6 hours ago10:02 Jon King
IDF spokesman, Effie Defrin, has said Israel is paying the price for attacking Iran.
He said missiles struck north and central Israel last night, adding: “Unfortunately, eight civilians were killed and dozens were injured. This is the face of the Iranian regime.”
“We strike at nuclear capabilities and military capabilities that were supposed to annihilate the Israelis, but they are targeting civilians.”
7 hours ago09:15 Jon King
A satellite image has been released which shows fires burning at the Shiraz electronics production facility in southern Iran on Sunday.
A second shows destroyed storage buildings and tunnel entrances at Kermanshah missile facilities in the west of the Islamic Republic.
Smoke billows over the Shiraz electronics production facility (Image: Planet Labs/Maxar via AFP)
An aerial view of Kermanshah (Image: Planet Labs/Maxar via AFP)
7 hours ago08:48 Jon King
A man from Petah Tikva whose homes was destroyed in an Iranian missile attack has urged Benjamin Netanyahu to keep up the attacks.
Yoram Suki, 60, rushed with his family to a shelter after hearing an air raid alert. He emerged after it was over to find his flat destroyed. He said: “Thank God we were OK.”
Despite losing his home, he urged Israel’s Prime Minister to keep up the attacks on Iran.
He said: “It’s totally worth it. This is for the sake of our children and grandchildren.”
A damaged building is evacuated in Petah Tikva (Image: Getty)
7 hours ago08:44 Jon King
Oil prices have risen amid fears the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could disrupt flows around the world.
Brent crude, the international standard, gained 58 cents to $74.81 per barrel while US benchmark crude oil added 71 cents to $73.69 per barrel.
Iran is one of the world’s big producers of oil, though sanctions by Western countries have limited its sales.
If a wider war erupts, it could slow the flow of Iranian oil to its customers and keep the price of crude and petrol higher for everyone worldwide.
Beyond the oil coming from Iran, analysts have pointed to the potential for disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a relatively narrow waterway off Iran’s coast.
Much of the world’s oil that’s been pulled from the ground moves through the Strait on ships.
8 hours ago07:57 Jon King
Iran’s health ministry has said 224 people have been killed since Israel’s attack on Friday.
Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said on social media that 1,277 other people were hospitalised. He said that more than 90% of the casualties were civilians.
Israel has said 14 people have been killed there since Friday and 390 others wounded.
8 hours ago07:53 Jon King
Authorities in the central Israeli city of Petah Tikva have said that Iranian missiles hit a residential building there, charring concrete walls, shattering windows and ripping the walls off multiple flats.
A woman is stretchered away after ballistic missiles fired from Iran struck Petah Tikva (Image: Getty)
An emergency worker cradles a baby as a damaged building is evacuated (Image: Getty)
8 hours ago07:50 Jon King
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service has reported that two women and two men — all in their 70s — and one other person were killed in the wave of missile attacks that struck four sites in central Israel.
8 hours ago07:40 Jon King
Pictures are emerging from Israel as the conflict with Iran enters a fourth day.
The photos below show a heavily damaged building and abandoned doll covered in dust in the city of Bnei Brak, which is east of Tel Aviv.
A heavily damaged building in Bnei Brak (Image: Getty)
A doll covered in dust at a playground in Bnei Brak (Image: Getty)
8 hours ago07:38 Jon King
IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee has said the Israeli air force has attacked the headquarters of Iran’s Quds Force.
In a post on X, he said: “Air Force fighter jets, with precise intelligence guidance from the Military Intelligence Service, raided command headquarters of the Quds Force and the Iranian army.
“Quds Force personnel had used these command headquarters to plan terrorist operations against the State of Israel through the Iranian regime’s agents in the Middle East.”
The Quds Force is one of five branches of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It specialises in unconventional warfare and military intelligence.
12 hours ago04:30 William Morgan
The waves of missiles launched at central and coastal parts of Israel in the early hours of the morning have claimed at least three lives and injured 67, according to emergency services.
“They (the Israelis) underestimated the Iranian ability to regroup after the Israelis very successfully targeted the top leadership of the Iranian military,” a security analyst told CNN.
Trita Parsi, Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, added: “Iranian missiles are successful in penetrating all layers of Israel’s air defence systems.”
This fresh wave of deadly rocket strikes takes the death toll in Israel to 17, while in Iran, it is believed that 224 people have been killed and 1277 injured.
Emergency responders dragged civilians out of buildings damaged by missiles (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
13 hours ago03:24 William Morgan
Residents in Tel Aviv have woken up to chaos this morning, with huge fires raging in parts of the city in the wake of the Iranian missile barrage, which has injured 25 people.
13 hours ago03:07 William Morgan
Multiple Iranian missiles made it through Israel’s air defences and have caused widespread damage across Tel Aviv and Haifa, with emergency services reporting 25 injuries in the initial aftermath.
The barrage of ballistic missiles came just hours after Israel announced that it was now targeting the ‘surface-to-surface missile sites’ used by Iran to carry out such attacks.
Following the early morning missile attack, multiple residential buildings across Tel Aviv and Haifa were damaged and on fire, with a power station also ablaze.
An explosion is seen during the missile attack in Tel Aviv (Image: AP)
14 hours ago02:23 William Morgan
Residents in Israel are witnessing a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, with the IDF sending urgent alerts to residents in Haifa and Tel Aviv telling them to take shelter.
A spokesperson stated: “The IDF identified that missiles were recently launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. The defense systems are working to intercept the threat.”
Meanwhile, israel’s Iron Dome system could be seen intercepting scores of missiles in the night sky over Tel Aviv just before 4.30am local time. However, early reports indicate that some rockets made it through, with smoke rising over Tel Aviv and some describing multiple “loud bangs.”
15 hours ago01:13 William Morgan
State-run Iranian media is reporting the arrest of two Israeli intelligence operatives following the alleged discovery of a drone-making factory an hour’s drive from Tehran.
The Islamic Republic News Agency claimed that the arrest of both “Mossad” agents led police to discover an undercover drone factory, with around 200kg of explosives and enough parts for 23 drones.
These explosive drones have been used over the past three days to strike targets, with Israel’s operatives crossing the border to wreak havoc on military and nuclear infrastructure.
16 hours ago00:26 William Morgan
Israel has begun the next phase of its military operation against Iran, taking out the silos from which hundreds of missiles have been launched at population centres across the country.
Early on Monday, a military spokesperson said: “The IDF is currently striking surface-to-surface missile sites in central Iran. We are operating against this threat in our skies and in Iranian skies.”
Satellite images show the smoking aftermath of Israeli strikes on some of these purported missile sites. Pictures taken both before and after show the devastation meted out in the airstrikes.
Satellite imagery of an Iranian site before a strike (Image: © 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP)
Satellite imagery of an Iranian site after a strike (Image: © 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/AFP)
16 hours ago00:13 William Morgan
The US President is reported to have vetoed an Israeli plot to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Sources in the Trump administration told AP that Israel had presented the US with ‘developed’ plans to take out Khamenei, but the White House made clear that the president did not want the attack to go ahead.
When asked about the plan in an interview with Fox News, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu refused to elaborate, instead saying: “But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we’ll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (Image: AP)
16 hours ago23:43 William Morgan
US President Trump has reiterated his belief that Iran will cut a deal over its nuclear ambitions, despite its ongoing explosive exchange with Israel.
Taking questions from reporters on the White House lawn, Trump said, “I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it’s time for a deal.”
The president argued that the conflict could resolve some sticking points in the negotiations, adding: “We’ll see what happens. Sometimes they have to fight it out.
“But we are going to see what happens. I think there’s a good chance there will be a deal.”
Trump said there’s ‘a good chance’ of Israel-Iran deal’ (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
17 hours ago23:17 William Morgan
A top Iranian official has shared the devastation left by an Israeli strike on the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said ‘several’ civilians had been killed in the attack, which he described as ‘ruthless.’
A number of Iranian bureaucrats were also injured in the strike and taken to hospital. Video shared by the minister shows window glass, blown out by the blast, littering the floor of a library.
The criminal regime of Israel launched a deliberate and ruthless strike on one of the buildings of Iran\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located directly across from the Institute for Political and International Studies.
Several civilians were injured in the attack, including a\u2026 pic.twitter.com/DLxlmvuvZe
\u2014 Saeed Khatibzadeh | \u0633\u0639\u06cc\u062f \u062e\u0637\u06cc\u0628\u200c\u0632\u0627\u062f\u0647 (@SKhatibzadeh) June 15, 2025
18 hours ago22:23 Ciaran McGrath
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed Iran actively plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, branding the US President as “enemy number one.”
In an interview with Fox News, Mr Netanyahu said Iran viewed Mr Trump as a direct threat to its nuclear ambitions.
Referring to former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani, he said: “They want to kill him. He tore up the fake agreement, killed Soleimani, and told them they’d never get a bomb.” Mr Netanyahu said he too had been targeted, with a missile striking the bedroom window of his home.
He described himself as Mr Trump’s “junior partner” in confronting Iran’s nuclear programme, and accused Tehran of plotting a rapid expansion of its missile capabilities.
18 hours ago21:47 Ciaran McGrath
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israel “destroyed the main facility in Natanz,” describing it as Iran’s key uranium enrichment site.
He told Fox News the strike was a “pre-emptive” move to dismantle Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme.
Israeli missiles hit multiple targets on Friday night, including Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.
The Natanz site had been enriching uranium to near-weapons grade, fuelling Western fears over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Gulf sources say at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed since the strikes began.
19 hours ago21:31 Ciaran McGrath
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed Iran actively plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, branding the former US President “enemy number one.”
In an interview with Fox News, Mr Netanyahu said Iran viewed Mr Trump as a direct threat to its nuclear ambitions.
He said: “They want to kill him. He tore up the fake agreement, killed Soleimani, and told them they’d never get a bomb.”
Mr Netanyahu said he too was targeted, with a missile striking the bedroom window of his home. He warned Iran posed a dual existential threat — nuclear weapons and an arsenal of 10,000 ballistic missiles within three years.
Israel’s recent military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, was necessary, he said, to prevent national destruction.
He added: “We’re defending not just ourselves but the entire world.”
19 hours ago21:18 Ciaran McGrath
Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Intelligence Organization, and his deputy Hassan Mohaghegh were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s capital, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a Fox News interview
The strike was part of “Operation Rising Lion,” a broad campaign that hit over 100 Iranian military and nuclear sites and claimed the lives of several senior commanders and nuclear scientists
Before his death, Kazemi oversaw domestic intelligence operations, including surveillance and suppression of dissent, making him a central pillar of Iran’s internal security structure . His elimination marks one of the most significant blows to Iran’s security apparatus since the strike killed IRGC commander Hossein Salami earlier this month
20 hours ago20:31 Ciaran McGrath
Tens of thousands of people marched through The Hague on Sunday, dressed in red to protest the Dutch government’s stance on Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Organisers, including Amnesty International and Save the Children, estimated the crowd at more than 150,000, while local media reported around 100,000 attendees.
Protesters walked a three-mile loop around the city center to symbolically create the “red line” they say the government has failed to draw against violence in Gaza.
In nearby Brussels, about 75,000 people gathered in a similar demonstration, making it the largest rally so far. The protests come amid rising casualties in Gaza and calls from human rights groups for governments to pressure Israel to halt its military actions.
20 hours ago19:52 Ciaran McGrath
A video shared by former Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Geraschenko appears to show Iranians fleeing the capital of Tehran.
He commented: “Iranian authorities claim that 128 people have been killed and about 900 more have been injured by Israel’s strikes since they started on June 13.”
A video appeared online showing Tehran residents fleeing the capital as it sustains repeated strikes internal sabotage.
Iranian authorities claim that 128 people have been killed and about 900 more have been injured by Israel’s strikes since they started on June 13. pic.twitter.com/3iCR7Lir2T
\u2014 Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 15, 2025
21 hours ago19:35 Ciaran McGrath
Israel and Iran continued to unleash hellfire and fury in a fresh barrage of missile strikes.
Four were killed by two Iranian missile strikes on a residential building in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, while four women from the same family died in the northern city of Tamra. A further 140 people were injured during incessant overnight attacks.
Read Giles Sheldrick’s analysis here
21 hours ago19:03 Ciaran McGrath
Donald Trump blocked an Israeli plot to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two senior US officials. The sources claimed Israel had raised the possibility of targeting the Supreme Leader during recent discussions, but Mr Trump made it clear the US would not support such a move.
One official said: “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked about the reported veto during an interview with Fox News.
He said: “There are so many false reports about conversations that never happened — I’m not going to get into it.”
It remains unclear whether Mr Trump had authorised any level of military response against Iran in recent days, though he is understood to have been briefed on potential options earlier in the week.
Donald Trump pictured at Saturday’s military parade (Image: Getty)
21 hours ago19:02 Ciaran McGrath
Sir Richard Dearlove has warned Iran’s nuclear threat remains unresolved despite Israeli sabotage of key enrichment sites.
He said uranium cascades are “extremely delicate” and can be disrupted – but stressed the existing infrastructure means Iran could resume production.
While large-scale attacks are unlikely, he said the UK must remain alert to lone actors inspired by Tehran’s ideology.
He said: “That’s something we have to accept in this current climate, which is unfortunate, but that’s the reality.”
22 hours ago18:33 Ciaran McGrath
Sir Richard Dearlove has claimed Israel may be preparing to eliminate Iran’s supreme leader as the regime collapses from within.
He said recent events marked the “last chapter” in a Middle East power shift, following the weakening of Hamas, Hezbollah and the fall of Syria.
Asked about recent diplomatic overtures, he dismissed them, saying: “I don’t think that really ultimately solved anything.”
He added: “This is still a war to the end between Sunni and Shia Islam – and the Iranians are in a very, very bad and difficult position.”
22 hours ago18:30 Ciaran McGrath
The regime in Iran is “rotten” and deteriorating fast, according to former MI6 boss Sir Richard Dearlove.
Speaking to GB News, he said the success of Israeli intelligence operations showed how vulnerable Tehran’s inner workings have become.
He explained: “When a regime is in that state of deterioration, it’s relatively straightforward to recruit spies… but these operations still show a very high degree of operational sophistication.”
Sir Richard said the penetration of Hezbollah by Israeli agents had taken down the group’s “complete command structure” in a stunning blow to Iran’s regional influence.
22 hours ago17:53 Ciaran McGrath
Sir Keir Starmer and the president of the UAE have had a conversation discussing the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister called His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan while in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon.
Issuing a readout of the conversation a Number 10 spokesperson said: “They discussed the grave situation in the Middle East.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that his priority is diplomacy and dialogue, in order to de-escalate as quickly as possible.
“The Prime Minister said this would be top of the agenda during his conversations with G7 partners in the next two days. They also discussed Gaza, and the need to bring an end to the devastation there.
“They agreed to stay in close touch.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
23 hours ago17:31 Ciaran McGrath
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei is facing a backlash from members of his own regime amid the escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic. Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day on Sunday (June 15), with critical oil, gas and nuclear facilities hit.
Iran has retaliated with strikes on Israel, killing at least 13, including children. Tehran said on Saturday (June 14) that 78 people had been killed and over 320 wounded. The Middle East is braced for a protracted conflict after Israel’s surprise bombardment of Iran’s nuclear and military sites, which killed top generals and nuclear scientists.
23 hours ago17:11 Ciaran McGrath
Israel has launched its longest-range strike yet, hitting Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran.
The IDF confirmed targeting an Iranian aerial refueling jet as part of efforts to secure dominance in Iranian skies.
Footage shared by IRGC-linked accounts showed thick smoke billowing from the tarmac.
The airport, nearly 1,400 miles (2,300km) from Israel, was hit Sunday afternoon as Operation Rising Lion escalated.
Smoke rises over the Iranian city of Mashhad (Image: X)
23 hours ago16:48 Ciaran McGrath
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the United States and some Western countries for supporting Israel’s attacks on Iran.
He said that if Israeli attacks continue, Iran’s responses “will be more decisive and severe.”
Pezeshkian said that Israel “is not capable of any action without the permission of the U.S.” and that “what we are witnessing today is being done with the direct support of Washington.”
In a report carried on state TV, Pezeshkian said that Iran has never sought war and conflict. “However, just as our armed forces, including the powerful army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard, have so far provided appropriate and firm responses, in case of continued hostile actions, the responses will be more decisive and severe.”
24 hours ago16:28 Ciaran McGrath
An Israeli official has told The Wall Street Journal that assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “not off limits” as strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites intensify.
The source said the war would only end if Iran dismantled its nuclear programme or if Israel destroyed its ability to rebuild it.
Separately, Israeli journalist Amit Segal reported that a political source confirmed eliminating Khamenei was being considered, though “it depends on many things.”
The comments mark a stark escalation in rhetoric amid rising tensions between the two nations. Tehran has not formally responded to the assassination threat.
The Jerusalem Post has claimed Khamenei personally ordered Iranian attacks on Israeli population centres.
Ayatollah Khamenei is Iran’s Supreme Leader (Image: Getty)
24 hours ago16:19 Ciaran McGrath
The Government has been accused of “sitting on their hands” over the Iran and Israel conflict whilst failing to act urgently enough to arm itself, it has been claimed.
Last night, several children were killed as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel as the conflict between the two countries continues to escalate.
Former Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps has chastised the Government for not doing more to intercept Iranian missiles destined for Israel, as the RAF did during a similar attack in 2024.
He said: “Last year I ordered RAF jets to intercept Iranian drones & missiles aimed at Israel. Iran will fire on a democracy again, yet Labour will sit on its hands while global security is at stake.”
yesterday15:30 Ciaran McGrath
Israel has said a fresh wave of missiles was launched from Iran towards Israel in the last hour.
A government statement said: “Most of them were intercepted.
“We request that the public continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.”
yesterday15:16 Ciaran McGrath
Mr Trump credited himself with preventing wars between India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia.
In a social media post, he said he used US trade power to “bring reason, cohesion, and sanity” to talks between “two excellent leaders.”
He also claimed he intervened in long-running disputes over the Nile and the Balkans, saying: “There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention.”
He ended the post with a bold pledge: “MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
yesterday15:06 Ciaran McGrath
Donald Trump has claimed peace between Israel and Iran is within reach — and said he is already laying the groundwork.
Writing on Truth Social, he declared: “Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!”
The US President – who has not yet managed to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine – nevertheless claimed “many calls and meetings” are already taking place.
He framed the effort as part of his broader record, saying: “I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited demolished buildings in Bat Yam after Iranian airstrikes overnight.
He said Iran will pay “a very high price for the murder of civilians, women, and children”, which he said Iran did intentionally.
Mr Netanyahu said: “We will both achieve our goal and strike them with one blow.”
Benjamin Netanyahu visit Bat Yam (Image: Getty)
Israel’s military has said citizens can leave shelters after being told to take cover during a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks earlier (see post below).
Iran’s Hamshahri Daily has posted on its Telegram channel a video showing a large plume of grey smoke over the Tehran Pars area in the eastern part of the capital.
Iranian state television reported on its Telegram channel that the Tehran Police Command building in the city centre was damaged in a drone strike, resulting in minor injuries to several officers.
Images posted on social media show white smoke, with claims this was from an explosion in the Niavaran area of northern Tehran.
Air raid sirens have been sounding in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in what appears to be Iran’s first daylight attack on Israel. Israel’s military has reported missiles heading towards the country.
Sky News reports that Iranian state media has said ballistic missiles were launched at Israel. Reuters news agency reported an explosion in Tel Aviv.
The IDF said: “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel.
“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.”
A senior Foreign Ministry official from nuclear-armed Pakistan has denied Iranian media reports Pakistan would soon supply Iran with a consignment of some 750 non-nuclear ballistic missiles to aid in the campaign against Israel.
There was no immediate comment about the Iranian media reports from the Pakistani military. The Foreign Ministry official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the issue.
Pakistan doesn’t disclose details about its missile stockpiles, but it regularly test-fires short, medium and long-range missiles in response to rival India, which is also a nuclear power.
Iran’s semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both close to the Iranian regime’s Revolutionary Guard, have reported that two areas in Tehran were targeted in the Israeli attacks (mentioned below).
Tasnim reported an explosion in the Vali-e Asr Square area of the capital. Fars reported an explosion hit the Niroo Havaei neighbourhood, which transaltes from Farsi into English as “Air Force”, in the east of Tehran. The extent of the explosions has yet to be reported.
Niroo Havaei is where the headquarters of Iran’s air force is located. Earlier, the Israel’s military warned people to evacuate military weapons production factories in Tehran.
Smoke and fire from a previous airstrike in Tehran today (Image: Getty)
Four loud explosions shook the Iranian capital just before 3.30pm local time (12pm BST).
It isn’t immediately clear what has been targeted.
The Iran-linked Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has warned it will target US interests and bases in the region if Washington intervenes in hostilities between Israel and Iran.
The group said in a statement it was closely monitoring the movements of the “American enemy’s military” in the region and should the United States intervene in the war it will directly target its Middle East interests and bases “without hesitation”.
It was the first explicit and direct threat issued by an Iraqi militia to target US forces and interests in the region since the outbreak of the Iran-Israel conflict.
Iraqi militias have previously targeted US bases in Iraq and Syria, but have largely remained quiet since Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated.
Three drones launched at the Ain al Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq on Friday were shot down. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The latest pictures from Iran show motorists queuing at a petrol station in Tehran after Israeli missile strikes struck two fuel depots in Iran’s capital overnight.
Motorists queue at a petrol station in Tehran (Image: Getty)
Israeli missile strikes struck two fuel depots in Iran’s capital (Image: Getty)
IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee has said about 50 fighter jets have attacked infrastructure and targets linked to Iran’s nuclear program in Tehran.
In a post on X, he said the IDF attacked more than 170 targets and over 720 military infrastructure facilities in fewer than three days.
He said: “Throughout the last night, Air Force fighter jets flew over Tehran and raided infrastructure and targets linked to the Iranian nuclear program under the direction of the Military Intelligence Organisation.
“As part of these raids, more than 80 targets were attacked, including the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defence, the headquarters of the SPND nuclear project, and more targets where the Iranian regime hid its nuclear archives.”
Mr Adraee added the IDF continues to “intensify” its attacks on the Iranian nuclear threat and strike at the heart of the nuclear program, “depriving the Iranian regime of vital capabilities and components for producing nuclear weapons”.
Israel targets the Shahid Fakouri Military Airbase in Tabriz, Iran (Image: Getty)
Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iran’s nuclear program at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, has said there is “no question” Israel’s attacks did substantial damage.
David Albright, a nuclear weapons expert, said the initial wave of attacks could set back any Iranian attempt to develop a nuclear weapon by about a year.
Mr Hinz said a key question is whether Israel also targeted suppliers of specialist components, such as centrifuges and subcontractors.
Israel’s strategy appears to be to destroy the brains behind the program and as much equipment as possible, according to Mr Albright, who agreed Israel has potentially done a “tremendous amount of damage” to the program.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has named seven more aerospace commanders it said were killed in Israeli strikes on Friday.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh was already reported killed, but now added to the list, according to Tasnim news agency, are: Mahmoud Bagheri, Davood Sheikhiyan, Mohammad Taherpour, Mansour Safarpour, Masoud Tayeb, Khosro Hassani and Javad Jarsora.
The Foreign Office has updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Israel amid the conflict with Iran.
Seven people are still missing after a missile hit a block of flats in Israel overnight, police have said.
At least six people, including a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old, were killed when the missile hit in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv.
Daniel Hadad, a local police commander, said 180 people were wounded.
Rescue workers in Bat Yam (Image: Getty)
According to sources in Tehran, the fact it took Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 hours to issue a statement condemning Israel’s attacks has not gone unnoticed.
Our Defence and Diplomatic Editor Marco Giannangeli has more on possible cracks in Russia and Iran’s relations here.
Iran has arrested two people accused of being part of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad.
Tasnim news agency reports that the pair were detained in Alborz province while preparing explosives and electronic devices.
It comes a day after Iranian news outlets reported five people were arrested for collaborating with Israel.
Reports said they were detained in the city of Yazd.
The Express is asking readers whether or not the UK should defend Israel against Iran.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed yesterday that Britain is sending more RAF jets to the Middle East. He declined to rule out the UK intervening.
Please let us know what you think by taking part in our poll.
The latest images coming out of Israel show destroyed and damaged buildings as well as wrecked vehicles after Iranian missile strikes overnight.
The photos below were taken in Tel Aviv earlier this morning. I’ll post pictures showing damage on the streets Iran once they appear on the news wires.
A man walks past a pile of destroyed cars after an overnight Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv (Image: Getty)
A search for victims amid the rubble of a damaged building in the city (Image: Getty)
Britain’s Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has suggested Israeli strikes on Iran would be “quite reasonable” if intelligence showed Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.
Mr Stride told the BBC: “On the basis that the intelligence was they were driving towards a nuclear device – I think it’s quite reasonable to make sure that that does not happen.”
He added: “We cannot allow a situation where Iran is able to become a nuclear power – that is something that would need to be stopped.”
Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons, but recently scaled back cooperation with international inspectors, raising Western concerns.
The map below shows where Iran’s nuclear facilities are based.
Iran’s nuclear facilities mapped (Image: Getty)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and is open to an agreement which ensures that.
At a meeting with diplomats, he said: “But if the purpose of an agreement is to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, then naturally, we are not prepared to accept such an agreement.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (Image: Getty)
An Israeli oil refinery company has said an Iranian strike caused “localised” damage to its complex in the northern city of Haifa.
Bazan Group said in a report to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that pipelines and transmission lines between facilities were damaged as a result of the strike.
It said the refinery facilities were functional but some of the downstream facilities had been shut down, adding no one was wounded.
The Israeli ambassador to Britain has said “Europe owes a huge thank you” to Israel for its strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Tzipi Hotovely insisted the operation was an act of self-defence and argued Iran had rejected diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
She told the BBC: “Europe owes a huge thank you to Israel for doing that, and the Gulf countries as well.
“Our region would have been a place that is not safe for anyone if Iran had accomplished their plan.”
Pointing to past airstrikes on suspected nuclear sites in Iraq in 1981 and Syria in 2007, Ms Hotovely added: “The international community owes a huge thank you to Israel and it’s the same case here.”
Tzipi Hotovely (Image: Getty)
Rachel Reeves has said Britain sending more RAF jets to the Middle East “does not mean that we are at war”.
Speaking to Sky News, the Chancellor was asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister (see post below) means the UK is at war.
She said: “No, it does not mean that we are at war. And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that’s what we’ve done.
“It’s a precautionary move.”
The Israel Airports Authority has said Israel’s airspace remains closed and the country’s Ben Gurion International Airport is still closed to landings and takeoffs.
The authority said it was working with Israeli airlines to return Israelis stranded abroad back to the country: “All air crews and aircraft are ready for action as soon as this becomes possible, but this may take a long time, depending on the security situation.”
It said Israel’s land border crossings to Jordan and Egypt remain open.
Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ air defence system targets missiles over Tel Aviv (Image: Getty)
The third floor of a home collapsed and nearby buildings were damaged in the Arab-Israeli city of Tamra. Four people, including a 13-year-old, were killed in the strike (see post below).
Wahid Yassin told Israeli Army Radio the blast was so powerful it almost ripped the door off his bomb shelter. Mr Yassin said when he emerged he saw the neighbours’ daughter standing on the roof of her damaged home, shaking.
He said: “Her two sisters and her mother were killed in this incident. And suddenly she’s there on the roof, alone, shaking.”
The Israeli military has warned Iranians to immediately evacuate military weapons production factories, likely signalling that new strikes are planned.
Colonel Avichay Adraee, an Israeli military spokesperson, posted the warning on X in Iran’s Farsi language.
Adraee in the past has signalled other strikes in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.
His warning came just after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would stop its attacks on Israel if Israel ended its strikes.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brushed off calls from around the world to de-escalate, saying Israel’s strikes so far are “nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days”.
Benjamin Netanyahu (Image: Getty)
Four people, including a 13-year-old, have been killed and 24 wounded in a missile strike on a building in the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel. A strike on the central city of Rehovot has wounded 42.
The latest images have just emerged showing the aftermath of an Israeli attack on Iran’s Shahrah oil depot.
Iran has said the fire is under control now. Pictures taken in Tehran earlier this morning show a huge plume of smoke billowing over the city.
This is the scene in Tehran this morning (Image: Getty)
In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service. This brings the country’s total death toll to 13.
There has been no update to a death toll released yesterday by Iran’s UN ambassador, who said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded, as mentioned above.
Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said more RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East after Iran threatened to target UK, French and US bases if the countries help stop strikes on Israel.
The PM said further military assets are being deployed to provide “contingency support” across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two countries.
It is understood extra refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over.
Speaking to reporters travelling with him on a visit to Canada, Sir Keir refused to rule out intervening in the conflict entirely but made clear he would continue pressing for de-escalation and said the “intense” developments over the weekend would be discussed in detail at the G7 summit.
He said: “These are obviously operational decisions and the situation is ongoing and developing and therefore I’m not going to get into the precise details, but we are moving assets, we’ve already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region. So that is happening.”
Sir Keir added: “Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we’re doing, all discussions we’re having are to do with de-escalation.”
Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ air defence system responds to incoming Iranian ballistic missiles (Image: Getty)
Yemen’s Houthis have announced they joined Iran to target Israel.
Spokesperson Yehya Sareagroup said the group targeted Jaffa with ballistic missiles over the past 24 hours.
He said: “This operation was coordinated with the operations carried out by the Iranian army against the criminal Israeli enemy.”
Israeli media reported Israel’s military has tried to assassinate a senior Houthi leader.
The Houthis are a Shia Islamist organisation backed by Iran. The group had agreed a ceasefire deal with the US in May, ending Western attacks on Yemen.
US President Donald Trump has said his country had “nothing to do with the attack on Iran” and warned Tehran against targeting American interests in retaliation.
Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.
“However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
Donald Trump at a military parade in Washington DC (Image: Getty)
Israel attacked the Shahran oil depot in Tehran overnight. Iran has said the fire is under control.
Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot (Image: Getty)
Rescue teams have been looking for survivors and clearing the rubble after a missiles fell on Israel overnight.
Images show treets lined with damaged and destroyed buildings, bombed out cars and shards of glass.
Rescuers used drones to search for survivors in areas which were too hard to access.
Some people have fled their homes with their belongings in suitcases.
An aerial view of the aftermath of attacks on Bat Yam (Image: Getty)
Teams search for survivors (Image: Getty)
Explosions were heard overhead in parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv, as the conflict with Iran entered its third day.
Iranian state television announced the latest missile barrage.
The Israeli military said earlier today that it had targeted Iran’s Defence Ministry headquarters in Tehran.
Israel’s military also said it targeted sites it alleged were associated with Iran’s nuclear program around Tehran.
The aftermath of a strike by an Iranian missile on the Israeli city of Bat Yam (Image: Getty)
Medics wheel a woman on a stretcher after strikes on Bat Yam (Image: Getty)
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. We’ll be bringing you the latest news from the Middle East throughout the day.