythical’ missile defence systems,” BBC reported quoting state-owned Press TV. 06:25 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns, ‘The battle begins’ After US President Donald Trump gave stern warning to Iran and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked about eliminating the supreme leader, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned in post on X, “In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins.” 06:04 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran has launched Fattah missiles toward Israel, claims Iranian media Iran has launched Fattah missiles toward Israel on early Wednesday, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency. According to Iran, Fattah missiles are a “hypersonic” missile that travels at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound (about 3,800 miles per hour, 6,100 kilometers per hour), CNN reported. 05:47 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel issues evacuation warning for Tehran’s District 18 The Israeli military has warned the residents of Tehran’s District 18 to evacuate the area as soon as possible as Israel’s defence forces warned that it could carry out strikes over there. “Your presence in this area will put your life in danger,” the Israeli military post the message on X. 05:38 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: How has the US shifted military jets and ships in the Middle East? The US is shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks as President Donald Trump warns Tehran to step back from the conflict. Trump’s social media posts saying his patience with Iran was “wearing thin” have raised the possibility of deepening U.S. involvement, perhaps by using its bunker-busting bomb to strike a key Iranian nuclear site built deep underground in the mountains. Israel doesn’t have the massive munition it would take to destroy the Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant, or the aircraft needed to deliver it. Only the US does. As America’s national security leaders discuss the next steps, the Pentagon has moved to ensure that its troops and bases in the region are protected. Here’s a look at the US military presence in the Middle East: US aircraft moving to the Middle East In a social media post, Trump warned that “we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” US officials insisted as of Tuesday that the American military has not taken any offensive actions against Iran, only defensive strikes to take out incoming Iranian missiles to protect Israel. Additional US fighter jets and refueling tankers have been deployed to the region, but officials have declined to provide specific numbers. – AP 05:18 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military says it is conducting series of strikes in Iran as explosion hits Tehran suburb The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said that it conducting a series of strikes at Iran on early Wednesday as explosion hit Tehran’s suburb, while flames and smoke were seen rising the Islamic country’s capital city, Reuters reported quoting Nour News. 04:54 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel says it killed a top Iranian general as Trump warns people to flee Iran’s capital Israel claimed Tuesday to have killed a top Iranian general as it traded more strikes with its longtime foe, and US President Donald Trump warned Tehran’s residents to evacuate while demanding that Iran surrender without conditions. Trump left the Group of Seven summit in Canada a day early to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran, telling reporters: “I’m not looking at a ceasefire. We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.” When asked to explain, he said the US wanted to see “a real end” to the conflict that could involve Iran “giving up entirely.” He added: “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.” Later on social media, he warned Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the US knows where he is hiding and called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” It was not clear whether that was a suggestion for Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. Trump posted that there were no plans to kill Khamenei “at least not for now.” Despite warning that US “patience is wearing thin,” he indicated that diplomatic talks remained an option, and said he could send Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with the Iranians. Iran offered no immediate response to the president’s posts, but the country’s military leaders vowed that Israel would soon see more attacks. “The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,” Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran’s army, said in a video. “The punishment operation will be carried out soon.” Uncertainty roiled the region on the fifth day of Israel’s air campaign aimed at Iran’s military and nuclear program. Residents of Tehran fled their homes in droves. – AP 04:36 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: US to shut embassy in Jerusalem till Friday due to security situation The US Embassy in Jerusalem will be shut from Wednesday till Friday due to the security situation in the region and to comply with Israeli guidance, the US State Department said on Tuesday. “Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the State Department said on X. 04:20 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran towards Tel Aviv The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that a fresh barrage of missiles were fired upon by Iran towards its capital city Tel Aviv and other central Israel region on Tuesday night. 02:02 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran targets Israeli air bases in retaliatory strikes The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for missile attacks on Israeli air bases, which they claim were used to launch military strikes against Iran. According to the Iranian statement, the strikes are part of a larger operation that will “continue in a successive, complex, multi-layered and gradual manner”. _The Guardian 01:45 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Houthi official vows support for Iran against Israel A senior Houthi official has stated that the group will intervene to support Iran in the event of an escalation with Israel, drawing parallels with their involvement in supporting Gaza. In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher TV, the official emphasized the group’s commitment to standing in solidarity with Iran against Israeli aggression.-Reuters 01:18 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Russia says Israeli attacks on Iran are illegal, notes Iran’s commitment to NPT Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced on Tuesday continued Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal and said a solution to the conflict over Tehran’s nuclear programme could only be found through diplomacy. “The continuing intensive attacks by Israel on Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites are illegal in terms of international law and create unacceptable threats to international security and push the world to a nuclear catastrophe…,” the ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram. -Reuters 00:51 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran arrests foreigner for filming ‘sensitive’ areas near nuclear power plant for Israel Iran arrested on Tuesday a foreigner for filming “sensitive” areas near the country’s Bushehr nuclear power plant for Israel, Iranian media reported. The Iranian website eghtesadonline said the unnamed foreigner, whose nationality was not disclosed, resided illegally and filmed the power plant for Israel’s spy agency Mossad. (Reuters) 00:42 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel on high alert: New wave of Iranian missiles identified The Israeli Defense Forces has confirmed a new wave of incoming missiles fired from Iran, prompting sirens to sound in various parts of the country, particularly in the north and Haifa. Citizens have been instructed to seek shelter immediately. According to the Israeli military, defensive systems are actively working to intercept the threat. This development comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with the IDF on high alert to respond to potential attacks.(CNN) 00:35 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: WhatsApp denies Iran’s claims of sharing user data with Israel Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has responded to Iran’s government urging citizens to delete WhatsApp, denying allegations that the app shares user information with Israel. According to the BBC, a Meta spokesperson expressed concern that these false claims might lead to unnecessary blocking of WhatsApp’s services, stating: “We do not provide bulk information to any government. For over a decade, Meta has provided consistent transparency reports that include the limited circumstances when WhatsApp information has been requested.” The spokesperson emphasized WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption feature, which ensures that only the sender and recipient have access to messages: “All messages you send to family and friends on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one except the sender and recipient has access to those messages.” 00:29 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: ‘We’ll take him at his word’: US State Department on Trump’s Iran comments US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the administration will stand by Trump’s words regarding his desire for a “real end” to the Iran-Israel conflict. When asked to elaborate, Bruce declined to speculate, stating that Trump is the singular guiding force behind US policy decisions moving forward. -BBC 00:17 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Macron suggests Trump’s stance on Iran may have shifted French President Emmanuel Macron believes there may have been a change in US President Donald Trump’s opinion on Iran since yesterday.-Reuters 00:11 (IST) 18 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Erdogan slams Netanyahu: ‘greatest threat’ to Middle East security Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him the “greatest threat” to security in the Middle East, according to CNN. Erdogan made the remarks during a phone call with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, emphasizing the need to end the spiral of violence and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions, labeling it a “terror state” and drawing comparisons between Netanyahu and Hitler. 23:56 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel faces threats on multiple fronts, IDF warns Israel is confronting threats from multiple directions, according to IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin. “While we are working to remove threats from Iran, we are still fighting their proxy, Hamas, in Gaza,” he stated. Defrin emphasized that Hamas continues to hold 53 hostages in brutal conditions and vowed that Israel will not rest until they are safely returned home. (BBC) 23:54 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran’s military chief calls for Haifa and Tel Aviv evacuation Iran’s top military commander, Abdolrahim Mousavi, has warned residents in Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate ahead of a potential “punitive operation,” according to CNN. Mousavi stated that previous operations were just a warning and a larger-scale response is imminent. “The operations carried out so far have been a warning for deterrence and a punitive operation will be carried out soon,” Mousavi said in a video statement, referencing the recent killings of Iranian commanders and scientists. 23:43 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Egypt and UAE urge caution amid Israel-Iran conflict Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are calling for caution as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. According to reports, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed warned that uncalculated and reckless steps could lead to a wider regional conflict. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged for a ceasefire during phone calls with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, emphasizing the need for diplomacy to prevent further escalation.-The Guardian 23:29 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump shifts stance on Iran: Military action possible US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a significant shift in his approach. According to CNN, Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with diplomatic efforts and is now open to using US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear sites, unless Iran makes substantial concessions. Trump emphasized his objective is a “real end” to the conflict, not just a temporary ceasefire. This development comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with the US positioning military assets in the region. 23:21 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: UK deploys RAF fighter jets to Middle East amid Iran-Israel tensions The United Kingdom has deployed Royal Air Force fighter jets to the Middle East to protect its presence in Cyprus and Oman from potential Iranian threats, according to UK Defense Secretary John Healey. The primary goal of this deployment is to reinforce de-escalation and security in the region, while also potentially supporting allies. (The Guardian) 23:16 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iranian state media reports ‘continuous and intense’ explosions West of Tehran Multiple explosions have been heard west of Tehran, according to Iranian state media IRNA. (Reuters) 23:11 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran warns citizens to stop using WhatsApp, Telegram amid Israeli threats The Iranian regime has advised its citizens to stop using WhatsApp, Telegram, and other location-based apps, citing Israel’s alleged use of mobile phone tracking to target individuals in the country. According to a security report cited by Iran’s state-run news agency IRIB, these apps pose a significant risk in the current circumstances, especially after recent targeted assassinations, including those of scientists. Citizens are urged to switch off their mobile phones when changing locations and avoid taking them to sensitive areas, as reported by CNN. 22:59 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump holds emergency meeting with national security team in Situation Room US President Donald Trump has convened a meeting with his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump returned to Washington early from the G7 summit in Canada to address the situation, weighing potential US involvement. The Situation Room meeting comes after Israel requested a “defensive posture” from the US, and over 30 US aerial refueling tankers have been deployed to the region to potentially support Israeli operations, according to CNN citing a White House official. 22:56 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Pentagon extends deployment of air assets in Middle East Pentagon is moving more fighter jets to the Middle East and extending the deployment of air assets already in the region, according to a report by Reuters. 22:46 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Pakistan recalls families of diplomats, some non-essential staff from Iran Pakistan has recalled families of diplomats and some non-essential staff from Iran amid escalating tensions in the region, an official said Tuesday. “The staff members identified as non-essential have been instructed to return to Pakistan along with their families,” the Foreign Ministry official said, adding that arrangements have been made to facilitate the safe return of the staff. However, the official said that Pakistan Embassy in Tehran and its Consulates will continue to remain functional. Earlier, a total of 78 Pakistanis, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan through the Taftan border on Tuesday, raising the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,200. – PTI 22:45 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran’s army commander calls for evacutation According to Israeli Mehr News Agency, Iran’s senior army commander has called on Israelis to immediately evacuate the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv. 22:31 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: More than 2,700 people have been evacuated from their homes in Israel, government says At least 2,725 people in Israel have been evacuated from their homes since the latest conflict with Iran began last week, according to Israel’s Government Press Office (GPO). 22:15 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: We know where Khamenei is hiding Trump posted on Truth Social, “We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” 21:59 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: India diverts more flights as airspace disruption continues DGCA asks airlines to adopt alternative flight routing strategies to minimise disruptions due to Iranian airspace closure 21:58 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: US moving fighter jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran war rages The US military is sending additional fighter jets to the Middle East and extending the deployment of others, ramping up its presence as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, three US officials said. One official confirmed the deployments include F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s. Two officials emphasised the move is defensive, with the aircraft being used primarily to intercept drones and incoming projectiles. -with inputs from Reuters 21:46 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: ‘We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran’ – Trump Trump wrote on Truth Social, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured “stuff.” Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.” 21:19 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iranian military says it struck Israeli military intelligence center in Tel Aviv Iran’s military said it struck an Israeli military intelligence center in Tel Aviv with a guided missile overnight. “The Zionist regime’s intelligence center was hit in its core, by a guided missile, despite the enemy’s heavy layers of defense, which the Americans are helping with,” said Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for Iran’s defense ministry. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps called the strike “an effective operation, despite the presence of highly advanced defense systems,” claiming the “center is currently burning.” Videos verified by CNN and circulating on social media appear to show four incoming missiles landing near interceptor fire and a military facility in central Israel. “There have been hits on civilian targets, there have been hits on military targets,” an Israeli military official said Tuesday, describing the latest Iranian barrage. 20:53 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: German Chancellor said that Israel and the US could destroy Iran’s nuclear program if Tehran doesn’t back down German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear weapons programme could be on the agenda if Tehran does not back down and return to the negotiating table. “The Israeli army is obviously unable to accomplish that. It lacks the necessary weapons. But the Americans have them,” said Merz in an interview with broadcaster ZDF on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada. – Reuters 20:43 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Owaisi urges MEA to evacuate Indian students in Iraq Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday urged the External Affairs Ministry’s intervention to evacuate around 120 Indians stranded in Iraq following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran. Owaisi said the Indians, Shia Muslims, were on a pilgrimage and have been unable to come back due to stoppage of flights from Iraq, which is Iran’s neighbour, according to sources. The Hyderabad MP made the request to the MEA officials during the meeting of the parliamentary committee on external affairs. – PTI 20:35 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran launched several missiles toward Israel, IDF said, as air raid sirens briefly sounded across country Air raid sirens rang out across large parts of Israel at around 7:30 p.m. IST (5 p.m. local time), after Iran launched another wave of attacks. “Iran is attacking again,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a brief statement on X. In a follow-up message, the military said several missiles had been fired from Iran in the past hour, and that “most of them were intercepted.” Roughly an hour later, Israel’s Home Front Command gave the all-clear, allowing citizens to leave their bomb shelters. 19:46 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Over 600 people have fled to Azerbaijan from Iran, source says More than 600 people of 17 nationalities have fled into Azerbaijan from Iran in the five days since the start of the air war between Israel and Iran, an Azerbaijani source with knowledge of the situation said on Tuesday. The source said they included citizens of Russia, the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, China, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. -Reuters 19:03 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: IAEA confirms Iranian strikes had ‘direct impact’ on Israeli nuclear facilities The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday it believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz enrichment site have had “direct impacts” on the facility’s underground centrifuge halls. This marks the first time the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran’s nuclear programme. “Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,” the agency said. – Reuters 19:01 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel to operate rescue flights for citizens stranded overseas Israeli carrier, EL AL, says it expects to operate rescue flights on Wednesday for citizens stranded in Larnaca (Cyprus), Athens, Rome, and Milan. 18:58 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: News anchor celebrated for her resilliance A large banner featuring Iranian state TV presenter Sahar Emami has been raised in Tehran’s Veliasr Square, after she was targeted live on air during an Israeli strike. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the image shows Emami with her finger raised in defiance, alongside a verse from the Persian poet Ferdowsi praising the bravery of women “on the battlefield.” 18:50 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Chinese leader says Beijing is ‘deeply concerned’ Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China is “deeply concerned” by the “sudden escalation” of tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s military strikes on Iran, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. In his first public remarks on the conflict since it began on Friday, Xi reaffirmed China’s opposition to “any acts that infringe on the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” of other nations. “Military conflict is not a solution, and rising regional tensions do not serve the common interests of the international community,” he said during a joint appearance with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. 18:36 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Qatar gas supply steady Qatar said on Tuesday that gas production at the South Pars field remains stable and supply is continuing as normal, despite an Israeli strike on Saturday that prompted Iran to partially halt its operations, Reuters reports. Qatar, the world’s third-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas after the US and Australia, shares the South Pars field with Iran. Iran suspended part of its production after the strike triggered a fire at the site. 18:36 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: ‘Basically everyone I know has left the city’ As Israel’s assault on Iran entered its fifth day, a growing number of residents have been fleeing the capital, Tehran, and heading toward the northern Caspian Sea province of Mazandaran in search of safety. One evacuee told CNN it took over 14 hours to reach Shomal, a normally three-hour drive to the popular holiday region. “Everyone left Tehran — basically everyone I know has left the city,” the person said. “People in Shomal have opened their doors, taking in those arriving from Tehran.” “They bombed my house, my street yesterday,” the evacuee added. “All the windows turned to powder. The lobby of the building is gone.” 18:00 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Diplomacy is the best tactic according to the EU The European Union reiterated that diplomacy remains the best way to address Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, following emergency talks among its 27 foreign ministers on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. “We all agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after the video call. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and diplomacy is the solution to prevent this. The EU will play its part.” Europe has so far remained largely on the sidelines as tensions have flared between the two regional adversaries following Israel’s initial strikes on Iran. 17:23 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel has Iran’s military leadership on the run, military official says Israel struck dozens of sites tied to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs overnight and has Iran’s military leadership “on the run,” a senior Israeli military official said Tuesday. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the official confirmed that while Israel had not yet targeted Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility, it remained a possibility. He said precautions were being taken to avoid triggering a nuclear disaster. According to the official, Iran has so far launched around 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, aiming at both civilian and military targets. A sharp overnight decline in missile launches, he said, indicated that Israel had successfully disrupted Iran’s strike capabilities. 17:15 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump wants a lasting resolution to the conflict Trump said he was seeking a lasting resolution to the conflict between Israel and Iran—not just a temporary halt in fighting. “I’m not looking for a ceasefire,” he told reporters after returning from the G7 summit. “We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.” 16:56 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump raises probability of Iran having a nuclear weapon According to the Associated Press, Trump rejected congressional testimony from US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who informed lawmakers on March 25, 2025, that US intelligence agencies assessed Iran was not actively developing a nuclear weapon. Trump stated, “I don’t care what she said, I think they were very close to having it.” 16:52 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iranian foreign minister says country is committed to diplomacy but focus is on deterrence for now Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a joint call with the foreign ministers of France, Britain, Germany, and the EU, emphasised that while Tehran remains open to diplomacy, its current priority is “effective and deterrent confrontation” against aggression, according to a foreign ministry statement. In a separate conversation with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Araghchi criticised certain European countries for their pro-Israel stance, per IRNA. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, stating it has “never left the negotiating table.” The UK, France, and Germany have urged de-escalation but expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defence and voiced serious concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. 16:44 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Cyberattack ‘disrupts’ Iranian state-owned bank Sepah Bank, a major state-owned Iranian bank, experienced a cyberattack that disrupted its online services, as reported by the Fars news agency. The bank anticipates resolving the issue within hours. An Israel-linked hacking group, Predatory Sparrow (known as Gonjeshke Darande in Persian), claimed responsibility, asserting it “destroyed” the bank’s data. 16:41 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran claims to have struck Mossad operations Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck a centre of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. In a statement on state TV, the Guards said they “struck the military intelligence centre of the Zionist regime’s army, Aman, and the Zionist regime’s terrorist operations planning centre, the Mossad, in Tel Aviv”, adding it was “currently on fire”. There has been no Israeli confirmation of the same. 16:38 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli defence minister threatens Ayatollah Khamenei Israeli defence minister Israel Katz warns that Khamenei could face a similar fate to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein stating, “remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country of Iran who took this path against Israel.” 16:36 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran has fired 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of UAVs According to an Israeli military official, Iran has so far fired 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of UAVs towards Israel 16:19 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israel’s attacks on Iran are ‘threat to people everywhere’, Jordan’s king says Israel’s attacks on Iran have broadened its conflicts in the region to a level that poses a global threat, Jordan’s King Abdullah said in a speech in European Parliament on Tuesday. “With Israel’s expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end,” the Jordanian monarch said. “And that is a threat to people everywhere. Ultimately, this conflict must end,” he added. – Reuters 16:00 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump denies reaching out to Iran for peace talks In a post on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump announced that he has not reached out to Iran about ceasefire talks “in any way, shape, or form”. Trump further added that Iran should have signed a deal that he put forward during the most recent talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. “This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table – Would have saved a lot of lives!!!,” he wrote. 14:29 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Residential buildings, hospitals, research centers, civilian public infrastructures targeted in Israel’s attack on Iran Residential buildings, hospitals, research centers and civilian public infrastructures were targeted in Israel’s military attacks on Iran, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran said in a press release on Tuesday. “Contrary to the claims of Zionist regime, they deliberately target residential buildings, hospitals, research centers and civilian public infrastructures,” it stated. Referring to the Israeli forces as “Zionist,” the statement further read: “The Expansionist Zionist regime is the main cause of instability and war in West Asia region. This regime permanently invades its neighbors and violates their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran’s military doctrine is defensive in nature and has employed various means to deter Zionist regime from threatening the security of Iran and the whole region.” Press release by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: pic.twitter.com/yNcnt2IjML — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2025 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js 14:26 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: 224 civilians killed; 1,257 injured so far amid Israel’s military attacks on Iran, says Iran Embassy in New Delhi The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi on Tuesday revealed that about 224 of civilian citizens including women and children had died, and 1,257 others were injured so far in Israel’s military attacks on Iran. Referring to the attacks by Israel as “blatant acts of aggression,” the Embassy wrote: “On 13th June 2025, the occupying and rogue Zionist regime flagrantly violated the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran by waging military attacks against several locations including residential areas, killing innocent women and children. As a result of these brutal military attacks, which is the clear violation of all international principles and regulations, 224 of civilian citizens including women and children have been martyred and 1257 others injured so far.” “The Zionist regime’s unlawful military attacks on Iran, constitute a flagrant violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and are blatant acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran reserves its legitimate and legal rights to respond properly and timely to these aggressions,” the release stated.

14:05 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic Flights carrying evacuees from Israel arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic amid the war between Iran and Israel, authorities said on Tuesday, making these countries among the first to get their citizens out of the Middle East, news agency Reuters reported. Slovak authorities said that the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia, as per the report. “Our partners are contacting us and we are preparing another flight on Tuesday, which should include citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as citizens of the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Latvia, and France,” Reuters quoted Blanar as saying. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Slovakia had helped evacuate seven Hungarians. Meanwhile, Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said that a flight with 66 people evacuated from Israel had landed near Prague. Poland said on Monday that it was organising the evacuation of around 200 of its citizens from Israel via Jordan. (Reuters) 14:03 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Spanish foreign minister calls for weapons embargo on Israel Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called on Tuesday for a weapons embargo on Israel while the war in Gaza lasts and urged the resumption of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, news agency Reuters reported. “We are the largest trade partner of Israel in the world, the European Union,” he said on Bloomberg TV. “We must impose, for our European partners, an arms embargo, not to sell weapons to Israel as long as this war continues.” He said he wanted the EU to act as it did after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to try to achieve peace, as per the Reuters report. The minister regretted there were no signs of de-escalation between Israel and Iran and called for a resumption of dialogue with Iran on its nuclear programme. (Reuters) 13:40 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Egypt, Jordan, others call for halting Israel-Iran conflict Twenty countries denounced in a joint statement the escalating tensions in the Middle East caused by what they term Israel’s aggression against Iran and called for diplomacy and dialogue to restore stability in the region, news agency AP reported. “There’s an imperative need to halt Israeli hostilities against Iran, which come during a time of increasing tension in the Middle East, and to work towards de-escalation, to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and restoration of calm,” read the statement. Foreign ministers of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, and Mauritania rejected finding resolution through military campaigns. Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the escalation. They also highlighted the importance of clearing the region of nuclear and mass destruction weapons and called for refraining from targeting nuclear facilities and protecting maritime navigation in international waters. (AP) 13:36 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Shops closed, lines for gas in Iran’s capital Downtown Tehran appeared to be starting to empty out early Tuesday, with many shops closed, news agency AP reported. The city’s ancient Grand Bazaar was also closed, something that has only happened in the past during anti-government demonstrations or at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, as per the report. On the roads out of Tehran to the west, traffic stood bumper to bumper. Many appeared to be heading to the Caspian Sea area. Long queues also could be seen at gas stations in Tehran. Authorities within Iran’s government continued to insist everything was under control and did not offer any guidance for the public on what to do, AP report noted. (AP) 13:11 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Attacks against Israel to intensify in next hours, says senior Iranian army commander Senior Iranian Army Commander on Tuesday said that attacks against Israel will intensify in the next hours, news agency Reuters reported quoting the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). A new wave of hundreds of drones will hit Israel, the senior commander told IRNA. (Reuters) 13:06 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: ‘No sign of de-escalation between Israel, Iran’, says Spain’s Foreign Minister Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno on Tuesday stated that he sees “no sign” of de-escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran, news agency Reuters reported. “I see no sign of de-escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran,” Albares said. He also suggested that the European Union must impose a weapon embargo on Israel “as long as this war lasts.” (Reuters) 12:59 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Embassies, consulates working to ensure safety of citizens in Iran, Israel, says China’s Foreign Ministry The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said that embassies and consulates are working with relevant departments to ensure the safety of its citizens in Iran and Israel amid the brewing conflict, news agency Reuters reported. “Some Chinese nationals have been evacuated to neighbouring countries. Embassies and consulates are working with relevant departments to ensure the safety of its citizens in Iran and Israel, and quickly organise evacuations,” the Ministry said, according to Reuters. The Ministry also called on all parties, “especially those with ‘special influence on Israel side to shoulder their due responsibilities and take immediate measures to cool down the tension.” China will continue to strengthen their communication with relevant parties, it stated. (Reuters) 12:52 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates | Trump says he wants Iran to give up entirely on nukes: Report United States President Donald Trump Tuesday said he wanted a “real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran “giving up entirely” on nuclear weapons, news agency Reuters reported quoting the comments posted by a CBS News reporter on social media platform X. Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday. Trump predicted that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran. “You’re going to find out over the next two days. You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far,” the CBS journalist quoted Trump as saying on Air Force One. Trump said “I may”, on the prospect of sending US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iran. However, he added that “it depends what happens when I get back”, according to the CBS reporter. Washington has said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran. (Reuters) 12:32 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Iran’s wartime chief of staff killed in strikes, says Israeli military Amid fresh wave of airstrike between the two countries, Israel’s military said it had killed Ali Shadmani, identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff and one of the most senior military commander, news agency Reuters reported. For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander.

Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise… pic.twitter.com/Bq6Z49zeCj — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2025 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js 11:57 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump is at a moment of choosing as Israel looks for more US help crushing Iran’s nuclear program US President Donald Trump in about eight hours Monday went from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran remained “achievable” to urging Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut short his visit to an international summit to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team. He was expected to arrive at the White House early Tuesday at a moment of choosing in his presidency. Israel, with five days of missile strikes, has done considerable damage to Iran and believes it can now deal a permanent blow to Tehran’s nuclear program — particularly if it gets a little more help from Trump. But deepening American involvement, perhaps by providing the Israelis with bunker-busting bombs to penetrate Iranian nuclear sites built deep underground or offering other direct US military support, comes with enormous political risk for Trump. He appears to be gradually building the public case for more direct American involvement. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” Trump posted on social media shortly before the White House announced Trump was cutting short his visit to the Group of Seven summit in the Canadian Rockies. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” – AP 11:52 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: At least one hit reported in central Israel as loud boom heard in Tel Aviv amid Iran’s strike Loud booms were heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Tuesday as Iran launched fresh wave of missiles at Israel and at least one has reportedly hit central Israel, reports BBC. The explosions were heard in Tel Aviv after air raid sirens and alert went out to residents which asked them to take shelter in protected areas until further notice. The Israel Defense Forces had earlier said that air force was operating to intercept and strike out the necessary threats. 11:39 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military says it has killed Iran’s armed forces chief of staff The Israeli military has claimed that it has killed Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Ali Shadmani in its barrage of strikes on Tehran. Shadmani was the most senior military commander, reported Reuters. The conflict between Israel and Iran began on Friday when both the warring nations started trading strikes. 11:29 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Indian students in Tehran moved out of city for safety, says External Affairs ministry Indian students in Iran’s capital Tehran have been moved out of the city for safety in light of Iran’s conflict with Israel while others who are “self-sufficient” in terms of transport have been advised to move out too, Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. “Separately, some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance,” the ministry added. Our Statement on the situation in Iran⬇️

🔗 https://t.co/vMiKDM6kvg pic.twitter.com/VZK1UmP5mm — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 17, 2025 11:23 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli military claims it destroyed dozens of ground-to-ground missile storage, launch facilities of Iran The Israeli military has stated that it destroyed dozens of ground-to-ground missile storage and launch facilities and ground-to-air missile launchers in western part of Iran during Monday night. In a post on X, the Israeli military claimed “Air Force fighter jets completed several waves of strikes last night targeting dozens of military targets of the Iranian regime in western Iran.” 11:19 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: New wave of missiles launched by Iran, alert sounded in Israel A new wave of missiles were launched by Iran on Tuesday morning as Israel Defense Forces said that the strikes were targeted towards the territory of Israel. The Israeli defence systems are working to intercept the Iranian missiles. Advising the residents to take shelter in protected area, IDF said “You must enter the protected areas upon receiving the alert, and remain there until further notice. Exiting the protected area will only be possible after receiving explicit instructions.” 11:07 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump calls Macron ‘publicity seeking’, says he didn’t leave G7 Summit to work on Israel-Iran ceasefire US President Donald Trump, who cut short his trip to Canada where the G7 Summit was underway, has now said that he didn’t leave G7 to work on the Israel-Iran ceasefire, and that French President Emmanuel Macron mistakenly said it as he is seeking publicity. Trump said that Macron had “no idea” why the US president was returning to Washington and the reason is “much bigger” than the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. “Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a “cease fire” between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 10:53 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Israeli strike on Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB leaves two dead During an Israeli strike at Iran on Monday, the building of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Iran’s state broadcaster was hit which left a news editor and a employee dead, Iranian state media IRNA reported. Iran’s local media earlier reported that only one staff member of the news organistaion was killed in the attack. As the headquarter of the IRIB was struck during a live broadcast, the blast could be heard and studio lights went off as debris fell over the studio. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting started broadcasting hours after the attack, BBC reported. 10:40 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: Trump flies out of Canada as Israel-Iran tension derails his G7 Summit US President Donald Trump cut short his G7 Summit being held in Canada and has left for Washington due to the prevailing situation between Israel and Iran. Trump left a day early and reportedly asked the National Security Council to be ready and convene in the Situation Room in the White House. A White House aide has earlier clarified that the United States is not joining the Israeli offensive against Iran, and that American forces are maintaining their defensive posture. 10:33 (IST) 17 Jun 2025 Israel-Iran News LIVE Updates: US embassy in Jerusalem says not in a position to ‘evacuate or assist’ Americans The United States embassy in Jerusalem has said that it is not in a position to “evacuate or directly assist” Americans who are departing Israel. The embassy, which was shut on Monday, said it will remain closed on Tuesday as well. The embassy in Jerusalem further added that all US government employees and their family members should continue to remain in the protected shelters which are already in place and near their residences until any further notice.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Israel claimed Tuesday to have killed a top Iranian general as it traded more strikes with its longtime foe, and U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran’s residents to evacuate while demanding that Iran surrender without conditions.

Trump left the Group of Seven summit in Canada a day early to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran, telling reporters: “I’m not looking at a ceasefire. We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.”

When asked to explain, he said the U.S. wanted to see “a real end” to the conflict that could involve Iran “giving up entirely.” He added: “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”

Later on social media, he warned Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is hiding and called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER”. It was not clear whether that was a suggestion for Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.

Trump posted that there were no plans to kill Khamenei “at least not for now.” Despite warning that U.S. “patience is wearing thin,” he indicated that diplomatic talks remained an option, and said he could send Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with the Iranians.

Iran offered no immediate response to the president’s posts, but the country’s military leaders vowed that Israel would soon see more attacks.

“The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,” Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran’s army, said in a video. “The punishment operation will be carried out soon.”

Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the evolving situation over the phone Tuesday, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Uncertainty roiled the region on the fifth day of Israel’s air campaign aimed at Iran’s military and nuclear program. Residents of Tehran fled their homes in droves.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog for the first time said Israeli strikes on Iran’s main uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz had also damaged its main underground centrifuge facility, not just an above-ground facility, as previously acknowledged.

Israel says its sweeping assault is necessary to prevent Iran from getting any closer to building an atomic weapon. The strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran.

Iran has retaliated by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel.

Israel targets more Iranian leaders

Iran did not immediately comment on the reported killing in Tehran of Gen. Ali Shadmani, whom Israel described as the most senior military commander.

Shadmani was little-known in the country before being appointed last week to a chief-of-staff-like role as head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. The appointment followed the killing of his predecessor, Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, in an Israeli strike.

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin announced a new wave of strikes Tuesday evening as explosions and anti-aircraft fire boomed throughout Tehran, shaking buildings. The Israeli military said its warplanes had targeted 12 missile launch sites and storage facilities. It said the Israeli Air Force was conducting strikes around Tehran early Wednesday.

Israel’s military warned the population to stay close to shelters as Iran fired new salvos of missiles, but officials said most were intercepted. Sirens blared in southern Israel, including in the desert town of Dimona, the heart of Israel’s never-acknowledged nuclear arms program. Iran launched another barrage early Wednesday. Israeli rescue services had no immediate reports of injuries.

The U.S. State Department announced that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed through Friday because of “the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.”

Iran has fired fewer missiles in each of its barrages, with a handful launched late Tuesday. It has not explained the drop in missiles fired, but the decline comes after Israel targeted many Iranian launchers.

Shops closed, lines for gas in Iran’s capital

Trump warned on social media that “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran,” echoing an earlier Israeli military call for some 330,000 residents of a downtown neighborhood there to evacuate.