Israel threatens Iran's top leader after hospital hit
Israel's defence minister has overtly threatened Iran's supreme leader after the latest missile barrage from Iran damaged a major hospital and hit a high-rise and several other residential buildings near Tel Aviv.
At least 40 people were wounded in the attacks, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.
Black smoke rose from the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba as emergency teams evacuated patients.
There were no serious injuries in the strike on the hospital.
In the aftermath of the strikes on Thursday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz blamed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist".
US officials said this week that US president Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him "at least not for now".
Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and its only functioning nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast on the seventh day of a conflict that began with a surprise wave of Israeli air strikes targeting military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists.
A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1300 wounded.
In retaliation, Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds.
The hospital said the main impact was on an old surgery building that had been evacuated in recent days.
After the strike, the medical facility was closed to all patients except for life-threatening cases, it said.
Soroka has more than 1000 beds and provides services to around one million residents in the south of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike on the hospital and vowed a response, saying: "We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, although most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences.
Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium.
Iranian state TV said there was "no radiation danger whatsoever" from the attack on the Arak site.
Israel had warned earlier on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
Israel separately claimed to have struck another site around Natanz it described as being related to Iran's nuclear program, and Iran's only operating nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
A military official later said "it was a mistake" to say there was a strike on the Bushehr plant.
An attack on Bushehr, which is near Iran's Arab Gulf neighbours and employs technicians from Russia, would potentially be a major escalation in Israel's air war.
Iran has long maintained its program is for peaceful purposes.
The strikes came a day after Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause "irreparable damage to them".
Israel had lifted some restrictions on daily life on Wednesday, suggesting the missile threat from Iran on its territory was easing.
Already, Israel's campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran and a nuclear site in Isfahan.
Its strikes have also killed top generals and nuclear scientists.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he would travel to Geneva for meetings with his European counterparts on Friday, indicating a new diplomatic initiative might be taking shape.
Trump has said he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the US joining Israel's campaign.
Iran has warned of dire consequences if the US deepens its involvement, without elaborating.
with Reuters
Israel's defence minister has overtly threatened Iran's supreme leader after the latest missile barrage from Iran damaged a major hospital and hit a high-rise and several other residential buildings near Tel Aviv.
At least 40 people were wounded in the attacks, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.
Black smoke rose from the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba as emergency teams evacuated patients.
There were no serious injuries in the strike on the hospital.
In the aftermath of the strikes on Thursday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz blamed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist".
US officials said this week that US president Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him "at least not for now".
Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and its only functioning nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast on the seventh day of a conflict that began with a surprise wave of Israeli air strikes targeting military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists.
A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1300 wounded.
In retaliation, Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds.
The hospital said the main impact was on an old surgery building that had been evacuated in recent days.
After the strike, the medical facility was closed to all patients except for life-threatening cases, it said.
Soroka has more than 1000 beds and provides services to around one million residents in the south of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike on the hospital and vowed a response, saying: "We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, although most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences.
Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium.
Iranian state TV said there was "no radiation danger whatsoever" from the attack on the Arak site.
Israel had warned earlier on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
Israel separately claimed to have struck another site around Natanz it described as being related to Iran's nuclear program, and Iran's only operating nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
A military official later said "it was a mistake" to say there was a strike on the Bushehr plant.
An attack on Bushehr, which is near Iran's Arab Gulf neighbours and employs technicians from Russia, would potentially be a major escalation in Israel's air war.
Iran has long maintained its program is for peaceful purposes.
The strikes came a day after Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause "irreparable damage to them".
Israel had lifted some restrictions on daily life on Wednesday, suggesting the missile threat from Iran on its territory was easing.
Already, Israel's campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran and a nuclear site in Isfahan.
Its strikes have also killed top generals and nuclear scientists.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he would travel to Geneva for meetings with his European counterparts on Friday, indicating a new diplomatic initiative might be taking shape.
Trump has said he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the US joining Israel's campaign.
Iran has warned of dire consequences if the US deepens its involvement, without elaborating.
with Reuters
Israel's defence minister has overtly threatened Iran's supreme leader after the latest missile barrage from Iran damaged a major hospital and hit a high-rise and several other residential buildings near Tel Aviv.
At least 40 people were wounded in the attacks, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.
Black smoke rose from the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba as emergency teams evacuated patients.
There were no serious injuries in the strike on the hospital.
In the aftermath of the strikes on Thursday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz blamed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist".
US officials said this week that US president Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him "at least not for now".
Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and its only functioning nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast on the seventh day of a conflict that began with a surprise wave of Israeli air strikes targeting military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists.
A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1300 wounded.
In retaliation, Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds.
The hospital said the main impact was on an old surgery building that had been evacuated in recent days.
After the strike, the medical facility was closed to all patients except for life-threatening cases, it said.
Soroka has more than 1000 beds and provides services to around one million residents in the south of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike on the hospital and vowed a response, saying: "We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, although most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences.
Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium.
Iranian state TV said there was "no radiation danger whatsoever" from the attack on the Arak site.
Israel had warned earlier on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
Israel separately claimed to have struck another site around Natanz it described as being related to Iran's nuclear program, and Iran's only operating nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
A military official later said "it was a mistake" to say there was a strike on the Bushehr plant.
An attack on Bushehr, which is near Iran's Arab Gulf neighbours and employs technicians from Russia, would potentially be a major escalation in Israel's air war.
Iran has long maintained its program is for peaceful purposes.
The strikes came a day after Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause "irreparable damage to them".
Israel had lifted some restrictions on daily life on Wednesday, suggesting the missile threat from Iran on its territory was easing.
Already, Israel's campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran and a nuclear site in Isfahan.
Its strikes have also killed top generals and nuclear scientists.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he would travel to Geneva for meetings with his European counterparts on Friday, indicating a new diplomatic initiative might be taking shape.
Trump has said he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the US joining Israel's campaign.
Iran has warned of dire consequences if the US deepens its involvement, without elaborating.
with Reuters
Israel's defence minister has overtly threatened Iran's supreme leader after the latest missile barrage from Iran damaged a major hospital and hit a high-rise and several other residential buildings near Tel Aviv.
At least 40 people were wounded in the attacks, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service.
Black smoke rose from the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba as emergency teams evacuated patients.
There were no serious injuries in the strike on the hospital.
In the aftermath of the strikes on Thursday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz blamed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist".
US officials said this week that US president Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him "at least not for now".
Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and its only functioning nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast on the seventh day of a conflict that began with a surprise wave of Israeli air strikes targeting military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists.
A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1300 wounded.
In retaliation, Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds.
The hospital said the main impact was on an old surgery building that had been evacuated in recent days.
After the strike, the medical facility was closed to all patients except for life-threatening cases, it said.
Soroka has more than 1000 beds and provides services to around one million residents in the south of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike on the hospital and vowed a response, saying: "We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, although most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences.
Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium.
Iranian state TV said there was "no radiation danger whatsoever" from the attack on the Arak site.
Israel had warned earlier on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
Israel separately claimed to have struck another site around Natanz it described as being related to Iran's nuclear program, and Iran's only operating nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
A military official later said "it was a mistake" to say there was a strike on the Bushehr plant.
An attack on Bushehr, which is near Iran's Arab Gulf neighbours and employs technicians from Russia, would potentially be a major escalation in Israel's air war.
Iran has long maintained its program is for peaceful purposes.
The strikes came a day after Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause "irreparable damage to them".
Israel had lifted some restrictions on daily life on Wednesday, suggesting the missile threat from Iran on its territory was easing.
Already, Israel's campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran and a nuclear site in Isfahan.
Its strikes have also killed top generals and nuclear scientists.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he would travel to Geneva for meetings with his European counterparts on Friday, indicating a new diplomatic initiative might be taking shape.
Trump has said he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the US joining Israel's campaign.
Iran has warned of dire consequences if the US deepens its involvement, without elaborating.
with Reuters
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates: Trump to decide on US involvement ‘within two weeks'; Iranian missiles hit Israeli hospital
Go to latest Pinned post from 4.00am In brief: The latest on the situation in the Middle East Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East as hostilities between Israel and Iran show no sign of cooling. Loading Here's a quick overview of where we're at this morning: Iran launched several missiles yesterday, penetrating Israeli defences and hitting civilian areas, including a hospital in the south. Other parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, were also targeted. Iran's state media said Iranian missiles were targeting the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) command and intelligence headquarters adjacent to the Soroka Hospital that was struck. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks and instructed the IDF to increase its intensity of strikes against Iran US media reported that the Trump administration was preparing for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, which would be a significant escalation in the crisis. The IDF claimed it had killed two Hezbollah commanders during strikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not confirmed either of the deaths. Israel said it had attacked an Iranian nuclear reactor in Arak and dozens of other military and government targets throughout the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported there was no radiation threat from Arak and that the site was not operational. Iran's deputy foreign minister warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, saying Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet his British, French and German counterparts as well as the European Union's top diplomat on Friday in Geneva, Iranian state media reported. Meanwhile, Israel's war in Gaza goes on and the death toll continues to climb. You can catch up with everything we know about the conflict on our regularly updated 'what we know so far' page. 4.01am Europe takes the diplomatic route Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet in Geneva later today (AEST) with counterparts from Germany, France and the UK. Europe's push for diplomacy is in sharp contrast to messages from Washington, with US President Donald Trump openly weighing bombing Iran. The three European countries played an important role in the negotiations over the original 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. It will be a busy day for UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has already been in Washington today to speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lammy was then expected to jump on a plane to Geneva. He may prove pivotal in any negotiations, acting as a 'middle man' between Europe, the US-Israeli alliance, and Iran. He will no doubt have conveyed to Rubio concerns from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over US involvement in the Middle East. Starmer held an emergency meeting 'Cobra' meeting at Downing Street to discuss just that on Wednesday. 4.01am Trump will make decision 'within two weeks' on US action White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave one of her regular media briefings a short time ago. She said US President Donald Trump's main priority was ensuring that Iran does not make nuclear weapons. Leavitt claimed that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would represented 'an existential threat' not just to Israel but to the US and the entire world. She did, however, say that Trump believes there is still a good chance of negotiations with Iran, but she would not offer any further details. Trump would decide on any US action 'within two weeks' – indicating there could be no resolution any time soon, repeating the common Trump political cry of 'peace through strength'. Leavitt also confirmed that Trump would attend a NATO summit later this week. 4.00am In brief: The latest on the situation in the Middle East Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East as hostilities between Israel and Iran show no sign of cooling. Loading Here's a quick overview of where we're at this morning: Iran launched several missiles yesterday, penetrating Israeli defences and hitting civilian areas, including a hospital in the south. Other parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, were also targeted. Iran's state media said Iranian missiles were targeting the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) command and intelligence headquarters adjacent to the Soroka Hospital that was struck. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks and instructed the IDF to increase its intensity of strikes against Iran US media reported that the Trump administration was preparing for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, which would be a significant escalation in the crisis. The IDF claimed it had killed two Hezbollah commanders during strikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not confirmed either of the deaths. Israel said it had attacked an Iranian nuclear reactor in Arak and dozens of other military and government targets throughout the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported there was no radiation threat from Arak and that the site was not operational. Iran's deputy foreign minister warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, saying Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet his British, French and German counterparts as well as the European Union's top diplomat on Friday in Geneva, Iranian state media reported. Meanwhile, Israel's war in Gaza goes on . You can catch up with everything we know about the conflict on our regularly updated 'what we know so far' page.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates: Trump to decide on US involvement ‘within two weeks'; Iranian missiles hit Israeli hospital
Go to latest In brief: The latest on the situation in the Middle East Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East as hostilities between Israel and Iran show no sign of cooling. Loading Here's a quick overview of where we're at this morning: Iran launched several missiles yesterday, penetrating Israeli defences and hitting civilian areas, including a hospital in the south. Other parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, were also targeted. Iran's state media said Iranian missiles were targeting the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) command and intelligence headquarters adjacent to the Soroka Hospital that was struck. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks and instructed the IDF to increase its intensity of strikes against Iran US media reported that the Trump administration was preparing for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, which would be a significant escalation in the crisis. The IDF claimed it had killed two Hezbollah commanders during strikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not confirmed either of the deaths. Israel said it had attacked an Iranian nuclear reactor in Arak and dozens of other military and government targets throughout the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported there was no radiation threat from Arak and that the site was not operational. Iran's deputy foreign minister warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, saying Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet his British, French and German counterparts as well as the European Union's top diplomat on Friday in Geneva, Iranian state media reported. Meanwhile, Israel's war in Gaza goes on and the death toll continues to climb. You can catch up with everything we know about the conflict on our regularly updated 'what we know so far' page. 4.01am Europe takes the diplomatic route Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet in Geneva later today (AEST) with counterparts from Germany, France and the UK. Europe's push for diplomacy is in sharp contrast to messages from Washington, with US President Donald Trump openly weighing bombing Iran. The three European countries played an important role in the negotiations over the original 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. It will be a busy day for UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has already been in Washington today to speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lammy was then expected to jump on a plane to Geneva. He may prove pivotal in any negotiations, acting as a 'middle man' between Europe, the US-Israeli alliance, and Iran. He will no doubt have conveyed to Rubio concerns from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over US involvement in the Middle East. Starmer held an emergency meeting 'Cobra' meeting at Downing Street to discuss just that on Wednesday. 4.01am Trump will make decision 'within two weeks' on US action White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave one of her regular media briefings a short time ago. She said US President Donald Trump's main priority was ensuring that Iran does not make nuclear weapons. Leavitt claimed that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would represented 'an existential threat' not just to Israel but to the US and the entire world. She did, however, say that Trump believes there is still a good chance of negotiations with Iran, but she would not offer any further details. Trump would decide on any US action 'within two weeks' – indicating there could be no resolution any time soon, repeating the common Trump political cry of 'peace through strength'. Leavitt also confirmed that Trump would attend a NATO summit later this week. 4.00am In brief: The latest on the situation in the Middle East Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East as hostilities between Israel and Iran show no sign of cooling. Loading Here's a quick overview of where we're at this morning: Iran launched several missiles yesterday, penetrating Israeli defences and hitting civilian areas, including a hospital in the south. Other parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, were also targeted. Iran's state media said Iranian missiles were targeting the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) command and intelligence headquarters adjacent to the Soroka Hospital that was struck. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks and instructed the IDF to increase its intensity of strikes against Iran US media reported that the Trump administration was preparing for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, which would be a significant escalation in the crisis. The IDF claimed it had killed two Hezbollah commanders during strikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not confirmed either of the deaths. Israel said it had attacked an Iranian nuclear reactor in Arak and dozens of other military and government targets throughout the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported there was no radiation threat from Arak and that the site was not operational. Iran's deputy foreign minister warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, saying Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet his British, French and German counterparts as well as the European Union's top diplomat on Friday in Geneva, Iranian state media reported. Meanwhile, Israel's war in Gaza goes on . You can catch up with everything we know about the conflict on our regularly updated 'what we know so far' page.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Iranians in Australia feel powerless as conflict rages
Rozita Hassaniserkani is worried her father in Iran will forget her before she can see him again. It was several days after Israel's initial strikes on Iran before she could make contact with her family in Tehran. "I didn't have anything from them and it was so stressful," she told AAP. "They are OK but there are so many people, so many innocent people, killed in the last few days and it's really sad. "When you know your loved one or your country is in danger ... and you can't do anything, I think it's the worst feeling anyone can experience." Ms Hassaniserkani - who came to Australia in 2012 - planned to visit Iran in July to see her father, who has Alzheimer's disease. "He might forget me if I don't see him soon," she said. "I was crying like a child and saying ,'Why (should) these kind of things happen in this world, when everybody can live in peace?'" Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1329 others, the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists says. Israel says at least 24 civilians have been killed by retaliatory strikes. Australians in Iran have been advised to shelter in place if they can't leave safely, while the government has already evacuated some citizens from Israel via Jordan. Iranian refugee Nazanin Jebeli said the past week had been difficult. "I'm worried for my people, but at the same time, Iranian women, they're looking for peace, and that's what matters," she told AAP. "Iranian people, no matter what, history has always showed that they had each other's back in difficult times and we support each other." US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, saying he knew where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Iran to resume negotiations to discontinue any nuclear program following Israel's attempts to wipe out the Islamic republic's missile capabilities, claiming it was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Ms Hassaniserkani and Ms Jebeli are among the group of people featured in Archibald Packing Room Prize-winning artist Kathrin Longhurst's exhibition Collective Threads: A Public Presence, which opened at Sydney's Cato Gallery on Thursday. Ms Longhurst - born in East Germany during the Cold War - related to living in an oppressive regime and said working with the Iranian women had proved inspiring and empowering. The project stemmed from protests in 2022 over the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, but has taken on additional significance in recent days. "I know there's a lot of anxiety in the Iranian community but this whole body of work has been about people supporting each other, women supporting women," Ms Longhurst said.
