Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week
- Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week
- Iranian parliament okays plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA
- Iran hangs three men for spying for Israel
- US strikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, intelligence report says
- Video: Four killed, scores injured in Iran missile strike on Israel just before ceasefire
- Trump says Iran-Israel ceasefire ‘now in effect’
- Israel and Iran agree on ceasefire to end 12-day war, Trump says
- Iran implements ceasefire against Israel: Aragchi
- Donald Trump claims Israel, Iran asked him for peace
- Qatar reopens airspace after Israel-Iran ceasefire
- Gold at near 2-week low after Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire
Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would likely seek a commitment from Iran to end its nuclear ambitions at talks next week and credited US strikes on Iran with bringing a swift end to the war between Israel and Tehran.
Donald Trump said his decision to unleash huge bunker-busting bombs in Sunday’s attack had devastated Iran’s nuclear program and called the outcome “a victory for everybody”.
“It was very severe. It was obliteration,” he said, shrugging off an initial assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency that Iran’s path to building a nuclear weapon may have been set back only by months.
Trump warns of more attacks if Iran rebuilds nuclear sites
US President Donald Trump has reiterated that airstrikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear program while rejecting the minimal damage reports.
In an interview on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Donald Trump stated that under no circumstances will Iran be allowed to enrich uranium.
According to Donald Trump, there is now “nothing left but destruction” at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, asserting that the US had destroyed installations built nearly 30 stories underground.
He revealed that Iran had invested billions of dollars in its nuclear program, but warned that any renewed attempt to restore those facilities would be met with further military action.
Iranian parliament approves plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA
Iranian Parliament approved the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by an overwhelming vote on Wednesday.
The moves come after US, Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear sites and the inaction of the IAEA body.
In today’s open session of the parliament, during the consideration of the general outline of the plan requiring the government to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, lawmakers agreed to the general outline of the plan with 221 votes in favor, no votes against, and one abstention out of a total of 223 representatives present in the session.
Iran hangs three men for spying for Israel
Iran executed three men on Wednesday, after they were convicted of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad spy agency and smuggling equipment used in an assassination, the judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported.
The equipment they smuggled was used in the assassination of one unnamed personality, Mizan reported without giving further details.
Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with Israel before the recent open conflict, Iran has put to death many individuals convicted of having links with the Mossad and facilitating the latter’s operations in the country.
These range from assassinations of nuclear scientists to acts of sabotage meant to undermine Iran’s nuclear programme.
US strikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, intelligence report says
US airstrikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear capability and only set it back by a few months, according to a preliminary US intelligence assessment, as a shaky ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump took hold between Iran and Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, both Iran and Israel signaled that the air war between the two nations had ended, at least for now, after Trump publicly scolded them for violating a ceasefire he announced at 0500 GMT.
As the two countries lifted civilian restrictions after 12 days of war – which the US joined with an attack on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities – each sought to claim victory.
Trump said over the weekend that the US deployment of 30,000-pound bombs had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. But that claim appeared to be contradicted by an initial assessment by one of his administration’s intelligence agencies, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Trump says both Israel, Iran have breached truce
U.S. President Donald Trump accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire on Tuesday hours after he announced it, expressing particular frustration with Israel which had announced major new strikes on Tehran.
“Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after he left the White House for a trip to a NATO summit in The Hague.
Before boarding, he told reporters he was “not happy” with either side for violating the truce, particularly with Israel.
“I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now,” Trump said as he left the White House. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, the biggest load that we’ve seen.”
Iran and Israel had been fighting “so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing,” he said before turning away from cameras and heading to his helicopter.
Trump says Iran-Israel ceasefire ‘now in effect’
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is “NOW IN EFFECT.”
“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The US leader had earlier said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude toward the Iranian armed forces who punished Israel for its aggression until the very last minute.
Qatar reopens airspace after Israel-Iran ceasefire
Following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Qatar has reopened its airspace, international media reported on Monday.
As per reports, Qatar Airways has resumed flight operations that were temporarily suspended following Iranian ballistic missile attacks on US base in Qatar.
The passengers have been advised to contact the relevant airlines before traveling.
It is to be noted that Qatar shut down airspace temporarily as part of measures amid developments in the region, a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said on X on Monday night.
Iran implements ceasefire against Israel: Aragchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude toward the Iranian armed forces who punished Israel for its aggression until the very last minute.
“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am,” Araghchi wrote on X social media platform.
“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”
Israel, Iran agree on ceasefire to end 12-day war, Trump says
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, potentially ending the 12-day war that saw millions flee Tehran and prompted fears of further escalation in the war-torn region.
But there was no confirmation from Israel and the Israeli military said two volleys of missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel in the early hours of Tuesday.
Witnesses later heard explosions near Tel Aviv and Beersheba in central Israel. Israel media said a building had been struck and three people were killed in the missile strike on Beersheba.
Israel, joined by the United States on the weekend, has carried out attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, after alleging Tehran was getting close to obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.
Iran National Security Council confirms targeting of US base in Qatar
Iran launched missiles at US military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday evening, official media reported, in what state TV called a “powerful” response to recent American strikes on key nuclear sites.
“The operation of Iranian missiles against American bases located in Qatar and in Iraq has begun, and is called ‘Blessing of Victory’,” the official press agency IRNA said. AFP journalists reported hearing explosions in Doha, the capital of Qatar, home to the largest US base in the region.
Explosions could be heard across Doha on Monday evening, according to AFP journalists, shortly after Qatar closed its airspace, citing regional developments following US strikes on Iran.
The blasts could be heard in central Doha and in Lusail north of the Qatari capital, and projectiles could be seen moving across the night sky. Iran said attack on US base does not ‘pose any threat’ to Qatar.
Qatar says ‘successfully intercepted’ missiles targeting US base
Qatar said it had successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack Monday on the United States’ Al Udeid base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
Qatar condemned the attack and called it a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.
“The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base,” it said in a statement, adding that “the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries”.
“We express the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and consider it a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement.
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi vowed on Monday that the country would take “firm action” in response to US strikes on key nuclear sites.
“This crime and desecration will not go unanswered,” said Mousavi in a video statement published on state TV, adding that “we will take firm action against the American mistake”.
In a fiery speech at the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) emergency session, Iranian envoy Amir-Saeid Iravani strongly condemned the recent U.S. and Israeli military actions, calling them violations of international law and threats to regional peace.
“We will respond appropriately to the American aggression. This is not the first time our sovereignty has been violated.”
Accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of hijacking U.S. foreign policy, Iranian envoy said America has once again risked its own security for Netanyahu’s ambitions.
Read more: “We will respond to US aggression”: Iranian envoy tells UNSC
The Iranian representative noted this was the third time he had addressed the UNSC following Israeli attacks on Iran and highlighted that Iran had repeatedly warned the US to stay out of war.
Pakistan condemns strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at UNSC
Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), terming the actions unlawful and provocative.
Speaking at an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad expressed regret that international calls for de-escalation and dialogue have gone unheeded.
“Pakistan’s stance from the beginning has been grounded in international law and the UN Charter,” the ambassador said, reiterating Islamabad’s firm opposition to Israeli aggression and expressing unequivocal support for Iran’s legitimate right to self-defence as recognized under the UN framework.
Iran’s parliament greenlights plan to shut Strait of Hormuz — Press TV
DUBAI, June 22: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council must make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. bombing raids, Iran’s Press TV said on Sunday, after parliament was reported to have backed the measure.
Iran has long used the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and gas demand flows, as a way to ward off Western pressure which is now at its peak after the overnight U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities.
The decision to close the Strait of Hormuz is not yet final and it was not officially reported that parliament had in fact adopted a bill to that effect.
Instead, a member of parliament’s national security commission Esmail Kosari was quoted on other Iranian media as saying: “For now, [parliament has] come to the conclusion we should close the Strait of Hormuz, but the final decision in this regard is the responsibility of the Supreme National Security Council.”
US strikes ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Pentagon chief says
WASHINGTON, June 22: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that U.S. military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities were an incredible and overwhelming success that have obliterated Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The U.S. strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top U.S. general, General Dan Caine, said was named “Operation Midnight.”
The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria.
“Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated,” Hegseth told reporters in a briefing, adding that said the strikes did not target Iranian troops or people.
“The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks, the world should listen,” Hegseth said.
Satellite images show unusual activity at Iran’s Fordow before US attack
High-quality satellite images taken on June 19 and June 20 show highlighted unusual activity involving trucks and vehicles near the entrance to the underground fuel enrichment facility at Fordow.
The images captured by Maxar show a group of 16 cargo trucks positioned along the access road leading to the tunnel entrance of the facility. The majority of these trucks were later relocated roughly 1km (0.6 miles) northwest of the road leading to the facility.
Araghchi says he’s heading to Russia for ‘serious consultations’ with Putin
The Iranian foreign minister says he will fly to Moscow today and have a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
“Russia is a friend of Iran and we enjoy a strategic partnership,” he told the news conference in Istanbul.
“We always consult with each other and coordinate our positions,” Araghchi said, noting that Russia was one of the signatories of the JCPOA.
“I will have serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow and we continue to work with each other.”
Pakistan condemns US attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites
Pakistan has strongly condemned the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, ARY News reported on Sunday.
The official statement released by Pakistan Foreign Office stated: “Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel. We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.”
Pakistan reiterate that the these attacks violate all norms of international law and the Iran has the legitimate right to defend itslef under the UN Charter.
Read more: Pakistan condemns US attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites
Iran launches fresh missile attack on Israel after nuclear facilities attack
Iran’s state TV announced on Sunday a new missile launches against Israel after Tel Aviv’s closest ally the United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
“These live images you are seeing are of a new salvo of Iranian missiles fired on the occupied territories,” said a presenter on air, referring to Israel. Citing “sources”, a presenter said that “30 missiles have been launched at Israel from Iran”.
Israel’s military said on Sunday that it was working to intercept missiles launched from Iran, as air raid sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and explosions rocked Jerusalem.
“At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat.”
Israel’s military said it had detected two waves of missiles fired from Iran.
Iran’s Araghchi says ‘outrageous’ US attack will have ‘everlasting consequences’
In his first public remarks after the US strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Washington of breaching international law.
“The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations,” Araghchi said in a social media post.
“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior.”
He added that Iran “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people”.
It is worth mentioning here that President Donald Trump said the US military has carried out a “very successful attack” on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo.
US attacks three Iranian nuclear sites, confirms Trump
President Donald Trump said Saturday the US military has carried out a “very successful attack” on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”
Trump added that “all planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors.”
Donald Trump’s announcement came just two days after he said he would decide “within two weeks” whether to join key ally Israel in attacking Iran.
Iran atomic agency says US attacks on nuclear sites ‘barbaric’
Iran’s atomic energy organisation condemned Sunday the US attacks on key nuclear sites including the mountain-buried Fordo as “barbaric” and in violation of international law.
“At dawn today, the country’s nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan were attacked by the enemies of Islamic Iran in a barbaric act that violates international law,” the organisation said in a statement published on state media.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran further assured the Iranian nation that despite the evil conspiracies of its enemies, with the efforts of thousands of its revolutionary and motivated scientists and experts, it will not allow the path of development of this national industry to be stopped.
Civilian nuclear programme could not be taken away by force: Iran
Iran on Saturday maintained that its right to a civilian nuclear programme could not be taken away by force as Israel pressed its bombing campaign, killing Iranian commanders and striking the Isfahan nuclear site.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned his country’s “response to the continued aggression of the Zionist regime will be more devastating” during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the official IRNA news agency.
Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people since they began last week, the Islamic republic’s health ministry said.
A US-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, said on Friday that based on its sources and media reports, at least 657 people have been killed in Iran, including 263 civilians.
Israel says killed 3 Iranian commanders
Israel’s military said it had killed Saeed Izadi, a top Revolutionary Guards official in charge of military coordination with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, as well as two other Iranian commanders overnight.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported Saturday evening that “five army officers were killed and nine others were wounded” in an Israeli strike in the western city of Sumar.
Israel building struck
Israeli rescue services said an Iranian “drone strike hit a two-storey residential building in northern Israel” following a wave of attacks reported by the military.
Iran’s strikes since June 13 have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official figures.
Iran says more than 400 killed since start of war with Israel
Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people since they began last week, Iran’s health ministry said in an updated toll on Saturday, as fighting raged between the two foes.
“As of this morning, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 400 defenseless Iranians and left 3,056 others wounded by missiles and drones,” health ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said in a post on X.
Iran, Israel launch new strikes after Tehran rules out nuclear talks while under attack
Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said.
There were no initial reports of casualties.
The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building in central Israel.
Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities.
Israel wanted to sabotage nuclear talks between US and Iran: Erdogan
Turkiye’s president Erdogan says Israeli attacks on Iran were intended to undermine nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
“This incident also shows that Netanyahu [and his government] …. do not want any issues or any matters to be solved diplomatically,” he said.
“Netanyahu’s Zionist ambitions have no other purpose than to drag our region and … the whole world into a big disaster.”
He also called on Muslim countries to increase their efforts to impose punitive measures against Israel on the basis of international law and United Nations’ resolutions.
Israel claims Quds Palestinian Corps commander assassinated in Qom attack
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said Saeed Izadi, the commander of the Palestinian Corps in Iran’s Quds Force, has been assassinated in an attack on an apartment in the Iranian city of Qom.
Talks show little progress
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression stops”. But he arrived in Geneva on Friday for talks with European foreign ministers at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy.
Israel claims IRGC drone warfare commander killed
Israel’s military said it has killed a second commander in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
In a statement shared on social media, the Israeli military said air force warplanes targeted the commander – referred to by the Israelis as Amin Pour Jodkhi – whom it accused of overseeing the launch of “hundreds” of UAV drones towards Israel from the southwest of Iran.
President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran had a “maximum” of two weeks to avoid possible US air strikes, day after saying that he would make a decision within a fortnight on whether to take military action.
Donald Trump added European powers would not be able to help end the Iran-Israel war, after British, German, French and EU top diplomats met an Iranian official in Geneva.
“Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this,” Trump told reporters as he arrived in Morristown, New Jersey.
Europe foreign ministers see ‘perilous’ moment, urge Iran to talk to US
European foreign ministers urged Iran on Friday to engage with the United States over its nuclear programme after high-level talks in Geneva aimed at opening negotiations for a new nuclear deal ended with little sign of progress.
The talks between the foreign ministers of Germany, Britain, France and the EU with their Iranian counterpart sought to test Tehran’s readiness to negotiate despite there being scant prospect of Israel ceasing its attacks soon, diplomats said.
“The Iranian Foreign Minister has expressed his willingness to continue discussions on the nuclear program and more broadly on all issues, and we expect Iran to commit to the discussion, including with the United States, to reach a negotiated settlement,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
UN chief urges parties to ‘give peace a chance’ on Iran-Israel war
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded Friday with all sides to “give peace a chance” in the Iran-Israel conflict, warning that the violence could spiral out of control.
“To the parties to the conflict — the potential parties to the conflict — and to the Security Council as the representative of the international community, I have a simple and clear message: Give peace a chance,” Guterres said, in a veiled reference to the United States, which is considering intervening militarily to support Israel.
Israel and Iran’s air war entered a second week on Friday and European officials sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on potential U.S. involvement would be made within two weeks.
Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, said the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those killed include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.
Read more: Israel-Iran air war enters second week as Europe pushes diplomacy
Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side.
Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within 2 weeks, White House says
The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict in the next two weeks.
Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”Leavitt told a regular briefing that Trump was interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, but his top priority was ensuring that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon.
She said any deal would have to prohibit enrichment of uranium by Tehran and eliminate Iran’s ability to achieve a nuclear weapon.
Read more: Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within 2 weeks, White House says
“The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution …he is a peacemaker in chief. He is the peace through strength president. And so if there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” Leavitt said. “But he’s not afraid to use strength as well I will add.”
Iran held direct talks with US amid intensifying conflict with Israel, diplomats say
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, in a bid to find a diplomatic end to the crisis, three diplomats told Reuters.
According to the diplomats, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, Araqchi said Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped the attacks, which began on June 13.
They said the talks included a brief discussion of a U.S. proposal given to Iran at the end of May that aims to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside of Iran, an offer Tehran has so far rejected.
U.S. and Iranians officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the matter.
China opposes ‘use of force’ after Trump Iran warning
China said Thursday it opposed the “use of force”, in response to a question about US President Donald Trump warning he was weighing US military action in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Beijing “opposes any act that… infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations”, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing.
China urged countries in the Middle East, “especially Israel”, to cease fighting on Thursday after fresh exchanges of fire with Iran, and as US President Donald Trump warned he was weighing US military action in the conflict.
“China strongly calls on all parties involved in the conflict, especially Israel, to put the interests of the region’s people first, immediately cease fire and stop fighting,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Trump approves Iran attack plan: WSJ
President Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he approved of attack plans for Iran, but was holding off to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program, people familiar with the deliberations said, ARY News reported quoting the Wall Street Journal.
Iran’s well-defended Fordow enrichment facility is a possible U.S. target; it is buried under a mountain and generally considered by military experts to be out of reach of all but the most powerful bombs.
In a separate development earlier the New York Times reported, citing a senior Iranian official that Iran would accept US President Donald Trump’s offer to meet soon.
Explosions reported in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem as Iran fires fresh salvo of missiles
Iranian media reported a new salvo of missiles fired at Israel Thursday, as the rivals traded fire for seventh day of the conflict after Israeli strikes on Iran on last Friday.
Read more: Trump approves plan to attack Iran: Report
“The missiles roared over Tel Aviv,” the Iranian news agency Fars reported, while state television broadcast live images of the commercial hub.
Sirens sounded across Israel early Thursday as the Israeli military said it detected incoming missiles from Iran.
“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” the military said in a post on Telegram.
Russia offers nuclear fuel to Iran for civil energy program from its enriched uranium
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear power.
Putin told senior news agency editors in the northern Russian city of St Petersburg that Moscow had “a very good relationship with Iran” and that Russia could ensure Iran’s interests in nuclear energy.
Russia has offered to take enriched uranium from Iran and to supply nuclear fuel to the country’s civil energy programme.
Questioned about possible regime change in Iran, Putin said that before getting into something, one should always look at whether or not the main aim is being achieved before starting something.
European ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday in Geneva, source says
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.
The ministers will first meet with the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at the German consulate in Geneva before holding a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, the source said.
The plan has been agreed with the United States, the source added.
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 amid a call from U.S. President Donald Trump for Tehran’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 a southwestern area of Tehran to evacuate so its air force could strike Iranian military installations. Iranian news websites said Israel was attacking a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the east of the capital.
Iranian news websites said Israel was also attacking a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the country’s east, and the Khojir ballistic missile facility near Tehran, which was also targeted by Israeli airstrikes last October.
Turkiye’s Erdogan says Iran acting in self-defence
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of waging “crazed” attacks against Iran that amount to “state terrorism”.
Iran’s response, Erdogan said, is natural, legal and legitimate.
Speaking to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in parliament, Erdogan said Turkiye wants to see the crisis resolved diplomatically and Ankara could play a constructive role.
Iran urges neighbours to prevent infiltration across borders
Iran’s border guard says it expects neighbouring countries to take action against potential infiltration into Iran originating from their territory, Tasnim news agency said, quoting its commander.
Border police, along with the army and the IRGC, are monitoring border movements, it added.
During its initial salvo against Iran last week, Israel revealed that drone and car bomb attacks were carried out by Israeli intelligence agents from inside Iranian territory.
Putin urges quick end to Israel-Iran conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the Israel-Iran crisis, with both leaders expressing “deep concern” and the need for a quick resolution, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
During the call, Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to help mediate the crisis and updated his Emirati counterpart about his conversations with other regional leaders, TASS reported.
Qatar receives letter from Iran’s president
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a letter from Pezeshkian, the Qatari Foreign Ministry says.
The content of the letter was not revealed by the ministry.
Qatar is among the countries that have appealed to Washington to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire and resume talks with Tehran aimed at achieving a nuclear deal.
Russia warns US against helping Israel militarily
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East.
Ryabkov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying that Russia cautions the U.S. against supplying such assistance to Israel – or even considering it.
He said Moscow was in contact with both Israel and Iran.
In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical.
Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such “speculative options,” according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.
Khamenei warns against US strikes on Iran
Iran “will stand firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace”, the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.
In a televised address reported by the Tasnim news agency Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that “This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition.”
Khamenei also pointed to statements made by Trump, saying those who know Iran and its history “know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat”.
“And the Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable consequences”, says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran shoots down Israeli drone, F-35 jet: Reports
The state broadcaster IRIB is reporting that Iranian forces shot down an Israeli Hermes drone in Isfahan. It published footage of the downed unmanned aircraft used for surveillance.
Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency reported that Iranian forces destroyed a hostile F-35 fighter in the Javadabad area of Varamin city.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
Israel running low on defensive interceptors: Report
Israel is running low on defensive Arrow interceptors and says this could impact the country’s ability to shoot down the long-range ballistic missiles from Iran, ARY News reported quoting The Wall Street Journal.
The Journal cited an anonymous US official.
The person told the newspaper that the US has been aware of the capacity problem for months and that Washington has been augmenting Israel’s defences with systems on the ground, at sea and in the air.
Trump says US won’t kill Iran’s supreme leader, ‘at least not for now
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the U.S. knew exactly where Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was “hiding”, that he was an easy target but would not be killed, at least for now.
“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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump said.
US creates task force for citizens in Mideast during Israel-Iran conflict
Washington is setting up a round-the-clock task force to help Americans in the Middle East amid the Israel-Iran conflict, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday.
“The Department of State has established the Middle East Task Force to help coordinate support for us, citizens, our US diplomatic missions and personnel and diplomatic engagement,” she told a press briefing.
“The task force is operating 24 hours a day over the past week to help keep us citizens informed. We have issued more than 30 security alerts to countries in the region and updated travel advisories for Iraq and Israel,” she said.
China accuses Trump of ‘pouring oil’ on Iran, Israel conflict
China on Tuesday accused President Donald Trump of “pouring oil” on the mounting conflict between Iran and Israel, after the US leader warned Tehran residents to “immediately evacuate”.
The sudden flare-up in hostilities has sparked fears of a wider conflict, with Trump urging Iran back to the negotiating table after Israel’s attacks derailed ongoing nuclear talks.
Trump also issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
Asked about Trump’s remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “Fanning the flames, pouring oil, making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict.
Trump urges citizens in Tehran to leave
Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
Donald Trump was due to leave the Group of Seven summit in Canada later on Monday, a day early, due to the Middle East situation, the White House said. Fox News reported he would convene his National Security Council.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. 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!” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
Oil prices rally, stocks slide as traders track Israel-Iran crisis
Oil prices jumped and stocks mostly fell Tuesday after US President Donald Trump abruptly departed G7 talks to monitor the conflict between Israel and Iran and called for Tehran residents to evacuate.
Investors’ optimism the previous day that the conflict would not spread throughout the Middle East gave way to fears of further escalation as the conflict entered its fifth day.
“Middle East tensions are showing no signs of easing back, putting investors on high alert,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Trump said he was aiming for a “real end” to the conflict, not just a ceasefire after he departed the G7 summit in Canada.
Netanyahu suggests killing Iran’s supreme leader would end conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested Monday that assassinating Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would “end the conflict” between the two arch-foes.
“It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict,” Netanyahu told ABC News in an interview when asked about reports that US President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader out of concern it would intensify the Iran-Israel showdown.
“The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war,” Netanyahu said. “In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil.”
PM Sharif meets Iranian envoy, condemns Israeli aggression
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam while attending the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unity with Iran and strongly denounced Israeli aggression and attack against the country.
PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed sincere condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives in Iran due to recent Israeli attacks. He highlighted that the entire Pakistani nation stands with Iran in this tough time.
The PM Shehbaz Sharif also alluded to his recent conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, repeating Pakistan’s assistance for Iran at the United Nations Security Council, where Pakistan took a stand against Israeli actions as a violation of the UN Charter and international laws.
Five killed, 87 injured in Iranian strikes
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said Monday that the toll from Iran’s latest missile strikes had risen to five dead and 87 injured, bringing the total toll to 20, according to AFP report.
Four people were pronounced dead following strikes at four sites in central Israel, the MDA said in a statement, including “two women and two men, all approximately 70 years old. So far, MDA teams have evacuated 87 casualties to hospitals,” it added.
The death toll in Israel from Iraninan attacks has now climbed to 20.
Iran rejects negotiations while being under Isareli attacks
Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters, as the two foes launched fresh attacks and raised fears of a wider conflict.
“The Iranians informed Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue serious negotiations once Iran has completed its response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conflict.
Iran made “clear that it will not negotiate while under attack,” the official said.
Iran carries out fresh retaliatory strikes on Israel
Iranian armed forces launched another huge attack on Israel in retaliation with barrage of almost 100 missiles on Monday morning.
According to Israeli media reports, a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel on Monday morning at various cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa and others.
Several missiles hit buildings in Tel Aviv, while a fire is reported at Haifa Power plant after the Iranian attack.
Israeli media reported widespread power outages in the central occupied Palestine after Iran’s missile attack on Haifa.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel’s multi-layered defence systems to target each other.
Trump blocked Israeli move to target Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, say US officials
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” said one of the sources, a senior U.S. administration official.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said top U.S. officials have been in constant communications with Israeli officials in the days since Israel launched a massive attack on Iran in a bid to halt its nuclear program.
They said the Israelis reported that they had an opportunity to kill the top Iranian leader, but Trump waved them off of the plan.
Trump claims Iran and Israel will reach peace ‘soon’
Iran and Israel will have peace “soon”, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Sunday, adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal.
Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, killing scores.
“Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” Trump said on Truth Social, adding that “we will have PEACE, soon.”
Trump did not offer any details about the meetings or evidence of progress toward peace. His assertion contradicted comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Saturday that Israel’s campaign against Iran would intensify.
Donald Trump warns Iran of retaliation if attacked
President Donald Trump stated late Friday that the United States had no role in the Israeli military strikes on Iran, but issued a stark warning to Tehran against any retaliation.
“The US had nothing to do with the attack on Iran tonight,” Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth.
“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.”
Ten killed, over 200 injured in Iranian retaliation: Israel
Israeli authorities have confirmed that at least ten people were killed, over 200 injured, and 35 remain missing following a large-scale Iranian retaliation strike on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The strikes, which Iran says were in retaliation for earlier Israeli actions, targeted both military and strategic locations, causing significant damage and chaos.
Emergency services are continuing rescue operations, while hospitals remain overwhelmed with casualties.
Iran fires new barrage of missiles at Israel
The escalation between Irana nd Israel entered third day as both the nations are trading deadly strikes on each others’ cities.
On Saturday night, Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel as part of its retaliatory attacks on Israel.
In the continuation of its retaliatory attacks on the criminal regime of Israel, Iran launched a massive missile attack targeting the occupied territories.
Following the missile launch, sirens were activated in northern parts of occupied Palestine.
Reports suggest that big explosions rocked Haifa upon the impact of Iran’s hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
The Israeli military confirmed that Iranian missiles struck parts of northern Israel, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming responsibility for the latest barrage. Tehran stated that cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv were targeted using Kheibar, Badr, and Emad missiles.
Israel army says struck underground missile facility in western Iran
The Israeli military said in latest strikes, it struck an underground facility Saturday in western Iran’s Khorramabad that contained surface-to-surface and cruise missiles.
“This is an important site that was even featured in a propaganda video by the Iranian regime in the past,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists.
He was likely referring to footage aired by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier this year showing what it described as a new underground missile facility.
“It was struck and the senior officials associated with it have also been eliminated,” Defrin said, adding that “dozens of other such sites have also been destroyed”.
The military said the site contained “storage tunnels for surface-to-surface missiles and cruise missiles as well as multiple launch shafts”.
Iranian media reported strikes on Lorestan province, where Khorramabad is located, on Saturday.
Iran media says air defence activated in Tehran, six other provinces
Iranian media said air defences were activated Saturday over Tehran and six other provinces, on the second day of Israel’s air campaign against the Islamic republic.
News agency Tasnim said air defences were responding to “hostile targets” over Tehran and in the provinces of Hormozgan in the country’s south, Kermanshah and Lorestan in the west, Qom in the centre, East Azerbaijan in the northwest, and Khuzestan in the southwest. State TV reported air defence activity in the same areas.
Another news agency, Fars, shared images of what it said was the “destruction of two Israeli aircraft in Tehran”.
Iran and Israel targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime enemy.
Iran says attacks against Israel will continue, senior Iranian military officials were quoted as saying.
“This confrontation will not end with last night’s limited actions and Iran’s strikes will continue, and this action will be very painful and regrettable for the aggressors,” Fars news agency cited one unnamed official as saying.
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel’s two largest cities, sending residents rushing into shelters as successive waves of Iranian missiles streaked across the skies. The military said its air defence systems were operating.
The Israeli broadcasting authority and The Associated Press news agency have reported on the increased toll to two, with nearly 40 injured.
US.-Iran nuclear talks cancelled, Oman says
The latest round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Muscat will not take place, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X on Saturday. Oman has been mediating the talks.
Albusaidi’s statement came a day after Israel launched a sweeping air offensive against Iran, killing commanders and scientists and bombing nuclear sites in a stated bid to stop it building an atomic weapon.
A senior official of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Sunday’s talks had been cancelled.
Washington, however, remained committed to the negotiations and hoped “the Iranians will come to the table soon,” the official said.
Israel warns Iran
Iranian fire still struck residential districts in Israel, however, and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran’s leadership had crossed a red line.
“If (Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn,” he said in a statement.
Israel announces new strikes
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar said Saturday that the path to Iran is now clear, announcing new airstrikes on the capital Tehran.
During a security assessment amid ongoing hostilities with Iran, they both declared that “the path to Iran is paved,” according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
According to plans, Israeli Air Force planes will strike targets in Tehran, they added.
Iran warns US, UK, France
Iran has warned the three western allies that their bases and ships in the region will be targeted if they help stop strikes on Israel, ARY News reported quoting Iranian state media.
“Any country that participates in repelling Iranian attacks on Israel will be subject to the targeting of all regional bases of the complicit government, including military bases in the Persian Gulf countries and ships and naval vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea by Iranian forces,” said a government statement quoted by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
Two Iranian commanders martyred
Two deputy commanders at the Iranian armed forces’ general staff were killed in Israeli attacks, Iranian state media report.
The dead were identified as General Gholamreza Mehrabi and General Mehdi Rabbani.
It was unclear when the two commanders were killed. Israel’s attacks on Iran since Friday have killed at least 78 people, including senior military officials.
US military helped stop Iranian missiles heading to Israel, officials say
The U.S. military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel, two U.S. officials said on Friday.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not provide further information, including whether fighter jets or warships carried out the defensive operation.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.
“In the last hour, dozens of missiles have been launched at the state of Israel from Iran, some of which were intercepted,” the Israeli military said.
In Iran, several explosions were heard in the capital Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
The Fars news agency said two projectiles hit Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, and Iranian media said flames were reported there. Close to key Iranian leadership sites, the airport hosts an air force base with fighter jets and transport aircraft.
The Fars news agency said Tehran launched waves of airstrikes on Saturday after two salvos on Friday night. One of the waves targeted Tel Aviv before dawn on Saturday, with explosions heard in the capital and Jerusalem, witnesses said.
Israel’s ambulance service said 34 people were injured on Friday night in the Tel Aviv area, most with minor injuries. Police later said one person had died.
Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
“Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile program and its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, he said.
An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets including the facility at Natanz in central Iran. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.
Alongside extensive air strikes, Israel’s Mossad spy agency led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official. These operations were aimed at damaging Iran’s strategic missile sites and its air defence capabilities.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Read more: Oman to host US-Iran nuclear talks on Sunday: FM
“Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
Iran downs Israeli drones
The Iranian forces have shot down drones on a reconnaissance mission over northwestern Iran, Iranian state media reported.
“Islamic fighters [Iranian forces] in the Salmas border region successfully shot down Israeli drones that had violated the country’s airspace,” state television said, adding the “drones had entered Iranian airspace on espionage and reconnaissance missions”.
Iran on US nuclear
Iran said the dialogue with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear programme is “meaningless” after Israel’s military strike against its longstanding enemy, accusing Washington of supporting the attack.
“The other side (the U.S.) acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime (Israel) to target Iran’s territory,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.
Iran retaliates
Iran launched over 100 retaliatory drones after Israel launched deadly strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, according to the Israeli military.
Israel launches new attack on Iran’s Tabriz: Report
Israeli forces launched a renewed attack on Tabriz, the northwestern city of Iranm, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.
The city is currently under “severe attack” by Israel, according to Iranian media reports. The attack took place at 12:30 pm local time on Friday.
Images released in the social networks show thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky from the airport near Tabriz, the media outlet reported.
The news agency claimed that the site that has been targeted is believed to be Shahid Fakuri military airbase that accommodates fighter aircraft.
NA passes resolution condemning Israeli attack on Iran
The National Assembly (NA) on Friday unanimously passed a resolution, strongly condemning the Israeli attack on Iran.
The House expressed complete solidarity with the government and people of Iran and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those martyred in the attack.
The resolution, moved by Syed Naveed Qamar, affirmed that Iran has the sovereign right to defend its territorial integrity.
Read more: National Assembly passes resolution condemning Israeli attack on Iran
“An attack on Iran’s sovereignty and security is unacceptable,” the resolution stated. “Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the Iranian government and people.”
The resolution also called for an immediate end to Israeli aggression and urged the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene emergency meetings in response to the situation.
PM Sharif condemns Israeli aggression
Prime Minister Shehabz Sharif has strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iran, ARY News reported on Friday.
Sharif, in his post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), stated that: “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, today’s unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. I convey my deepest sympathies to the Iranian people on the loss of lives in this attack. This grave and highly irresponsible act is deeply alarming and risks further de-stabilising an already volatile region.”
Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif denounces Israeli attack on Iran
US NOT INVOLVED
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defence.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement.
“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” he added.
US President Donald Trump was convening a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.
“We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us,” he said.
Crude oil prices jumped as the strike on Iran hammered global stocks and drove investors into safe-haven assets.
US and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators. But the talks have appeared to be deadlocked.
IRGC chief Hossein Salami, armed forces chief martyred
Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities early Friday have reportedly assassinated several top Iranian military and nuclear figures, including the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian state-affiliated media.
Read more: IRGC Chief Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, others assassinated in Israeli strikes
Tasnim news agency reported that Major General Hossein Salami, the chief commander of the IRGC, was killed in an overnight strike on the Iranian capital.
Salami, a central figure in Iran’s security establishment and a longtime architect of its regional military strategy, was reportedly at a military facility in Tehran at the time of the attack.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, was martyred in Israel attack, confirmed Iranian media.
According to Mehr News Agency, Major General Mohammad Bagheri was martyred in overnight attacks by Israeli jets.
Read more: Mohammad Bagheri: Iran’s Armed Forces chief martyred in Israel attack
Meanwhile, Ameer Habibullah has been appointed new chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces.
Ayatollah Khamenei vows ‘harsh’ response to Israeli attacks
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has condemned Israel’s overnight strikes on Iran, warning that the regime has sealed a “bitter and painful” fate for itself.
In a message to the nation delivered early Friday, just hours after Israeli airstrikes targeted locations in Tehran and other cities, Ayatollah Khamenei accused the Israeli regime of committing a grave crime by striking residential areas and assassinating key Iranian military commanders and scientists.
Read more: Ayatollah Khamenei vows ‘harsh’ response to Israeli attacks
Saudi condemns Israeli attack
Saudi Arabia has reacted to Israel deadly strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
Iranian state television reported that Hossein Salami, the chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards corps, had been killed and the unit’s headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.
Read more: Saudi Arabia reacts to Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
Trump vows support for Israel
United States (US) President Donald Trump clarified that the Washington had no involvement in the recent Israeli attacks on Iran.
In an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump stated that if Iran retaliates, the US. will support Israel in its defense.
The president urged that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear bomb and expressed hope that diplomatic talks would soon resume.
“We’re hoping Iran will return to the negotiating table,” Donald Trump said during the interview.