Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel in the wake of US strikes
Israel said its defence systems were operating to intercept the threat, which apparently targeted north and central areas, and told people to head to shelters.
Iran described the attack as a new wave of its Operation 'True Promise 3', saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television.
There were no immediate reports of damage.
The move came after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites (Iranian Army Press Service via AP)
The attack came the day after the United States inserted itself into Israel's war by attacking Iranian nuclear sites, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict.
Meanwhile, a suspected Israeli air strike hit the gate of Iran's notorious Evin prison in Tehran, Iranian state television reported. Iranian media speculated the strike may have come from a drone.
The report shared what appeared to be black-and-white-surveillance footage of the strike.
The prison is known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.
Israel did not immediately acknowledge carrying out the strike.
Earlier, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said 'very heavy damage' is expected at Iran's underground facility at Fordo after the US air strike this weekend.
After the strike using sophisticated bunker-buster bombs, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in Vienna: 'Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred.'
IAEA Director General @RafaelMGrossi addressed the Board of Governors this morning at an emergency meeting regarding the situation in Iran. pic.twitter.com/lqVr07Sqg7
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 23, 2025
He added that 'at this time, no-one, including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordo'.
Iran said the US had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.
On Monday, Iranian Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned Washington its strikes had given Iranian forces a 'free hand ' to 'act against US interests and its army'.
Gen Mousavi described the American attack as violating Iran's sovereignty and being tantamount to invading the country, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
In the wake of the American attacks on Iran, calls came from across the globe for de-escalation and the return to diplomacy to try and resolve the conflict.
Foreign ministers remain focused on a diplomatic solution, but concerns about the war escalating are high.
Any Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be extremely dangerous.
My doorstep ahead of today's Foreign Affairs Council ↓ pic.twitter.com/VeHwCyxdL4
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 23, 2025
On Monday, the European Union's top diplomat said the bloc remained 'very much focused on the diplomatic solution'.
'The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge,' Kaja Kallas said at the start of a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels where Iran has jumped to the top of the agenda.
'Especially closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody,' Ms Kallas said, referring to a maritime route crucial for oil transport.
After Sunday's attacks, Iranian officials repeated their longstanding threats of possibly closing the key shipping lane.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of Iran's key allies, in Moscow.
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
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Donald Trump's three-word taunt for Iran after missiles fired at US base
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Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways FlightsAs a result of the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar, we can confirm the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support… Flights are landing and taking off again in the United Arab Emirates, according to a post on X by Flightradar24, which tracks real-time air traffic. Flightradar24 added that more than 10 flights earlier had to divert from the UAE. A US official has said no other US bases in the Middle East have been attacked besides Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The official added the US is still determining how many missiles were fired by Iran today - and said there are no reports of damage to the base at this time. BBC Persian reporter Ghoncheh Habibiazad said residents of east and north-east Tehran have reported hearing explosions this evening. According to Iranian outlets, such as the semi-official Mehr, the air defence has been activated in the capital. French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a new statement after Iran launched an attack on a US air base in Qatar. He tweeted: "I express France's solidarity with Qatar, which has been struck by Iran on its soil. I am in close contact with the country's authorities and our partners in the region. "I call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, de-escalate, and return to the negotiating table. This spiral of chaos must end." A Defence Department official is confirming a missile attack from Iran on a US military base in Qatar but says no casualties have been reported. The official said that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The US is continuing to monitor the situation, said the official. 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UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the country is "closely" monitoring the "fast-changing situation" and while saying he can't give details at this stage, he said the British government "utterly condemns any escalation." Giving a statement in the House of Commons about protecting UK military bases, the minister said: "We have put force protection measures at its highest level to safeguard our personnel in the region. "We have robust measures in place to protect our armed forces personnel and their safety is our top priority." The United Arab Emirates has joined Qatar in closing its airspace, according to an analysis of flight paths and air traffic control audio by flight tracking website Flightradar24. "Lots of aircraft are forced to turn around," the website said. Both countries are major hubs of international air travel. The US has long had major military bases in the region - of which eight are permanent. They are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Tens of thousands of US troops are based in the Middle East. Sirens have sounded in Bahrain, the Ministry of Interior has said, urging residents to move to "the nearest safe place". In a series of posts on X, the ministry said people should seek refuge in a building or other covered areas "until the danger has passed" and added they should take precautions "in the event of a loud explosion". Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region. Speaking to US troops at the base in May, the US president said "my priority is to end conflicts, not start them." "But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it's necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here," referring to Qatar. "When we're threatened, America's military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force." The Qatari government official said base had been evacuated earlier given the tensions in the region. He added that there were no injuries or human casualties from the attack. Dr. Al Ansari said: "The base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. "All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others. We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack." Qatar is calling for "the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue," said Dr. Majed Al Ansari. The statement, shared on X, reads: "We also emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security." Dr. Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has said the country condemns that attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. In a statement shared on X, he said Qatar "reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law." Dr. Al Ansari said Qatari aid defences "thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles." The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that… The attack on the US air base came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. Just before the explosions in Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. "But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."
