🔴LIVE UPDATES: Iran launches fresh missile toward Israel after US military strikes three Iranian nuclear facilities - Region
President Donald Trump said that the US military had carried out strikes Sunday on three Iranian nuclear sites and that Tehran "must now agree to end this war", following days of speculation over whether the United States would join its ally Israel's bombing campaign.
10:00 Israeli emergency services have said about 10 sites were hit by Iran's missiles, including in Tel Aviv, Carmel, and Haifa, after Iran launched two waves of missiles following the US bombing of its nuclear sites,
About 23 people are believed to have been injured, most not seriously, according to Israeli media outlets.
Rescuers are continuing to search the impact sites. Some buildings in Tel Aviv have been destroyed, Haaretz reported.
Public broadcaster KAN 11 showed images of a devastated building surrounded by mounds of rubble that it said was in central Israel.
09:50 More personnel from the United States diplomatic mission departed Iraq over the weekend as part of ongoing efforts to reduce embassy staffing amid "regional tensions," a US official said after Washington attacked Iranian nuclear sites. The embassy and the consulate remain operational.
"As part of our ongoing effort to streamline operations, additional personnel departed Iraq on June 21 and 22," the US official told AFP.
09:40 Iranian authorities said "no signs of contamination" after the US attacks on three of its nuclear facilities.
"No signs of contamination have been recorded," according to the National Centre for the Nuclear Safety System, which operates under Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
"There is, therefore, no danger for the inhabitants living around the ... sites."
The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported that there is currently no increase in off-site radiation levels at the three nuclear sites hit by US strikes.
'IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available,' it said.
In a related statement, Saudi regulatory authorities confirmed that "no radioactive effects were detected" in the Gulf region after US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. "No radioactive effects were detected on the environment of the Kingdom and the Arab Gulf states as a result of the American military targeting of Iran's nuclear facilities," the kingdom's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission wrote in a post on X.
09:35 A Yemeni Houthi official said that the group's response to the U.S. attack on Iran was 'only a matter of time'.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi movement's political bureau, told Al Jazeera that its ceasefire deal with Washington was before the 'war' on Iran.
The group has been launching attacks on shipping lanes and Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israeli war. It agreed on a ceasefire deal with the United States in May to stop attacking US ships in exchange for an end to Washington's bombings of the group.
09:20 Iran's armed forces said they targeted multiple sites in Israel, including Ben Gurion airport, after US attacks on key nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic.
"The twentieth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 began using a combination of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles with devastating warhead power," the armed forces said in a statement quoted by Fars news agency.
It added that the targets included the airport, a "biological research centre," logistics bases, and various layers of command and control centres.
Israel's military said it had detected two waves of missiles fired from Iran, as air raid sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and explosions rocked Jerusalem.
"At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat.", the military said in a statement.
A similar statement about another wave of missiles was issued 30 minutes later before the alert was lifted at around 8:10am (0510 GMT).
09:00 The Israeli military said it launched a fresh series of strikes targeting military targets, including missile launchers, in western Iran after the United States attacked the country's nuclear sites.
The air force began "a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran", a military statement said, adding it had "struck missile launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory, soldiers in the Iranian Armed Forces, and swiftly neutralised the launchers that launched missiles toward Israeli territory a short while ago."
08:00 UN chief António Guterres calls the US move a 'dangerous escalation."
08:00 Trump said the US military carried out a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow.
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran," including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site," Fordow, he said, adding that the planes were safely out of Iranian airspace and on the way home.
The president said that after the strikes, Iran "must now agree to end this war," insisting that under no circumstances should Iran possess a nuclear weapon.
Iranian media said part of the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, as well as the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, were attacked.
Israel raised its alert level after the strikes, permitting only essential activities until further notice, the Israeli military announced.
In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump warned that the United States would go after more targets if Iran did not make peace quickly.
"Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," said Trump, adding that they targeted the crucial underground nuclear enrichment plant of Fordo along with facilities at Natanz and Isfahan.
"Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace," said Trump.
Trump said that future attacks would be "far greater" unless Iran reached a diplomatic solution.
"Remember, there are many targets left," he said.
Trump said earlier on his Truth Social site that a "full payload of BOMBS" was dropped on Fordo and noted that "all planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors."
The raid on the Iranian nuclear sites was carried out by B-2 stealth bombers that dropped so-called "bunker buster bombs," along with submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, US media reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the strikes, saying, "with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history."
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
37 minutes ago
- Egypt Today
Tehran accuses US of ‘launching dangerous war' after strikes on Iran nuclear facilities
CAIRO – 22 June 2025: Tehran accused the United States of 'betraying diplomacy' and launching a 'dangerous war' against Iran after the US announced on Sunday 'obliterating' key Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian foreign ministry in a statement said the Iranian state is 'resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression.' The ministry said the attack exposes 'Washington's criminal complicity with the Zionist regime in orchestrating and waging a war against Iran.' "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.… — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 21, 2025 US President Donald Trump announced today a 'very successful' attack on Iran's nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan, claiming that key enrichment facilities there were 'totally and completely obliterated.' Trump warned Iran that any retaliation 'will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.' The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the US 'brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities,' describing the attacks as 'a grave and unprecedented violation' of the Charter of the UN and the international law. The US attack came amidst a war between Israel and Iran, which Tel Aviv initiated on 13 June, bombing nuclear and military sites in Iran and assassinating key military officials and senior nuclear scientists. The Israeli strikes, which have been supported by the US, disrupted US-Iran talks that aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear enrichment. Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw? To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must "return"… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025 'The world must not forget that it was the United States that, in the midst of a diplomatic process, betrayed diplomacy by supporting the genocidal and lawbreaking Israeli regime to impose a war of aggression on the Iranian nation,' the Iranian foreign ministry's statement read. 'Now, in completion of that regime's unlawful and criminal acts, the United States itself has launched a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.'
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
What to know about bunker-buster bombs unleashed on Iran's Fordo nuclear facility - Region
In inserting itself into Israel's war against Iran, Washington unleashed its massive 'bunker-buster' bombs on Iran's Fordo fuel enrichment plant. Those bombs were widely seen as the best chance of damaging or destroying Fordo, built deep into a mountain and untouched during Israel's weeklong offensive. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the operation before an official briefing, confirmed their use in Sunday's attack. The US is the only military capable of dropping the weapons, and the movement of B2 stealth bombers toward Asia on Saturday had signaled possible activity by the US. Israeli leaders had made no secret of their hopes that President Donald Trump would join their week-old war against Iran. However, they had also suggested they had backup plans for destroying the site. It remained unclear early Sunday how much damage had been inflicted upon Fordo. The mission could have wide-ranging ramifications, including jeopardizing any chance of Iran engaging in Trump's desired talks on its nuclear program and dragging the US into another Mideast war. Here's a closer look. What is the bunker-buster bomb? 'Bunker buster' is a broad term used to describe bombs that are designed to penetrate deep below the surface before exploding. In this case, it refers to the latest GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb in the American arsenal. The roughly 30,000-pound (13,600 kilogram) precision-guided bomb is designed to attack deeply buried and hardened bunkers and tunnels, according to the US Air Force. It's believed to be able to penetrate about 200 feet (61 meters) below the surface before exploding, and the bombs can be dropped one after another, effectively drilling deeper and deeper with each successive blast. It was not immediately known how many were used in the Sunday morning strike. The bomb carries a conventional warhead, but the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran is producing highly enriched uranium at Fordo, raising the possibility that nuclear material could be released into the area if the GBU-57 A/B were used to hit the facility. However, Israeli strikes at another Iranian nuclear site, Natanz, on a centrifuge site have caused contamination only at the site itself, not the surrounding area, the IAEA has said. US warplanes also hit Natanz. How tough a target is Fordo? Fordo is Iran's second nuclear enrichment facility after Natanz, its main facility, which has already been targeted by Israeli airstrikes. The IAEA says it believes those strikes have had 'direct impacts' on the facility's underground centrifuge halls. Fordo is smaller than Natanz, and is built into the side of a mountain near the city of Qom, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southwest of Tehran. Construction is believed to have started around 2006, and it became operational in 2009, the same year Tehran publicly acknowledged its existence. In addition to being an estimated 80 meters (260 feet) under rock and soil, the site is reportedly protected by Iranian and Russian surface-to-air missile systems. Those air defenses, however, likely have already been struck in the Israeli campaign, which claims to have knocked out most of Iran's air defenses. Still, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the goal of attacking Iran was to eliminate its missile and nuclear program, which he described as an existential threat to Israel, and officials have said Fordo was part of that plan. "This entire operation ... has to be completed with the elimination of Fordo,' Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the US, told Fox News. Why does the U.S. need to be involved? In theory, the GBU-57 A/B could be dropped by any bomber capable of carrying the weight, but at the moment, the US has only configured and programmed its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to deliver the bomb, according to the Air Force. The B-2 is only flown by the Air Force and is produced by Northrop Grumman. According to the manufacturer, the B-2 can carry a payload of 40,000 pounds (18,000 kilograms), but the US Air Force has said it has successfully tested the B-2 loaded with two GBU-57 A/B bunker busters, a total weight of some 60,000 pounds (27,200 kilograms). The strategic long-range heavy bomber has a range of about 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers) without refueling and 11,500 miles (18,500 kilometers) with one refueling, and can reach any point in the world within hours, according to Northrop Grumman. Trump was noncommittal Whether the US would get involved had been unclear in recent days. At the G7 meeting in Canada, Trump was asked what it would take for Washington to become involved militarily, and he said: 'I don't want to talk about that.' Then on Thursday, Trump said he would decide within 'two weeks' whether to get involved to give another chance to the possibility of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. In the end, it took just two days to decide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
an hour ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt condemns US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities
The logo of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry CAIRO – 22 June 2025: Commenting on the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, Egypt expressed its grave concern regarding these recent developments in Iran and condemned the rapid escalation that portends serious consequences for regional and international security and peace. In a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Egypt affirmed its rejection of any violation of the United Nations Charter and international law and emphasizes the necessity of respecting state sovereignty. Cairo, also, reiterated its warning of the dangers of the region sliding into further chaos and tension. It affirmed that political solutions and diplomatic negotiations, not military action, are the only path toward resolving the crisis and achieving a lasting settlement. Furthermore, Egypt reiterated its call for the necessity of de-escalation, restraint, and prioritizing dialogue in order to safeguard civilian lives and preserve the security and stability of the region. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American aircraft had conducted heavy airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. 'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,' Trump said. Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA): Egypt is far from any direct impact resulting US strikes on uranium enrichment facilities in Iran. The ENRRA reassures Egyptian citizens that no neighboring countries to Iran have reported have reported any change or increase in their radiation levels. The Authority also confirms that it is monitoring around the clock developments related to the status of nuclear facilities in the region in accordance with the developments of current events, through: - Continuously reviewing reports issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concerning the condition of Iranian nuclear facilities. -Actively monitoring background radiation through its national radiation monitoring and early warning system, which employs the latest detection technologies across Egypt. The Authority urges citizens to rely only on official data as a reliable source of information in this regard. The International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) said on X: 'Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran - including Fordow - the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time.' The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated that there is no risk to residents living in the vicinity of the targeted nuclear sites. The Iranian Agency called for an investigation into "illegal" US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. It added that attacks on nuclear sites violate international law. 'We will not allow the development of this national industry to be halted,' it added In response, Iran attacked Ben Gurion Airport, the system's biological research center, and alternative command and control centers. Tehran added that it used guided missiles, capable of maneuvering the warhead at the moment of landing, and guiding until the moment of impact, and equipped with highly explosive and destructive warheads of various types. Since the outbreak of the war between Iran and Israel on June 13, Egypt has exerted tremendous diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands were injured. The war started when Israel, which has nuclear weapon and not a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), launched missile and drones towards Tehran and killed hundreds of nuclear scientists, military leaders and civilians to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Israeli missiles and drones have targeted several nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, Arak and Fordow, causing a minor level of radiation leakage in Natanz as it was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel, which is totally backed by the US, seeks to be the only country in the region that has nuclear weapons. In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds hypersonic missiles and drones on Israel, causing severe damage to buildings besides the Weizmann Institute of Science, Haifa refinery, and the Gav-Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park. Israel, which continues its genocidal war on Gaza despite its war with Iran, attempts to draw the US in its conflict with Iran to also topple the Iranian Islamic regime, led by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, Tehran, along with its regional allies in the Middle East in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, threatened if the US entered the war, the US interests in the Middle East will be targeted.
