Latest news with #GrandBazaar
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
The Bulletin June 17, 2025
The rundown: Iranians appeared to flee Tehran, with videos circulating on social media showing packed highways. Find out more. Why it matters: The exodus followed an urgent warning issued by President Trump, who wrote on Truth Social on Monday: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Videos and images posted to social media showed bumper-to-bumper traffic on a highway out of Tehran, with little traffic heading into the city. Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iran on Friday, saying the assault was necessary to prevent its adversary from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has long denied Israel's repeated accusation that it seeks nuclear weapons. Israel's strikes have killed at least 224 people since Friday, while Iran's retaliatory strikes have so far killed 24 people in Israel and wounded at least 500. Read more in-depth coverage: Muslim World Unites in Response to Israel Over Iran Strikes TL/DR: Tehran's residents have painted a picture of hysteria and chaos in the capital city amid intensifying strikes. What happens now? Many shops in Tehran were closed on Tuesday, and the city's ancient Grand Bazaar was also shut, according to the Associated Press. Long lines for gas also formed in the city. Metro stations and schools in Tehran have been opened by Iranian authorities to be used as shelters. Deeper reading Iran Capital Evacuation Videos Show People Fleeing Tehran
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran: 11 facts about a country rarely visited by westerners
An air war between Israel and Iran broke out on June 12 after Israel struck nuclear and military targets in Iran. An attack like this is something Israel has long made clear it might eventually do as part of its efforts to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Israel and Iran were once allies. But in the wake of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran's clerical leaders have repeatedly pledged to destroy Israel. They oppose it for its cooperation with the United States, to win favor with regional Arab nations and in solidarity with Israel's stance toward Palestinians. The United States says it is not involved with Israel's air strikes on Iran, which have caused many Iranians to flee Tehran; however, President Donald Trump has also indicated that U.S. "patience is wearing thin." Here are 11 facts about a country rarely visited by Westerners. The average person on the street is fascinated with foreigners, and this fascination extends to Americans. In particular, Iranians want to know what visitors think of Iranian food, culture, people, customs and Tehran's insane traffic. Iranians are extremely friendly, warm and hospitable and enjoy nothing more than inviting guests into their homes for a meal. It frustrates them that Iran tends to be viewed chiefly through the lens of its government and religious leaders. "We are not terrorists," is something that, as a visitor, you hear again and again in Iran. In the summer, Tehran is hot (and can be over 100 degrees most days), dry and completely clogged with traffic. Cars, trucks, buses, scooters and motorcycles (with few riders wearing helmets) vie for space in a city of 12 million people. These vehicles use a mixture of surprisingly modern highways and narrower roads. Tehran has must-see tourist attractions, such as the walled Golestan Palace, museums, restaurants and coffee shops. North Tehran is wealthy, cosmopolitan and has many tall buildings and modern hotels. Some men fit Western, city-dwelling stereotypes in skinny jeans and hipster beards. Women wear hijabs. South Tehran is poorer, more religiously conservative and home to Tehran's Grand Bazaar marketplace. Most of the world's time zones differ in increments of an hour, but some places use offset time zones. In those areas – including Iran – time zones change by half an hour. Iran is 8.5 hours ahead of New York. India also uses an offset time zone, as do parts of Australia, Canada and Venezuela. Another fact of life in Iran that might confound the average American worker: The workweek in Iran runs Saturday to Wednesday, in keeping with Muslim traditions. Iranians can download or stream U.S. and European movies, music and media by accessing virtual private networks, or VPNs. This includes using social media platforms and messaging sites such as Instagram, X and WhatsApp. However, Iran's government monitors these channels and uses its cyber capabilities to try to thwart connections to some sites. The government also limits internet access and blocks overseas satellite channels when it wants to, as it did during large-scale street protests in 2022 sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody after being arrested by Iran's "morality police." In short, it's delicious. It is aromatic and rich, and blends traditional and modern influences from an incredibly large area from the Mediterranean Sea to subcontinental Asia. A typical lunch or dinner dish combines fluffy rice with grilled lamb, chicken or fish. For breakfast, it's not uncommon to get eggs, flatbreads, yogurt, fresh Persian cucumbers (small, sweet and seedless) and a creamy sesame-like paste. Some of the most-used ingredients in Iranian cuisine include cardamom, almonds, grapes, mint, oranges, pistachios, pomegranates, raisins, saffron, turmeric and walnuts. Because Iran is a strict Islamic country, alcohol is not officially for sale. That they are Arabs and speak Arabic. Most Iranians are from the Persian ethnic group and speak Farsi or Persian, an Indo-Iranian language common in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and several other countries. Other groups in Iran, while representing the minority, include Arabs, Armenians, Baloch people (from near Pakistan, in Iran's southeast), Christians, Kurds and Jews. In fact, Iran has one of the largest Jewish populations in the Middle East after Israel. In the United States, one of the most famous Iranians may be Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, a former professional World Wrestling Federation Championship star and actor better known by his ring name, "The Iron Sheik." Officially, no. At least, not yet. Only the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel are members of the nuclear club, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Iran insists that it is only enriching uranium for a civilian energy program. Few Western diplomats believe that. Iran began enriching uranium in the 2010s and struck a deal with former President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 that saw it agree to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for monetary, oil, and other sanctions being lifted. The first Trump administration exited that accord. Since then, international watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level. In a late May report, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. That is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon, according to the IAEA and other nuclear watchdogs. Washington and its international partners have long insisted that any economic sanctions targeting Iran as a result of its nuclear program are not aimed at civilians and that humanitarian supplies never make it onto the list. However, many Iranians find this line of reasoning hard to understand and accept because decades of international sanctions have often led to shortages of cancer drugs, certain foods and key consumer goods. They have also caused a lingering economic crisis that has severely affected salaries, prices and jobs. When, in his first term, President Donald Trump pulled out of a U.S. nuclear deal with Iran and several world powers, Iran's currency lost half its value. The sanctions have also meant that spare parts, for cars or other large machinery or hospital equipment, can be difficult to obtain. Over the last few decades, Iran has had an abysmal commercial airline safety record because of the impact of sanctions on its civilian aircraft fleet. For foreign visitors, the sanctions mean that Western bank and credit cards can't be used – only cash. The Iranian passport ranks 95th of 103 countries, with 42 visa-free destinations around the world, according to Henley & Partners, a London-based organization that compiles the Henley Passport Index, a gauge of global mobility based on nationality. None of these destinations is in North America or Europe. In the United States, Iranians fall under Trump's travel ban. Iran's ranking on the index compares to 182 visa-free destinations for American passport holders – No. 10 on the index. In reality, it is very difficult for Iranians to go anywhere outside their country unless they are wealthy or can prove they own a major asset, such as a house, which serves as proof they intend to return. If an Iranian man has not done military service, he usually cannot get a passport. And many Western countries are wary of granting Iranians visas for fear they will seek asylum. Under state law, married Iranian women need spousal permission to travel overseas independently. Not great. Before the founding of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, women in Iran enjoyed many of the basic freedoms common in Western countries, such as the ability to choose what to wear and how to wear it. That all went out the window with the ouster of Iran's last absolute monarch, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Today, the hijab is mandatory for women and enforced by "morality police," who can dispense small fines or jail terms. Other restrictions include fealty to the concept that a husband is the head of the family, and his wife is legally bound to obey him. A woman's testimony as a witness is worth half that of a man's in a legal dispute. Iranian activists stage regular protests against these rules. Little data is available on child marriage in Iran, but UNICEF estimates that approximately 17% of Iranian girls are married before the age of 18. Iran has 14 female lawmakers (out of 285) in its Parliament. It is also not uncommon for women to play leading roles in Iran's corporate world. Women in Iran can play sports, drive and vote. More: Mini-skirts and hijabs: After a rights crackdown, a new look at Iran, through its movies For decades, Iran has had strong ties to a series of militant groups it supports and finances across the Middle East, all of whom have been weakened in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. These groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and various militia organizations in Iraq. Until Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster, Iran also coveted close relations with Syria – cooperation that was based, partly, on the fact that the Assad family belongs to a small Shia Islam minority group called the "Alawites." Most Iranians practice Shia Islam. Iran has sought closer ties to Russia in recent years, but the Russians are unpredictable and Moscow's interest in the association is chiefly based on its geopolitical interests in the Middle East, now heavily skewed to its war in Ukraine. Kim Hjelmgaard is a USA TODAY international correspondent. He reported from Iran in 2018. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What do Iranians think of Americans? 11 facts about Iran.
Newsweek
18-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Tehran Becomes 'Ghost Town' as Missiles Fall and Fear Mounts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. "Tehran is like a ghost town," said one resident Tuesday night as explosions lit up the city. The usual hustle and bustle had vanished on the sixth day of escalating conflict with Israel. Shops were shuttered, including the historic Grand Bazaar, streets stood empty, and thousands of residents were fleeing in every direction, seeking safety beyond the city limits. Amid the turmoil, Iran's military claimed it now controlled Israeli airspace, while President Donald Trump publicly stated that the U.S. knows the location of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but has deliberately chosen not to strike him—"for now." Why It Matters The conflict's impact on Tehran has disrupted normal life, with many residents fleeing amid fears of ongoing airstrikes. Iranian officials say they can defend the capital, but the evacuation reveals growing public anxiety. The violence escalated sharply after Israel launched the first strikes last Friday, targeting key Iranian military sites. Since then, Israel has intensified its campaign to weaken Tehran's regional influence. The United States, closely monitoring the situation, has issued warnings and hinted at possible further military involvement, raising fears in Tehran that the conflict could escalate beyond localized exchanges. This standoff is reshaping daily life for millions in Iran's political and economic center amid growing uncertainty. A shopkeeper waits for customers as most other shops remain shuttered at the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. A shopkeeper waits for customers as most other shops remain shuttered at the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What to Know Many of those Newsweek spoke to wished to remain anonymous, describing a city unlike anything they had ever seen. A female fitness instructor reflected on the eerie calm: "It is so empty here. I've never seen Tehran like this before, even quieter than during the COVID lockdown. Very, very depressing." One of her students added that he had closed his business early amid the unrest. A shopkeeper described the night's bombardment as "the longest bombing I had heard so far," recalling the relentless missile strikes that shook the city and kept residents awake. Traffic snarled on every major road out of Tehran as families fled in all directions—north, south, east, and west—seeking safety. Gas stations overflowed with cars waiting for fuel as many loaded their vehicles with essentials and uncertain hopes. Another resident reflected, "It looks like no one is living in this city anymore. The silence is unnatural. It feels like a ghost town." The Grand Bazaar, Tehran's centuries-old commercial hub, was closed, emblematic of the city's paralysis. Streets usually bustling with pedestrians and traffic were empty, save for military vehicles and emergency responders. Shops remain shuttered Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, Monday, June 16, 2025. Shops remain shuttered Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, Monday, June 16, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo Iran Claims Air Superiority Over Israel Despite the exodus, Iranian officials said that Tehran remained secure. Revolutionary Guard Colonel Iman Tajik said Iran held "complete control over the skies" of Israel, declaring that missile strikes had rendered Israeli defenses ineffective and residents "completely defenseless." Such statements appear aimed at reassuring a population unsettled by the conflict's reach into the capital—and by growing fears that the U.S. could soon be drawn in more directly. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump stated: "We know exactly where he [Khamenei] is. We don't want to kill him—for now." Revolutionary Guard Colonel Iman Tajik said: "Tonight's missile attack showed that we have gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories." What Happens Next As Tehran empties and tensions escalate, the coming days may bring intensified strikes, further evacuations, and rising pressure as the U.S. weighs deeper involvement alongside urgent international diplomatic efforts.
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
What do Iranians think of Americans? 11 facts about Iran.
Here are 11 facts about a country rarely visited by Westerners. What do Iranians think of Americans? The average person on the street is fascinated with foreigners, and this fascination extends to Americans. In particular, Iranians want to know what visitors think of Iranian food, culture, people, customs and Tehran's insane traffic. Iranians are extremely friendly, warm and hospitable and enjoy nothing more than inviting guests into their homes for a meal. It frustrates them that Iran tends to be viewed chiefly through the lens of its government and religious leaders. "We are not terrorists," is something that, as a visitor, you hear again and again in Iran. What is Tehran, Iran's capital, like? In the summer, Tehran is hot (and can be over 100 degrees most days), dry and completely clogged with traffic. Cars, trucks, buses, scooters and motorcycles (with few riders wearing helmets) vie for space in a city of 12 million people. These vehicles use a mixture of surprisingly modern highways and narrower roads. Tehran has must-see tourist attractions, such as the walled Golestan Palace, museums, restaurants and coffee shops. North Tehran is wealthy, cosmopolitan and has many tall buildings and modern hotels. Some men fit Western, city-dwelling stereotypes in skinny jeans and hipster beards. Women wear hijabs. South Tehran is poorer, more religiously conservative and home to Tehran's Grand Bazaar marketplace. It's 9 a.m. in New York and 5:30 p.m. in Tehran? Most of the world's time zones differ in increments of an hour, but some places use offset time zones. In those areas - including Iran - time zones change by half an hour. Iran is 8.5 hours ahead of New York. India also uses an offset time zone, as do parts of Australia, Canada and Venezuela. Another fact of life in Iran that might confound the average American worker: The workweek in Iran runs Saturday to Wednesday, in keeping with Muslim traditions. Has Western culture made it to Iran? Iranians can download or stream U.S. and European movies, music and media by accessing virtual private networks, or VPNs. This includes using social media platforms and messaging sites such as Instagram, X and WhatsApp. However, Iran's government monitors these channels and uses its cyber capabilities to try to thwart connections to some sites. The government also limits internet access and blocks overseas satellite channels when it wants to, as it did during large-scale street protests in 2022 sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody after being arrested by Iran's "morality police." What's the food like? In short, it's delicious. It is aromatic and rich, and blends traditional and modern influences from an incredibly large area from the Mediterranean Sea to subcontinental Asia. A typical lunch or dinner dish combines fluffy rice with grilled lamb, chicken or fish. For breakfast, it's not uncommon to get eggs, flatbreads, yogurt, fresh Persian cucumbers (small, sweet and seedless) and a creamy sesame-like paste. Some of the most-used ingredients in Iranian cuisine include cardamom, almonds, grapes, mint, oranges, pistachios, pomegranates, raisins, saffron, turmeric and walnuts. Because Iran is a strict Islamic country, alcohol is not officially for sale. What's a common misperception about Iranians? That they are Arabs and speak Arabic. Most Iranians are from the Persian ethnic group and speak Farsi or Persian, an Indo-Iranian language common in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and several other countries. Other groups in Iran, while representing the minority, include Arabs, Armenians, Baloch people (from near Pakistan, in Iran's southeast), Christians, Kurds and Jews. In fact, Iran has one of the largest Jewish populations in the Middle East after Israel. In the United States, one of the most famous Iranians may be Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, a former professional World Wrestling Federation Championship star and actor better known by his ring name, "The Iron Sheik." Does Iran have nuclear weapons? Officially, no. At least, not yet. Only the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel are members of the nuclear club, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Iran insists that it is only enriching uranium for a civilian energy program. Few Western diplomats believe that. Iran began enriching uranium in the 2010s and struck a deal with former President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 that saw it agree to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for monetary, oil, and other sanctions being lifted. The first Trump administration exited that accord. Since then, international watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level. In a late May report, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. That is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon, according to the IAEA and other nuclear watchdogs. How have economic sanctions affected Iran? Washington and its international partners have long insisted that any economic sanctions targeting Iran as a result of its nuclear program are not aimed at civilians and that humanitarian supplies never make it onto the list. However, many Iranians find this line of reasoning hard to understand and accept because decades of international sanctions have often led to shortages of cancer drugs, certain foods and key consumer goods. They have also caused a lingering economic crisis that has severely affected salaries, prices and jobs. When, in his first term, President Donald Trump pulled out of a U.S. nuclear deal with Iran and several world powers, Iran's currency lost half its value. The sanctions have also meant that spare parts, for cars or other large machinery or hospital equipment, can be difficult to obtain. Over the last few decades, Iran has had an abysmal commercial airline safety record because of the impact of sanctions on its civilian aircraft fleet. For foreign visitors, the sanctions mean that Western bank and credit cards can't be used - only cash. Are Iranians able to travel? The Iranian passport ranks 95th of 103 countries, with 42 visa-free destinations around the world, according to Henley & Partners, a London-based organization that compiles the Henley Passport Index, a gauge of global mobility based on nationality. None of these destinations is in North America or Europe. In the United States, Iranians fall under Trump's travel ban. Iran's ranking on the index compares to 182 visa-free destinations for American passport holders - No. 10 on the index. In reality, it is very difficult for Iranians to go anywhere outside their country unless they are wealthy or can prove they own a major asset, such as a house, which serves as proof they intend to return. If an Iranian man has not done military service, he usually cannot get a passport. And many Western countries are wary of granting Iranians visas for fear they will seek asylum. Under state law, married Iranian women need spousal permission to travel overseas independently. What's the status of women's rights? Not great. Before the founding of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, women in Iran enjoyed many of the basic freedoms common in Western countries, such as the ability to choose what to wear and how to wear it. That all went out the window with the ouster of Iran's last absolute monarch, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Today, the hijab is mandatory for women and enforced by "morality police," who can dispense small fines or jail terms. Other restrictions include fealty to the concept that a husband is the head of the family, and his wife is legally bound to obey him. A woman's testimony as a witness is worth half that of a man's in a legal dispute. Iranian activists stage regular protests against these rules. Little data is available on child marriage in Iran, but UNICEF estimates that approximately 17% of Iranian girls are married before the age of 18. Iran has 14 female lawmakers (out of 285) in its Parliament. It is also not uncommon for women to play leading roles in Iran's corporate world. Women in Iran can play sports, drive and vote. More: Mini-skirts and hijabs: After a rights crackdown, a new look at Iran, through its movies Who are Iran's allies? For decades, Iran has had strong ties to a series of militant groups it supports and finances across the Middle East, all of whom have been weakened in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. These groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and various militia organizations in Iraq. Until Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster, Iran also coveted close relations with Syria - cooperation that was based, partly, on the fact that the Assad family belongs to a small Shia Islam minority group called the "Alawites." Most Iranians practice Shia Islam. Iran has sought closer ties to Russia in recent years, but the Russians are unpredictable and Moscow's interest in the association is chiefly based on its geopolitical interests in the Middle East, now heavily skewed to its war in Ukraine. Kim Hjelmgaard is a USA TODAY international correspondent. He reported from Iran in 2018.
Toronto Star
18-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
The Latest: Iranians flee their capital as Trump urges unconditional surrender
Residents of Iran's capital were seen leaving the city as shops and the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran were closed Tuesday, the fifth day of the intensifying conflict started by Israel. President Donald Trump urged Iran to surrender unconditionally and said the U.S. knows where Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding — but doesn't want him killed 'for now.' Trump's post on social media came a day after he urged the immediate evacuation of Tehran, home to some 9.5 million people. Israel claimed Tuesday to have killed a top Iranian general as it traded more strikes with its longtime foe. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Witnesses said strong explosions rocked buildings in western and eastern parts of Tehran on Tuesday evening. An Associated Press reporter could hear sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft batteries firing from all directions. On the roads out of Tehran to the west, traffic stood bumper to bumper, and long lines also could be seen at gas stations. 'It looks like no one is living in this city,' one resident told the AP by phone. Here's the latest: US to shut embassy in Jerusalem The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be shut from Wednesday through Friday. In a statement posted on its website, the department said that the closure is due to 'the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.' The closure includes the Consular Sections in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It also means there will be no passport services available. The embassy also instructed all U.S. government employees and their family to continue to shelter in place. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW More sirens in Israel A new round of sirens has gone off in parts of Israel. There are no immediate reports of casualties. Israel's fire and rescue service notes reports of several fires in open areas. Dow drops nearly 300 after oil prices jump as Trump urges Iran's unconditional surrender U.S. stocks are slumping under the weight of a jump for the price of oil. The S&P 500 fell 0.8% Tuesday following signals that Israel's conflict with Iran may be worsening and that one of the U.S. economy's main engines is weakening. That nearly erased the S&P 500's gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 297 points, or 0.7%, as of 3:15 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.8% lower. How Israel used spies, smuggled drones and AI to stun and hobble Iran Israel stunned Iran last week with an intelligence and military operation years in the making that struck high-level targets with precision. Guided by spies and artificial intelligence, the Israeli military unleashed a nighttime fusillade of warplanes and armed drones smuggled into Iran to incapacitate many of its air defenses and missile systems. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW With greater freedom to fly over Iran, Israel bombarded key nuclear sites and killed top generals and scientists. By the time Iran mustered a response hours later, its ability to retaliate — already weakened by past Israeli strikes — was greatly diminished. This account is based on conversations with 10 current and former Israeli intelligence and military officials, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss clandestine operations. ▶ Read more about Israel's surprise attack on Iran A task force will help Americans who want to leave the Middle East The State Department has created a special task force to assist Americans seeking to leave Israel and other Mideast countries amid the conflict with Iran, although no government evacuations are currently planned. The task force, run by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, is operating 24 hours to provide information to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wanting to return to the United States. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce wouldn't tell reporters Tuesday how many people had sought advice from the task force. There are some 700,000 Americans, many of them dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, now in Israel and thousands more in other Mideast countries, including Iran. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Iran's military leaders vow Israel will soon see more attacks 'The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,' Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran's army, said in a video. 'The punishment operation will be carried out soon.' Another round of Israeli strikes in Iran As Israel's military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, announced a new wave of strikes on Iran at 8:45 p.m. local time, a series of explosions and anti-aircraft fire boomed throughout Tehran, shaking buildings across the capital. The Israeli military said its warplanes had targeted 12 missile launch sites and storage facilities in the country. British warplanes are arriving in the Middle East U.K. Defense Secretary John Healy said that the additional fighter aircraft the U.K. announced it was sending to the Middle East have begun arriving. Healey told a defense conference in London that he is ensuring 'force protection is now at its highest level' and said the move is to 'protect our personnel, it's to reassure our partners, and it's to reinforce the urgent need for de-escalation.' U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced at the weekend that the U.K would be deploying more military aircraft including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers to the Middle East. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Iran is likely clamping down on internet traffic, group says NetBlocks, a group that tracks internet disruptions by nations, said it detected a reduction of internet access in Iran. 'Analysis of telemetry shows a significant reduction in internet traffic in Iran,' it said. 'The incident comes amid an escalating conflict with Israel and is likely to limit the public's ability to access information at a critical time.' Trump says US knows where Iran's Khamenei is hiding, urges Iran's unconditional surrender Trump says the U.S. knows where Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding but doesn't want him killed 'for now.' He urged, in a social media posting on Tuesday, Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' as the five-day Israel-Iran conflict escalates. Iran tells people to delete WhatsApp over fears it's sending data to Israel Iranian state television on Tuesday afternoon urged the public to remove the messaging app WhatsApp from their smart phones, alleging without offering any evidence the app gathered user information to send to Israel. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In a statement, WhatsApp said it was 'concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.' WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, meaning a service provider in the middle can't read a message. 'We do not track your precise location, we don't keep logs of who everyone is messaging and we do not track the personal messages people are sending one another, it added. 'We do not provide bulk information to any government.' WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Istagram. JD Vance addresses MAGA divide on Israel-Iran as Trump weighs next steps Prominent Trump supporters, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and conservative pundit Tucker Carlson have raised concerns about how far the president should go in backing Israel after vowing during his campaign to keep the U.S. out of expensive and endless wars. The vice president in a posting on X on Tuesday said he wanted to address 'a lot of crazy stuff on social media' about Trump's approach to Iran. Vance made the case that Trump has been consistent that 'Iran cannot have uranium enrichment' and has said 'repeatedly that this would happen one of two ways—the easy way or the 'other' way.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment. That decision ultimately belongs to the president,' Vance added. 'And of course, people are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy. But I believe the president has earned some trust on this issue.' China's Xi expresses 'deep concerns' over the escalating Israel-Iran tensions According to the Chinese foreign ministry statement on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping expressed opposition to 'any acts that infringe on the sovereignty, security, territorial integrity of other countries.' Xi called for efforts to de-escalate conflicts and offered help from the Chinese government to restore peace and stability in the region. Xi made the remarks while attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan. Tehran empties as Israeli strikes hit homes and offices. One resident describes chaos The streets of the Iranian capital are nearly deserted, police are using loudspeakers to tell people to stay indoors, and emergency travel is the only exception, according to one resident, an Afghan store worker. 'It looks like no one is living in this city,' he said. On the conflict's second day, he saw an Israeli missile strike a government building, sending glass, office furniture, documents and other debris into the road below. A second strike minutes later set the building ablaze. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In the past day, he said a missile hit a residential tower, injuring women and children. Rescue teams pulled victims from the rubble. 'Many civilians were killed and injured in the first two days,' he said, adding that most residents have now fled. Messaging apps remain unreliable. He spoke to The Associated Press over the phone, declining to give his name for fear of reprisals. German leader doesn't think US has decided whether to directly enter Israel-Iran conflict 'There is apparently no decision yet by the American government; it very much depends on how far the mullah regime is prepared to return to the negotiating table,' said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, using a dismissive term for the Islamic Republic. Merz added: 'If not, there could be such a further development. But we will have to wait and see.' Speaking to Germany's Welt television on the sidelines of the G7 summit Tuesday, he said he believes the Israeli attacks in recent days have very much weakened the Iranian government. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He also told ARD television that there's still room for Iran's leaders 'to come back to the negotiating table and hold talks.' But if Iran doesn't, he said 'Israel will pursue its path to the end.' UK's Starmer says Trump won't drag US into Israel-Iran conflict British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is confident Donald Trump is not about to take the U.S. into the Israel-Iran conflict, despite the president's early departure from a G7 summit to deal with the escalating crisis. Starmer told reporters at the summit on Tuesday that 'I don't think anything that the president said either here or elsewhere suggests that' the U.S. will get involved. That comes after Trump on social media urged the 9.5 million residents of Tehran to leave. He said that when Trump denied seeking a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, 'I think what he said was he wanted to go beyond a ceasefire effectively and end the conflict. And I think he's right about that.' UN opens, then immediately closes a summit on Israeli-Palestinian peace plan The widening Israel-Iran conflict has added a new casualty: the high-level U.N. summit to promote a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, which is now postponed indefinitely. Co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, the U.N. General Assembly meeting was set to run from Tuesday through Friday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Saudi Arabia's U.N. Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, citing 'logistical and security reasons,' said conditions were not right to hold the conference. France's U.N. Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont affirmed support for the talks, saying France remains committed to ending the war in Gaza and 'a just and lasting solution for the Palestinian cause.' The postponement was supported by the conference participants. The General Assembly mandated the summit be held by June, following a resolution late last year. Iran appears to be limiting people's phone and internet access Iran appeared to be slowly restricting access for the public to the outside world on Tuesday night as landline telephones appeared to be no longer able to receive or dial international phone calls. Iran offered no acknowledgment of the restriction, which has happened during nationwide protests in the past and during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. International websites as well appeared to be restricted for internet users. However, local websites appeared to be functioning. That likely signals Iran has turned on its so-called 'halal net,' Iran's own locally controlled version of the internet aimed at restricting what the public can see. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Israel is striking Tehran and another city in the country's center Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported Israeli airstrikes around the city of Isfahan on Tuesday afternoon, with air defense also firing. It did not elaborate on the targets. A series of explosions and anti-aircraft fire also boomed throughout Tehran just before 6:30 p.m. Iran announces limited ban on smartphones and laptops, fearing Israel's digital tracking Iran has banned government officials and their bodyguards from using all communication devices linked to the networks. The ban, announced Tuesday, includes mobile phones, smart watches and laptops. Iran did not elaborate on the reason for the ban, which was reported by the semiofficial Fars news agency. However, it suggests Iran suspects Israel used digital signatures from electronics to launch its strikes, which have decimated Iran's military leadership. Life is 'dire' in Tehran, laments an Afghan shopkeeper stuck in the Iranian capital ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Sirens blare every few hours in Tehran and people rush for shelter amid ongoing Israeli attacks, says an Afghan shopkeeper in Tehran. Life has never been so 'dire' here, he says. The man, originally from Kabul, has lived in the Iranian capital for the past four years. Now he says he has no means of getting out of the city and is stuck in the apartment he rents. He spoke to The Associated Press over the phone, declining to give his name for fear of reprisals from authorities who maintain that it's business as normal. But markets, stores and commercial areas are closed — and food is becoming scare, he says. 'For two days now, food has been hard to find, especially bread.' 'The police don't even allow us to go outside or leave the city. Everyone is forbidden from taking photos or videos,' he said. 'I am in a war zone.' The UN watchdog now says Israeli strikes had 'direct impacts' on Iran's Natanz enrichment site The International Atomic Energy Agency says it now believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran's Natanz enrichment site had 'direct impacts' on the facility's underground centrifuge halls. It did not elaborate. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW It's the first time the U.N. nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran's program. Earlier, it was clear that Natanz's above-ground enrichment hall had been destroyed, as well as electrical equipment that powered the facility. Iran has not discussed the damage done in depth at Natanz as the country is reeling from the ongoing Israeli strikes that are dismantling its air defense and killing its top military commanders. After being stranded in Saudi Arabia, Iranian pilgrims take the long land route home Dozens of Iranian pilgrims were in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage when they got stranded by the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict that has left much of the Mideast's airspace closed and reduced traffic at dozens of airports. Since they couldn't take the flight back to Iran, some 100 pilgrims travelled first by bus to neighboring Iraq, where they are now waiting in the southern city of Karbala to cross the border to Iran. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'This war came in and it was not in our hands' said Aziz Mohammed Khan, one of the Iranian pilgrims. 'They told us that we will stay and take a rest here for about two hours, then after the two hours we will be sent back to Mehran border crossing in Iran.' The pilgrims sat at a waiting hall where the buses were parked. Some sat on the benches, while others sat on the ground in the shade to avoid the sweltering summer heat. Iran's Nobel Peace Prize laureate on leave from prison in Tehran indicates she's left the city Narges Mohammadi, who has been on an extended leave from Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, has signaled she's fled Tehran amid the Israeli strikes. Mohammadi wrote on X: 'I left home.' She said she hoped to return one day. 'I know millions of our fellow citizens are leaving their homes to escape war — fleeing death, fear, and destruction —and because there is no shelter left in their cities, they seek refuge in others,' she wrote. 'Let's be each other's refuge.' She did not say where she was or where she was going. Mohammadi, who has kept up her activism despite numerous arrests and spending years behind bars, had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Iran's government. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Kremlin says all Russians in Tehran who want to leave will be evacuated Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the Russian embassy in Tehran is working 'around the clock' to make sure all Russian nationals could evacuate from Iran though a checkpoint on the border with Azerbaijan. He said Moscow was 'very grateful' to Azerbaijan for assistance on the border. 'This work continues around the clock.' Peskov deplored that the situation in the Middle East was 'still on the path of further escalation, galloping escalation.' Asked if there's been any response to Moscow's proposal to mediate the conflict, Peskov said: 'At the moment, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to turn to any kind of mediation services.' As Tehran empties out, a cyberattack targets one of its banks Bank Sepah, the first bank established in Iran, saw its online services disrupted in an apparent cyberattack. The semiofficial Fars news agency said that will likely cause a disruption at some gasoline stations. The hackers identified themselves as 'Gonjeshke Darande,' or 'Predatory Sparrow.' The group has claimed hacking a major steel mill in 2022 and disrupting gas stations in 2023. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Iran, long sanctioned by the West, has difficulties in getting up-to-date hardware and software, often relying on Chinese-manufactured electronics or older systems no longer being patched by manufacturers. Pirated versions of Windows and other software are common across Iran. Jordan's king says violence in Iran, Israel and Gaza is a 'threat to people everywhere' King Abdullah II condemned Israel's offensive on Iran in a speech to European Union parliamentarians on Tuesday in Strasbourg, France. 'There is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end,' he said. 'And that, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere.' Often interrupted by applause, the king said that 'consequences ripple across borders.' 'When our global community fails to bridge the gap between principle and action, when values are not practiced, they become performative, abstract and expendable,' he said. 'We are at another defining crossroad in our history, one that demands a choice, power or principle the rule of law or the rule of force, decline or renewal.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW More explosions in Tehran as group reports mounting death toll The sound of two explosions rang out across Tehran early on Tuesday afternoon. Black smoke rose from the northern part of the city, near Iranian state television headquarters and other government offices. There was no immediate acknowledgement from authorities of the attack. Meanwhile, Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group that monitors Iran, said it had counted at least 452 deaths and 646 people injured in Iran since the Israeli campaign started last Friday. The group crosschecks local reports in Iran against a network of sources it has developed in the country. US joining conflict would lead to 'broader conflict,' EU foreign policy chief The European Union's top diplomat said on Tuesday that the United States joining the conflict between Israel and Iran would 'drag the region into a broader conflict.' Kaja Kallas added that during a recent call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he had 'emphasized that it's also not in their interest to be drawn into this conflict.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Kallas said the foreign ministers of the 27-nation bloc, in a video conference meeting, agreed on a peaceful political resolution of the conflict in Gaza and between Israel and Iran . 'Ministers called on all sides to abide by international law, exercise restraint and avoid actions that could spiral out of control.' She said that 'all agreed the urgent need for de-escalation' and that 'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and diplomacy is the solution to prevent this.' Russian drone production not affected by conflict Russia makes the drones it uses in its war in Ukraine and is unlikely to be impacted immediately by the conflict in the Middle East, said David Albright, an expert on Russian and Iranian drones. The drones are made predominantly in the Alabuga plant in Russia's Tatarstan region and while Moscow initially bought a limited number of drones from Tehran, it later opened its own production facilities. Iran has 'decades of experience' building drones, Albright said, and Russia could suffer because it will not be able to get more 'advanced drone models' from Iran, which is likely to need them. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Trump rejects intelligence assessment on Iran nukes The Republican president insisted that Tehran was 'very close' to building a nuclear weapon despite congressional testimony from his top intelligence adviser earlier this year. Back in March, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that spy agencies have assessed that 'Iran is not building a nuclear weapon' and the country's supreme leader 'has not authorized the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003.' Trump dismissed that when speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during an overnight flight back to Washington after leaving the G7 summit early. 'I don't care what she said,' Trump said. 'I think they were very close to having it.' Trump not 'in the mood to negotiate' 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it's very simple,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One during his overnight flight back to Washington. He accused Iranian leaders of being unwilling to reach an agreement over their nuclear program, and suggested he was now less interested in talking with them. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'They should have done the deal. I told them, do the deal,' Trump said. 'So I don't know. I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate.' The Republican president, who said he plans to meet with advisers in the Situation Room, appears to be gradually building the public case for a more direct American role in the conflict. His shift in tone comes as the U.S. has repositioned warships and military aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict between Israel and Iran further escalates. Iran cancels leave for medical personnel In Tehran on Tuesday, placards and boards calling for a 'severe' response to Israel could be seen everywhere. Authorities cancelled leave and vacations for doctors and nurses as the attacks continue. Long lines could be seen at gas stations. European leaders push for de-escalation French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday night and then in the ensuing hours with the Iranian, British and German foreign ministers about the situation in the Mideast. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The French, British and German ministers passed on joint messages to the Iranian foreign minister about the need for a de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, according to a French diplomatic official. They urged Iran to return to negotiations as soon as possible, without conditions, the official said. They urged Iran to avoid any threats to Western interests, any extension of hostilities elsewhere in the region and any nuclear escalation including leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty, stopping cooperation with the IAEA or pursuing further enrichment, the official said. The ministers also passed along messages to Israel on the need to not target Iranian authorities, infrastructure and the civilian population, the official said. The official was not authorized to be publicly named in accordance with Foreign Ministry policy. Italy's Meloni reiterates negotiations with Iran Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed 'the opportunity to reopen the road of negotiations' with Iran during a bilateral meeting with President Trump on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in Canada, her office said in a statement Tuesday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW She also underlined 'the necessity in this moment' of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. More than 40 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid in Gaza At least 45 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while waiting for U.N. and commercial trucks to enter the territory with desperately needed food, according to Gaza's Health Ministry and a local hospital. The circumstances of the killings were not immediately clear. Palestinians say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds trying to reach food distribution points run by a separate U.S. and Israeli-backed aid group since the centers opened last month. Local health officials say scores have been killed and hundreds wounded. In those instances, the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots at people it said had approached its forces in a suspicious manner. Egypt, Jordan and others call for a halt to the conflict Twenty countries denounced in a joint statement the escalating tensions in the Middle East caused by what they term Israel's aggression against Iran and called for diplomacy and dialogue to restore stability in the region. 'There's an imperative need to halt Israeli hostilities against Iran, which come during a time of increasing tension in the Middle East, and to work towards de-escalation, to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and restoration of calm,' read the statement. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Foreign ministers of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, and Mauritania rejected finding resolution through military campaigns. Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the escalation. They also highlighted the importance of clearing the region of nuclear and mass destruction weapons and called for refraining from targeting nuclear facilities and protecting maritime navigation in international waters. India evacuates its citizens India has evacuated an unspecified number of students from Tehran amid rising tension in the region, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Some Indian nationals have also received assistance to leave Iran through the borders with Armenia, it added. Those who can afford transport on their own have been advised to evacuate as soon as possible. Israel says it killed high-ranking Iranian general Israel claimed Tuesday it killed another high-ranking Iranian general after decimating its military command. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Israeli military said it killed Gen. Ali Shadmani, who had just been named as the head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Iran did not immediately acknowledge Shadmani's death. Shadmani was a general in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
