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Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel issues new evacuation warning in Iran; is a US strike on the cards? 10 key developments
Demonstrators wave Iranian and Hezbollah flags as one holds up a poster of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally marking the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP) As the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its seventh day, both countries continued to launch strikes against each other on Thursday. The Israeli military said early Thursday that it was carrying out a "series of strikes" in Tehran and other parts of Iran. The Israeli Air Force confirmed on X that it had begun "a wave of attacks in Tehran and other areas," but did not share details about the targets. These strikes came after Israel said it had intercepted a drone launched from Iran in the early hours of Thursday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was still deciding whether the United States would take part in Israel's military action. He said Iran had contacted the US to discuss possible talks at the White House, but may have waited too long. Warning near Arak Reactor Israel's military also issued a warning for people to leave the area around Iran's Arak heavy water reactor. The warning, posted on social media platform X, included a satellite image of the plant marked with a red circle, similar to other warnings that have come before earlier strikes. The Arak reactor is located about 250 kilometers southwest of Tehran. Heavy water is used to cool reactors and can create plutonium, which may be used in nuclear weapons if a country chooses that path instead of using enriched uranium. No details on targets yet While Israel confirmed it was continuing strikes around Tehran and other parts of Iran, it has not provided immediate details about the intended targets. US officials prepare for possible strike on Iran Senior US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The Bloomberg report said the situation remains fluid and could change. Some of the sources mentioned that a strike might take place over the weekend. Operation Sindhu: 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran Amid the ongoing conflict between the two regional powers in the Middle East, a flight carrying 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran landed in Delhi as part of Operation Sindhu. Earlier, as tensions escalated, Indian students in Tehran were moved out of the city. Through arrangements made by the Indian embassy on Tuesday, 110 of them crossed the border into Armenia under the same operation. 639 killed in Iran so far At least 639 people have been killed and 1,329 injured in Israeli strikes across Iran, according to a report released Thursday by the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said it had verified the deaths of 263 civilians and 154 members of the security forces. The figures cover the entire country. Human Rights Activists, which previously tracked casualties during the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini's death, said it cross-checks local Iranian reports with information from a network of sources inside the country. Iran has not been providing regular updates on casualties during the conflict. Its last report, released on Monday, stated that 224 people had been killed and 1,277 wounded. Trump on possible US role US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was still deciding whether the United States would take part in Israel's military action. He also said Iran had reached out to start talks. "I may do it, I may not do it," Trump told reporters. "I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate." Trump said Iran had even suggested sending officials to the White House to talk about its nuclear program in an attempt to stop the Israeli strikes. When asked if it was too late for talks, Trump responded: "Nothing is too late." In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump a "great friend" and thanked him "for the support of the United States in defending Israel's skies". Putin says 'Iranian friends' not asked for military help Iran has not requested military assistance from Russia during its ongoing air conflict with Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this," Putin was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP. Russia offers to mediate a deal Russian President on Wednesday also offered to help mediate an end to the conflict. He suggested that Moscow could assist in negotiating a settlement that would allow Iran to maintain a peaceful nuclear program while addressing Israel's security concerns. Speaking to reporters from international news agencies, Putin said, "It's a delicate issue," but added, "in my view, a solution could be found," news agency AP reported. When asked how Russia would respond if Israel were to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to answer. "I don't even want to discuss such a possibility," he said. Putin also said that Russia had shared its proposals with Iran, Israel, and the United States. "We are not imposing anything on anyone; we are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation. But the decision, of course, is up to the political leadership of all these countries, primarily Iran and Israel," he said. Khamenei says Iran won't surrender Moreover, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday in a speech broadcast on state TV: "This nation will never surrender." He added: "America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage." Earlier, Trump had said that the United States knows Khamenei's location but would not act against him "for now". Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Iran remained committed to 'diplomacy' but was acting in 'self-defence' in response to Israel's actions.
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Escalates Hunt for Mossad Spies Under Israeli Attack
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. Iranian authorities announced the arrest of several suspected Israeli Mossad operatives since Israel's strikes on military and nuclear sites as well as the execution of one formerly convicted spy, saying it was carrying out raids to counter foreign intelligence threats inside the country, Iranian state media reported. Newsweek has reached out to office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to the Iranian foreign ministry for comment. Why It Matters The announcement of intensified efforts against foreign spies come after Iran suffered heavy blows by Israeli forces, who eliminated the top of its military leadership as well as several nuclear scientists and struck its armed forces, its nuclear program and a number of other official sites. Demonstrators wave Iranian flags and hold posters of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike in Iraq in 2020, in front of a model of Jerusalem's Dome... Demonstrators wave Iranian flags and hold posters of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike in Iraq in 2020, in front of a model of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque during a rally marking the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad naming his successor, Ali, who is revered as the first Shiite imam, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 14, 2025. More Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know Two alleged Mossad spies were arrested in Tehran and were found in possession of large amounts of explosives and drone equipment, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday. In Alborz province, police said two were arrested a day earlier and accused them of producing explosives. Meanwhile on Sunday, a man identified as Esmaeil Fekri was hanged. Arrested in 2023, Fekri was charged with attempting to transmit information strategic site location and personnel details in communication with Mossad operatives, the agency reported. At least two more were executed on similar spying charges in 2025, the news agency said. Mossad agents deployed inside Iran planted explosive drones and launched precision strikes on missile defenses near Tehran to clear the way for Israeli jets ahead of the recent strikes, several media cited unnamed Israeli security officials as saying. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that agents smuggled parts for hundreds of explosive-laden quadcopter drones and unmanned munitions into Iran over several months, according to insiders. Days before the Israeli offensive, Iran said it had acquired classified documents on Israel's nuclear program, with Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh saying the move demonstrated Iran's "intelligence superiority" over Israel and praised Iranian "infiltration capabilities." "This brilliant victory... not only shattered the fabricated myth of Mossad but also dismantled the pretentious façade of the sinister Zionist regime's security structure, delivering yet another strong blow to its hollow hegemony," he was quoted as saying by IRNA. Iran did not release the documents as it threatened. What People Are Saying Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday: "We paved the way to Tehran and our pilots over the skies of Tehran will deal blows to the Ayatollah regime that they cannot even imagine." The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in statement Sunday, according to Tasnim News Agency: "This is just the beginning of the course of 'national revenge'. The Zionist regime must bear in mind that the era of unpunished crimes has ended." What Happens Next The conflict continues to escalate as Israel said it will carry on with strikes against Iran while Iran has vowed more missile attacks on Israel.
Boston Globe
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Israel and Iran trade strikes for a third day as nuclear talks are called off
Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed full support for Israel's actions while warning Iran that it can only avoid further destruction by agreeing to a new nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that if the Israeli strikes on Iran stop, then 'our responses will also stop.' Explosions in Tehran New explosions echoed across Tehran and were reported elsewhere in the country early Sunday, but there was no update to a death toll put out the day before by Iran's U.N. ambassador, who said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded. In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country's total death toll to 13. The country's main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day. Advertisement Israeli strikes targeted Iran's Defense Ministry early Sunday after hitting air defenses, military bases and sites associated with its nuclear program. The killing of several top generals and nuclear scientists in targeted strikes indicated that Israeli intelligence has penetrated Iran at the highest levels. Demonstrators carry posters of top Iranian commanders killed in Friday's Israeli strikes on Tehran, during the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, in Tehran, Iran, on June 14. Vahid Salemi/Associated Press Death toll mounts in Israel In Israel, at least six people, including a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old, were killed when a missile hit an apartment building in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Daniel Hadad, a local police commander, said 180 people were wounded and seven are still missing. An Associated Press reporter saw streets lined with damaged and destroyed buildings, bombed out cars and shards of glass. Responders used a drone at points to look for survivors. Some people could be seen leaving the area with suitcases. Another four people, including a 13-year-old, were killed and 24 wounded when a missile struck a building in the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel. A strike on the central city of Rehovot wounded 42. The Weizmann Institute of Science, an important center for research in Rehovot, said 'there were a number of hits to buildings on the campus.' It said no one was harmed. Israel has sophisticated multi-tiered air defenses that are able to detect and intercept missiles fired at populated areas or key infrastructure, but officials acknowledge it is imperfect. Urgent calls to deescalate World leaders made urgent calls to deescalate. The attack on nuclear sites set a 'dangerous precedent,' China's foreign minister said. The region is already on edge as Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where the war is still raging after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off such calls, saying Israel's strikes so far are 'nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days.' Israel, the sole though undeclared nuclear-armed state in the Middle East — said it launched the attack to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The two countries have been regional adversaries for decades. Iran has always said its nuclear program was peaceful, and the U.S. and others have assessed it has not pursued a weapon since 2003. But it has enriched ever larger stockpiles of uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent years and was believed to have been able to develop multiple weapons within months if it chose to do so. The U.N.'s atomic watchdog censured Iran last week for not complying with its obligations. Araghchi, Iran's top diplomat, said Israel had targeted an oil refinery near Tehran and another in the country's Bushehr province on the Persian Gulf. He said Iran had also targeted 'economic' sites in Israel, without elaborating. Araghchi was speaking to diplomats in his first public appearance since the initial Israeli strikes. Semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported that an Israeli drone strike had caused a 'strong explosion' at an Iranian natural-gas processing plant. Israel's military did not immediately comment. The extent of damage at the South Pars natural gas field was not immediately clear. Such sites have air defense systems around them, which Israel has been targeting. Israeli security forces inspect a destroyed building that was hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, early on June 15. Ohad Zwigenberg/Associated Press Iran calls nuclear talks 'unjustifiable' The Arab Gulf country of Oman, which has been mediating indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, said a sixth round planned for Sunday would not take place. Advertisement 'We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon,' a senior U.S. official said on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks. Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said Saturday that the nuclear talks were 'unjustifiable' after Israel's strikes, which he said were the 'result of the direct support by Washington.' In a post on his Truth Social account early Sunday, Trump reiterated that the U.S. was not involved in the attacks on Iran and warned that any retaliation directed against it would bring an American response 'at levels never seen before.' 'However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!' he wrote. 'More than a few weeks' to repair nuclear facilities In Iran, satellite photos analyzed by AP show extensive damage at Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. The images shot Saturday by Planet Labs PBC show multiple buildings damaged or destroyed. The structures hit include buildings identified by experts as supplying power to the facility. U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility was destroyed. The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged infrastructure there, he said. Israel also struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan. The International Atomic Energy Agency said four 'critical buildings' were damaged, including its uranium conversion facility. It said there was no sign of increased radiation at Natanz or Isfahan. An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with official procedures, said that according to the army's initial assessment 'it will take much more than a few weeks' for Iran to repair the damage to the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. The official said the army had 'concrete intelligence that production in Isfahan was for military purposes.' Advertisement Lidman and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Hamilton Spectator
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Photos of escalating Israel-Iran conflict
Iran launched a second night of missile attacks against Israel on Saturday as Israel continued to strike Tehran and other locations, following a major Israeli offensive targeting Iran's nuclear and military facilities. Israel warned of more attacks after Tehran fired waves of missiles and drones that killed three people and wounded dozens in Israel. Israelis sought refuge in bomb shelters and held blood drives as Iranians celebrated the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir and demonstrated against the Israeli attacks. Israel said hundreds of airstrikes against Iran over the past two days killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran's nuclear program, in addition to several top generals. Iran's U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Photos of escalating Israel-Iran conflict
Iran launched a second night of missile attacks against Israel on Saturday as Israel continued to strike Tehran and other locations, following a major Israeli offensive targeting Iran's nuclear and military facilities. Israel warned of more attacks after Tehran fired waves of missiles and drones that killed three people and wounded dozens in Israel. Israelis sought refuge in bomb shelters and held blood drives as Iranians celebrated the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir and demonstrated against the Israeli attacks. Israel said hundreds of airstrikes against Iran over the past two days killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran's nuclear program, in addition to several top generals. Iran's U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
