Iran reportedly willing to accept Trump’s meeting proposal, says NYT
According to the New York Times, citing a senior Iranian official, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reportedly willing to attend the proposed meeting, which aims to discuss a cease-fire with Israel.
Putin reaffirms neutrality on Iran-Israel conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public remarks on Iran since last Friday’s Israeli strikes, reaffirming Russia’s neutrality despite its close ties with Tehran. “Russia has presented settlement proposals to Iran, Israel, and the United States, but we are not forcing anything on anyone,” the Kremlin leader said.
Trump approved Iran strike plans but delays final decision
U.S. President Donald Trump informed top advisers on Tuesday night that he had approved military plans targeting Iran but decided to hold off on execution, giving Tehran a final chance to abandon its nuclear program, according to three sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Among the potential targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility — a heavily fortified site considered nearly impenetrable by military experts without the use of the most powerful bunker-busting bombs. Israel has not yet attempted to strike this location.
Berlin, Paris and London Plan Talks with Tehran on Friday in Geneva
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva for discussions on the nuclear issue, according to a German diplomatic source cited by Reuters.
According to this source, the European foreign ministers will first meet with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, at the German consulate in Geneva, before a joint meeting with the Iranian minister.
This format of discussions has been coordinated with the United States, the same source added.
The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday to address the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Council presidency announced.
An Iranian media outlet reported a temporary hacking of state television by Israel, as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a meeting on the Iran-Israel situation would be held 'within the hour,' noting that 'no final decision has been made yet.'
Trump also claimed that Iran was seeking to hold talks with the United States, adding, “I could do it.”
He further suggested that the collapse of Iran’s current leadership “could happen,” and said Israel was “doing pretty well” in the face of Iranian strikes. Trump also warned that, according to his intelligence, Iran was “just weeks away” from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran summons German ambassador over remarks supporting Israel, state TV reports.
Revolutionary Guards to Israelis: 'Die slowly or flee'
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have declared that “the skies over the occupied territories are open to Iran’s missiles and drones.” Addressing the Israeli public, they added: “You must choose between a slow death living a hellish life inside bunkers, or fleeing Israel.”
An Israeli strike targeted an area near the police headquarters in Tehran, according to Iranian state television.
Israel strikes Iranian anti-tank missile sites
The Israeli military said it struck multiple targets in Iran over the past 24 hours, including a site near Tehran used to produce and store hundreds of anti-tank missiles bound for Hezbollah. They also hit a centrifuge manufacturing facility and other missile production sites. Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin warned: “Our message is clear: if you try to rebuild your capabilities, you will be hit.” He added that despite limited barrages, “the Iranian regime still retains significant capabilities.”
Netanyahu thanks Trump for support
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump for his backing in the conflict with Iran.
Iran launches Sejjil missiles toward Israel
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it launched heavy, long-range Sejjil missiles targeting Israel.
Iran summons U.S. interests representative in Tehran
Iran has summoned Switzerland’s envoy to protest what it calls “provocative” statements by U.S. President Trump. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Tehran.
US Director of National Intelligence briefing on Iran postponed
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard has postponed Wednesday’s briefing before the Senate Intelligence Committee due to the ongoing crisis in Iran, a spokesperson for committee chair Senator Tom Cotton confirmed. “Given her high-level commitments and current developments in the Middle East, we’re working to schedule a new date soon,” the spokesperson added. The delay was first reported by Axios.
French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the Foreign Ministry to "facilitate the departure" of French citizens wishing to leave Iran or Israel, according to the Élysée Palace.
New Israeli strikes in western Iran
Later Wednesday evening, Israel launched another wave of strikes on surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran. Israeli aircraft continue to patrol these sites and are prepared to strike anyone attempting to recover munitions from previously hit locations, said Gen. Defrin, warning against any effort to rebuild terror capabilities in the region.
Iranian deputy foreign minister says Tehran will retaliate if the United States joins Israel’s war against Iran.
UN chief warns against 'any further military intervention'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned against "any further military intervention" in the conflict between iran and israel, saying it would have "enormous consequences" for the entire region, reports AFP.
"I strongly urge everyone to avoid any further internationalization of the conflict," he emphasized in a statement read by his spokesperson, who clarified that internationalization means "more countries involved" in the conflict, without naming any specifically.
⚡Iran fires hypersonic missiles at Israel, reports AFP and state television
Iran fired hypersonic missiles at Israel, Iran’s state television announced on the sixth day of the war between the two countries, AFP reports.
The Fattah hypersonic missiles "successfully penetrated the defenses of the Israeli regime," the television stated. Earlier, the Israeli military had reported detecting missile launches from Iran.
(Credit: Sarah Abdallah.)
Young people from Hermel demonstrated in front of the city’s Serail to express their solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran. They condemned the Israeli attacks and chanted slogans in support of Iran and Hezbollah, reported our correspondent in the Bekaa,
Iran imposes tighter internet restrictions, citing an 'intrusion' of its network by Israel, according to AFP.
Iran announced stricter internet controls, claiming that Israel had compromised its network for military purposes, as the conflict between the two countries entered its sixth day, AFP reports.
"Temporary restrictions have been imposed on users’ access to the internet," the Communications Ministry said, according to the Fars news agency, adding that the decision came in response to "the violation of the national communication network for military purposes by the aggressor."
Iran experiences 'near-total' internet outage amid Israeli strikes, says watchdog NetBlocks
Internet connectivity in Iran has dropped to an almost complete halt as Israeli airstrikes on the country intensify, according to London-based internet monitoring group NetBlocks. Live network data shows Iran is in the midst of a near-total national internet blackout, following several days of partial disruptions.
NetBlocks reported on X that the country has already faced a series of partial network outages in recent days before this sharp decline.
The internet shutdown severely restricts access to information and communication within Iran during the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about digital censorship and the public’s ability to stay informed.
⚡“A direct US intervention in the confrontation with the Zionist entity would mean that Hezbollah will take action,” a senior Iranian official said in a statement to Al Jazeera.
⚡Iran issues evacuation warning for Haifa amid escalating conflict
On the sixth day of intense fighting between Iran and Israel, Iranian state television reported that Tehran issued an evacuation warning to residents of the Israeli city of Haifa.
According to the broadcast, “A few minutes ago, an evacuation notice was issued to Zionist settlers in Haifa to protect them from Iranian missile attacks.” The warning was accompanied by a graphic showing the targeted area, with Hebrew text urging residents to "Please leave the reported area immediately."
The message added, “In the next few hours, armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will operate in this area... to attack the military infrastructure of the Zionist regime.”
This move marks a significant escalation in the conflict, signaling Iran’s intent to target key Israeli sites directly and heightening tensions in the region. Residents of Haifa have been put on high alert as the situation continues to evolve.
⚡ The Israeli army announces it has detected missile launches from Iran, reports AFP.
China tells Egypt it is 'deeply concerned' the Israel-Iran conflict could spiral out of control
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is "deeply concerned" that the conflict between Israel and Iran "could become uncontrollable."
"Israel’s actions, which disregard international law and international norms, have caused a sudden escalation in the Middle East, and China is also very concerned that the situation could spiral out of control," Wang told his Egyptian counterpart in a phone call, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
In another phone call with Oman’s foreign minister, Wang said the two countries "cannot stand by and watch the region slide into an unknown abyss," the ministry added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi tells Al-Jazeera: 'We have not sent a negotiation delegation to Oman.'
"I have not left Tehran at the head of a delegation — this information is inaccurate," he added.
Amnesty International urges protection for Iranian and Israeli civilians
Amnesty International warned that Iranian and Israeli civilians “must not pay the price” for what it calls an “irresponsible” war. The human rights organization called for all parties to avoid actions that would harm innocent people caught in the conflict.
Trump says his patience with Iran is 'run out'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday his patience has "run out" with Iran but added that it was not too late for negotiations.
Asked when his patience would run out, Trump told reporters: "It's already run out. That's why we're doing what we're doing."
When asked if it was too late for negotiations, he said: "Nothing is too late."
Iranian Red Crescent denies Israeli strike hit its facilities
The Iranian Red Crescent has denied reports that Israeli strikes targeted its installations. In a statement, the organization clarified that the strike hit a nearby area, not its buildings.
Iran has 'legitimate' right to defend itself against Israel, says Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that Iran has the "legitimate" right to defend itself against Israel’s bombing campaign, which entered its sixth day.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel's thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan stated, just a day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The conflict escalated last Friday when Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign targeting Iranian positions, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone attacks, including the deployment of hypersonic missiles.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey, via a post on X, of harboring "imperialist ambitions," particularly in Syria.
Three Iranian planes land in Oman
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, three official Iranian aircraft landed in Muscat, the capital of Oman, within the past hour.
The planes, which took off from southern Iran, reportedly include the presidential aircraft recently used by Masoud Pezeshkian.
The purpose of these flights remains unknown. No information has been released regarding a possible diplomatic mission to Oman.
US Senate Democrats request classified briefing on Israel-Iran situation
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has asked the Trump administration to provide all 100 senators with a classified briefing on the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, according to Reuters.
“We’ve already received briefings, but I’ve requested that a classified session be held for all senators,” Schumer said, adding that the request will likely be approved.
Hezbollah warns of regional explosion if US joins war against Iran
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc warned that "U.S. military involvement in the war against Iran would shift the context of the confrontation and risk triggering a widespread explosion across the region."
In a statement, the Shiite lawmakers strongly condemned "the war of aggression waged by the Zionist entity against Iran," expressing their solidarity with "Iran, its leadership, and its people in these critical and decisive moments."
They called for support of the Islamic Republic "in its defensive war against Israeli aggression" and affirmed their belief that "this unjust Zionist war will not shake Iran’s resolve and determination to defend its rights and sovereignty."
Iran’s UN mission rejects any negotiations under pressure
"No Iranian official has ever asked to kneel at the gates of the White House," the Iranian mission to the United Nations stated on X. "The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'neutralize' Iran’s Supreme Leader."
"Iran does NOT negotiate under pressure, does NOT accept peace under coercion, and certainly NOT with a disgraced warmonger trying to stay relevant," the mission added. "Iran will respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures."
Motorbike targeted by Israeli drone at eastern entrance of Barish
An Israeli drone targeted a motorbike near the eastern entrance of the town of Barish. Ambulances from Barish were dispatched to the scene, according to our correspondent in South Lebanon. Earlier, an Israeli drone had fired two missiles at an uninhabited house in the same town.
Trump on Iran: "Next week will be decisive — maybe even sooner"
"Remember the 60 days?" he said, referring to the deadline set for reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. "The 61st will become a very famous number. The first strike was really violent. It’s unsustainable [...] I don’t know how long this will last. They are totally defenseless. They have no air defense. We’ve completely taken control of the skies."
Trump also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He offered to act as a mediator," Trump said. "I told him: do me a favor, start by handling your own business. We’ll deal with that later." "We’ll see what happens. Nothing is over until it’s over," he added.
"War is very complex, many terrible things can happen, and there can be many twists and turns. I wouldn’t say we’ve won anything yet, but we’ve clearly made a lot of progress. Next week will be decisive — maybe even before." Speaking about the Iranian nuclear threat, he emphasized: "I’ve been saying this for 15 years — Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. And today, I believe it more than ever."
Trump remains vague on possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities
Asked whether the United States might strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to give a clear answer.
"I could do it. Or not. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do," he said.
He also claimed that the Iranians had made contact but added, "It’s very late to talk." "There’s a big difference between today and last week," he told reporters outside the White House.
Trump further stated that Iran had proposed coming to the White House for talks, without offering additional details. He also described Iran as a "completely defenseless" country, claiming it had "no air defenses."
Israel strikes headquarters of Iranian Red Crescent, according to Iranian media
Israeli army says it intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles launched from Iran
Since Thursday evening, around 400 missiles have been fired from Iran toward Israel, about twenty of which reached populated areas, according to the Israeli army. It also reported that approximately 1,000 drones were launched from Iran, with just over a hundred entering Israeli airspace. However, none of the drones hit their targets, the same source said.
Huge plume of white smoke in Tehran after new series of explosions
A massive plume of white smoke was seen over southeastern Tehran around 5:15 p.m. local time (1:45 p.m. GMT), following a new series of powerful explosions, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
The blasts come on the sixth day of the worst military confrontation between Iran and Israel. It was not immediately clear what target the Israeli military was aiming for.
Israel claims to have destroyed headquarters of Iran's Ministry of Interior Security
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israeli fighter jets had "destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s interior security — the central repressive arm of the Iranian dictator." He added that "the storm continues to strike Tehran."
Israeli army says it intercepted Iranian drone over the Golan
The Israeli army announced it had intercepted a drone originating from Iran after warning sirens were triggered in the southern Golan Heights.
"Following the sirens reporting a hostile aircraft infiltration, heard between 3:52 p.m. and 3:54 p.m. in the southern Golan, a UAV launched from Iran was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force," the army stated in a press release. It added that "the sirens sounded in accordance with standard protocol.
Only the 'Iranian people' can bring down the regime, says exiled opposition
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the exiled opposition to Tehran's government, has called for the overthrow of the regime "by the Iranian people and their resistance," as Israel carries out an unprecedented attack against the Islamic Republic, according to AFP.
"The solution to this war and this crisis lies in the overthrow of this regime and in regime change by the Iranian people and their resistance," said NCRI President Maryam Rajavi during a press conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, alongside a handful of MEPs.
Speculation is now growing over a possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict, following threats made Tuesday by Donald Trump against Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
But for Rajavi, the end of this theocratic regime "cannot come by appointing a king through England, as was done 100 years ago."
The Israeli army announced that it was attacking "military targets of the Iranian regime in the Tehran region."
New series of powerful explosions in eastern Tehran
A new series of powerful explosions was heard in Tehran around 3:50 p.m. (12:30 GMT), reported AFP, while at least five plumes of black smoke were visible in the eastern and southeastern districts of the Iranian capital.
It was not immediately clear which buildings had been targeted. A first series of detonations had been heard shortly before 3:30 p.m. local time.
Iran is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz, blocking the export of oil from the Persian Gulf, should the war escalate further, a source told Haaretz. Such a move would significantly increase the pressure on the U.S., and pose a serious crisis for the global oil market.
The narrow stretch of water located between the coasts of Iran and Oman is one of the most critical chokepoints in the world for the flow of oil.
Berlin calls on Iran to resume negotiations on its nuclear program
"It's never too late to return to the negotiating table if you come with honest intentions," said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a press briefing in Berlin. France, the UK and Germany — the European powers at the forefront of the issue — remain "ready to negotiate a solution" diplomatically with Iran, he added.
Putin says he is still ready to mediate
Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is still willing to mediate in the ongoing armed confrontation between Israel and Iran, a proposal made last week by Russia but so far unheeded, reported AFP.
"Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to offer mediation to move the dialogue forward," said the Kremlin in a statement recounting a call between the Russian president and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. According to the same source, Putin contacted several foreign leaders to propose mediation by Moscow. During the call with the Emirati leader, Putin stressed "the need for a halt to military operations as soon as possible and the activation of political-diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear program," according to the Kremlin.
Several explosions heard in Tehran, black smoke visible in the east of the city
A series of explosions of undetermined origin were heard in Tehran on Wednesday shortly before 3:30 pm (12:00 GMT), on the sixth day of military confrontation between Iran and Israel.
An AFP journalist also spotted a plume of black smoke rising into the sky from the eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
Israel's Home Front Command has eased restrictions for most of Israel, allowing workplaces to resume operations, with the exception of those in areas near Israel's eastern border and communities on the border with Gaza, as of Wednesday evening.
As part of these changes, workplaces with accessible bomb shelters can now resume operations and welcome their employees. In addition, gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, provided that a protected area can be reached quickly.
The UK has evacuated the families of its diplomatic staff from Israel due to the conflict with Iran, the British Foreign Office announced.
"Family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure. The Embassy and Consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals," the Foreign Office said on its website.
Poland evacuated around 160 people from Israel on Wednesday, due to the conflict with Iran, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced, adding that another plane was due to repatriate dozens of other nationals on Thursday. "The first group of Poles just landed in Warsaw." They arrived in Poland via Egypt, "tomorrow they will take another flight," Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted on X.
Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys said the plane had taken on around 160 people, most of them Polish nationals, including young children. "There will be another flight tomorrow and this plane will take off from Amman ... there will be 65 people on board, and this time they will only be Polish citizens," she added.
As for Iran, some employees of the Polish Embassy in Iran are also being repatriated, as well as a few Polish nationals, she said. Moscicka-Dendys said that they were currently traveling from Tehran to Azerbaijan.
Iranian police spokesperson Said Montazerolmahdi said he had identified drone manufacturing workshops and seized 14 devices and transport vehicles in several provinces of Iran, according to ILNA, the Iranian workers' news agency.
Iran will share images of the captured Israeli F-35 pilots "soon," according to the Tehran Times, quoted by Arab News.
The Iranian authorities announced on Friday that two Israeli fighter pilots, including one woman, were in custody — information that Israel.
Russia warned U.S. against military aid to Israel, Interfax agency reported.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov has warned that direct U.S. military aid to Israel could radically destabilize the situation in the Middle East.
Riabkov, quoted by the Interfax news agency via Reuters, said Russia was warning the U.S. against providing such assistance to Israel, or even considering it. He said Moscow was in contact with Israel and Iran.
Khamenei in response to Trump's threats: Those who know Iran's history know that Iranians do not react well to threats.
Khamenei: Iran will not accept war or peace being imposed on it.
Khamenei to U.S.: Iran will not surrender and any U.S. strike will have serious and irreparable consequences.
In his first televised address since the start of the war, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that Israel had made a huge mistake and would be punished for it. In statements published by the Mehr News Agency and picked up by Reuters, Ayatollah Khamenei further asserted that "the people will not forget the blood of the 'martyrs' or the attack on their territory."
Israeli army says it struck five helicopter gunships in Kermanshah
"The Israeli Air Force identified and attacked five helicopter gunships at a military base in the Kermanshah region," according to the Israeli army's X account. "Throughout the morning, Air Force aircraft continued to fly over Iranian skies to locate targets to strike," the message read, emphasizing that the bombed aircraft were "AH-1 type" used to attack Israeli aircraft.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has declared that Israel's operation in Iran will continue until it achieves all its objectives.
"There are no negotiations. The operation will continue until we have achieved our objectives," Saar said at a briefing with foreign ambassadors at the impact site of an Iranian missile in the central Israeli city of Bat Yam, according to Haaretz.
"The Iranian regime is deliberately targeting population centers and murdering civilians. It is making a mistake. It doesn't understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion in Iran," he added.
The Emir of Qatar received a letter from Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said, without revealing its content.
Qatar is among the countries that have asked Washington to put pressure on Israel to agree to a cease-fire and resume negotiations with Tehran on a nuclear deal, a source told Reuters on Monday.
Two Iranian centrifuge production facilities have been affected, IAEA confirmed.
The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it received information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran — the TESA workshop in Karaj and the Tehran research centre — had been hit, according to Reuters.
Two buildings were destroyed at the Karaj site, where various centrifuge components were being manufactured. At the Tehran site, one building was hit, where advanced centrifuge rotors were being manufactured and tested.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army said that 50 air force fighter jets had attacked a facility used to manufacture centrifuges in Tehran, and a facility used to produce raw materials and components for the assembly of surface-to-surface missiles.
Iran has a "legitimate" right to defend itself from Israel's attacks, said Erdogan.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is due to speak on television "in a few minutes," the official Irna news agency said in a brief statement.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ultimate decision-maker who has been in power since 1989, has not spoken publicly since the start of the conflict on Friday, apart from a message published on X.
Iran told Washington that it will respond firmly to the U.S. if it becomes directly involved in Israel's military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva said.
Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, told reporters that he considered the U.S. to be "complicit" in what Israel's actions.
The Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, affirmed that Israel's energy sector is operating "normally," reported Reuters.
WhatsApp denied passing on the personal data of its Iranian users to Israel, fearing that its messaging service could be blocked after Iranian calls to abandon the application, on the sixth day of the war between Israel and Iran.
Iranian state television on Tuesday called on the population to "delete the WhatsApp application from their mobile phones," on the grounds that it collects personal data, including the location of users, and "passes it on to the Zionist enemy."
"We are concerned that these false reports could be used as an excuse to block our services, at a time when people need them most," a spokesperson for WhatsApp, owned by the Meta group, responded in a statement. "All the messages you send to your family and friends on WhatsApp are encrypted end-to-end, which means that no one, apart from the sender and the recipient, has access to these messages, not even WhatsApp," he said.
Read more here.
The Israeli army announced the downing of one of its drones in Iran. "During an operation, surface-to-air missiles were fired at a remotely piloted air force aircraft. The aircraft fell into Iranian airspace. There were no casualties and no concerns of information leaks," the Israeli army wrote on X.
Greece repatriated 105 of its nationals from Israel on Wednesday, along with an unspecified number of U.S. and European nationals fleeing the Israel-Iran conflict, the Greek Foreign Ministry announced.
"The operation to repatriate 105 Greek citizens and members of their families from Israel was successfully and safely completed," the ministry said in a statement.
Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, said the situation regarding its nuclear facilities was "good," according to Fars News reports reported by Reuters.
The Israeli army announced around 10:40 a.m. Beirut time that it was launching a new wave of attacks in the Tehran region, Reuters reported.
China says it has evacuated nearly 800 citizens from Iran since Israel launched its military operation there, killing several hundred.
"Thanks to the organization and coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... and with the active assistance and support of neighboring countries, 791 Chinese citizens have already been transferred from Iran to safe areas, and more than 1,000 people are being evacuated," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.
Israel lacks Arrow interceptor missiles, U.S. official tell Wall Street Journal .
A report published by the American media outlet indicates that Israel is running out of Arrow interceptor missiles, which were used to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. The Pentagon has deployed additional defenses in the region and there are now fears that the U.S. may also be depleting its own interceptor missiles, according to the WSJ.
“Neither the United States nor the Israelis can continue to intercept missiles all day long,” Tom Karako, director of the missile defense project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the WSJ. “The Israelis and their supporters must deliberately hasten to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit back and play cat and mouse.” Israel Aerospace Industries, which produces the interceptors, declined to comment on “ammunition-related issues.”
Israeli airstrikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people since the night of June 12-13, according to the Washington-based organization Human Rights Activists, cited by the AP news agency. Another 1,326 people have been injured. The organization says it has identified 239 of those killed as civilians, while 126 others belong to the security forces and various military units.
The organization, which made a name for itself by providing figures on victims of repression during the 2022 protests in Iran, says it cross-references local information in Iran with a network of its own sources in the country.
Iran does not regularly publish death tolls during the conflict and has previously downplayed casualties. The latest official figures, released Monday, put the death toll at 224 and the number of injured at 1,277.
Families of Russian diplomats have left Israeli territory, the Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, announced on Wednesday.
"Virtually all the wives and children of embassy employees" left Tuesday via Egypt "to return to their homeland," Viktorov said live on the online program Soloviev.live. Nor did he rule out the possibility that the Russian embassy could be moved "to a more secure location without leaving Israel."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Israel is destroying the "symbols of the Iranian regime" on his X account. A "tornado" is passing over Tehran, he added. "Government symbols are being bombed and destroyed, from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets, while the population flees. This is how a dictatorship falls."
The first flight — repatriating Israelis stranded abroad due to the cancellation of flights after the war started — landed this morning at an airport near Tel Aviv, airport authorities announced.
"Just a short while ago, the first flight of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport," said a statement, adding that the flight had been operated by the national airline El Al and was bringing passengers back from Larnaca, Cyprus. Transport Minister Miri Regev, who initiated the operation, and other officials welcomed the passengers on arrival.
Strikes have killed civilians on both sides in urban areas: 224 in Iran, according to the latest official report on Sunday, and 24 so far in Israel, according to the government.
The U.S., an ally of Israel, knows "exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding" but is not intending to "take him out (kill!)" him, "at least for now," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, claiming they had full control of Iranian airspace. "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!", he wrote later.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that killing Ayatollah Khamenei would put an "end to the conflict," and called on Iranians to rise up, while French President Emmanuel Macron said that "regime change" in Iran would mean "chaos".
U.S. President Donald Trump asserted yesterday that his country could easily kill Iran's Supreme Leader. The statement comes amid mounting speculation about possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict Israel opened on Friday with the stated aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump, who had relaunched negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear program in April, convened a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
The Israeli army claimed in a statement that "more than 50 aircraft" had struck "a centrifuge production facility in Tehran" during the night, as well as "several weapons manufacturing sites" including facilities for the production of raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles."
Iran's Mehr News Agency posted a video on X showing numerous red streaks and explosions in the capital's night sky.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Israeli forces temporarily triggered an air alert after detecting Iranian projectiles in flight. Around 10 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, most of which were intercepted, a military official said. The Israeli army also announced it had intercepted two drones in the Dead Sea region early on Wednesday.
The Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic's armed forces, said they fired Fattah-1 intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missiles, according to state television.
On Tuesday night, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised on X a "strong response to the Zionist terrorist regime," stressing that they would show "now mercy."
Iran also announced "punitive" attacks against Israel, calling on residents of the major cities Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate.
☕️ Read the Morning Brief to catch up on what happened yesterday and what to look out for today.
Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of the war between Israel and Iran.
Iran reportedly willing to accept Trump’s meeting proposal, says NYT
According to the New York Times, citing a senior Iranian official, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reportedly willing to attend the proposed meeting, which aims to discuss a cease-fire with Israel.
Putin reaffirms neutrality on Iran-Israel conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public remarks on Iran since last Friday’s Israeli strikes, reaffirming Russia’s neutrality despite its close ties with Tehran. “Russia has presented settlement proposals to Iran, Israel, and the United States, but we are not forcing anything on anyone,” the Kremlin leader said.
Trump approved Iran strike plans but delays final decision
U.S. President Donald Trump informed top advisers on Tuesday night that he had approved military plans targeting Iran but decided to hold off on execution, giving Tehran a final chance to abandon its nuclear program, according to three sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Among the potential targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility — a heavily fortified site considered nearly impenetrable by military experts without the use of the most powerful bunker-busting bombs. Israel has not yet attempted to strike this location.
Berlin, Paris and London Plan Talks with Tehran on Friday in Geneva
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva for discussions on the nuclear issue, according to a German diplomatic source cited by Reuters.
According to this source, the European foreign ministers will first meet with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, at the German consulate in Geneva, before a joint meeting with the Iranian minister.
This format of discussions has been coordinated with the United States, the same source added.
The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday to address the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Council presidency announced.
An Iranian media outlet reported a temporary hacking of state television by Israel, as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a meeting on the Iran-Israel situation would be held 'within the hour,' noting that 'no final decision has been made yet.'
Trump also claimed that Iran was seeking to hold talks with the United States, adding, “I could do it.”
He further suggested that the collapse of Iran’s current leadership “could happen,” and said Israel was “doing pretty well” in the face of Iranian strikes. Trump also warned that, according to his intelligence, Iran was “just weeks away” from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran summons German ambassador over remarks supporting Israel, state TV reports.
Revolutionary Guards to Israelis: 'Die slowly or flee'
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have declared that “the skies over the occupied territories are open to Iran’s missiles and drones.” Addressing the Israeli public, they added: “You must choose between a slow death living a hellish life inside bunkers, or fleeing Israel.”
An Israeli strike targeted an area near the police headquarters in Tehran, according to Iranian state television.
Israel strikes Iranian anti-tank missile sites
The Israeli military said it struck multiple targets in Iran over the past 24 hours, including a site near Tehran used to produce and store hundreds of anti-tank missiles bound for Hezbollah. They also hit a centrifuge manufacturing facility and other missile production sites. Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin warned: “Our message is clear: if you try to rebuild your capabilities, you will be hit.” He added that despite limited barrages, “the Iranian regime still retains significant capabilities.”
Netanyahu thanks Trump for support
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump for his backing in the conflict with Iran.
Iran launches Sejjil missiles toward Israel
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it launched heavy, long-range Sejjil missiles targeting Israel.
Iran summons U.S. interests representative in Tehran
Iran has summoned Switzerland’s envoy to protest what it calls “provocative” statements by U.S. President Trump. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Tehran.
US Director of National Intelligence briefing on Iran postponed
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard has postponed Wednesday’s briefing before the Senate Intelligence Committee due to the ongoing crisis in Iran, a spokesperson for committee chair Senator Tom Cotton confirmed. “Given her high-level commitments and current developments in the Middle East, we’re working to schedule a new date soon,” the spokesperson added. The delay was first reported by Axios.
French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the Foreign Ministry to "facilitate the departure" of French citizens wishing to leave Iran or Israel, according to the Élysée Palace.
New Israeli strikes in western Iran
Later Wednesday evening, Israel launched another wave of strikes on surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran. Israeli aircraft continue to patrol these sites and are prepared to strike anyone attempting to recover munitions from previously hit locations, said Gen. Defrin, warning against any effort to rebuild terror capabilities in the region.
Iranian deputy foreign minister says Tehran will retaliate if the United States joins Israel’s war against Iran.
UN chief warns against 'any further military intervention'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned against "any further military intervention" in the conflict between iran and israel, saying it would have "enormous consequences" for the entire region, reports AFP.
"I strongly urge everyone to avoid any further internationalization of the conflict," he emphasized in a statement read by his spokesperson, who clarified that internationalization means "more countries involved" in the conflict, without naming any specifically.
⚡Iran fires hypersonic missiles at Israel, reports AFP and state television
Iran fired hypersonic missiles at Israel, Iran’s state television announced on the sixth day of the war between the two countries, AFP reports.
The Fattah hypersonic missiles "successfully penetrated the defenses of the Israeli regime," the television stated. Earlier, the Israeli military had reported detecting missile launches from Iran.
(Credit: Sarah Abdallah.)
Young people from Hermel demonstrated in front of the city’s Serail to express their solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran. They condemned the Israeli attacks and chanted slogans in support of Iran and Hezbollah, reported our correspondent in the Bekaa,
Iran imposes tighter internet restrictions, citing an 'intrusion' of its network by Israel, according to AFP.
Iran announced stricter internet controls, claiming that Israel had compromised its network for military purposes, as the conflict between the two countries entered its sixth day, AFP reports.
"Temporary restrictions have been imposed on users’ access to the internet," the Communications Ministry said, according to the Fars news agency, adding that the decision came in response to "the violation of the national communication network for military purposes by the aggressor."
Iran experiences 'near-total' internet outage amid Israeli strikes, says watchdog NetBlocks
Internet connectivity in Iran has dropped to an almost complete halt as Israeli airstrikes on the country intensify, according to London-based internet monitoring group NetBlocks. Live network data shows Iran is in the midst of a near-total national internet blackout, following several days of partial disruptions.
NetBlocks reported on X that the country has already faced a series of partial network outages in recent days before this sharp decline.
The internet shutdown severely restricts access to information and communication within Iran during the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about digital censorship and the public’s ability to stay informed.
⚡“A direct US intervention in the confrontation with the Zionist entity would mean that Hezbollah will take action,” a senior Iranian official said in a statement to Al Jazeera.
⚡Iran issues evacuation warning for Haifa amid escalating conflict
On the sixth day of intense fighting between Iran and Israel, Iranian state television reported that Tehran issued an evacuation warning to residents of the Israeli city of Haifa.
According to the broadcast, “A few minutes ago, an evacuation notice was issued to Zionist settlers in Haifa to protect them from Iranian missile attacks.” The warning was accompanied by a graphic showing the targeted area, with Hebrew text urging residents to "Please leave the reported area immediately."
The message added, “In the next few hours, armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will operate in this area... to attack the military infrastructure of the Zionist regime.”
This move marks a significant escalation in the conflict, signaling Iran’s intent to target key Israeli sites directly and heightening tensions in the region. Residents of Haifa have been put on high alert as the situation continues to evolve.
⚡ The Israeli army announces it has detected missile launches from Iran, reports AFP.
China tells Egypt it is 'deeply concerned' the Israel-Iran conflict could spiral out of control
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is "deeply concerned" that the conflict between Israel and Iran "could become uncontrollable."
"Israel’s actions, which disregard international law and international norms, have caused a sudden escalation in the Middle East, and China is also very concerned that the situation could spiral out of control," Wang told his Egyptian counterpart in a phone call, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
In another phone call with Oman’s foreign minister, Wang said the two countries "cannot stand by and watch the region slide into an unknown abyss," the ministry added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi tells Al-Jazeera: 'We have not sent a negotiation delegation to Oman.'
"I have not left Tehran at the head of a delegation — this information is inaccurate," he added.
Amnesty International urges protection for Iranian and Israeli civilians
Amnesty International warned that Iranian and Israeli civilians “must not pay the price” for what it calls an “irresponsible” war. The human rights organization called for all parties to avoid actions that would harm innocent people caught in the conflict.
Trump says his patience with Iran is 'run out'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday his patience has "run out" with Iran but added that it was not too late for negotiations.
Asked when his patience would run out, Trump told reporters: "It's already run out. That's why we're doing what we're doing."
When asked if it was too late for negotiations, he said: "Nothing is too late."
Iranian Red Crescent denies Israeli strike hit its facilities
The Iranian Red Crescent has denied reports that Israeli strikes targeted its installations. In a statement, the organization clarified that the strike hit a nearby area, not its buildings.
Iran has 'legitimate' right to defend itself against Israel, says Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that Iran has the "legitimate" right to defend itself against Israel’s bombing campaign, which entered its sixth day.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel's thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan stated, just a day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The conflict escalated last Friday when Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign targeting Iranian positions, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone attacks, including the deployment of hypersonic missiles.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey, via a post on X, of harboring "imperialist ambitions," particularly in Syria.
Three Iranian planes land in Oman
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, three official Iranian aircraft landed in Muscat, the capital of Oman, within the past hour.
The planes, which took off from southern Iran, reportedly include the presidential aircraft recently used by Masoud Pezeshkian.
The purpose of these flights remains unknown. No information has been released regarding a possible diplomatic mission to Oman.
US Senate Democrats request classified briefing on Israel-Iran situation
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has asked the Trump administration to provide all 100 senators with a classified briefing on the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, according to Reuters.
“We’ve already received briefings, but I’ve requested that a classified session be held for all senators,” Schumer said, adding that the request will likely be approved.
Hezbollah warns of regional explosion if US joins war against Iran
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc warned that "U.S. military involvement in the war against Iran would shift the context of the confrontation and risk triggering a widespread explosion across the region."
In a statement, the Shiite lawmakers strongly condemned "the war of aggression waged by the Zionist entity against Iran," expressing their solidarity with "Iran, its leadership, and its people in these critical and decisive moments."
They called for support of the Islamic Republic "in its defensive war against Israeli aggression" and affirmed their belief that "this unjust Zionist war will not shake Iran’s resolve and determination to defend its rights and sovereignty."
Iran’s UN mission rejects any negotiations under pressure
"No Iranian official has ever asked to kneel at the gates of the White House," the Iranian mission to the United Nations stated on X. "The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'neutralize' Iran’s Supreme Leader."
"Iran does NOT negotiate under pressure, does NOT accept peace under coercion, and certainly NOT with a disgraced warmonger trying to stay relevant," the mission added. "Iran will respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures."
Motorbike targeted by Israeli drone at eastern entrance of Barish
An Israeli drone targeted a motorbike near the eastern entrance of the town of Barish. Ambulances from Barish were dispatched to the scene, according to our correspondent in South Lebanon. Earlier, an Israeli drone had fired two missiles at an uninhabited house in the same town.
Trump on Iran: "Next week will be decisive — maybe even sooner"
"Remember the 60 days?" he said, referring to the deadline set for reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. "The 61st will become a very famous number. The first strike was really violent. It’s unsustainable [...] I don’t know how long this will last. They are totally defenseless. They have no air defense. We’ve completely taken control of the skies."
Trump also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He offered to act as a mediator," Trump said. "I told him: do me a favor, start by handling your own business. We’ll deal with that later." "We’ll see what happens. Nothing is over until it’s over," he added.
"War is very complex, many terrible things can happen, and there can be many twists and turns. I wouldn’t say we’ve won anything yet, but we’ve clearly made a lot of progress. Next week will be decisive — maybe even before." Speaking about the Iranian nuclear threat, he emphasized: "I’ve been saying this for 15 years — Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. And today, I believe it more than ever."
Trump remains vague on possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities
Asked whether the United States might strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to give a clear answer.
"I could do it. Or not. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do," he said.
He also claimed that the Iranians had made contact but added, "It’s very late to talk." "There’s a big difference between today and last week," he told reporters outside the White House.
Trump further stated that Iran had proposed coming to the White House for talks, without offering additional details. He also described Iran as a "completely defenseless" country, claiming it had "no air defenses."
Israel strikes headquarters of Iranian Red Crescent, according to Iranian media
Israeli army says it intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles launched from Iran
Since Thursday evening, around 400 missiles have been fired from Iran toward Israel, about twenty of which reached populated areas, according to the Israeli army. It also reported that approximately 1,000 drones were launched from Iran, with just over a hundred entering Israeli airspace. However, none of the drones hit their targets, the same source said.
Huge plume of white smoke in Tehran after new series of explosions
A massive plume of white smoke was seen over southeastern Tehran around 5:15 p.m. local time (1:45 p.m. GMT), following a new series of powerful explosions, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
The blasts come on the sixth day of the worst military confrontation between Iran and Israel. It was not immediately clear what target the Israeli military was aiming for.
Israel claims to have destroyed headquarters of Iran's Ministry of Interior Security
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israeli fighter jets had "destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s interior security — the central repressive arm of the Iranian dictator." He added that "the storm continues to strike Tehran."
Israeli army says it intercepted Iranian drone over the Golan
The Israeli army announced it had intercepted a drone originating from Iran after warning sirens were triggered in the southern Golan Heights.
"Following the sirens reporting a hostile aircraft infiltration, heard between 3:52 p.m. and 3:54 p.m. in the southern Golan, a UAV launched from Iran was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force," the army stated in a press release. It added that "the sirens sounded in accordance with standard protocol.
Only the 'Iranian people' can bring down the regime, says exiled opposition
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the exiled opposition to Tehran's government, has called for the overthrow of the regime "by the Iranian people and their resistance," as Israel carries out an unprecedented attack against the Islamic Republic, according to AFP.
"The solution to this war and this crisis lies in the overthrow of this regime and in regime change by the Iranian people and their resistance," said NCRI President Maryam Rajavi during a press conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, alongside a handful of MEPs.
Speculation is now growing over a possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict, following threats made Tuesday by Donald Trump against Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
But for Rajavi, the end of this theocratic regime "cannot come by appointing a king through England, as was done 100 years ago."
The Israeli army announced that it was attacking "military targets of the Iranian regime in the Tehran region."
New series of powerful explosions in eastern Tehran
A new series of powerful explosions was heard in Tehran around 3:50 p.m. (12:30 GMT), reported AFP, while at least five plumes of black smoke were visible in the eastern and southeastern districts of the Iranian capital.
It was not immediately clear which buildings had been targeted. A first series of detonations had been heard shortly before 3:30 p.m. local time.
Iran is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz, blocking the export of oil from the Persian Gulf, should the war escalate further, a source told Haaretz. Such a move would significantly increase the pressure on the U.S., and pose a serious crisis for the global oil market.
The narrow stretch of water located between the coasts of Iran and Oman is one of the most critical chokepoints in the world for the flow of oil.
Berlin calls on Iran to resume negotiations on its nuclear program
"It's never too late to return to the negotiating table if you come with honest intentions," said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a press briefing in Berlin. France, the UK and Germany — the European powers at the forefront of the issue — remain "ready to negotiate a solution" diplomatically with Iran, he added.
Putin says he is still ready to mediate
Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is still willing to mediate in the ongoing armed confrontation between Israel and Iran, a proposal made last week by Russia but so far unheeded, reported AFP.
"Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to offer mediation to move the dialogue forward," said the Kremlin in a statement recounting a call between the Russian president and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. According to the same source, Putin contacted several foreign leaders to propose mediation by Moscow. During the call with the Emirati leader, Putin stressed "the need for a halt to military operations as soon as possible and the activation of political-diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear program," according to the Kremlin.
Several explosions heard in Tehran, black smoke visible in the east of the city
A series of explosions of undetermined origin were heard in Tehran on Wednesday shortly before 3:30 pm (12:00 GMT), on the sixth day of military confrontation between Iran and Israel.
An AFP journalist also spotted a plume of black smoke rising into the sky from the eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
Israel's Home Front Command has eased restrictions for most of Israel, allowing workplaces to resume operations, with the exception of those in areas near Israel's eastern border and communities on the border with Gaza, as of Wednesday evening.
As part of these changes, workplaces with accessible bomb shelters can now resume operations and welcome their employees. In addition, gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, provided that a protected area can be reached quickly.
The UK has evacuated the families of its diplomatic staff from Israel due to the conflict with Iran, the British Foreign Office announced.
"Family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure. The Embassy and Consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals," the Foreign Office said on its website.
Poland evacuated around 160 people from Israel on Wednesday, due to the conflict with Iran, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced, adding that another plane was due to repatriate dozens of other nationals on Thursday. "The first group of Poles just landed in Warsaw." They arrived in Poland via Egypt, "tomorrow they will take another flight," Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted on X.
Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys said the plane had taken on around 160 people, most of them Polish nationals, including young children. "There will be another flight tomorrow and this plane will take off from Amman ... there will be 65 people on board, and this time they will only be Polish citizens," she added.
As for Iran, some employees of the Polish Embassy in Iran are also being repatriated, as well as a few Polish nationals, she said. Moscicka-Dendys said that they were currently traveling from Tehran to Azerbaijan.
Iranian police spokesperson Said Montazerolmahdi said he had identified drone manufacturing workshops and seized 14 devices and transport vehicles in several provinces of Iran, according to ILNA, the Iranian workers' news agency.
Iran will share images of the captured Israeli F-35 pilots "soon," according to the Tehran Times, quoted by Arab News.
The Iranian authorities announced on Friday that two Israeli fighter pilots, including one woman, were in custody — information that Israel.
Russia warned U.S. against military aid to Israel, Interfax agency reported.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov has warned that direct U.S. military aid to Israel could radically destabilize the situation in the Middle East.
Riabkov, quoted by the Interfax news agency via Reuters, said Russia was warning the U.S. against providing such assistance to Israel, or even considering it. He said Moscow was in contact with Israel and Iran.
Khamenei in response to Trump's threats: Those who know Iran's history know that Iranians do not react well to threats.
Khamenei: Iran will not accept war or peace being imposed on it.
Khamenei to U.S.: Iran will not surrender and any U.S. strike will have serious and irreparable consequences.
In his first televised address since the start of the war, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that Israel had made a huge mistake and would be punished for it. In statements published by the Mehr News Agency and picked up by Reuters, Ayatollah Khamenei further asserted that "the people will not forget the blood of the 'martyrs' or the attack on their territory."
Israeli army says it struck five helicopter gunships in Kermanshah
"The Israeli Air Force identified and attacked five helicopter gunships at a military base in the Kermanshah region," according to the Israeli army's X account. "Throughout the morning, Air Force aircraft continued to fly over Iranian skies to locate targets to strike," the message read, emphasizing that the bombed aircraft were "AH-1 type" used to attack Israeli aircraft.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has declared that Israel's operation in Iran will continue until it achieves all its objectives.
"There are no negotiations. The operation will continue until we have achieved our objectives," Saar said at a briefing with foreign ambassadors at the impact site of an Iranian missile in the central Israeli city of Bat Yam, according to Haaretz.
"The Iranian regime is deliberately targeting population centers and murdering civilians. It is making a mistake. It doesn't understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion in Iran," he added.
The Emir of Qatar received a letter from Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said, without revealing its content.
Qatar is among the countries that have asked Washington to put pressure on Israel to agree to a cease-fire and resume negotiations with Tehran on a nuclear deal, a source told Reuters on Monday.
Two Iranian centrifuge production facilities have been affected, IAEA confirmed.
The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it received information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran — the TESA workshop in Karaj and the Tehran research centre — had been hit, according to Reuters.
Two buildings were destroyed at the Karaj site, where various centrifuge components were being manufactured. At the Tehran site, one building was hit, where advanced centrifuge rotors were being manufactured and tested.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army said that 50 air force fighter jets had attacked a facility used to manufacture centrifuges in Tehran, and a facility used to produce raw materials and components for the assembly of surface-to-surface missiles.
Iran has a "legitimate" right to defend itself from Israel's attacks, said Erdogan.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is due to speak on television "in a few minutes," the official Irna news agency said in a brief statement.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ultimate decision-maker who has been in power since 1989, has not spoken publicly since the start of the conflict on Friday, apart from a message published on X.
Iran told Washington that it will respond firmly to the U.S. if it becomes directly involved in Israel's military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva said.
Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, told reporters that he considered the U.S. to be "complicit" in what Israel's actions.
The Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, affirmed that Israel's energy sector is operating "normally," reported Reuters.
WhatsApp denied passing on the personal data of its Iranian users to Israel, fearing that its messaging service could be blocked after Iranian calls to abandon the application, on the sixth day of the war between Israel and Iran.
Iranian state television on Tuesday called on the population to "delete the WhatsApp application from their mobile phones," on the grounds that it collects personal data, including the location of users, and "passes it on to the Zionist enemy."
"We are concerned that these false reports could be used as an excuse to block our services, at a time when people need them most," a spokesperson for WhatsApp, owned by the Meta group, responded in a statement. "All the messages you send to your family and friends on WhatsApp are encrypted end-to-end, which means that no one, apart from the sender and the recipient, has access to these messages, not even WhatsApp," he said.
Read more here.
The Israeli army announced the downing of one of its drones in Iran. "During an operation, surface-to-air missiles were fired at a remotely piloted air force aircraft. The aircraft fell into Iranian airspace. There were no casualties and no concerns of information leaks," the Israeli army wrote on X.
Greece repatriated 105 of its nationals from Israel on Wednesday, along with an unspecified number of U.S. and European nationals fleeing the Israel-Iran conflict, the Greek Foreign Ministry announced.
"The operation to repatriate 105 Greek citizens and members of their families from Israel was successfully and safely completed," the ministry said in a statement.
Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, said the situation regarding its nuclear facilities was "good," according to Fars News reports reported by Reuters.
The Israeli army announced around 10:40 a.m. Beirut time that it was launching a new wave of attacks in the Tehran region, Reuters reported.
China says it has evacuated nearly 800 citizens from Iran since Israel launched its military operation there, killing several hundred.
"Thanks to the organization and coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... and with the active assistance and support of neighboring countries, 791 Chinese citizens have already been transferred from Iran to safe areas, and more than 1,000 people are being evacuated," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.
Israel lacks Arrow interceptor missiles, U.S. official tell Wall Street Journal .
A report published by the American media outlet indicates that Israel is running out of Arrow interceptor missiles, which were used to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. The Pentagon has deployed additional defenses in the region and there are now fears that the U.S. may also be depleting its own interceptor missiles, according to the WSJ.
“Neither the United States nor the Israelis can continue to intercept missiles all day long,” Tom Karako, director of the missile defense project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the WSJ. “The Israelis and their supporters must deliberately hasten to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit back and play cat and mouse.” Israel Aerospace Industries, which produces the interceptors, declined to comment on “ammunition-related issues.”
Israeli airstrikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people since the night of June 12-13, according to the Washington-based organization Human Rights Activists, cited by the AP news agency. Another 1,326 people have been injured. The organization says it has identified 239 of those killed as civilians, while 126 others belong to the security forces and various military units.
The organization, which made a name for itself by providing figures on victims of repression during the 2022 protests in Iran, says it cross-references local information in Iran with a network of its own sources in the country.
Iran does not regularly publish death tolls during the conflict and has previously downplayed casualties. The latest official figures, released Monday, put the death toll at 224 and the number of injured at 1,277.
Families of Russian diplomats have left Israeli territory, the Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, announced on Wednesday.
"Virtually all the wives and children of embassy employees" left Tuesday via Egypt "to return to their homeland," Viktorov said live on the online program Soloviev.live. Nor did he rule out the possibility that the Russian embassy could be moved "to a more secure location without leaving Israel."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Israel is destroying the "symbols of the Iranian regime" on his X account. A "tornado" is passing over Tehran, he added. "Government symbols are being bombed and destroyed, from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets, while the population flees. This is how a dictatorship falls."
The first flight — repatriating Israelis stranded abroad due to the cancellation of flights after the war started — landed this morning at an airport near Tel Aviv, airport authorities announced.
"Just a short while ago, the first flight of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport," said a statement, adding that the flight had been operated by the national airline El Al and was bringing passengers back from Larnaca, Cyprus. Transport Minister Miri Regev, who initiated the operation, and other officials welcomed the passengers on arrival.
Strikes have killed civilians on both sides in urban areas: 224 in Iran, according to the latest official report on Sunday, and 24 so far in Israel, according to the government.
The U.S., an ally of Israel, knows "exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding" but is not intending to "take him out (kill!)" him, "at least for now," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, claiming they had full control of Iranian airspace. "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!", he wrote later.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that killing Ayatollah Khamenei would put an "end to the conflict," and called on Iranians to rise up, while French President Emmanuel Macron said that "regime change" in Iran would mean "chaos".
U.S. President Donald Trump asserted yesterday that his country could easily kill Iran's Supreme Leader. The statement comes amid mounting speculation about possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict Israel opened on Friday with the stated aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump, who had relaunched negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear program in April, convened a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
The Israeli army claimed in a statement that "more than 50 aircraft" had struck "a centrifuge production facility in Tehran" during the night, as well as "several weapons manufacturing sites" including facilities for the production of raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles."
Iran's Mehr News Agency posted a video on X showing numerous red streaks and explosions in the capital's night sky.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Israeli forces temporarily triggered an air alert after detecting Iranian projectiles in flight. Around 10 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, most of which were intercepted, a military official said. The Israeli army also announced it had intercepted two drones in the Dead Sea region early on Wednesday.
The Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic's armed forces, said they fired Fattah-1 intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missiles, according to state television.
On Tuesday night, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised on X a "strong response to the Zionist terrorist regime," stressing that they would show "now mercy."
Iran also announced "punitive" attacks against Israel, calling on residents of the major cities Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate.
☕️ Read the Morning Brief to catch up on what happened yesterday and what to look out for today.
Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of the war between Israel and Iran.
Iran reportedly willing to accept Trump’s meeting proposal, says NYT
According to the New York Times, citing a senior Iranian official, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reportedly willing to attend the proposed meeting, which aims to discuss a cease-fire with Israel.
Putin reaffirms neutrality on Iran-Israel conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public remarks on Iran since last Friday’s Israeli strikes, reaffirming Russia’s neutrality despite its close ties with Tehran. “Russia has presented settlement proposals to Iran, Israel, and the United States, but we are not forcing anything on anyone,” the Kremlin leader said.
Trump approved Iran strike plans but delays final decision
U.S. President Donald Trump informed top advisers on Tuesday night that he had approved military plans targeting Iran but decided to hold off on execution, giving Tehran a final chance to abandon its nuclear program, according to three sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Among the potential targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility — a heavily fortified site considered nearly impenetrable by military experts without the use of the most powerful bunker-busting bombs. Israel has not yet attempted to strike this location.
Berlin, Paris and London Plan Talks with Tehran on Friday in Geneva
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva for discussions on the nuclear issue, according to a German diplomatic source cited by Reuters.
According to this source, the European foreign ministers will first meet with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, at the German consulate in Geneva, before a joint meeting with the Iranian minister.
This format of discussions has been coordinated with the United States, the same source added.
The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday to address the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Council presidency announced.
An Iranian media outlet reported a temporary hacking of state television by Israel, as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a meeting on the Iran-Israel situation would be held 'within the hour,' noting that 'no final decision has been made yet.'
Trump also claimed that Iran was seeking to hold talks with the United States, adding, “I could do it.”
He further suggested that the collapse of Iran’s current leadership “could happen,” and said Israel was “doing pretty well” in the face of Iranian strikes. Trump also warned that, according to his intelligence, Iran was “just weeks away” from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran summons German ambassador over remarks supporting Israel, state TV reports.
Revolutionary Guards to Israelis: 'Die slowly or flee'
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have declared that “the skies over the occupied territories are open to Iran’s missiles and drones.” Addressing the Israeli public, they added: “You must choose between a slow death living a hellish life inside bunkers, or fleeing Israel.”
An Israeli strike targeted an area near the police headquarters in Tehran, according to Iranian state television.
Israel strikes Iranian anti-tank missile sites
The Israeli military said it struck multiple targets in Iran over the past 24 hours, including a site near Tehran used to produce and store hundreds of anti-tank missiles bound for Hezbollah. They also hit a centrifuge manufacturing facility and other missile production sites. Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin warned: “Our message is clear: if you try to rebuild your capabilities, you will be hit.” He added that despite limited barrages, “the Iranian regime still retains significant capabilities.”
Netanyahu thanks Trump for support
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump for his backing in the conflict with Iran.
Iran launches Sejjil missiles toward Israel
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it launched heavy, long-range Sejjil missiles targeting Israel.
Iran summons U.S. interests representative in Tehran
Iran has summoned Switzerland’s envoy to protest what it calls “provocative” statements by U.S. President Trump. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Tehran.
US Director of National Intelligence briefing on Iran postponed
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard has postponed Wednesday’s briefing before the Senate Intelligence Committee due to the ongoing crisis in Iran, a spokesperson for committee chair Senator Tom Cotton confirmed. “Given her high-level commitments and current developments in the Middle East, we’re working to schedule a new date soon,” the spokesperson added. The delay was first reported by Axios.
French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the Foreign Ministry to "facilitate the departure" of French citizens wishing to leave Iran or Israel, according to the Élysée Palace.
New Israeli strikes in western Iran
Later Wednesday evening, Israel launched another wave of strikes on surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran. Israeli aircraft continue to patrol these sites and are prepared to strike anyone attempting to recover munitions from previously hit locations, said Gen. Defrin, warning against any effort to rebuild terror capabilities in the region.
Iranian deputy foreign minister says Tehran will retaliate if the United States joins Israel’s war against Iran.
UN chief warns against 'any further military intervention'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned against "any further military intervention" in the conflict between iran and israel, saying it would have "enormous consequences" for the entire region, reports AFP.
"I strongly urge everyone to avoid any further internationalization of the conflict," he emphasized in a statement read by his spokesperson, who clarified that internationalization means "more countries involved" in the conflict, without naming any specifically.
⚡Iran fires hypersonic missiles at Israel, reports AFP and state television
Iran fired hypersonic missiles at Israel, Iran’s state television announced on the sixth day of the war between the two countries, AFP reports.
The Fattah hypersonic missiles "successfully penetrated the defenses of the Israeli regime," the television stated. Earlier, the Israeli military had reported detecting missile launches from Iran.
(Credit: Sarah Abdallah.)
Young people from Hermel demonstrated in front of the city’s Serail to express their solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran. They condemned the Israeli attacks and chanted slogans in support of Iran and Hezbollah, reported our correspondent in the Bekaa,
Iran imposes tighter internet restrictions, citing an 'intrusion' of its network by Israel, according to AFP.
Iran announced stricter internet controls, claiming that Israel had compromised its network for military purposes, as the conflict between the two countries entered its sixth day, AFP reports.
"Temporary restrictions have been imposed on users’ access to the internet," the Communications Ministry said, according to the Fars news agency, adding that the decision came in response to "the violation of the national communication network for military purposes by the aggressor."
Iran experiences 'near-total' internet outage amid Israeli strikes, says watchdog NetBlocks
Internet connectivity in Iran has dropped to an almost complete halt as Israeli airstrikes on the country intensify, according to London-based internet monitoring group NetBlocks. Live network data shows Iran is in the midst of a near-total national internet blackout, following several days of partial disruptions.
NetBlocks reported on X that the country has already faced a series of partial network outages in recent days before this sharp decline.
The internet shutdown severely restricts access to information and communication within Iran during the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about digital censorship and the public’s ability to stay informed.
⚡“A direct US intervention in the confrontation with the Zionist entity would mean that Hezbollah will take action,” a senior Iranian official said in a statement to Al Jazeera.
⚡Iran issues evacuation warning for Haifa amid escalating conflict
On the sixth day of intense fighting between Iran and Israel, Iranian state television reported that Tehran issued an evacuation warning to residents of the Israeli city of Haifa.
According to the broadcast, “A few minutes ago, an evacuation notice was issued to Zionist settlers in Haifa to protect them from Iranian missile attacks.” The warning was accompanied by a graphic showing the targeted area, with Hebrew text urging residents to "Please leave the reported area immediately."
The message added, “In the next few hours, armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will operate in this area... to attack the military infrastructure of the Zionist regime.”
This move marks a significant escalation in the conflict, signaling Iran’s intent to target key Israeli sites directly and heightening tensions in the region. Residents of Haifa have been put on high alert as the situation continues to evolve.
⚡ The Israeli army announces it has detected missile launches from Iran, reports AFP.
China tells Egypt it is 'deeply concerned' the Israel-Iran conflict could spiral out of control
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is "deeply concerned" that the conflict between Israel and Iran "could become uncontrollable."
"Israel’s actions, which disregard international law and international norms, have caused a sudden escalation in the Middle East, and China is also very concerned that the situation could spiral out of control," Wang told his Egyptian counterpart in a phone call, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
In another phone call with Oman’s foreign minister, Wang said the two countries "cannot stand by and watch the region slide into an unknown abyss," the ministry added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi tells Al-Jazeera: 'We have not sent a negotiation delegation to Oman.'
"I have not left Tehran at the head of a delegation — this information is inaccurate," he added.
Amnesty International urges protection for Iranian and Israeli civilians
Amnesty International warned that Iranian and Israeli civilians “must not pay the price” for what it calls an “irresponsible” war. The human rights organization called for all parties to avoid actions that would harm innocent people caught in the conflict.
Trump says his patience with Iran is 'run out'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday his patience has "run out" with Iran but added that it was not too late for negotiations.
Asked when his patience would run out, Trump told reporters: "It's already run out. That's why we're doing what we're doing."
When asked if it was too late for negotiations, he said: "Nothing is too late."
Iranian Red Crescent denies Israeli strike hit its facilities
The Iranian Red Crescent has denied reports that Israeli strikes targeted its installations. In a statement, the organization clarified that the strike hit a nearby area, not its buildings.
Iran has 'legitimate' right to defend itself against Israel, says Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that Iran has the "legitimate" right to defend itself against Israel’s bombing campaign, which entered its sixth day.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel's thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan stated, just a day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The conflict escalated last Friday when Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign targeting Iranian positions, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone attacks, including the deployment of hypersonic missiles.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey, via a post on X, of harboring "imperialist ambitions," particularly in Syria.
Three Iranian planes land in Oman
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, three official Iranian aircraft landed in Muscat, the capital of Oman, within the past hour.
The planes, which took off from southern Iran, reportedly include the presidential aircraft recently used by Masoud Pezeshkian.
The purpose of these flights remains unknown. No information has been released regarding a possible diplomatic mission to Oman.
US Senate Democrats request classified briefing on Israel-Iran situation
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has asked the Trump administration to provide all 100 senators with a classified briefing on the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, according to Reuters.
“We’ve already received briefings, but I’ve requested that a classified session be held for all senators,” Schumer said, adding that the request will likely be approved.
Hezbollah warns of regional explosion if US joins war against Iran
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc warned that "U.S. military involvement in the war against Iran would shift the context of the confrontation and risk triggering a widespread explosion across the region."
In a statement, the Shiite lawmakers strongly condemned "the war of aggression waged by the Zionist entity against Iran," expressing their solidarity with "Iran, its leadership, and its people in these critical and decisive moments."
They called for support of the Islamic Republic "in its defensive war against Israeli aggression" and affirmed their belief that "this unjust Zionist war will not shake Iran’s resolve and determination to defend its rights and sovereignty."
Iran’s UN mission rejects any negotiations under pressure
"No Iranian official has ever asked to kneel at the gates of the White House," the Iranian mission to the United Nations stated on X. "The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'neutralize' Iran’s Supreme Leader."
"Iran does NOT negotiate under pressure, does NOT accept peace under coercion, and certainly NOT with a disgraced warmonger trying to stay relevant," the mission added. "Iran will respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures."
Motorbike targeted by Israeli drone at eastern entrance of Barish
An Israeli drone targeted a motorbike near the eastern entrance of the town of Barish. Ambulances from Barish were dispatched to the scene, according to our correspondent in South Lebanon. Earlier, an Israeli drone had fired two missiles at an uninhabited house in the same town.
Trump on Iran: "Next week will be decisive — maybe even sooner"
"Remember the 60 days?" he said, referring to the deadline set for reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. "The 61st will become a very famous number. The first strike was really violent. It’s unsustainable [...] I don’t know how long this will last. They are totally defenseless. They have no air defense. We’ve completely taken control of the skies."
Trump also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He offered to act as a mediator," Trump said. "I told him: do me a favor, start by handling your own business. We’ll deal with that later." "We’ll see what happens. Nothing is over until it’s over," he added.
"War is very complex, many terrible things can happen, and there can be many twists and turns. I wouldn’t say we’ve won anything yet, but we’ve clearly made a lot of progress. Next week will be decisive — maybe even before." Speaking about the Iranian nuclear threat, he emphasized: "I’ve been saying this for 15 years — Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. And today, I believe it more than ever."
Trump remains vague on possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities
Asked whether the United States might strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to give a clear answer.
"I could do it. Or not. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do," he said.
He also claimed that the Iranians had made contact but added, "It’s very late to talk." "There’s a big difference between today and last week," he told reporters outside the White House.
Trump further stated that Iran had proposed coming to the White House for talks, without offering additional details. He also described Iran as a "completely defenseless" country, claiming it had "no air defenses."
Israel strikes headquarters of Iranian Red Crescent, according to Iranian media
Israeli army says it intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles launched from Iran
Since Thursday evening, around 400 missiles have been fired from Iran toward Israel, about twenty of which reached populated areas, according to the Israeli army. It also reported that approximately 1,000 drones were launched from Iran, with just over a hundred entering Israeli airspace. However, none of the drones hit their targets, the same source said.
Huge plume of white smoke in Tehran after new series of explosions
A massive plume of white smoke was seen over southeastern Tehran around 5:15 p.m. local time (1:45 p.m. GMT), following a new series of powerful explosions, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
The blasts come on the sixth day of the worst military confrontation between Iran and Israel. It was not immediately clear what target the Israeli military was aiming for.
Israel claims to have destroyed headquarters of Iran's Ministry of Interior Security
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israeli fighter jets had "destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s interior security — the central repressive arm of the Iranian dictator." He added that "the storm continues to strike Tehran."
Israeli army says it intercepted Iranian drone over the Golan
The Israeli army announced it had intercepted a drone originating from Iran after warning sirens were triggered in the southern Golan Heights.
"Following the sirens reporting a hostile aircraft infiltration, heard between 3:52 p.m. and 3:54 p.m. in the southern Golan, a UAV launched from Iran was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force," the army stated in a press release. It added that "the sirens sounded in accordance with standard protocol.
Only the 'Iranian people' can bring down the regime, says exiled opposition
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the exiled opposition to Tehran's government, has called for the overthrow of the regime "by the Iranian people and their resistance," as Israel carries out an unprecedented attack against the Islamic Republic, according to AFP.
"The solution to this war and this crisis lies in the overthrow of this regime and in regime change by the Iranian people and their resistance," said NCRI President Maryam Rajavi during a press conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, alongside a handful of MEPs.
Speculation is now growing over a possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict, following threats made Tuesday by Donald Trump against Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
But for Rajavi, the end of this theocratic regime "cannot come by appointing a king through England, as was done 100 years ago."
The Israeli army announced that it was attacking "military targets of the Iranian regime in the Tehran region."
New series of powerful explosions in eastern Tehran
A new series of powerful explosions was heard in Tehran around 3:50 p.m. (12:30 GMT), reported AFP, while at least five plumes of black smoke were visible in the eastern and southeastern districts of the Iranian capital.
It was not immediately clear which buildings had been targeted. A first series of detonations had been heard shortly before 3:30 p.m. local time.
Iran is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz, blocking the export of oil from the Persian Gulf, should the war escalate further, a source told Haaretz. Such a move would significantly increase the pressure on the U.S., and pose a serious crisis for the global oil market.
The narrow stretch of water located between the coasts of Iran and Oman is one of the most critical chokepoints in the world for the flow of oil.
Berlin calls on Iran to resume negotiations on its nuclear program
"It's never too late to return to the negotiating table if you come with honest intentions," said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a press briefing in Berlin. France, the UK and Germany — the European powers at the forefront of the issue — remain "ready to negotiate a solution" diplomatically with Iran, he added.
Putin says he is still ready to mediate
Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is still willing to mediate in the ongoing armed confrontation between Israel and Iran, a proposal made last week by Russia but so far unheeded, reported AFP.
"Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to offer mediation to move the dialogue forward," said the Kremlin in a statement recounting a call between the Russian president and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. According to the same source, Putin contacted several foreign leaders to propose mediation by Moscow. During the call with the Emirati leader, Putin stressed "the need for a halt to military operations as soon as possible and the activation of political-diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear program," according to the Kremlin.
Several explosions heard in Tehran, black smoke visible in the east of the city
A series of explosions of undetermined origin were heard in Tehran on Wednesday shortly before 3:30 pm (12:00 GMT), on the sixth day of military confrontation between Iran and Israel.
An AFP journalist also spotted a plume of black smoke rising into the sky from the eastern districts of the Iranian capital.
Israel's Home Front Command has eased restrictions for most of Israel, allowing workplaces to resume operations, with the exception of those in areas near Israel's eastern border and communities on the border with Gaza, as of Wednesday evening.
As part of these changes, workplaces with accessible bomb shelters can now resume operations and welcome their employees. In addition, gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, provided that a protected area can be reached quickly.
The UK has evacuated the families of its diplomatic staff from Israel due to the conflict with Iran, the British Foreign Office announced.
"Family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure. The Embassy and Consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals," the Foreign Office said on its website.
Poland evacuated around 160 people from Israel on Wednesday, due to the conflict with Iran, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced, adding that another plane was due to repatriate dozens of other nationals on Thursday. "The first group of Poles just landed in Warsaw." They arrived in Poland via Egypt, "tomorrow they will take another flight," Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted on X.
Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys said the plane had taken on around 160 people, most of them Polish nationals, including young children. "There will be another flight tomorrow and this plane will take off from Amman ... there will be 65 people on board, and this time they will only be Polish citizens," she added.
As for Iran, some employees of the Polish Embassy in Iran are also being repatriated, as well as a few Polish nationals, she said. Moscicka-Dendys said that they were currently traveling from Tehran to Azerbaijan.
Iranian police spokesperson Said Montazerolmahdi said he had identified drone manufacturing workshops and seized 14 devices and transport vehicles in several provinces of Iran, according to ILNA, the Iranian workers' news agency.
Iran will share images of the captured Israeli F-35 pilots "soon," according to the Tehran Times, quoted by Arab News.
The Iranian authorities announced on Friday that two Israeli fighter pilots, including one woman, were in custody — information that Israel.
Russia warned U.S. against military aid to Israel, Interfax agency reported.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov has warned that direct U.S. military aid to Israel could radically destabilize the situation in the Middle East.
Riabkov, quoted by the Interfax news agency via Reuters, said Russia was warning the U.S. against providing such assistance to Israel, or even considering it. He said Moscow was in contact with Israel and Iran.
Khamenei in response to Trump's threats: Those who know Iran's history know that Iranians do not react well to threats.
Khamenei: Iran will not accept war or peace being imposed on it.
Khamenei to U.S.: Iran will not surrender and any U.S. strike will have serious and irreparable consequences.
In his first televised address since the start of the war, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that Israel had made a huge mistake and would be punished for it. In statements published by the Mehr News Agency and picked up by Reuters, Ayatollah Khamenei further asserted that "the people will not forget the blood of the 'martyrs' or the attack on their territory."
Israeli army says it struck five helicopter gunships in Kermanshah
"The Israeli Air Force identified and attacked five helicopter gunships at a military base in the Kermanshah region," according to the Israeli army's X account. "Throughout the morning, Air Force aircraft continued to fly over Iranian skies to locate targets to strike," the message read, emphasizing that the bombed aircraft were "AH-1 type" used to attack Israeli aircraft.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has declared that Israel's operation in Iran will continue until it achieves all its objectives.
"There are no negotiations. The operation will continue until we have achieved our objectives," Saar said at a briefing with foreign ambassadors at the impact site of an Iranian missile in the central Israeli city of Bat Yam, according to Haaretz.
"The Iranian regime is deliberately targeting population centers and murdering civilians. It is making a mistake. It doesn't understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion in Iran," he added.
The Emir of Qatar received a letter from Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said, without revealing its content.
Qatar is among the countries that have asked Washington to put pressure on Israel to agree to a cease-fire and resume negotiations with Tehran on a nuclear deal, a source told Reuters on Monday.
Two Iranian centrifuge production facilities have been affected, IAEA confirmed.
The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it received information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran — the TESA workshop in Karaj and the Tehran research centre — had been hit, according to Reuters.
Two buildings were destroyed at the Karaj site, where various centrifuge components were being manufactured. At the Tehran site, one building was hit, where advanced centrifuge rotors were being manufactured and tested.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army said that 50 air force fighter jets had attacked a facility used to manufacture centrifuges in Tehran, and a facility used to produce raw materials and components for the assembly of surface-to-surface missiles.
Iran has a "legitimate" right to defend itself from Israel's attacks, said Erdogan.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is due to speak on television "in a few minutes," the official Irna news agency said in a brief statement.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ultimate decision-maker who has been in power since 1989, has not spoken publicly since the start of the conflict on Friday, apart from a message published on X.
Iran told Washington that it will respond firmly to the U.S. if it becomes directly involved in Israel's military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva said.
Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, told reporters that he considered the U.S. to be "complicit" in what Israel's actions.
The Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, affirmed that Israel's energy sector is operating "normally," reported Reuters.
WhatsApp denied passing on the personal data of its Iranian users to Israel, fearing that its messaging service could be blocked after Iranian calls to abandon the application, on the sixth day of the war between Israel and Iran.
Iranian state television on Tuesday called on the population to "delete the WhatsApp application from their mobile phones," on the grounds that it collects personal data, including the location of users, and "passes it on to the Zionist enemy."
"We are concerned that these false reports could be used as an excuse to block our services, at a time when people need them most," a spokesperson for WhatsApp, owned by the Meta group, responded in a statement. "All the messages you send to your family and friends on WhatsApp are encrypted end-to-end, which means that no one, apart from the sender and the recipient, has access to these messages, not even WhatsApp," he said.
Read more here.
The Israeli army announced the downing of one of its drones in Iran. "During an operation, surface-to-air missiles were fired at a remotely piloted air force aircraft. The aircraft fell into Iranian airspace. There were no casualties and no concerns of information leaks," the Israeli army wrote on X.
Greece repatriated 105 of its nationals from Israel on Wednesday, along with an unspecified number of U.S. and European nationals fleeing the Israel-Iran conflict, the Greek Foreign Ministry announced.
"The operation to repatriate 105 Greek citizens and members of their families from Israel was successfully and safely completed," the ministry said in a statement.
Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, said the situation regarding its nuclear facilities was "good," according to Fars News reports reported by Reuters.
The Israeli army announced around 10:40 a.m. Beirut time that it was launching a new wave of attacks in the Tehran region, Reuters reported.
China says it has evacuated nearly 800 citizens from Iran since Israel launched its military operation there, killing several hundred.
"Thanks to the organization and coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... and with the active assistance and support of neighboring countries, 791 Chinese citizens have already been transferred from Iran to safe areas, and more than 1,000 people are being evacuated," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.
Israel lacks Arrow interceptor missiles, U.S. official tell Wall Street Journal .
A report published by the American media outlet indicates that Israel is running out of Arrow interceptor missiles, which were used to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. The Pentagon has deployed additional defenses in the region and there are now fears that the U.S. may also be depleting its own interceptor missiles, according to the WSJ.
“Neither the United States nor the Israelis can continue to intercept missiles all day long,” Tom Karako, director of the missile defense project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the WSJ. “The Israelis and their supporters must deliberately hasten to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit back and play cat and mouse.” Israel Aerospace Industries, which produces the interceptors, declined to comment on “ammunition-related issues.”
Israeli airstrikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people since the night of June 12-13, according to the Washington-based organization Human Rights Activists, cited by the AP news agency. Another 1,326 people have been injured. The organization says it has identified 239 of those killed as civilians, while 126 others belong to the security forces and various military units.
The organization, which made a name for itself by providing figures on victims of repression during the 2022 protests in Iran, says it cross-references local information in Iran with a network of its own sources in the country.
Iran does not regularly publish death tolls during the conflict and has previously downplayed casualties. The latest official figures, released Monday, put the death toll at 224 and the number of injured at 1,277.
Families of Russian diplomats have left Israeli territory, the Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, announced on Wednesday.
"Virtually all the wives and children of embassy employees" left Tuesday via Egypt "to return to their homeland," Viktorov said live on the online program Soloviev.live. Nor did he rule out the possibility that the Russian embassy could be moved "to a more secure location without leaving Israel."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Israel is destroying the "symbols of the Iranian regime" on his X account. A "tornado" is passing over Tehran, he added. "Government symbols are being bombed and destroyed, from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets, while the population flees. This is how a dictatorship falls."
The first flight — repatriating Israelis stranded abroad due to the cancellation of flights after the war started — landed this morning at an airport near Tel Aviv, airport authorities announced.
"Just a short while ago, the first flight of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport," said a statement, adding that the flight had been operated by the national airline El Al and was bringing passengers back from Larnaca, Cyprus. Transport Minister Miri Regev, who initiated the operation, and other officials welcomed the passengers on arrival.
Strikes have killed civilians on both sides in urban areas: 224 in Iran, according to the latest official report on Sunday, and 24 so far in Israel, according to the government.
The U.S., an ally of Israel, knows "exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding" but is not intending to "take him out (kill!)" him, "at least for now," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, claiming they had full control of Iranian airspace. "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!", he wrote later.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that killing Ayatollah Khamenei would put an "end to the conflict," and called on Iranians to rise up, while French President Emmanuel Macron said that "regime change" in Iran would mean "chaos".
U.S. President Donald Trump asserted yesterday that his country could easily kill Iran's Supreme Leader. The statement comes amid mounting speculation about possible direct U.S. involvement in the conflict Israel opened on Friday with the stated aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump, who had relaunched negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear program in April, convened a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
The Israeli army claimed in a statement that "more than 50 aircraft" had struck "a centrifuge production facility in Tehran" during the night, as well as "several weapons manufacturing sites" including facilities for the production of raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles."
Iran's Mehr News Agency posted a video on X showing numerous red streaks and explosions in the capital's night sky.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Israeli forces temporarily triggered an air alert after detecting Iranian projectiles in flight. Around 10 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, most of which were intercepted, a military official said. The Israeli army also announced it had intercepted two drones in the Dead Sea region early on Wednesday.
The Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic's armed forces, said they fired Fattah-1 intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missiles, according to state television.
On Tuesday night, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised on X a "strong response to the Zionist terrorist regime," stressing that they would show "now mercy."
Iran also announced "punitive" attacks against Israel, calling on residents of the major cities Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate.
☕️ Read the Morning Brief to catch up on what happened yesterday and what to look out for today.
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