Iran Israel attack highlights: Trump approved Iran attack plans behind closed doors, report claims

Iran Israel war news highlights: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei was warned of severe consequences in case the US intervenes in the conflict.

Israel Iran war news updates: Smoke and fire rise at an impacted facility site following a missile attack by Iran on Israel, at Haifa, Israel
Israel Iran war news updates: Smoke and fire rise at an impacted facility site following a missile attack by Iran on Israel, at Haifa, Israel

Israel Iran attack news highlights: The conflict between Iran and Israel entered its sixth day with full force as both the nations traded missile strikes on Wednesday.  Track live updates of Iran-Israel conflict here. As the conflict escalates, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Israel has “made a huge mistake” and will be “punished” for its attack on Iran. Meanwhile, Israel has launched fresh attacks against Tehran. ...Read More

US President Donald Trump on the other hand, stated that iran has “no air defence systems and are defenceless” as he hinted towards strikes against the country. 

During the early hours of Wednesday, sirens sounded across Israel twice within an hour as Iran launched strikes, said the Israel Defence Forces. Sirens sounded again in northern Israel due to a hostile aircraft infiltration. 

The strikes come even after United States President Donald Trump asked for ‘unconditional surrender’ by Iran.

Trump also said that they know the location of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but will not kill him, at least for now, adding that the US does not want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. “Our patience is wearing thin,” said Trump.

The conflict between Iran and Israel is now seeing more active participation from the United States as it is deploying more fighter jets and other warplanes to the Middle East, Reuters reported citing three US officials. Trump also met with his National Security Council on Tuesday afternoon after leaving the G7 summit a day early to discuss what is happening in the Middle East. However, the details of the meeting are not yet known.

Ever since Israel took Iran by surprise and launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’ against it by attacking its nuclear and military sites on Friday, Iran has lost several key commanders considered close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who now finds himself isolated. The loss of senior Revolutionary Guards officials—those most trusted by the Supreme Leader—has created a significant strategic vacuum, reported Reuters citing five individuals familiar with the inner workings of Khamenei’s circle.

Iran Israel conflict | Key points

  • The conflict between Iran and Israel started after the latter launched a series of surprise strikes against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure under ‘Operation Rising Lion’ last Friday.
  • Israel justified its actions by saying that Iran was very close to building nuclear weapons which puts Israel’s security in jeopardy.
  • United States President Donald Trump has also maintained that he does not want Iran to have nuclear weapons, a stance echoed by the G7 leaders who were hosted in Canada.
  • The US is getting actively involved in the Middle East conflict as Trump said that they have “complete and total control of the skies over Iran” on Tuesday. Though US forces have not launched any offensive against Iran yet, they are positioned in defensive positions in the region.
  • So far, Iran has reported 224 deaths because of the ongoing conflict while Israel said 24 of its civilians have been killed.

Follow all the updates here:
June 19, 2025 5:42 AM IST

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June 19, 2025 5:11 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: China to help citizens evacuate from Israel to Egypt starting Friday

Iran Israel war news LIVE: China’s embassy in Israel announced on Thursday that it will help Chinese nationals who wish to evacuate, with departures set to begin in groups starting Friday.

According to the embassy’s notice, the evacuation will transport Chinese citizens by bus to the Taba Border Crossing into Egypt, located roughly 360 km (224 miles) from Tel Aviv.

“The Israel-Iran conflict continues to intensify, with increasing casualties, the possibility of further deterioration cannot be ruled out,” the embassy cautioned.

June 19, 2025 3:30 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Trump approved Iran attack plans behind closed doors, report claims

Iran Israel war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump informed top aides late Tuesday that he had approved military plans for a strike on Iran but was holding off on issuing the final order, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday. 

The report, citing three sources familiar with the discussions, said Trump is waiting to see if Tehran steps back from its nuclear program.

June 19, 2025 2:39 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: IDF strikes over 20 military targets in Tehran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: The IDF carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes in Tehran, targeting more than 20 military sites linked to the Iranian regime. The targets included facilities involved in nuclear weapons development and missile production. According to the Israeli military, 60 Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by the IDF Intelligence Directorate, participated in the operation over the past several hours.

June 19, 2025 2:30 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Khamenei rules out surrender as Iran launches hypersonic missiles at Israel

Iran Israel war news LIVE:Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Iran would never surrender, as the country launched hypersonic missiles in a fresh wave of strikes on Israel, marking the sixth day of conflict between the two longtime adversaries.

The missile barrage followed Israel's claim that it had destroyed Iran’s internal security headquarters in Tehran and carried out new strikes on missile systems and storage facilities in western Iran.

Khamenei also issued a warning to the United States, cautioning against any involvement in the conflict. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at possible intervention and demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender."

"This nation will never surrender," Khamenei said in a televised speech, dismissing Trump’s ultimatum as "unacceptable."

June 19, 2025 12:50 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran says Israel briefly hacked state TV broadcast

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iranian media reported on Wednesday that Israel temporarily disrupted the state television broadcast, airing footage of women-led protests and calling on citizens to join demonstrations.

The Hamshahri daily posted a video of the brief interruption on its Telegram channel, stating, "hackers infiltrated state television and broadcast a call asking people to take to the streets."

Following the incident, Iran's state television issued a warning to viewers, saying the disruption occurred "due to cyberattacks carried out by the Zionist enemy that is disrupting the satellite transmission."

June 19, 2025 12:27 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Netanyahu expresses gratitude to Trump for backing amid Iran conflict

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his backing as Israel continued its military exchange with Iran for the sixth consecutive day.

The current round of hostilities erupted on Friday after Israel launched an extensive bombing campaign, leading Iran to retaliate with missiles and drone attacks – escalating decades of tension and covert conflict between the two nations.

"I want to thank President Trump, a great friend of the state of Israel," Netanyahu said in a televised address.

"I thank him for being at our side, and I thank him for the support of the United States in defending Israel's skies."

Netanyahu also noted that Israel was responding forcefully to Iranian attacks, stating the country was hitting back with "tremendous power," while also admitting that Israel had endured "painful losses" during the ongoing conflict.

June 19, 2025 12:18 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: IDF targets Iranian missile facility supplying Hezbollah with anti-tank weapons

Iran Israel war news LIVE: The Israeli military stated that its Air Force fighter jets, directed by the IDF Intelligence Directorate, carried out a strike on a facility involved in producing anti-tank missiles. These weapons were manufactured in Iran and then transferred by the Iranian regime through third countries to its proxy groups for use in terrorist attacks against Israel.

According to the IDF, in recent years, Iran has supplied Hezbollah with hundreds of such missiles. Since the onset of the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of anti-tank missiles into Israel, causing casualties among both civilians and soldiers.

June 19, 2025 12:12 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran's Khamenei rejects US call for ‘unconditional surrender’

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed President Donald Trump's demand for “unconditional surrender”, while Trump signalled his frustration but offered no clarity on possible next moves.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump refused to confirm whether he had decided to join Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign against Iran.

"I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do," he said.

Trump also mentioned that Iranian officials had recently reached out to discuss potential negotiations, including the possibility of a meeting at the White House. However, he noted, "it's very late to be talking."

June 19, 2025 12:05 AM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Trump refuses to say whether US will strike Iran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to confirm whether he has made a decision to launch a US strike on Iran, despite Tehran’s fresh warning that any such move would be met with strong retaliation.

“I may do it, I may not do it," Trump told reporters during a briefing at the White House. “I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

He also suggested there was still time for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions as he continues to consider possible direct US involvement in Israel's military campaign targeting Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“Nothing’s too late,” Trump said. “I can tell you this. Iran’s got a lot of trouble."

“Nothing is finished until it is finished,” he added. “But the next week is going to be very big— maybe less than a week."

In response to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejecting his demand for an unconditional surrender, Trump had a brief reply: “I say good luck.”

June 18, 2025 11:14 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Macron directs foreign ministry to aid French nationals seeking to leave Israel and Iran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the foreign affairs ministry to take all necessary measures to assist French nationals who wish to leave Israel and Iran, Reuters reported.

The directive comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Macron stressing the importance of ensuring the safety and support of French citizens in both countries.

June 18, 2025 10:49 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran launches hypersonic missiles against Israel

Iran Israel tensions: As tensions escalate, Iranian state medua has reported that Iran has launched hypersonic missiles against Israel in a new attack. 

June 18, 2025 10:47 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Trump delivers mixed messages on Iran strike

Iran israel tensions: US President Donald Trump has delivered a “mixed message” on Wedneday where he did not say Wednesday whether he has decided to order a US strike on Iran. 

“I may do it, I may not do it," Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the White House . “I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.”

Trump added that it's not “too late” for Iran to give up its nuclear programme. “Nothing's too late,” Trump said. “I can tell you this. Iran's got a lot of trouble."

“Nothing is finished until it is finished,” Trump added. But “the next week is going to be very big— maybe less than a week."

June 18, 2025 10:18 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran issues evacuation warning for residents in Israel's Haifa 

Moments after the Israeli military said it spotted a missile launched from iran, Tehran has issued an evacuation warning for residents of Israel's Haifa.

June 18, 2025 10:09 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Israeli military says more missiles coming from Iran

Iran Israel conflict: Israel's military has stated that it has spotted missiles launched from Irn towards Israel.

June 18, 2025 9:37 PM IST

Iran Israel conflict LIVE: PM Modi, Croatian PM discuss iran Israe conflict, Russia-Ukraine war

Iran Israel war news updates: Indian prime minister narendra Modi is on the last stop of his three-nation tour - Croatia. As per  Croatian PM Plenković, the ongoing conflict between iran and Israel and the Russia-Ukraine war was discussed. 

 

June 18, 2025 9:17 PM IST

iran Israel war news LIVE updates: US working to evacuate American citizens in Israel

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has stated that the US embassy is working to set up options for citizens who want to leave Israel.

“Urgent notice! American citizens wanting to leave Israel – US Embassy in Israel is working on evacuation flights and cruise ship departures,” the US ambassador said in a social media post.

June 18, 2025 8:57 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate students 

Iran Israel conflict: As tensions escalate between iran and Israel, India has launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ in order to evacuate and bring back Indian students stranded in Iran. 

The first flight carrying 110 students from Armenia is expected to land in New Delhi on Thursday. 

June 18, 2025 8:38 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran near complete national internet blackout

Iran Israel war news updates: Amid the back and forth strikes between Iran and Israel, NetBlocks has stated that Iran is near a complete national internet blackout. 

“ Confirmed: Live network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total national internet blackout; the incident follows a series of earlier partial disruptions and comes amid escalating military tensions with Israel after days of back-and-forth missile strikes,” the data observor wrote on X. 

June 18, 2025 8:18 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Trump says patience with Iran as “run out” 

Iran Israel conflict news: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that his patience with Iran has “run out”

“It's already run out. That's why we're doing what we're doing,” he told reporters. However, the US president added that it was “not too late” for negotiations. 

June 18, 2025 7:49 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Trump hints at strikes against Iran

Iran israel tensions: US President Donald Trump has hinted towards strikes against Iran. Speaking to reporters, the US president stated that he “may or may not” strike Tehran, adding that “patience has run out.” 

June 18, 2025 7:35 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Israel claims it has destroyed Iran's Internal Security Headquarters

Iran israel war news updates: As per the latest update shared by Israeli defence minister Israel Katz, the Israeli military has destroyed Iran's International Securtiy Headqauters. 

“Air Force jets have now destroyed the Iranian regime's Internal Security Headquarters - the Iranian dictator's central repressive arm. As we promised - we will continue to harm symbols of government and strike at the ayatollah regime everywhere,” Katz shared on X.

June 18, 2025 7:10 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Israel intercepts Iranina missile in occupied Golan Heights 

Iran Israel war news updates: As the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates, the Israeli military has intercepted an iranian missile in the occupied Golan Heights region. 

“The drone had entered into the south of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights, setting off alerts,” said the IDF. 

June 18, 2025 7:01 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Russia tells US not to strike Iran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Russia is telling the United States not to strike Iran as it would radically destabilise the Middle East, Reuters reports.

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov, while speaking on the sidelines of an economic forum in St Petersburg, told Interfax news agency Moscow was urging Washington to refrain from direct involvement.

"This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation," he said.

June 18, 2025 6:55 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: IDF says 1,100 Iranian targets hit since June 13

Iran Israel war news LIVE: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it has hit 1,100 Iranian targets since June 13, the Times of Israel reports. Some 40 Iranian military targets in western Iran were hit on Wednesday morning, the IDF says.

June 18, 2025 6:13 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Israeli military attacks military targets in Tehran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: After a series of blasts were heard in Tehran, the Israeli military says that it is attacking military targets in Tehran, reports Reuters.

June 18, 2025 5:50 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Multiple blasts heard in Tehran

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Multiple explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran, AFP reports. The series of blasts was heard shortly before 3:30pm local time.

June 18, 2025 5:42 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: UK withdraws families of embassy staff in Israel 

Iran Israel news updates: The families of British diplomatic staff in Israel have been “temporarily withdrawn” amid the tensions between Israel and iran. 

The Foreign Office said on Wednesday that family members of staff at the embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem had been “temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure”.

June 18, 2025 5:02 PM IST

Iran Israel conflict LIVE updates:  Russia, UAE call for urgent de-escalation between Iran and Israel

Iran Israel war news update: Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for an immediate end to the conflict between Israel and Iran on Wednesday.

As per the statement issued by the Kremlin, Putin reiterated Russia's readiness to serve as a mediator to help find a diplomatic solution to Israeli and Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme.

June 18, 2025 4:51 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: 110 Indian students evacuated to Armenia 

Iran Israel war news updates: Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, at least 110 Indian students, including 90 from Kashmir, were safely evacuated to Armenia.  Iran is home to more than 4,000 Indian nationals, about half of them students. Many of the students are from Jammu and Kashmir and are enrolled in medical and other professional courses

June 18, 2025 4:47 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: Germany calls on Iran to talk amid growing tensions with Israel

Iran Israel war news: As the conflict between Iran and Israel continues to grow, Germany has called on Tehran to talk and negotiation. Speaking to reporters, German foreign minister has stated that Berlin has “made it clear to Iran that it is never too late to come to the negotiating table."

June 18, 2025 4:31 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Israel claims it destroyed five Iranian helicopters

Iran Israel conflict news: Israel's military has claimed it has destroyed five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters at a base in western Iran in Kermanshah.

The military also published black-and-white video of the bombing destroying the helicopters. Iran is yet to confirm the attack

June 18, 2025 4:19 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Israel launches airlift operations to bring home stranded citizens

Iran Israel war news: Israel has launched a phased airlift operation to bring home its citizens, after the country's military strike on Iran closed air space across the Middle East. 

As per an FP report, the first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Tel Aviv Airport early Wednesday morning, returning passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus.

June 18, 2025 4:13 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Khamenei says Iran ‘will not surrender’, warns Trump against US intervention

Iran Israel war news updates: In his televised address, Iran's Supreme Leader directly referenced US President Donald Trump’s earlier call for a “unconditional surrender," as “vulgar." 

“Iran’s people are not to be surrendered,” he said, “and the Americans must know that any military entry will undoubtedly be met with irreparable damage.”

June 18, 2025 3:56 PM IST

Iran Israel news live update: Israel 'made a huge mistake' attacking Iran, says Khamenei

Iran Israel war news update: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that israel “made a huge mistake” attacking Iran and will be “punished” for its aggression, reported state run Mehr News.

June 18, 2025 3:53 PM IST

Iran-Israel war news LIVE: Turkey backs Iran's ‘right to self-defence’

Iran-Israel conflict update: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has backed Iran and stated that the region was defending itself against Israel's illegal, "crazed" attacks, and “state terrorism.” 

Speaking to members of his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdogan also said Israel had attacked Turkey's neighbour Iran without waiting for an end to nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran. 

June 18, 2025 3:42 PM IST

Iran Israel news LIVE: Israel strikes two nuclear sites in Iran, says IAEA

Iran Israel war news updates: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, a workshop in Karaj and the Tehran Nuclear Research Center, were hit in Israeli attacks on Wednesday.

"The IAEA has information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit. Both sites were previously under IAEA monitoring and verification as part of the JCPOA," the UN watchdog wrote on X.

June 18, 2025 3:28 PM IST

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran's Supreme Leader to address nation amid tensions with Israel

Iran Israel war news LIVE: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is to deliver a televised speech "in a few minutes", as per official IRNA news agency 

Khamenei's announcement comes as the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its sixth day. 

June 18, 2025 2:59 PM IST

Iran Israel war LIVE updates: Iran will ‘respond strongly’ to Israeli attack, says diplomat

Iran israel attack news: Iran has stated that it “respond strongly” to Israel's “aggression” and will do so likewise against the United States if US forces join the conflict between 

Speaking to reporters, Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador in Geneva, vowed a strong response from Tehran if Israeli aggression continues. 

June 18, 2025 2:12 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news LIVE: Iran Supreme Leader vows ‘no mercy’ for Israeli leaders

Israel Iran war news update: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy towards Israel's rulers. 

"We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy," Khamenei posted on X.

Iran's warning comes after US president Donald Trump called on Tehran to “unconditionally surrender" amid its conflict with Israel. 

June 18, 2025 1:58 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: American intervention would cause all-out war, says Iran foreign minister

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman says, 'Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.'

June 18, 2025 1:46 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Iran's UN envoy says will respond to Israeli strikes ‘strongly’

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said on Wednesday that the country will respond to Israeli strikes "strongly" and “without restraint". 

"We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint," Reuters quoted Ali Bahreini, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations in Geneva, as saying.

 

June 18, 2025 1:32 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Families of Russian diplomats moved out of Israel

The families of Russian diplomats have left Israel, Russia's ambassador to Tel Aviv Anatoly Viktorov said on Wednesday, as Israel and Iran traded fire for a sixth day.

"Almost all the wives and children of embassy employees" left on Tuesday via Egypt "to return to their homeland," Viktorov said, interviewed by pro-Kremlin presenter Vladimir Solovyev.

He also did not rule out the possibility that the Russian embassy could be moved "to a more secure location without leaving Israel," after another night of strikes between Israel and Iran.  (AFP)

June 18, 2025 1:20 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Advanced Hermes drone shot down in Iran

Iranian army air defence units shot down an advanced Hermes drone early this morning over central Isfahan province, reports Iranian state TV 

The drone was intercepted around 05:00 local time, according to a BBC correspondent at the scene, standing next to the wreckage.

The drone was reportedly destroyed before it could launch any weapons.

June 18, 2025 1:10 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: 800 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran

Almost 800 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Iran since Israel launched military strikes against the country last week, Beijing said Wednesday.

"Currently... 791 Chinese nationals have been relocated from Iran to safe areas," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference, adding some Chinese nationals have also safely evacuated from Israel. (AFP)

June 18, 2025 12:59 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Iran has fires around 400 missiles against Israel so far

Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones in retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 24 people in Israel and wounded hundreds. Some have hit apartment buildings in central Israel, causing heavy damage, and air raid sirens have repeatedly forced Israelis to run for shelter.

Iran has fired fewer missiles in each of its barrages, with just a handful launched on Wednesday. It has not explained the decline, but it comes after Israel targeted many Iranian launchers. (AP)

June 18, 2025 12:40 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: IDF shares video of its operation against centrifuge production site in Iran

In a post on X, the Israeli Defence Forces said, "The IDF struck a centrifuge production site and multiple weapon manufacturing facilities in the Tehran area, key elements of Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Over 50 IAF fighter jets targeted:

- A facility for producing centrifuges used to enrich uranium beyond civilian levels.

- Sites manufacturing parts for surface-to-surface missiles fired at Israel.

- A facility for surface-to-air missile components used to target aircraft.

These strikes directly degrade Iran’s ability to threaten Israel and the region."

June 18, 2025 12:26 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: 5 people arrested in Iran over 'tarnishing' country's image - Report

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Iran said Wednesday it had detained five suspected agents of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency on charges of tarnishing the country's image online, Iranian news agencies reported.

"These mercenaries sought to sow fear among the public and tarnish the image of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through their calculated activities online," the Tasnim and ISNA news agencies quoted a statement from the Revolutionary Guards as saying. They added that the arrests had been made in western Iran. (AFP)

June 18, 2025 12:12 PM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Israel launches airlift to bring stranded citizens home after Iran strike

Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas.

The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus.

Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home.

El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. (Reuters) 

June 18, 2025 11:56 AM IST

Israel Iran attack news live updates: Trump may rely on US bunker-buster to target Iran’s nuclear sites

Israel Iran attack news live updates: A powerful US bunker-buster bomb is believed to be the only weapon capable of destroying Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear sites—making it the likely option for President Donald Trump if he decides to offer military support to Israel. The GBU-57, a 30,000-pound (13,607 kg) bomb designed to penetrate up to 200 feet (61 metres) underground before detonation, is not part of Israel’s arsenal, even though Israel has repeatedly pledged to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. (AFP)

News world news Iran Israel attack highlights: Trump approved Iran attack plans behind closed doors, report claims