🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Iran armed forces urge evacuation of residents in major Israeli cities - Region
Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides wage deadly strikes against one another for a fifth day.
Related Tel Aviv restricts Israelis' departure as conflict with Tehran enters 4th day - as it happened Egypt among 21 countries urging de-escalation after Israeli strikes on Iran OIC broadcasting union condemns Israeli strike on Iranian state TV headquarters
Israel escalated its 'Operation Rising Lion' on Tehran five days after bombing residential and military areas in Iran, killing at least 224 people and wounding over 1,200.
As US President Donald Trump urged residents to evacuate—echoing Israeli calls for 330,000 people to leave central Tehran—the capital began to empty, with shops shuttered and traffic clogging westbound roads.
In retaliation, Iran intensified its 'Operation True Promise III,' launching multiple waves of missiles into central Israel, where large explosions were reported overnight and air raid sirens wailed throughout the night.
Earlier Iranian strikes forced the shutdown of the Haifa oil refinery, other industrial facilities, and the local power plant. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel, with hundreds more wounded.
Meanwhile, Israel has imposed a ban on live TV feed streaming, preventing networks from broadcasting images of incoming Iranian missiles and the damage caused by the strikes.
The US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed Southeast Asia as the Pentagon announced the deployment of 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East. Israeli Channel 11 claimed US forces had begun attacking targets inside Iran, an allegation Washington denied, stating American forces in the region remain in a "defensive posture and that has not changed."
20:30 Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, urged residents of the major Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate, warning of imminent "punitive" attacks.
"Punitive operations will be carried out soon," Mousavi said in a video statement carried by state TV on the fifth day of the deadly confrontation triggered by Israeli air raid on Friday.
He added that previous attacks on Israel have so far only been for "deterrence" purposes.
Referring to Israel, Mousavi said that "residents of the occupied territories, especially Tel Aviv and Haifa, are strongly urged to leave these areas for the sake of their lives".
Mousavi told Israelis not to "fall victim" to "animalistic desires" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which Tehran blames for the escalation.
19:40 US President Donald Trump issued a series of posts on Truth Social warning Iran's leadership and declaring American air dominance.
'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,' he wrote, adding that while the US could target him, 'we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.'
Trump warned that 'our patience is wearing thin' amid continued threats to civilians and U.S. forces.
In a separate post, Trump proclaimed 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' and asserted that the US now has 'complete and total control of the skies over Iran.'
18:55 Iran launched a new wave of attacks targeting Israel, state TV reported, as fighting between the longtime foes raged for a fifth straight day.
"The tenth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 against the occupied territories (Israel) has begun," state TV said, with the Tasnim news agency reporting that the new barrage consisted of "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
18:43 Iranian media reported widespread internet disruption on Tuesday as Israel and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day.
"Internet users in several provinces are reporting widespread internet disruption," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported. Other media carried similar reports.
It was not immediately clear what caused the disruption. Iran has imposed internet restrictions since Israel launched its unprecedented aerial campaign against Iranian military and nuclear facilities on Friday.
18:27 President Donald Trump may decide that "further action" is needed to stop Iran's nuclear program, Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday, responding to speculation that the United States could intervene in the conflict.
"The president has shown remarkable restraint in keeping our military's focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens. He may decide to take further action to end Iranian enrichment," Vance said in a post on X.
Emphasizing that 'whatever he does, that is his focus,' Vance stressed that Trump would act solely to advance 'the American people's goals.'
'The president has made clear that Iran cannot have uranium enrichment,' Vance wrote.
Vance dismissed Iran's claims to peaceful nuclear energy, saying enrichment levels had 'far exceeded' civilian use and accused Tehran of violating its obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'I have yet to see a single good argument for why Iran needed to enrich uranium well above the threshold for civilian use,' he wrote.
18:05 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed deep alarm Monday over the killing of three Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) aid workers, bringing the death toll among IRCS personnel to four in just five days.
'We are deeply appalled by the tragic loss of three aid workers,' the ICRC said in a tweet, highlighting that these individuals were killed while carrying out lifesaving humanitarian work.
The organization stressed that 'humanitarian workers are trying tirelessly to meet the growing needs resulting from the latest escalation of the conflict,' and called for all efforts to be made to ensure their safety.
The ICRC extended its condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those killed.
📍 Iran | We are appalled by the killing of three aid workers from the Iranian Red Crescent Society (@Iran_RCS) while they were carrying out their humanitarian work.
Our condolences go out to their families, friends, and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/br45ypdLge — ICRC (@ICRC) June 17, 2025
17:40 The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned Israel's 16 June airstrike on Iran's State broadcaster, IRIB, in Tehran, which killed at least two journalists during a live broadcast. The strike followed an Israeli evacuation warning and a statement by Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said Iran's State television and radio were 'about to disappear.'
'This was a targeted attack on a media facility, and we mourn the loss of our two colleagues,' said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. 'Under international law, journalists are civilians, and deliberate attacks against them constitute war crimes.'
The IFJ urged all parties to stop targeting journalists and media infrastructure, asserting that 'claiming a media outlet's editorial line is hostile to your cause does not justify an attack.' The Federation demanded accountability, calling for those responsible to be brought before international criminal courts.
Reaffirming its Global Charter of Ethics, the IFJ called on journalists covering the conflict to uphold professional standards. It emphasized the duty to respect facts (Article 1), verify information despite urgency (Article 5), and avoid spreading hatred or discrimination (Article 9).
Smoke billows from an explosion in southwest Tehran. AFP
17:10 The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned Tuesday that the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran is endangering civilian lives and public health across the region.
'The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning — and is costing the lives of civilians, including children,' he wrote on X.
'The growing number of injured civilians are also distressing.'
Tedros emphasized WHO's specific concern over recent attacks on nuclear infrastructure, noting that 'the targeting of nuclear sites may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region.'
The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning — and is costing the lives of civilians, including children. The growing number of injured civilians are also distressing.
@WHO's particular concern is the targeting of nuclear sites, which may have… pic.twitter.com/ECCXlxoBRy — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 17, 2025
17:30 Air raid sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv area and parts of northern Israel on Tuesday, the military said, after warning of a fresh salvo of incoming missiles fired from Iran.
"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the state of Israel," a statement from the military said, with residents of the Tel Aviv area and parts of the north urged to seek shelter.
بالفيديو | أضرار في موقف حافلات في "تل أبيب" الكبرى، بعد سقوط صاروخ إيراني pic.twitter.com/yYuPOOU6Ld — وكالة تسنيم للأنباء (@Tasnimarabic) June 17, 2025
17:00 Iranian media said several blasts were heard on Tuesday in the central city of Isfahan, which hosts multiple nuclear facilities, as Israel kept up its strikes for a fifth day.
"Several explosions were heard in the east and north of Isfahan and air defences were activated against the hostile targets," the Mehr news agency reported.
16:30 US President Donald Trump said he wants a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday.
Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace.
"I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he told reporters on the plane home after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in Canada.
Trump again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying "we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off".
16:00 Qatar has been monitoring radiation levels in the Gulf as Israeli air strikes pound Iranian nuclear facilities, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We are monitoring this on a daily basis," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a news conference.
"We have nothing to be concerned about right now, but obviously prolonged escalation will have unpredictable consequences."
"We have to emphasise, when we are talking about the waters of the Gulf, it's the main source of water for all of us here in the region," Ansari said.
"The international community has to make it very clear that any targeting of nuclear facilities, any targeting of fuel or energy facilities in this region, would have ramifications that are unknown to us in the Gulf."
Ansari said Qatar's own facilities in the field were "secure" but condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure as "reckless".
15:28 The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday it believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran's Natanz enrichment site have had 'direct impacts' on the facility's underground centrifuge halls.
This marks the first time the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran's nuclear program.
'Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,' the agency said.
Already, an above-ground enrichment hall had been destroyed, as well as electrical equipment that powered the facility.
14:25 Two loud explosions were heard from central and north Tehran on Tuesday, AFP correspondents reported, as the Iranian capital came under Israeli bombardment for a fifth straight day.
There was no immediate comment on the cause or precise whereabouts of the twin blasts, which came after the Israeli military struck state television headquarters on Monday, causing significant damage and killing at least three people, the broadcaster said.
Smoke plumes arise from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) corporation building in the north of Tehran after it was hit by an overnight Israeli strike. AFP
14:39 Flights carrying evacuees from Israel have arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, authorities said on Tuesday, putting the two countries among the first to bring citizens home, Reuters said.
Slovak authorities said the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, mainly children, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia.
Another Central European country, Poland, said that the evacuation of 200 Poles from Israel was planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesday, the Polish foreign ministry said it planned to use two planes from Egypt and Jordan for the evacuation, the first of which would take off on Wednesday.
People arrive with their luggage before the departure of a bus slated to evacuate foreign passport holders, mainly European and Polish, out of Israel, at a bus stop in Tel Aviv. AFP
14:21 Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that a growing number of Israelis are fleeing the country by sea to Cyprus or via private flights, defying new government-imposed travel restrictions that bar citizens from leaving amid the deepening regional conflict.
The Israeli government has instructed domestic airlines not to allow citizens to depart on repatriation flights. Transport Minister Miri Regev claimed the measure was meant to prevent overcrowding at airports and prioritize the return of over 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad since Israel launched strikes on Iran last Friday.
Israel's airspace has been closed since the start of the escalation, and national carrier El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through 17 June, with further cancellations until at least 23 June. The airline is reportedly reallocating aircraft for repatriation missions.
However, the fact that only foreign nationals are being permitted to leave has raised questions about whether authorities are trying to suppress images of a mass exodus.
This isn't the first sign. Following the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, over 12,000 Israelis permanently left the country in that month alone—four times the number from the previous year, according to AP. Another estimated 30,000 departed over the following five months, with fewer citizens choosing to return.
14:03 Israel's attacks on Iran have broadened its conflicts in the region to a level that poses a global threat, Jordan's King Abdullah said in a speech in European parliament, Reuters reports.
"With Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end," the Jordanian monarch said.
"And that is a threat to people everywhere. Ultimately, this conflict must end", the Jordanian King added.
13:50 US President Donald Trump disputed his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on how Iran's nuclear capabilities were developed and said Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon when Israel struck in recent days.
Asked where he stands on how close Iran was to getting a nuclear deal, given what Gabbard testified just months ago, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, 'Very close.'
When pressed on Gabbard's testimony that they weren't, Trump said, 'I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having it.'
Gabbard testified in March that the intelligence community 'continues to assess Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized a nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003.
A new CNN investigation has revealed a significant gap between Israeli rhetoric and US intelligence assessments regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities.
13:43 Russia said it was ready to act as a peace broker between Israel and Iran, but that Israel was showing reluctance to accept outside mediation.
"At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
13:05 A cyberattack on crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's vital state-owned banks, Fars news agency reported.
"A cyberattack targeted the infrastructure of Sepah Bank, causing disruptions to the institution's online services," said the Iranian agency, adding the issue was expected to be resolved within the next few hours.
13:00 The Israeli ambassador to Washington threatened Tehran, saying the "Pagers" operation against Hezbollah would be minor compared to "the major surprise" Israel is preparing against Iran this week.
12:55 Iranian police announced the arrest of an Israeli Mossad agent in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, on charges of manufacturing and testing explosives.
12:27 Iran Revolutionary Guards said it had targeted a center belonging to Israel's spy agency in Tel Aviv, Mossad.
In a statement read on state television, the Guard said it had 'struck a military intelligence center of the Zionist entity's army, Aman, and the Zionist regime's terrorist operations planning centre, the Mossad, in Tel Aviv."
"The center is currently on fire," it added.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Defense said that Tehran "used one of our qualitative missiles for the first time, and the Zionist regime was unable to detect it."
"The enemy cannot withstand a long war, and we will break the back of the Zionist regime," he added.
Rockets rain down on Tel Aviv in the morning of the fifth day.
12:11 Iranian media are reporting that three people were rescued from the rubble of a residential building that was struck by the Israeli military.
The IRNA news agency published footage of the Red Crescent rescue operation, but did not provide further details.
12:00 More than 600 foreign nationals have crossed from Iran into neighbouring Azerbaijan since Israel began attacking the country last Friday, a government official in Baku said.
"Since the start of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, more than 600 citizens of 17 countries have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan," the government source told AFP.
"Evacuees are transported from the border to Baku International Airport and flown to their home countries on international flights."
11:45 The Thai government has ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran, a spokesperson said Tuesday, as the two sides exchanged missile fire for a fifth day, AFP reports.
An estimated 40,000 Thai nationals currently live in Israel, most working on farms under a government labour scheme, and about 300 nationals live in Iran.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters after a cabinet meeting, "We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare planes to bring them home from Israel and Iran".
11:00 Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský said he looks forward to Egypt's assistance in evacuating Czech nationals from Israel through Egyptian territory.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the request came during a phone call between Lipavský and Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty on Monday, 16 June.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced via social platform X that the country will dispatch a repatriation flight on Monday to evacuate its citizens from Israel.
The ministry also updated its travel advisories, urging citizens to avoid travel to Israel. On Friday, Czech nationals were strongly advised to leave Iran immediately.
According to Czech media reports, approximately 144 Czech citizens are currently in Israel, 50 in Jordan, 55 in Lebanon, and two in Iran.
10:55 Iran said it destroyed strategic targets in Israel overnight using drones.
"Various types of destructive drones, equipped with precise destruction and targeting capabilities, destroyed strategic positions of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv and Haifa," General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the army's ground forces, was quoted as saying by state television.
10:50 China accused Donald Trump of "pouring oil" on the mounting conflict between Iran and Israel, after he warned Tehran residents to "immediately evacuate".
"Fanning the flames, pouring oil, making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said when asked about Trump's remarks at a regular news conference.
10:40 US President Donald Trump said he wanted a 'real end' to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran 'giving up entirely' on nuclear weapons, according to comments that a CBS News reporter on X posted.
He wanted 'better than a ceasefire," he said.
He was still somewhat opaque when reporters pressed about what that might mean.
CBS News reporter said Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit.
He predicted that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran.
He said, "You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far".
The president added that he 'may' send US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff or vice-president JD Vance to meet with Iran.
However, he said, 'It depends on what happens when I get back'. Asked whether US involvement would destroy the Iranian nuclear programme, he said he hoped their programme would be 'wiped out long before that'
10:12 Two explosions were heard in Iran's northwestern Tabriz City.
"Two explosions occurred in Tabriz five minutes apart," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported.
"Thick smoke was seen around Tabriz Tuesday morning after the explosion," Mehr news agency reported, publishing a video from the city, which lies more than 600 kilometres (375 miles) from Tehran and is home to a significant air force base targeted by Israel in recent days.
The news agency also said that an Israeli projectile hit a checkpoint in the city of Kashan in the central province of Isfahan this morning, killing at least three people and wounding four others.
The agency quoted Akbar Salehi, deputy security officer to the governor of Isfahan.
10:10 Israel's army warned that it had detected new missiles launched from Iran, but now dropped an alert and said people no longer needed to take cover.
"It is now permitted to leave protected spaces in northern Israel," the Israeli army said on Telegram.
It had previously warned that missiles launched from Iran were heading toward northern Israel, saying it was working to intercept the threat.
Search and rescue teams are operating in several locations where 'reports of fallen projectiles were received', an Israeli police statement said.
'Missiles and shrapnel fell in the Tel Aviv area, causing material damage but no injuries,' it added.
09:41 Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war.
On Tuesday, oil prices spiked around two percent before paring some gains. Still, the comments kept investors on edge amid warnings that an escalation of the crisis could send the commodity soaring again.
09:27 The Israeli army claimed it killed Iran's top military commander, Ali Shadmani, in an overnight strike, calling him the closest figure to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement, the military said following "a sudden opportunity overnight, the (Israeli air force) struck a staffed command centre in the heart of Tehran" and assassinated Shadmani, the wartime Chief of Staff.
09:05 Loud booms were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, AFP journalists reported, after air raid sirens sounded in several parts of Israel and the army warned of incoming Iranian missiles.
"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the military said in a statement, adding that the air force was "operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat."
09:03 Israel's army said it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran overnight, as the arch-foes traded fire for a fifth straight day.
"During the strikes, dozens of surface-to-surface missile storage and launch infrastructure were struck," the army claimed in a statement.
"In addition, surface-to-air missile launchers and UAV storage sites were struck in western Iran," it added.
After a new wave of mutual strikes, both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight into Tuesday, with Israel's army urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles several times during the night.
09:00 US President Donald Trump denied reports that he had rushed back to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, saying his early departure 'has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,' without elaborating.
"Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a 'cease fire' between Israel and Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
"Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!"
Macron had suggested that the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture to Iran.
"There was an offer made for a meeting and an exchange," Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
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Netanyahu's unstoppable conflagration - World - Al-Ahram Weekly
In launching Operation Rising Lion against Iran last week, Israel crossed a threshold few in the international community dared imagine that it would. What Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented as a decisive strike against Iran's nuclear infrastructure is increasingly being seen in world capitals as a reckless gamble that has destabilised the region and shattered fragile hopes for a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear programme. In the early hours of Thursday last week, more than 200 Israeli aircraft crossed into Iranian airspace in waves, targeting nearly 100 strategic sites. Among them were the nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Arak; missile assembly and production plants; Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centres; air-defence batteries; radar stations; and logistical hubs. The operation was coupled with extensive cyberattacks that disrupted Iran's radar systems, severed communications between key defence units, and paralysed air-defence responses in critical zones. Israeli officials described it as the most complex military action the country had carried out since the destruction of Iraq's Osirak reactor in 1981. The strikes were surgical in design, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to produce weapons-grade material while minimising civilian casualties. Bunker-busting munitions were used against hardened targets, while drones were employed to hit mobile launchers and missile depots. The precision of the attacks was praised in the Israeli media, yet their political and strategic consequences have cast a long shadow. For all its technological superiority, Israel's operation did not eliminate the deeper threat posed by Iran's dispersed and resilient nuclear programme. In Washington, US President Donald Trump's initial public reaction was brief but revealing. Declaring that 'Israel is doing what it must,' he offered what many interpreted as tacit approval. The administration's posture appeared to be designed to align with Israel's objectives without formal entanglement. But beneath the surface, unease has mounted in the Pentagon and State Department. Senior military officials have warned that the strikes risk dragging the United States into a conflict it has not planned for. 'If Iran's retaliation touches a US base or our forces in the region, this could become our war overnight,' a CENTCOM officer reportedly warned. Analysts pointed to what they described as dangerous ambiguity. Commentator Aaron David Miller argued that 'by giving Israel space to act without consequence, the US has encouraged Netanyahu's calculus that this was a risk worth taking.' Robert Gates, a former US defence secretary, added that 'a first strike does not guarantee safety. It raises stakes, complicates diplomacy, and makes containment harder.' European capitals responded with alarm, though many echoed Israel's right to defend itself. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the strikes as a deliberate provocation at a moment when the priority should have been de-escalation, yet reaffirmed Israel's right to protect its people. French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack a destabilising act that threatened to engulf the region in war, urging restraint on all sides. Kaja Kallas, the EU's Foreign Policy chief, said the operation undermined what little remained of efforts to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. China and Russia condemned the strikes outright, calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council and accusing Israel of violating international law. Inside Israel itself, Netanyahu framed the operation in existential terms. In a televised address, he declared that Israel had acted to prevent a 'second Holocaust,' invoking national trauma to rally support. His hard-right allies, including government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, praised the action as a necessary defence of the state. But dissent was quick to surface. Former Israel Occupation Force (IOF) chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, in a closed-door briefing, said the strikes were tactically brilliant but strategically blind. 'We have exposed ourselves to multi-front retaliation with no clear plan for what comes next,' he warned. Smotrich himself expressed discomfort that such a monumental decision had been taken without full cabinet debate. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of exploiting national security to deflect from domestic crises – ballooning inflation, unrest over the Gaza war, and mass protests in Tel Aviv and Haifa. IRAN'S RESPONSE: Iran's response was immediate and multilayered. Within hours, the IRGC launched waves of ballistic missiles and suicide drones aimed at Israeli military and civilian targets. While Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling air-defence systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, several made it through. A missile struck near the Haifa port, wounding civilians and damaging infrastructure. In Tel Aviv, the impact of a drone attack near the city's outskirts caused widespread panic, though no casualties were reported. Air-raid sirens blared across the country, and schools were closed in multiple cities. Hizbullah, Iran's most formidable proxy, escalated tensions along Israel's northern border. In Southern Lebanon, rocket fire targeted Israeli outposts in the Galilee region. The Israeli Air Force responded with surgical strikes on Hizbullah command centres near Nabatieh and Tyre. Meanwhile, in Iraq and Syria, Iranian-aligned militias launched coordinated attacks on American positions and Israeli intelligence outposts. In Yemen, the Houthis attempted to strike Eilat with long-range drones, one of which reached southern Israel before being shot down. The unfolding exchange revealed not only the scale of Iran's retaliatory capacity but also the resilience of its regional proxy network. Israel's military superiority in technology and precision warfare was clear, but Iran's ability to open simultaneous fronts in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen underscored the limits of unilateral deterrence. Israeli military officials confirmed that over 1,000 projectiles including missiles, rockets, and drones had been launched at Israel within 72 hours. The Israeli response included retaliatory airstrikes, cyberattacks, and covert sabotage operations against missile launch sites and logistical nodes in the Iranian-backed network. Yet, even as Israel hit back effectively, the scope of the escalation left the strategic landscape altered. Tal Inbar, a senior defence analyst in Tel Aviv, said the strikes may have delayed Iran's nuclear timeline, 'but they have simultaneously legitimised a more aggressive Iranian posture. Tehran now has both a narrative of victimhood and a motive for acceleration.' Inbar also warned that the Iranians had likely dispersed their enrichment capabilities across dozens of secret underground locations in anticipation of such strikes. Tehran responded by severing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expelling inspectors, and declaring its right to enrich uranium 'without constraint.' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the country's parliament the Majlis, said that 'from this day forward, the Islamic Republic will determine its path with no interference. We will not be bullied into submission.' Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed 'strategic patience,' but hinted that Iran's future steps would be 'calculated to ensure a historic reversal of Israeli aggression.' Former Israeli Mossad chief Tamir Pardo argued that Netanyahu's operation had shifted Israel from a strategy of calibrated deterrence to one of precarious dominance. 'We've broken the regional order without knowing how to remake it,' he said. Uzi Arad, Netanyahu's former National Security adviser, warned that 'Israel has made itself the focal point of a regional conflagration it cannot manage alone.' ARAB RESPONSE: Across Arab capitals, alarm was growing that a broader regional war could erupt. Marwan Muasher, Jordan's former foreign minister, said the strike 'not only shattered fragile diplomatic channels – it handed Iran a golden opportunity to rally allies and delegitimise Israel on a global scale.' Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies added that 'this is not 1981. The world is not applauding.' In the Gulf, public reaction was muted but nervous. While governments in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have long viewed Iran's nuclear programme as a destabilising threat, both states urged immediate restraint. The UAE called for an emergency session of the Arab League, while Saudi Arabia signalled concern that further escalation could unravel regional economic and security gains. Qatar and Kuwait condemned Israel's action more explicitly, warning that the use of force outside legal frameworks set a dangerous precedent. Egypt, while expressing sympathy with Israeli concerns, called on all parties to return to diplomacy before the conflict spiralled further. At the United Nations, the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution condemning the Israeli strikes due to US opposition, but discussions highlighted growing isolation. China accused Israel of acting as a 'rogue nuclear saboteur,' while Russia likened the strikes to 'state-sponsored terrorism.' Western allies of Israel walked a finer line recognising its right to self-defence but urging proportionality and a return to negotiations. Canada, Australia, and the UK joined NATO in calling for calm. The Trump administration, under pressure from Congress, reiterated support for Israel's security while avoiding direct endorsement of the strikes. 'Israel has the right to defend itself,' the White House statement read, 'but our shared goal remains regional stability through diplomacy.' Despite Israel's military success in executing Operation Rising Lion, the price of that success is becoming clearer. Netanyahu, having framed the strikes as a historic necessity, faces a dramatically altered security and diplomatic environment. His declaration that 'weak nations wait; strong nations act' captured the bravado of the moment, but behind closed doors Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and senior IOF commanders reportedly warned that Israel is now navigating uncharted waters. 'One miscalculation could ignite a region-wide war, with no exit ramp,' Gallant is said to have told Cabinet colleagues. The domestic political impact inside Israel was immediate. A temporary rally-around-the-flag effect boosted Netanyahu's support in overnight polls, but protests resumed within days, with thousands gathering in Tel Aviv demanding clarity on Israel's long-term plans and accusing the prime minister of risking national security for personal survival. The opposition, led by Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, has demanded an emergency debate on military and diplomatic options. Within the governing coalition itself, fissures appeared, as more moderate voices warned against pushing the confrontation beyond the point of no return. Iran, meanwhile, appears to have seized the opportunity to unify its domestic audience. The strikes, widely seen as an assault on national sovereignty, have emboldened hardliners and marginalised moderates who once advocated limited engagement with the West. In a speech broadcast nationwide, Pezeshkian promised 'decades of resistance' and vowed that Iran's nuclear programme would advance at a pace and scope 'never before witnessed.' Khamenei, adopting a tone of steely resolve, warned that Israel would 'face the full force of the axis of resistance in due course'. Regional diplomacy has entered a period of intense activity but with few signs of progress. NATO continues to call for de-escalation. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened an emergency summit, issuing a statement that balanced concern about Iranian capabilities with condemnation of Israel's actions. The Arab League's united voice in condemning the Israeli strikes was notable for its rare cohesion, reflecting widespread fears that further escalation would destabilise the entire Middle East. Russia and China, seeking to capitalise diplomatically, offered to mediate, though Israel swiftly dismissed such overtures as 'insincere and unhelpful.' In Washington, divisions within the administration became increasingly visible. While Trump and his closest advisers praised Israel's 'decisive action,' others in the Pentagon and State Department warned that the strikes could undermine years of effort to contain Iran diplomatically and risk dragging the US into a direct military confrontation. Former officials, including Robert Gates, argued that 'the focus must now shift to containment and de-escalation before events overtake policy.' Aaron David Miller added that 'Netanyahu's gamble may well reshape the region but not necessarily in ways that serve Israel's long-term interests or those of the United States.' CONSEQUENCES: The balance of power has shifted but not as Netanyahu may have hoped. Israel's military advantage remains intact, but its political capital has been depleted. Its deterrence may have been demonstrated, but at the cost of emboldening Iran's nuclear ambitions, strengthening its proxies, and uniting adversaries. Iran's asymmetric capabilities – its network of partners and proxies, its missile forces, and its growing cyber capacity – remain intact, and perhaps more motivated than ever. The prospect of a prolonged, multi-front conflict now looms larger than at any point in recent memory. Leading think tanks have warned that the region's strategic landscape has entered a period of dangerous flux. While Israel demonstrated unmatched precision and technological might, striking at the heart of Iran's nuclear infrastructure and missile production sites, it did not achieve what some had hoped would be a decisive shift in the balance of power. Analysts argue that Iran's geographic depth, combined with its layered system of proxies across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, grants it a resilience that cannot be neutralised through airstrikes alone. Rather than collapsing under pressure, Iran appears poised to recalibrate its strategy, leaning even more heavily on asymmetric tools that can sustain a long-term campaign of attrition against Israel. Strategic assessments emerging from Western and regional policy institutes suggest that Iran's response to the Israeli strikes will likely be twofold. On one front, Tehran is expected to redouble its investment in missile and drone technologies, deepening partnerships with its regional allies to offset its conventional military losses. On the other, Iran is predicted to accelerate efforts to disperse and harden its nuclear programme, taking critical activities deeper underground and beyond the reach of conventional air power. This dual strategy, experts warn, will not only complicate future pre-emptive actions by Israel but also embolden Iran's position in the region, transforming it from an embattled actor to one that can claim the mantle of resistance in the face of external aggression. Within Israel, sober voices in the military and intelligence communities have cautioned that technological superiority, while vital, does not in itself guarantee lasting security. The capacity to strike with precision has done little to blunt the determination of Iran's leadership or its allies. On the contrary, the current confrontation appears to have strengthened the hand of Iranian hardliners, marginalising voices that once entertained the possibility of limited engagement with the West. Israeli planners now face a dilemma: how to contain the multifaceted threats posed by Iran and its proxies without becoming bogged down in an open-ended confrontation that could drain resources and erode public confidence at home. The confrontation between Israel and Iran has entered a critical phase, as Iran urgently signals its willingness to de-escalate and return to negotiations over its nuclear programme, provided the United States refrains from direct involvement in the conflict. According to messages relayed through Arab intermediaries, Tehran seeks to contain the violence and prevent further damage to its already battered military and nuclear infrastructure. Yet, with Israeli airstrikes continuing unabated, targeting key Iranian military leaders and energy facilities, Israel shows little inclination to halt its offensive. Netanyahu insists the campaign will continue until Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities are neutralised. As Gulf states urge Washington to pressure Israel towards restraint, the risk of a wider regional war looms, with energy security and global markets hanging in the balance. As the dust settles, what will emerge is a balance of power that remains as precarious as ever, albeit with new complexities and risks. Israel will retain its edge in air power, intelligence, and missile defence, but its margin for unilateral action has narrowed, with international patience wearing thin and regional tensions at a breaking point. Iran, though bruised, is far from broken. Its capacity to wage asymmetric warfare remains intact, and its determination to assert its influence across the region seems only to have hardened. The coming period is likely to see both sides engaged in a tense, high-stakes chess match, with the risk of miscalculation casting a long shadow over an already volatile region. As air-raid sirens fall silent, and as the region assesses the wreckage from this dramatic escalation, the fundamental questions remain unresolved. Will diplomacy regain its footing? Or will the Middle East slide further into conflict, driven by miscalculation, vengeance, and hardline posturing on all sides? The choices made in Jerusalem, Tehran, Washington, and beyond in the coming days will determine whether Operation Rising Lion is remembered as a turning point towards a new, more dangerous era or as the moment when leaders chose, against all odds, to step back from the brink. * A version of this article appears in print in the 19 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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Iran armed forces urge evacuation of residents in major Israeli cities- as it happened - Region
Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides wage deadly strikes against one another for a fifth day. Related Tel Aviv restricts Israelis' departure as conflict with Tehran enters 4th day - as it happened Egypt among 21 countries urging de-escalation after Israeli strikes on Iran OIC broadcasting union condemns Israeli strike on Iranian state TV headquarters Israel escalated its 'Operation Rising Lion' on Tehran five days after bombing residential and military areas in Iran, killing at least 224 people and wounding over 1,200. As US President Donald Trump urged residents to evacuate—echoing Israeli calls for 330,000 people to leave central Tehran—the capital began to empty, with shops shuttered and traffic clogging westbound roads. In retaliation, Iran intensified its 'Operation True Promise III,' launching multiple waves of missiles into central Israel, where large explosions were reported overnight and air raid sirens wailed throughout the night. Earlier Iranian strikes forced the shutdown of the Haifa oil refinery, other industrial facilities, and the local power plant. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel, with hundreds more wounded. Meanwhile, Israel has imposed a ban on live TV feed streaming, preventing networks from broadcasting images of incoming Iranian missiles and the damage caused by the strikes. The US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed Southeast Asia as the Pentagon announced the deployment of 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East. Israeli Channel 11 claimed US forces had begun attacking targets inside Iran, an allegation Washington denied, stating American forces in the region remain in a "defensive posture and that has not changed." 23:00 In an official statement, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that 'there is no alternative to political and diplomatic solutions,' urging the United Nations and the Security Council to take urgent and decisive action to secure a ceasefire and uphold international peace and security. The UAE warned that the ongoing military escalation in the region requires 'urgent and coordinated' international and regional efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding and destabilizing the broader Middle East. 'The UAE, which condemned Israel's military strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran from the earliest hours, believes that after five days of dangerous military confrontation, a diplomatic approach is now essential to bring both parties to de-escalation and prevent the situation from spiraling into an unmanageable crisis,' said Sheikh Abdullah. He warned of the risks of 'reckless and miscalculated actions that may extend beyond both countries,' calling instead for 'immediate and clear' moves to halt the violence before it becomes uncontrollable. He revealed that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has engaged in intensive diplomatic contacts focused on de-escalation, grounded in the belief that diplomacy and dialogue—not confrontation—are the only viable paths to sustainable stability and justice for the region's peoples. 'The region, exhausted by perpetual conflict, cannot endure further tensions and clashes. Today, more than ever, it needs wisdom,' Sheikh Abdullah stressed. ' 22:50 Tensions are mounting within the Republican Party as lawmakers voice concern over President Donald Trump's approach to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, warning against unauthorised US military involvement. Republican representative Thomas Massie introduced a War Powers Resolution alongside Democratic representative Ro Khanna to prohibit US participation in the conflict. 'This is not our war,' Massie posted on X. 'Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.' The bipartisan resolution, backed by more than a dozen progressive Democrats, aims to reassert congressional authority over decisions of war, invoking the 1973 War Powers Act. A similar measure is being floated in the Senate. Even staunch Trump ally Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted: 'Americans want cheap gas, groceries… Not going into another foreign war.' I just introduced an Iran War Powers Resolution with @RepRoKhanna to prohibit U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war. This is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 17, 2025 Americans want cheap gas, groceries, bills, and housing. They want affordable insurance, safe communities, and good education for their children. They want a government that works on these issues. Considering Americans pay for the entire government and government salaries… — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 17, 2025 22:45 Washington is setting up a round-the-clock task force to help Americans in the Middle East amid the Israel-Iran conflict, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. "The Department of State has established the Middle East Task Force to help coordinate support for us, citizens, our US diplomatic missions and personnel and diplomatic engagement," she told a press briefing. "The task force is operating 24 hours a day over the past week to help keep us citizens informed. We have issued more than 30 security alerts to countries in the region and updated travel advisories for Iraq and Israel," she said. 21:30 A US official told Fox News that American military strikes on targets inside Iran — including nuclear facilities — remain 'on the table.' The statement comes amid growing tensions following Iran's latest missile attacks and rising concerns over regional escalation. 21:00 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being "the biggest threat" to the Middle East region, in a phone call with Qatar's emir on Tuesday, his office said. Erdogan said that he "will continue his efforts to end the spiral of violence, and that Netanyahu has shown once again that he is the biggest threat to the security of the region," according to the presidency. 20:50 US President Donald Trump is convening a meeting of his National Security Council on Tuesday to discuss the Iran-Israel war, a White House official said on condition of anonymity. The meeting, which the official said had not yet started, comes after Trump stepped up his rhetoric against Iran's supreme leader, sparking questions about possible US military intervention. 20:40 Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday urged de-escalation and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions in separate phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, the Egyptian foreign ministry stated. Abdelatty stressed the importance of de-escalation efforts to avert the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East. He underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts to contain ongoing crises through political dialogue, warning that continued hostilities could lead to regional instability with far-reaching consequences. The foreign minister also reiterated Egypt's call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations as the only sustainable path toward resolving disputes, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear programme. He emphasized that military solutions are not viable and that escalating violence would only push the region closer to 'total chaos,' to the detriment of all parties. 20:30 Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, urged residents of the major Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate, warning of imminent "punitive" attacks. "Punitive operations will be carried out soon," Mousavi said in a video statement carried by state TV on the fifth day of the deadly confrontation triggered by Israeli air raid on Friday. He added that previous attacks on Israel have so far only been for "deterrence" purposes. Referring to Israel, Mousavi said that "residents of the occupied territories, especially Tel Aviv and Haifa, are strongly urged to leave these areas for the sake of their lives". Mousavi told Israelis not to "fall victim" to "animalistic desires" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which Tehran blames for the escalation. 19:40 US President Donald Trump issued a series of posts on Truth Social warning Iran's leadership and declaring American air dominance. 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,' he wrote, adding that while the US could target him, 'we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.' Trump warned that 'our patience is wearing thin' amid continued threats to civilians and U.S. forces. In a separate post, Trump proclaimed 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' and asserted that the US now has 'complete and total control of the skies over Iran.' 18:55 Iran launched a new wave of attacks targeting Israel, state TV reported, as fighting between the longtime foes raged for a fifth straight day. "The tenth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 against the occupied territories (Israel) has begun," state TV said, with the Tasnim news agency reporting that the new barrage consisted of "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 18:43 Iranian media reported widespread internet disruption on Tuesday as Israel and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day. "Internet users in several provinces are reporting widespread internet disruption," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported. Other media carried similar reports. It was not immediately clear what caused the disruption. Iran has imposed internet restrictions since Israel launched its unprecedented aerial campaign against Iranian military and nuclear facilities on Friday. 18:27 President Donald Trump may decide that "further action" is needed to stop Iran's nuclear program, Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday, responding to speculation that the United States could intervene in the conflict. "The president has shown remarkable restraint in keeping our military's focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens. He may decide to take further action to end Iranian enrichment," Vance said in a post on X. Emphasizing that 'whatever he does, that is his focus,' Vance stressed that Trump would act solely to advance 'the American people's goals.' 'The president has made clear that Iran cannot have uranium enrichment,' Vance wrote. Vance dismissed Iran's claims to peaceful nuclear energy, saying enrichment levels had 'far exceeded' civilian use and accused Tehran of violating its obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'I have yet to see a single good argument for why Iran needed to enrich uranium well above the threshold for civilian use,' he wrote. 18:05 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed deep alarm Monday over the killing of three Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) aid workers, bringing the death toll among IRCS personnel to four in just five days. 'We are deeply appalled by the tragic loss of three aid workers,' the ICRC said in a tweet, highlighting that these individuals were killed while carrying out lifesaving humanitarian work. The organization stressed that 'humanitarian workers are trying tirelessly to meet the growing needs resulting from the latest escalation of the conflict,' and called for all efforts to be made to ensure their safety. The ICRC extended its condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those killed. 📍 Iran | We are appalled by the killing of three aid workers from the Iranian Red Crescent Society (@Iran_RCS) while they were carrying out their humanitarian work. Our condolences go out to their families, friends, and colleagues. — ICRC (@ICRC) June 17, 2025 17:40 The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned Israel's 16 June airstrike on Iran's State broadcaster, IRIB, in Tehran, which killed at least two journalists during a live broadcast. The strike followed an Israeli evacuation warning and a statement by Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said Iran's State television and radio were 'about to disappear.' 'This was a targeted attack on a media facility, and we mourn the loss of our two colleagues,' said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. 'Under international law, journalists are civilians, and deliberate attacks against them constitute war crimes.' The IFJ urged all parties to stop targeting journalists and media infrastructure, asserting that 'claiming a media outlet's editorial line is hostile to your cause does not justify an attack.' The Federation demanded accountability, calling for those responsible to be brought before international criminal courts. Reaffirming its Global Charter of Ethics, the IFJ called on journalists covering the conflict to uphold professional standards. It emphasized the duty to respect facts (Article 1), verify information despite urgency (Article 5), and avoid spreading hatred or discrimination (Article 9). Smoke billows from an explosion in southwest Tehran. AFP 17:10 The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned Tuesday that the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran is endangering civilian lives and public health across the region. 'The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning — and is costing the lives of civilians, including children,' he wrote on X. 'The growing number of injured civilians are also distressing.' Tedros emphasized WHO's specific concern over recent attacks on nuclear infrastructure, noting that 'the targeting of nuclear sites may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region.' The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning — and is costing the lives of civilians, including children. The growing number of injured civilians are also distressing. @WHO's particular concern is the targeting of nuclear sites, which may have… — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 17, 2025 17:30 Air raid sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv area and parts of northern Israel on Tuesday, the military said, after warning of a fresh salvo of incoming missiles fired from Iran. "A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the state of Israel," a statement from the military said, with residents of the Tel Aviv area and parts of the north urged to seek shelter. بالفيديو | أضرار في موقف حافلات في "تل أبيب" الكبرى، بعد سقوط صاروخ إيراني — وكالة تسنيم للأنباء (@Tasnimarabic) June 17, 2025 17:00 Iranian media said several blasts were heard on Tuesday in the central city of Isfahan, which hosts multiple nuclear facilities, as Israel kept up its strikes for a fifth day. "Several explosions were heard in the east and north of Isfahan and air defences were activated against the hostile targets," the Mehr news agency reported. 16:30 US President Donald Trump said he wants a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday. Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace. "I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he told reporters on the plane home after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in Canada. Trump again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying "we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off". 16:00 Qatar has been monitoring radiation levels in the Gulf as Israeli air strikes pound Iranian nuclear facilities, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. "We are monitoring this on a daily basis," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a news conference. "We have nothing to be concerned about right now, but obviously prolonged escalation will have unpredictable consequences." "We have to emphasise, when we are talking about the waters of the Gulf, it's the main source of water for all of us here in the region," Ansari said. "The international community has to make it very clear that any targeting of nuclear facilities, any targeting of fuel or energy facilities in this region, would have ramifications that are unknown to us in the Gulf." Ansari said Qatar's own facilities in the field were "secure" but condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure as "reckless". 15:28 The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday it believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran's Natanz enrichment site have had 'direct impacts' on the facility's underground centrifuge halls. This marks the first time the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran's nuclear program. 'Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,' the agency said. Already, an above-ground enrichment hall had been destroyed, as well as electrical equipment that powered the facility. 14:25 Two loud explosions were heard from central and north Tehran on Tuesday, AFP correspondents reported, as the Iranian capital came under Israeli bombardment for a fifth straight day. There was no immediate comment on the cause or precise whereabouts of the twin blasts, which came after the Israeli military struck state television headquarters on Monday, causing significant damage and killing at least three people, the broadcaster said. Smoke plumes arise from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) corporation building in the north of Tehran after it was hit by an overnight Israeli strike. AFP 14:39 Flights carrying evacuees from Israel have arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, authorities said on Tuesday, putting the two countries among the first to bring citizens home, Reuters said. Slovak authorities said the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, mainly children, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia. Another Central European country, Poland, said that the evacuation of 200 Poles from Israel was planned for Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, the Polish foreign ministry said it planned to use two planes from Egypt and Jordan for the evacuation, the first of which would take off on Wednesday. People arrive with their luggage before the departure of a bus slated to evacuate foreign passport holders, mainly European and Polish, out of Israel, at a bus stop in Tel Aviv. AFP 14:21 Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that a growing number of Israelis are fleeing the country by sea to Cyprus or via private flights, defying new government-imposed travel restrictions that bar citizens from leaving amid the deepening regional conflict. The Israeli government has instructed domestic airlines not to allow citizens to depart on repatriation flights. Transport Minister Miri Regev claimed the measure was meant to prevent overcrowding at airports and prioritize the return of over 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad since Israel launched strikes on Iran last Friday. Israel's airspace has been closed since the start of the escalation, and national carrier El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through 17 June, with further cancellations until at least 23 June. The airline is reportedly reallocating aircraft for repatriation missions. However, the fact that only foreign nationals are being permitted to leave has raised questions about whether authorities are trying to suppress images of a mass exodus. This isn't the first sign. Following the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, over 12,000 Israelis permanently left the country in that month alone—four times the number from the previous year, according to AP. Another estimated 30,000 departed over the following five months, with fewer citizens choosing to return. 14:03 Israel's attacks on Iran have broadened its conflicts in the region to a level that poses a global threat, Jordan's King Abdullah said in a speech in European parliament, Reuters reports. "With Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end," the Jordanian monarch said. "And that is a threat to people everywhere. Ultimately, this conflict must end", the Jordanian King added. 13:50 US President Donald Trump disputed his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on how Iran's nuclear capabilities were developed and said Iran was on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon when Israel struck in recent days. Asked where he stands on how close Iran was to getting a nuclear deal, given what Gabbard testified just months ago, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, 'Very close.' When pressed on Gabbard's testimony that they weren't, Trump said, 'I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having it.' Gabbard testified in March that the intelligence community 'continues to assess Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized a nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003. A new CNN investigation has revealed a significant gap between Israeli rhetoric and US intelligence assessments regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. 13:43 Russia said it was ready to act as a peace broker between Israel and Iran, but that Israel was showing reluctance to accept outside mediation. "At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 13:05 A cyberattack on crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's vital state-owned banks, Fars news agency reported. "A cyberattack targeted the infrastructure of Sepah Bank, causing disruptions to the institution's online services," said the Iranian agency, adding the issue was expected to be resolved within the next few hours. 13:00 The Israeli ambassador to Washington threatened Tehran, saying the "Pagers" operation against Hezbollah would be minor compared to "the major surprise" Israel is preparing against Iran this week. 12:55 Iranian police announced the arrest of an Israeli Mossad agent in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, on charges of manufacturing and testing explosives. 12:27 Iran Revolutionary Guards said it had targeted a center belonging to Israel's spy agency in Tel Aviv, Mossad. In a statement read on state television, the Guard said it had 'struck a military intelligence center of the Zionist entity's army, Aman, and the Zionist regime's terrorist operations planning centre, the Mossad, in Tel Aviv." "The center is currently on fire," it added. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Defense said that Tehran "used one of our qualitative missiles for the first time, and the Zionist regime was unable to detect it." "The enemy cannot withstand a long war, and we will break the back of the Zionist regime," he added. Rockets rain down on Tel Aviv in the morning of the fifth day. 12:11 Iranian media are reporting that three people were rescued from the rubble of a residential building that was struck by the Israeli military. The IRNA news agency published footage of the Red Crescent rescue operation, but did not provide further details. 12:00 More than 600 foreign nationals have crossed from Iran into neighbouring Azerbaijan since Israel began attacking the country last Friday, a government official in Baku said. "Since the start of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, more than 600 citizens of 17 countries have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan," the government source told AFP. "Evacuees are transported from the border to Baku International Airport and flown to their home countries on international flights." 11:45 The Thai government has ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran, a spokesperson said Tuesday, as the two sides exchanged missile fire for a fifth day, AFP reports. An estimated 40,000 Thai nationals currently live in Israel, most working on farms under a government labour scheme, and about 300 nationals live in Iran. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters after a cabinet meeting, "We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare planes to bring them home from Israel and Iran". 11:00 Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský said he looks forward to Egypt's assistance in evacuating Czech nationals from Israel through Egyptian territory. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the request came during a phone call between Lipavský and Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty on Monday, 16 June. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced via social platform X that the country will dispatch a repatriation flight on Monday to evacuate its citizens from Israel. The ministry also updated its travel advisories, urging citizens to avoid travel to Israel. On Friday, Czech nationals were strongly advised to leave Iran immediately. According to Czech media reports, approximately 144 Czech citizens are currently in Israel, 50 in Jordan, 55 in Lebanon, and two in Iran. 10:55 Iran said it destroyed strategic targets in Israel overnight using drones. "Various types of destructive drones, equipped with precise destruction and targeting capabilities, destroyed strategic positions of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv and Haifa," General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the army's ground forces, was quoted as saying by state television. 10:50 China accused Donald Trump of "pouring oil" on the mounting conflict between Iran and Israel, after he warned Tehran residents to "immediately evacuate". "Fanning the flames, pouring oil, making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said when asked about Trump's remarks at a regular news conference. 10:40 US President Donald Trump said he wanted a 'real end' to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran 'giving up entirely' on nuclear weapons, according to comments that a CBS News reporter on X posted. He wanted 'better than a ceasefire," he said. He was still somewhat opaque when reporters pressed about what that might mean. CBS News reporter said Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit. He predicted that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran. He said, "You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far". The president added that he 'may' send US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff or vice-president JD Vance to meet with Iran. However, he said, 'It depends on what happens when I get back'. Asked whether US involvement would destroy the Iranian nuclear programme, he said he hoped their programme would be 'wiped out long before that' 10:12 Two explosions were heard in Iran's northwestern Tabriz City. "Two explosions occurred in Tabriz five minutes apart," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported. "Thick smoke was seen around Tabriz Tuesday morning after the explosion," Mehr news agency reported, publishing a video from the city, which lies more than 600 kilometres (375 miles) from Tehran and is home to a significant air force base targeted by Israel in recent days. The news agency also said that an Israeli projectile hit a checkpoint in the city of Kashan in the central province of Isfahan this morning, killing at least three people and wounding four others. The agency quoted Akbar Salehi, deputy security officer to the governor of Isfahan. 10:10 Israel's army warned that it had detected new missiles launched from Iran, but now dropped an alert and said people no longer needed to take cover. "It is now permitted to leave protected spaces in northern Israel," the Israeli army said on Telegram. It had previously warned that missiles launched from Iran were heading toward northern Israel, saying it was working to intercept the threat. Search and rescue teams are operating in several locations where 'reports of fallen projectiles were received', an Israeli police statement said. 'Missiles and shrapnel fell in the Tel Aviv area, causing material damage but no injuries,' it added. 09:41 Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war. On Tuesday, oil prices spiked around two percent before paring some gains. Still, the comments kept investors on edge amid warnings that an escalation of the crisis could send the commodity soaring again. 09:27 The Israeli army claimed it killed Iran's top military commander, Ali Shadmani, in an overnight strike, calling him the closest figure to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement, the military said following "a sudden opportunity overnight, the (Israeli air force) struck a staffed command centre in the heart of Tehran" and assassinated Shadmani, the wartime Chief of Staff. 09:05 Loud booms were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, AFP journalists reported, after air raid sirens sounded in several parts of Israel and the army warned of incoming Iranian missiles. "A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the military said in a statement, adding that the air force was "operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat." 09:03 Israel's army said it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran overnight, as the arch-foes traded fire for a fifth straight day. "During the strikes, dozens of surface-to-surface missile storage and launch infrastructure were struck," the army claimed in a statement. "In addition, surface-to-air missile launchers and UAV storage sites were struck in western Iran," it added. After a new wave of mutual strikes, both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight into Tuesday, with Israel's army urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles several times during the night. 09:00 US President Donald Trump denied reports that he had rushed back to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, saying his early departure 'has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,' without elaborating. "Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a 'cease fire' between Israel and Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!" Macron had suggested that the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture to Iran. "There was an offer made for a meeting and an exchange," Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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- Al-Ahram Weekly
Parts of Gaza without internet after cable cut: Palestinian Authority - War on Gaza
The Palestinian Authority said internet and fixed-line communication services were down in central and southern Gaza on Tuesday as a result of damage to the territory's main fibre optic cable it blamed on Israel. Its telecommunications ministry reported "a disruption in fixed internet services and landline communications in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip due to a new outage on one of the main routes as a result of the ongoing (Israeli) aggression". Laith Daraghmeh, CEO of the Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, told AFP on Tuesday afternoon that "one hour ago, we got a new fibre cut, that's why right now we have no connectivity in south and central Gaza". Daraghmeh recalled that internet services in the two areas had also been cut for six hours on Monday before teams were able to repair damaged fibre optic cables. Internet and telecommunications were severed in all of the Gaza Strip for more than three days last week after telecoms workers were denied access to a damaged cable, the PA said. The ministry blamed Israeli forces for the outage, a claim Israel has not commented on. Now in its 21st month, the war in Gaza has caused massive damage to infrastructure across the Palestinian territory, including water mains, power lines and roads. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
