Iran Israel war highlights: Israel accuses Iran of firing missile armed with cluster bombs

Iran Israel war live updates: Australia announced on Friday that it had halted operations at its embassy in Tehran due to rising security concerns, amid escalating Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The air war, now in its second week, shows no signs of de-escalation.

Israel began its large-scale aerial assault on Iran last Friday, calling it a preemptive measure to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the accusation and responded with its own attacks on Israel.

"The Australian government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents ... based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

Iran Israel war live updates: The Israeli military on Thursday said Iran had launched at least one missile at Israel that dispersed small bombs, marking the first known use of cluster munitions in the ongoing seven-day conflict. The purpose, according to Israeli officials, was to increase civilian casualties.

While the military did not provide further details, local media reports cited Israeli officials saying the missile’s warhead exploded at an altitude of about 7 km (roughly 4 miles), releasing around 20 submunitions over a radius of 8 km (5 miles) across central Israel.

One of the bomblets hit a home in Azor, a town in central Israel, causing damage but no injuries, as reported by Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian.

Cluster munitions are widely condemned for scattering submunitions indiscriminately—some of which may not detonate immediately, posing risks to civilians long after hostilities end.

Iran Israel war news live: The IDF said that a UAV launched from Iran was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force near Haifa a short while ago.

As per protocol, no sirens were activated.

Iran Israel war news live: Iran-backed Shiite militia in Iraq warned on Thursday that it would target US military bases across the Middle East if the Trump administration enters the Israel-Iran conflict, CNN reported.

"We reaffirm, with even greater clarity, that should the United States enter into this war, the deranged (US President Donald) Trump shall forfeit all the trillions he dreams of seizing from this region. Operational plans have been established for that purpose," said Abu Ali al-Askari, the security chief of Kataib Hezbollah, in a statement.

The statement further warned, "Undoubtedly, American bases throughout the region will become akin to duck-hunting grounds."

Iran Israel war news live: Iranian missiles struck a major hospital in southern Israel on Thursday and hit residential areas in Tel Aviv, injuring 240 people and causing significant damage.

In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz held Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responsible, stating the military “has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”

Meanwhile, Israel launched another wave of strikes, this time targeting Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor—part of its broader campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state television reported that the site had been evacuated in advance and said there was “no radiation danger whatsoever.”

The White House said President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the US will launch a strike on Iran. It also noted that Trump still believes there is a “substantial” possibility that negotiations could meet US and Israeli goals regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran Israel war news live: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa agreed on Thursday that strengthening ties is essential to maintaining stability in the Middle East, according to a statement from Starmer’s office.

"The leaders called for de-escalation and both agreed on the need for enduring and closer relationships across the region to support stability," the spokesperson said, in reference to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Iran Israel war news live: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated on Thursday that the group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, according to AFP.

In his statement, Qassem emphasised that Hezbollah is "not neutral" in the clash between the two regional powers, adding that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression."

His remarks came shortly after the U.S. special envoy for Syria cautioned Hezbollah against entering the conflict.

Iran Israel war news live: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday it is closely monitoring and evaluating the developments following Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.

Earlier, the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed receiving information that Iran's Khondab heavy water research reactor had been targeted, but noted there were no radiological impacts reported.

Iran Israel war news live: United Airlines and American Airlines have suspended certain flights to the Middle East amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, CNN reported.

United Airlines confirmed it has halted its daily service between Newark and Dubai, citing regional tensions. “Due to conflict in the region, United’s daily flights between Newark and Dubai are paused,” the airline said, adding that it will continue to monitor developments and assist affected customers.

American Airlines has also modified its schedule, temporarily adjusting flights between Doha, Qatar and Philadelphia International Airport through June 22. A flight from Doha to Philadelphia departed early Thursday, the airline confirmed.

“We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation further as needed,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Iran Israel war news live: The White House on Thursday warned that Iran could build a nuclear weapon within just a few weeks, as President Donald Trump continued to weigh possible military action against the country.

"Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Iran Israel war news live: The Czech foreign ministry said on Thursday it was temporarily closing its embassy in Tehran for security reasons due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Israel targeted nuclear sites in Iran on Thursday, prompting Iran to launch missiles and drones at Israel following an overnight strike on an Israeli hospital. 

The week-old air war continues to intensify, with no clear exit strategy in sight from either side.

Iran Israel war news update: As per an AFP report, fresh explosions were heard over Iran's capital Tehran. 

Iran state media has also reported that air defences have been activated to 'confront hostile targets' over the Iranian capital.

iran Israel war news update: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel was "changing the face of the world" in its war with Iran.

"I said that we're changing the face of the Middle East, and now I say we're changing the face of the world," he told public broadcaster Kan, adding that Israel had destroyed "more than half" of Iran's missile launchers.

Iran and Israel entered their seventh consecutive day of fighting on Thursday. 

Iran Israel war news: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israel has destroyed more than half of Iran's missile launchers in the recent strikes. 

Furthermore, the Israeli PM sytated that Tel Aviv is “ahead of schedule” in its operation against Tehran. 

“We are ahead of the schedule we set — both in terms of timing and results,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Times of Israel. 

Iran Israel war news: A Reuters report has claimed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week. 

“According to the diplomats, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, Araqchi said Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped the attacks, which began on June 13,” reported Reuters. 

The report further added that the talks included a brief discussion of a US proposal given to Iran which aims to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside of Iran, an offer Tehran has rejected.

Iran Israel war news updates: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to intensify attacks against Israel. 

As per state media reports, the IRGC announced a “a new round of combined missile-drone attacks against military targets and industrial centres related to the military industry in the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv has begun.”

It added that drone operations continue with more than 100 types of combat and suicide drones launched against military targets in Israel. 

Iran Israel war news: Amid the Iran Israel conflict, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the attacks on healthcare facilities and hospitals was “appalling.” 

“This morning's attack on Soroka Medical Center in Israel -- the only major hospital in the south -- resulted in dozens of patients being injured, some severely; 250 patients being evacuated to other health facilities; and damage to the facility, leaving it only partially functional,” he wrote on X. 

“Following an airstrike on Tehran three days ago, three Iranian Red Crescent Society health workers were killed while reportedly rescuing injured people. On the same day, a hospital in Kermanshah was impacted by a nearby explosion, causing damage to the intensive care unit. As a result, around 15 staff and patients were injured,” the WHO chief added further. 

Iran Israel war news: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, currently outside Tehran, has called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Iran and Israel. 

As per an exclusive message to Time magazine published on Thursday, Mohammadi urged fellow Nobel laureates and human rights organizations to unite in advocating for peace, saying the conflict has already caused "devastating" destruction and forced millions of Iranians from their homes.

"The scale of destruction already resembles that of a months-long conflict," she added.

Iran israel war news: Oil prices rose on Thursday after Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks overnight. As per Bloomberg,  Brent crude futures rose $1.60, or 2.1%, to $78.29 a barrel by 1030 ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for July was up $1.64, or 2.1%, at $78.34. 

Brent had surged to its highest in nearly five months at $78.50 on June 13, when Israel began its attacks. 

Iran Israel war news: Israel reported at least 10 missiles were launched by Iran in its fresh attack. Military spokesperson have stated that no injuries have been reported and people are now allowed to exit their shelters.

Iran Israel conflict news: Tehran MP Ali Yazdikhah said on Thursday that Iran reserves the right to close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States joins Israel in military action against it.

“If America enters the war, closing the Strait of Hormuz is our legitimate right,” Yazdikhah said.

Iran Israel war news update: Sirens have been sounded in Israel's Haifa and across northern Israel after the IDf reported an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

“Civilians in areas where sirens are sounding are instructed to enter bomb shelters and remain in them until further notice,” reads the IDF statement.

Iran Israel war news LIVE: The Israeli military on Thursday said that Iran had used a missile with multiple warheads in its attack, which posed new challenges for their defence systems, reported Associated Press.

Instead of having to track one warhead, missiles with multiple warheads could challenge Israel's air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome.

Iran Israel conflict news: Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has stated that a possible US intervention shows sign of weakness for Israel. 

“The very fact that the Zionist regime’s American friends have entered the scene and are saying such things is a sign of that regime’s weakness and inability,” he wrote on X.