Air raid sirens across Israel as Iran vows to defend itself after US ‘obliterates' nuclear sites
JERUSALEM, June 22 — Israel faced a missile attack today as Iran said it reserved all options to defend itself after unprecedented US strikes that President Donald Trump said had 'obliterated' its key nuclear facilities.
Hours after Trump dramatically escalated Middle East tensions by sending B-2 bombers to Iran, the Israeli military warned people to seek cover from a barrage that appeared heavier than the Iranian salvoes fired in the past few days.
'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,' said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas, calling the US strikes a 'grave violation' of the UN charter, international law and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
'Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,' Araqchi posted on X.
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said it would not allow development of its 'national industry' to be stopped, and an Iranian state television commentator said every US citizen or military member in the region would be legitimate targets.
Israel's ambulance service said at least 16 people were hurt in the morning barrage.
Air raid sirens sounded across most of the country, sending millions of people to safe rooms and bomb shelters as explosions rang out and missile interceptions were seen above Jerusalem and in other parts of the country.
It was not immediately clear how many missiles had pierced Israel's air defence systems, but police confirmed at least three impact sites in residential areas in central and northern Israel.
Video from Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa further north showed rescue teams combing through debris, apartments reduced to rubble, mangled cars along a street filled with debris and medics evacuating injured people from a row of blown out houses.
Most airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East after the US strikes, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, with traffic already skirting airspace in the region due to recent missile exchanges.
Trump says Iran faces 'peace or tragedy'
Trump, in a televised address to the US people, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called the strikes a 'spectacular military success' that had taken out Iran's three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.
He warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.
After days of deliberation and long before his self-imposed two-week deadline, Trump's decision to join Israel's military campaign against its major rival Iran is the biggest foreign policy gamble of his two presidencies and one fraught with risks and unknowns.
The major escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East risks opening a new era of instability in the Middle East.
Trump said Iran's future held 'either peace or tragedy,' and there were many other targets that could be hit by the US military. 'If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.'
The US contacted Iran diplomatically yesterday to say the strikes are all the US plans and it does not aim for regime change, CBS News reported.
Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity show that six 'bunker-buster' bombs were dropped on the deep-underground Fordow facility, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites. US B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes, a US official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Reuters had reported the movement of the B-2 bombers, which can be equipped to carry the massive bombs that experts say would be needed to strike Fordow, which is buried beneath a mountain south of Tehran. Given its fortification, it will likely be days, if not longer, before the impact of the strikes is known.
An Iranian official, cited by Tasnim news agency, confirmed part of the Fordow site was attacked by 'enemy airstrikes.' However, Mohammad Manan Raisi, a lawmaker for Qom, near Fordow, told the semi-official Fars news agency the facility had not been seriously damaged.
A reporter from Iranian state media IRNA reporter said he had arrived near the Fordow site at 3am (2330 GMT on Saturday) and saw smoke that 'seems to be related to air defences'. He quoted a nearby witness as reporting 'six explosions were heard, but they said it wasn't very loud.'
Diplomatic failure
The UN nuclear watchdog said no increases in off-site radiation levels had been reported after the US strikes.
Hassan Abedini, deputy political head of Iran's state broadcaster, said Iran had evacuated the three sites some time ago.
'The enriched uranium reserves had been transferred from the nuclear centres and there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots,' he told the channel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his 'bold decision', saying, 'History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime, the world's most dangerous weapons.'
Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries. Israel launched its attacks on June 13, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies.
Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities have so far failed. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the US strikes a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge — and a direct threat to international peace and security.'
In the US, Democratic lawmakers and some from Trump's Republican Party have argued that he must receive permission from Congress before committing the US military to any combat against Iran.
At least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel began its attacks, Iranian state-run Nour News said, citing the health ministry.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed and 1,272 people injured, according to local authorities. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
17 minutes ago
- The Star
Trump says US 'obliterates' Iran nuclear sites, Tehran reserves 'all options' to defend itself
ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Reuters): US President Donald Trump said he had "obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites in strikes overnight, joining an Israeli assault in a major new escalation of conflict in the Middle East as Tehran vowed to defend itself. Trump, in a televised address to the US people, called the strikes a "spectacular military success" and warned Tehran against retaliation, saying it would face more devastating attacks if it did not agree to peace. Iran, which has responded to Israel's sudden blitz on its nuclear and military apparatus since June 13 with missile fire on Israeli cities, called the US attack a grave violation of international law that would have "everlasting consequences". "Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest and people," wrote Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a social media post, noting that the Israeli and US attacks on Iran came despite ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran. The US strikes, with bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria. The Islamic Republic has been a sworn enemy of both Israel and the United States since its 1979 revolution, and the eruption of open warfare after decades of proxy shadow-fighting could have vast unforeseen consequences. While Western hawks have long hoped military action against Iran's clerical rulers would spark an internal revolt and regime change, opponents of the idea fear it could instead push Iran to accelerate its atomic programme or trigger chaos and bloodshed that could spill well beyond its borders. CBS News reported that Washington had contacted Tehran to say it did not aim for regime change. However, Trump said Iran's future held "either peace of tragedy" and "if peace does not come quickly we will go after those other targets". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on a "bold decision". Iranian missile fire on Israel appeared heavier overnight, witnesses in the country said, with the health ministry reporting 86 people injured. Gulf Arab states, which have in recent years tried to cool long-time rivalries with Iran and fear their crucial energy exports could be targeted in any expanded conflict, expressed concern at the escalation. Iranians contacted by Reuters described their fear at the prospect of an enlarged war involving the United States. "Our future is dark. We have nowhere to go - it's like living in a horror movie," Bita, 36, a teacher from the central city of Kashan, said before the phone line was cut. Nuclear sites Trump's decision is the biggest foreign policy gamble of his two presidencies and he was flanked during the announcement by Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said US bombing had taken out Iran's three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, which are involved in production or storage of enriched uranium, a material used as fuel for power plants but also to make atomic warheads. Trump told Fox News that "bunker-buster" bombs were dropped on the deep-underground Fordow site, where it may be days before the impact of the attack is known, and Tomahawk missiles were fired against the other facilities. The UN nuclear watchdog said no increases in off-site radiation levels had been reported after the US strikes, and the agency's head Rafael Grossi said he was calling an emergency meeting of its 35-nation board of governors for Monday. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium at Fordow had been moved elsewhere before the attack and the number of nuclear personnel there had been reduced to a minimum. Mohammad Manan Raisi, a member of parliament for Qom, near Fordow, told the semi-official Fars news agency the facility had not been seriously damaged, without elaborating. Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said it would not allow the development of its "national industry' to be stopped. The head of the Iranian parliament's foreign policy committee said Tehran had a legal right to quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the document that allows it rights to a civilian atomic programme while barring it from seeking a bomb. Israeli cities Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they had fired 40 missiles at Israel overnight and, warning of more to come, added that they had not yet made the main part of their capabilities operational. Iran has repeatedly targeted Tel Aviv, the country's business and economic hub and home to a metropolitan population of 4 million, and several critical military sites. Air raid sirens sounded across most of Israel, sending millions of people to safe rooms and bomb shelters as explosions rang out and missile interceptions were seen above Jerusalem and in other parts of the country. Aviad Chernovsky, 40, emerged from a bomb shelter to find his house had been destroyed in a direct hit. "It's not easy to live now in Israel (right now), but we are very strong. We know that we will win,' he said. It was not immediately clear how many missiles had pierced Israel's air defence systems. Police confirmed at least three impact sites in residential areas of central and northern Israel. Israel's Health Ministry said 86 people were injured on Sunday morning, most of them lightly. Most airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East after the US intervention in the conflict. Israel's Airport Authority said Israeli airspace would open for six hours on Sunday. Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries. Israel launched its attacks on June 13, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes only. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies. Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to defuse the hostilities have so far failed. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the US strikes a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge - and a direct threat to international peace and security." US ally Britain said the United States had taken action to alleviate the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. It and Germany urged Iran to sit down for more negotiations on the future of its atomic programme. Iran's Araqchi accused the United States of blowing up the diplomatic process. In the United States, Democratic lawmakers and some from Trump's Republican Party have argued that he must receive permission from Congress before committing the US military to any combat against Iran. At least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel began its attacks, the Iranian state-run Nour News said, citing the health ministry. In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed and 1,272 people injured, according to local authorities.- Reuters
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
S. Korea President Lee will not attend Nato summit, presidential office says
SEOUL, June 22 — South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung will not attend the Nato summit scheduled for later this week, his office said in a statement today. 'Considering various domestic issues and the uncertainties caused by the Middle East situation, the president has decided not to attend in person this time,' his office said in a statement released hours after the US hit Iran's nuclear sites. — Reuters
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Seoul seeks to minimise fallout from US strikes on Iran
SEOUL: The presidential office ordered ministries to prioritise the protection of South Korean nationals and to minimise potential security and economic fallout from the US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The ministries have since taken emergency measures in response. South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac convened an emergency meeting at noon Sunday (June 22), hours after the US military bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said during a televised briefing. 'At today's meeting, discussions focused on the impact of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — which follows the Israel-Iran conflict — on our security and economy, while also accurately assessing the current situation,' Kang said. '(National Security Office) Director Wi Sung-lac emphasised that, above all, it is important to protect the lives and safety of our nationals and to ensure the stable continuity of daily life," she added. According to Kang, Wi also 'called on relevant ministries to maintain close communication and cooperation to minimise the impact that the recent series of developments in the Middle East may have on the security and economic situation of the Korean Peninsula." Kang underscored that 'the discussions spearheaded by the presidential office will continue, closely monitoring developments related to the current situation and taking into account potential changes in circumstances.' The emergency meeting was also attended by first deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong, second deputy adviser Lim Woong-soon, and third deputy adviser Oh Hyun-joo, as well as Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth Ha Joon-kyung, among others. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina held a joint emergency response meeting between the Foreign Ministry headquarters and the South Korean Embassy in Iran on Sunday afternoon to review safety measures for South Korean nationals and assess the situation in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. 'Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina called for leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of our nationals living in Iran, given that the situation could further deteriorate following the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities,' the ministry said in a statement. Kim also 'ordered watertight measures to ensure the safety of embassy staff.' 'The Foreign Ministry will devise necessary measures for the safety of our nationals while closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East,' the ministry added. As of Saturday, around 60 South Korean nationals remained in Iran, down from approximately 110 who were staying in the country as of June 13, when the exchange of airstrikes began with Israel's surprise attack on Iran. According to the Foreign Ministry, a total of 56 South Korean nationals and their Iranian family members had fled Iran and entered Turkmenistan as of Saturday. Among them were 51 South Koreans and 5 Iranians. In Israel, around 460 South Korean nationals remain. This follows the evacuation of 25 South Koreans and one Israeli family member to Jordan on Thursday, and a separate evacuation of 23 South Koreans to Jordan on June 16. On the same day, Second Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Choe Nam-ho held an emergency session for a comprehensive situation assessment meeting to evaluate potential effects on domestic industries, including energy, exports, logistics, supply chains and South Korean companies operating in the region. After the meeting, the ministry said it has activated an emergency response team in response to rising Middle East tensions. The meeting was held amid growing concerns over possible disruptions to crude oil and liquefied natural gas or LNG imports, as well as the operational status of tankers navigating waters near the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for both South Korean and global energy shipments. According to a database provided by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, around 99 percent of Middle East-produced crude oil bound for South Korea passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the KOTRA. Separately, Acting Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il convened a closed-door emergency response meeting with relevant agencies on Sunday afternoon to assess the economic impact of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Tensions escalated as US President Trump announced early Sunday that the United States had struck three Iranian nuclear sites — in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — joining Israel's airstrikes against Iran on the 10th day of the Israel-Iran conflict. In response to the US strikes, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, 'Our government hopes that tensions in the region will be alleviated rapidly and will continue to participate in international efforts toward that end.' 'Our government places importance on resolving the Iranian nuclear issue from the perspective of nuclear nonproliferation and is closely monitoring developments related to the attack on nuclear facilities in Iran this morning, Korea time,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. - The Korea Herald/ANN
