Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran
MOSCOW, June 18 (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct U.S. military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.
In separate comments, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical.
Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such "speculative options," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.
"This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation," it cited him as saying.
Earlier, a source familiar with U.S. internal discussions said President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now."
Israel launched air strikes last Friday against Iran's nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in January signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran, has called for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides.
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Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
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Israel blitzes Iran suburb where Ayatollah is 'hiding in a bunker' as Russia warns Trump NOT to join war
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Live updates below Khamenei: Iran will never surrender - and U.S. intervention will be met with 'irreparable damage' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a televised address to the nation Iran's supreme leader told his people on Wednesday that Tehran would 'never surrender' after U.S. president Donald Trump demanded an 'unconditional' exit from the conflict, now in its sixth day. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised address that Iran would 'stand firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace', according to the Tasnim news agency. 'This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition,' he said in his first televised comments since Israel launched its surprise attack on Friday. Khamenei also alluded to Trump's recent statements, saying that 'intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language'. 'The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,' he added. Khamenei said that Israel had made a 'huge mistake' with its campaign, promising that they will be 'punished'. 13:23 Khamenei 'moved to underground bunker on Friday' Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly moved to an underground bunker in Lavizan, a northerastern neighbourhood in Tehran, on Friday just hours after Israel launched its first attacks. Iran International reported all members of Khamenei's family including his son Mojtaba were with him at the time he was relocated. He is believed to be holed up with his family, including his son, Mojtaba - who has been pegged as a potential successor to the ageing supreme leader. Israel has already taken out top ranking officials including the chief of staff of the Iranian military and the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Chiefs (IRGC) since Friday. 13:15 New airstrikes close to Khamenei's bunker - report Israeli media outlets are reporting the new airstrikes launched in Tehran this afternoon are close to where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding in an underground bunker. Footage circulating on social media shows multiple blasts in Lavizan, a neighborhood in the eastern part of the capital where it is said the supreme leader could be seeking refuge. Khamenei gave a televised address today to declare Tehran would 'never surrender' after U.S. president Donald Trump demanded an 'unconditional' exit from the conflict. The fresh airstrikes have also reportedly struck Tehran's Nobonyad Square, home to the headquarters of the Iranian Defense Ministry and several factories. 13:02 Breaking:Pictures: Tehran under attack as Israel launches new strikes These pictures show Tehran is once again under attack as Israel launches new strikes in the Iranian capital. The IDF has confirmed the Israeli Air Force is attacking military targets across the city with blasts heard at around 3.30pm local time (1pm UK time). 12:55 Israel to ease restrictions as country looks to 'reopen economy' Israel will ease domestic restrictions imposed on its population due to the ongoing war with Iran and will 'reopen its economy', defence minister Israel Katz said today. Under the changes small gatherings will be permitted and workplaces will be allowed to operate if an adequate shelter can be reached in time. Schools remain closed nationwide until further notice. The eased restrictions take effect from 6pm tonight and were ordered following an assessment by the IDF Home Front Command and Mr Katz. 'While we continue our intense fight against Iran until the threats are removed, we will also reopen the economy, ease restrictions, and restore Israel to paths of creativity, activity, and security,' Katz was quoted as saying in a statement. The activity scale in most areas of the country has been adjusted from 'essential activity' to 'limited activity,' the Home Front Command says. Breaking:Starmer to chair Cobra meeting on Middle East Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee on Wednesday to discuss the security situation in the Middle East, the PA news agency is reporting. The high-level meeting follows the Prime Minister's return from the G7 summit in Canada at which he and other world leaders reiterated their 'commitment to peace and stability' but stopped short of calling for a truce between Israel and Iran. But reports have also suggested US President Donald Trump is considering joining Israeli action against Iran after he left the G7 summit a day early to meet with military chiefs. Today's Cobra meeting comes amid confusion over whether British nationals should remain in Israel after the Foreign Office withdrew family members of embassy staff from the country. The Foreign Office said the withdrawal was temporary and a 'precautionary measure', with staff remaining at both the embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: Our embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem remain fully staffed and continue to provide consular services to those who require assistance. But Downing Street would not say whether British nationals should attempt to leave the country. 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The spokesman added that Foreign Office teams were present at the border with Jordan to help Britons with onward travel, but would not say that the Government was advising British nationals to leave Israel. Multiple blasts heard across Tehran Multiple explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, AFP journalists said, with black smoke seen rising in the east. The series of blasts was heard shortly before 3:30pm local time (1pm UK time), on the sixth day of the most intense exchange of fire between arch-foes Iran and Israel. The IDF has confirmed the Israeli Air Force is attacking Iranian regime military targets in Tehran. Reporters on social media say the blasts are taking place in the Lavizan neighbourhood in the eastern part of the capital. 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A 29-year-old woman, who left the capital on Monday, has told how Iran's leaders had failed to keep them safe. It's a kind of failing of the past that they didn't build shelters. Even though we've been under the shadow of a war, as long as I can remember. 11:04 Israel claims to have hit 1,100 targets in five days Israel claimed to have hit 1,100 Iranian targets over five days of conflict on Wednesday. Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said at a news conference today that Israel was 'operating systematically to neutralise the nuclear threat'. 'The Air Force is operating freely in Iran – this is unprecedented,' he said. The military shared footage of what appeared to be an air strike in Iran. The Israeli army, meanwhile, said in a post on X that the Air Force had struck 'more than 40 missile infrastructures aimed at the State of Israel, missile storage sites, and military operatives of the Iranian regime' this morning. 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Nicole Grajewski, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said: By positioning itself as an indispensable intermediary, Moscow aims to reassert diplomatic relevance despite its pariah status in Europe Russia also wants to protect its ally Tehran, facing a potentially existential military clash. She added: Israel could unearth Iran's fortress nuclear facility, expert claims Israel could look to topple the elusive nuclear facility 'Fordow' with a daring commando raid, a former researcher for Israel's ministry of defence has suggested. Ehud Eilam told the Wall Street Journal that Israel might turn back to more covert means to cripple the facility, built an estimated 80-90 metres underground. Israel could otherwise carry out a cyberattack or targeted assassinations to weaken the site, believed to be out of reach for Israel's bunker busters. The alternative - without the support of heavy American bombers - would be to send a large number of smaller penetrator bombs to hack away at the reinforcements around the compound, Eilam suggested. The Iranian Fars news agency reported yesterday that a cyberattack had disrupted Iran's Bank Sepah. An Israeli-linked group later claimed responsibility. Earlier this week, Israeli officials cryptically promised a 'surprise' on Thursday night similar to its pager attack on Hezbollah leadership, though it remains unclear what that might look like. 10:35 Iran threatens to 'respond strongly' to any aggression from either Israel or United States Iran will respond 'strongly' to any aggression from either Israel or Washington, Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said Wednesday. 'We will respond strongly and we will stop aggression from any side, be it Israel or the United States,' Ali Bahreini told a press conference. 'And we have given a message to the United States that we will respond very firmly and will stop the aggression by anybody - including the United States,' he said. Iran said early Wednesday that it fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes between the arch foes. Bahreini also criticised the attitude of Western and European nations. 'When you look at the positions of different countries, Western countries, European countries, not only they are not condemning the attacks and aggression, they are trying to justify the aggression,' he said. Israel continues strikes on Gaza as conflict is eclipsed by growing clashes with Iran Israeli gunfire and strikes killed at least 30 people across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, local health authorities said, as some Palestinians there said their plight was being forgotten as attention shifted to the air war between Israel and Iran. 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In an X post on Tuesday night, Khamenei shared a disturbing image showing balls of fire raining down on an ancient city. 'In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins,' he wrote in Farsi, referring to Ali - whom Shia Muslims consider the first Imam and the rightful successor to the prophet Mohammed. Iranian Supreme Leader declares 'the battle begins' Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent out some eerie messages Tuesday night as US President Donald Trump continues to weigh his options on the ongoing war with Israel. Israel-Iran conflict enters sixth day: Key updates as Iranian leader vows no mercy If you're just joining us this morning, here's what you need to know: U.S. officials have indicated that Iran has 24 to 48 hours to surrender and save itself from an American military onslaught as President Trump weighs up whether to join Israeli strikes Despite Trump's threats, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supreme leader has vowed to show 'no mercy' against Israel The Iranian foreign ministry also warned American intervention in the Middle East would be 'a recipe for all-out war in the region' It comes as thousands of people fled Tehran and other major Iranian cities as Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other overnight. Israel has reported no-one has died as a result of the latest attacks which includes 10 missiles it intercepted early this morning The first aircraft carrying Israelis stranded abroad since the conflict broke out landed at Ben Gurion Airport today as citizens look to return to their homes The UN's nuclear watchdog said two centrifuge production facilities - machines used to enrich uranium - in Iran had been hit in strikes
Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Security to be beefed up at Donald Trump's luxury Ayrshire hotel and golf resort
The planning proposals come in the wake of an act of vandalism which took place at Trump Turnberry in the early hours of Saturday, March 8. Plans are in place to beef up security at the luxury hotel and golf resort in Ayrshire, owned by US President Donald Trump. Ayrshire Live can reveal that plans have been lodged to erect new wrought iron gates to various entry points to the five-star resort. The planning proposals come in the wake of an alleged act of vandalism at Trump Turnberry in the early hours of Saturday, March 8. Pro Palestinian group, Palestine Action, later claimed responsibility for the vandalism which saw red paint daubed on the clubhouse and damage caused to the greens. A message reading 'Gaza Is Not For Sale' was left in large white lettering on one of the resort's greens too. So far seven people has been arrested and charged in relation to the damage. Now five new wrought iron gates are to be strategically placed around the resort, including at the hotel entrance, the clubhouse, the lighthouse, the caddyshack and near the Lands of Turnberry Apartments and Cottages. Agents in the proposals are Glasgow firm 3D Reid and the applicants are Trump Turnberry. The proposals are listed as 'pending consideration' on South Ayrshire Council's online planning portal and a decision on them is expected in August. News of the planning application follows the announcement from Trump Turnberry that the iconic Ailsa course reopened at the start of June following an eagerly anticipated £1m renovation.
