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Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Who was Mohammad Reza Seddiqi Saber, Iran's top nuclear scientist killed in Israel strike?
Iran reportedly lost as many as 14 senior nuclear scientists in the strikes launched by Israel as the war in the Middle East finally reached a fragile ceasefire agreement. Among them was Mohammad Reza Seddiqi Saber, head of a unit engaged in nuclear projects, who was killed in an overnight Israeli strike in northern Iran, according to a BBC report citing Iranian officials and state TV. Saber was killed at his parents' home in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh, located in Gilan province. The deputy governor of Gilan said that four apartments were reduced to rubble by an explosion in a residential building. The 51-year-old was the head of the Shahid Karimi Group under Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (known by its Persian acronym, SPND), a unit working on explosives-related projects, according to the US State Department. He was associated with activities related to the research and testing of technologies applicable to nuclear explosive devices. Saber had been added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals list and was subject to secondary sanctions as well. Last month, the US had imposed sanctions on Saber, saying that he was 'linked to projects including research and testing applicable to the development of nuclear explosive devices.' Saber's 17-year-old son was also killed in an earlier round of strikes on June 13, AP reported. With scores killed and hundreds injured, the war has heightened fears of further escalation, after the US carried out strikes targeting three of Iran's key nuclear sites — Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow — two days ago. In retaliation, Iran targeted the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. The Israel-Iran war, the biggest military confrontation ever between the Middle East arch-foes, continued into its 12th day on Tuesday, with both nations launching missile strikes against each other despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel-Iran conflict: List of key events, June 20, 2025
Here's where things stand on Friday, June 20: Israel said on Friday that it had struck dozens of military targets in Iran overnight, including Tehran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, missile production sites and military facilities in western and central Iran. The Israeli military said it struck surface-to-air missile batteries in western Iran, killing a squad of Iranian soldiers on the move during the operation, including a commander of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the military to intensify attacks on 'symbols of the regime' and 'mechanisms of oppression' in the Iranian capital, Tehran, aiming to destabilise it. Air defence systems were activated in Bushehr in southern Iran, the location of the country's only operating nuclear power plant, according to the Young Journalists Club, cited by state broadcaster IRIB. Iran's IRGC said it had fired its 17th wave of missiles at Israeli military facilities, including the Nevatim and Hatzerim bases. Iran fired missiles at Beersheba in southern Israel, with initial Israeli media reports also pointing to missile impacts in Tel Aviv, the Negev and Haifa. Iran said that the 'precise hits' demonstrated 'our offensive missile power is growing'. The Fars news agency quoted an Iranian military spokesperson as saying Tehran's missile and drone attacks on Friday had used long-range and ultra-heavy missiles against Israeli military sites, defence industries and command and control attack on Tehran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, which it says is involved in Iran's alleged nuclear weapons development, killed a nuclear scientist, according to Israeli media reports. Iranian media reported that an industrial plant involved in the production of carbon fibre in northern Iran was damaged in an attack. Iran's health ministry said a third hospital in Tehran had been struck by Israeli bombs, according to state news agency IRNA. At least five people were injured when Israel hit a five-storey building in Tehran housing a bakery and a hairdresser's, Fars news agency reported. Iranian news outlet Asriran said that a drone attacked an apartment in a residential building in the Iranian capital's central Gisha district. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran, said that Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in the country. Israeli authorities had previously said 24 civilians had been killed in Iranian attacks. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said its teams were providing treatment to 17 people, three in serious condition, after Iran's strikes. Israeli railway officials told local media that, due to the Iranian missile strike on Beersheba, the city's north station was temporarily closed. Afghanistan's agriculture minister said his country was in discussions with Russia to import certain foodstuffs as the conflict between Israel and Iran, one of its largest trading partners, risked cutting off of thousands of people attended anti-Israel protest marches in Tehran, as well as other major Iranian cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and Qom. Demonstrators in southern Beirut, Lebanon held a pro-Iran rally after Friday prayers. Thousands of Iraqis gathered for Friday prayers in Baghdad's Sadr City, a suburb with a large Shia population, chanting against the US and Israel amid the attacks on Iran. Pro-Palestinian activists in the UK broke into the Royal Air Force Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire and damaged two President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was wrong to suggest there is no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. 'Well, my intelligence community is wrong,' he replied when asked about Gabbard's position. Trump also said that while he 'might' support a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran, 'Israel's doing well in terms of war, and I think you would say that Iran is doing less well'. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the only way to end the conflict was for Israel to stop its air attacks, warning that 'failure to do so would result in a far more forceful and regrettable response from Iran'. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in St Petersburg that Moscow was sharing ideas with 'our Israeli and Iranian friends' about how to end the bloodshed and said he believed there was a diplomatic solution. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new Iran-related sanctions aiming to disrupt Tehran's efforts to 'procure the sensitive, dual-use technology, components, and machinery that underpin the regime's ballistic missile, unmanned aerial vehicle, and asymmetric weapons programs'. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a phone conversation with Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide that Israel targeting economic facilities in Iran could lead to catastrophic regional and international repercussions. French President Emmanuel Macron said there was 'no justification' for strikes on civilians and on civilian infrastructure in the weeklong conflict, adding that Tehran should show its willingness to return to the negotiating table concerning its nuclear programme. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by state news agency TASS that potential use of tactical nuclear weapons by the US in Iran would be a catastrophic development. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran over a phone call, a German government spokesperson said. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said his country was working with Israeli authorities to arrange charter flights for British nationals from Tel Aviv when Ben Gurion International Airport reopens. The United Nations Security Council met at its headquarters in New York to discuss the situation between Iran and Israel. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Agency for Atomic Energy, warned against attacks on nuclear facilities at the meeting, saying a strike on the Bushehr nuclear plant could cause 'radioactive releases with great consequences' beyond Iran's borders. He called for 'maximum restraint'. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the meeting that expansion of the Israel-Iran conflict could 'ignite a fire no one can control', calling on both sides to 'give peace a chance'. Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani urged the Security Council to take action, saying the country was 'alarmed by credible report[s] that the United States … may be joining this war'. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, pledged at the UNSC that there would be no letup in attacks on Iran. 'Not until Iran's nuclear threat is dismantled, not until its war machine is disarmed, not until our people and yours are safe,' he said. Russia's envoy Vassily Nebenzia stressed that Israel attacked Iran on the eve of a round of nuclear talks and accused Israel of showing a blatant disregard for attempts to find a diplomatic solution to end the conflict. Iraq's representative to the UN, Abbas Kadhom Obaid al-Fatlawi, said 50 Israeli warplanes from the Syrian-Jordanian border areas violated Iraqi airspace shortly before the Security Council meeting. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended a meeting in Geneva with France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief, which appeared to yield no breakthrough. Araghchi told reporters in Geneva that Iran would be ready to consider diplomacy 'once the aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes committed'. Earlier, he accused Israel of a 'betrayal of diplomacy' in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters after the Geneva talks that Araghchi had signalled 'his willingness to continue these discussions on the nuclear programme and, more broadly, on all issues'. British Foreign Minister David Lammy said European ministers in Geneva had made it clear that 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon'. Germany's Defence Ministry said that it had flown 64 people out of Israel, describing the flights as a 'diplomatic pick-up' and not a military evacuation mission, which would have required parliamentary approval. Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Harris announced his country would temporarily relocate embassy personnel from Tehran 'in light of the deteriorating situation'. The UK said it was temporarily withdrawing staff from its embassy in Iran, saying the embassy continued to 'operate remotely'. Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said it had decided to temporarily close its embassy in Iran, citing intense military operations there. Australia also said it had suspended operations at its embassy in Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a 'crisis response team' was being sent to neighbouring Azerbaijan to support Australians departing Iran by road. Slovakia and the Czech Republic also announced the temporary closure of their embassies in Tehran. British police arrested eight men on Friday, including seven on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, following reports of an altercation involving pro and anti-Iranian protesters at a location close to the Iranian embassy in London.
The Age
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Australia urges diplomacy as deadly Israel-Iran strikes ramp up and Trump weighs US options
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has joined demands for Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program and come to the negotiating table within the two-week deadline set by US President Donald Trump on Friday as he decides whether to join Israel's strikes on the country. But as the Israel-Iran war entered its second week, more than 60 Israeli warplanes struck targets in Iran on Friday, including what Israel said were industrial sites used to produce missiles. Israel said it had also hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, which the US had previously linked to the possible development of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iran condemned Israel's strike on its Arak heavy-water reactor on Thursday, describing it as a violation of international protocols designed to protect nuclear sites. 'Any military attack on nuclear facilities is an assault on the entire IAEA safeguards regime and ultimately the NPT,' Iran's Foreign Minister Sayyid Abbas Araghchi posted on X. Loading In Israel, the emergency service said seven people suffered minor injuries when Iranian missiles hit a residential area in the south, causing damage to buildings. Separately, Israel accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians with cluster munitions, which disperse small bombs over a wide area. And Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon's Hezbollah to exercise caution, saying Israel's patience with 'terrorists' who threaten it had worn thin.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Israel, Iran launch strikes a week into their war as new diplomatic effort takes shape
Israel and Iran exchanged strikes a week into their war on Friday (June 20, 2025) as President Donald Trump weighed U.S. military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appeared to be underway. Mr. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. He said he'll decide within two weeks whether the U.S. military will get directly involved in the war given the 'substantial chance' for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to be en route to Geneva for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. A plane with his usual call sign took off from the Turkish city of Van, near the Iranian border, flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed. Iran typically acknowledges his departure hours afterward. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Before his flight, Araghchi said on Iranian state television that his country was 'not seeking negotiations with anyone' so long as Israel's attacks continued, underscoring the diplomatic challenges ahead. He also accused the US of being 'companions and collaborators' with Israel, noting that Trump regularly used 'we' in social media posts and interviews talking about the attacks on Iran. Israel says air campaign will target more sites Israel said it conducted airstrikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It did not elaborate on the locations. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. 'A week has passed since the operation began,' Israeli military spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin told reporters. 'We are strengthening our air control in the region and advancing our air offensive,' he said. 'We have more sites to strike in Tehran, western Iran and other places.' Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Damage from missiles in southern Israel In Israel, the paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-story building. They have provided medical treatment to five people with minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation, and anxiety, it said. This comes a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military 'has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,' Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would 'do what's best for America.' Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: 'I can tell you that they're already helping a lot.' The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multitiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. But it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. Israel is widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country with a nuclear weapons programme but has never acknowledged it. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict.
Mint
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Israel vs Iran Conflict: Over 60 Israeli fighter jets strike Tehran, destroy nuclear weapons project research centre
Israel vs Iran conflict: The Israeli military on Friday said it attacked dozens of targets in Tehran overnight using more than 60 fighter jets as the conflict between the two neighbouring foes entered its eighth day. Israel's military revealed the strike also targeted what it called a centre for 'research and development of Iran's nuclear weapons project'. '60+ fighter jets struck dozens of military targets in Iran using approximately 120 munitions,' the IDF said in a statement. The Israeli military further said in its statement that it had 'completed a series of strikes in the heart of Tehran: dozens of targets were struck, including military missile production sites and the SPND (Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research) headquarters for research and development of Iran's nuclear weapons project.' The Israeli military described the SNPD headquarters as a centre that 'is used for research and development of advanced technologies and weapons supporting the Iranian regime's military capabilities'. 'Among the targets were sites producing missile components and facilities manufacturing raw materials used in casting missile engines,' it added. The military also said it intercepted four UAVs launched from Iran overnight. In a separate statement, the army said on Friday it had hit 'three ready-to-launch missile launchers aimed at Israeli territory'. In another statement, the Israeli military said its fighter jets have struck 'several Iranian missile systems and radar installations in the areas of Isfahan and Tehran, which were intended to target IDF aircraft and disrupt their operations.' Earlier in the day, the IDF said in a post on X that sirens were sounding in southern Israel 'due to missile fire from Iran'. 'Sirens sounding in southern Israel due to missile fire from Iran,' it wrote. The conflict between Iran and Israel started after Tel Aviv launched a series of strikes against military and nuclear infrastructure in Iran under 'Operation Rising Lion' on June 13. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes and launched 'Operation True Promise III'. Since the military attacks started over a week ago, the UN nuclear watchdog has been reporting damage at several of these facilities, including at nuclear-related sites located in Natanz, Arak, Esfahan and Tehran, and their potential radiological effect.
