Tourists evacuated by sea after Israel closes airspace
More than 1,000 young adults on a Birthright Israel heritage trip have been evacuated to Cyprus by cruise ship due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
The Crown Iris cruise ship, carrying about 1,500 Birthright Israel participants, arrived in Cyprus after a 13-hour journey from Ashdod Port, escorted by the Israeli navy.
Birthright Israel is a free 10-day heritage trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18-26, partly funded by the Israeli government.
Nearly 2,800 international participants were stranded in Israel after the country closed its airspace due to the conflict.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has chartered planes to fly evacuated US participants from Cyprus to Tampa, Florida.
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Reuters
35 minutes ago
- Reuters
Thousands of Iranians flee Tehran bombing; Trump said to consider joining Israel in strikes
JERUSALEM/DUBAI, June 18 (Reuters) - Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight, and a source said U.S. President Donald Trump was considering options that include joining Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. An Israeli military official said 50 Israeli jets had struck around 20 targets in Tehran overnight, including sites producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for missiles. Israel told residents in a southwestern area of Tehran to evacuate so its air force could strike. Iran responded with a fresh volley of missiles at Israel, and a new warning that it would respond against the United States if Washington joined the war. Roads north out of Tehran were jammed with traffic. "We left Tehran this morning. My children were frightened, and we're going to stay at my brother's house near Karaj," Alireza, 37, a businessman, told Reuters by phone. Arezou, 31, had made it out of the capital and was in the nearby resort town of Lavasan. "We will stay here as long as this war continues. My friend's house in Tehran was attacked and her brother was injured. They are civilians," she told Reuters. "Why are we paying the price for the regime's decision to pursue a nuclear programme?' A flurry of social media posts from Trump on Tuesday, including a demand for Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" and a post musing about killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, increased speculation that he could bring the United States into the war. A source familiar with internal discussions said Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Iran had conveyed to Washington that it would retaliate against the United States for any direct participation, its ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said. He said he already saw the U.S. as "complicit in what Israel is doing". "We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land - we will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint." Iran has been exploring options for leverage, including veiled threats to hit the global oil market by restricting access to the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important shipping artery for oil, which it controls. A Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi, said on X that Iran should quickly start requiring permission for tankers transiting the strait, a move he said would be "decisive" if implemented quickly. Iran's Oil Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Inside Iran, the biggest attacks since war with Iraq in the 1980s have wiped out an echelon of senior leadership. Authorities are intent on preventing panic and shortages, and fewer images of destruction have been allowed to circulate than in the early days of the bombing, when state media showed pictures of explosions, fires and flattened apartments. A ban on filming by the public has been imposed. Authorities have placed limits on how much fuel can be purchased. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad told state TV that restrictions were in place to prevent shortages but there would be no problem supplying fuel to the public. With Khamenei's main military and security advisers killed by Israeli strikes, the leader's inner circle has been narrowed, raising the risk that he could make strategic errors, according to five people familiar with his decision-making process. Iranian officials have reported at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, though that toll has not been updated for days. In Israel, Iran's retaliatory strikes are the first time in decades of shadow war and proxy conflict that a significant number of missiles fired from Iran have penetrated defences, killing Israelis in their homes. Since Friday, Iran has fired around 400 missiles at Israel, some 40 of which have pierced through air defences, killing 24 people, all of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The military said two barrages of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel in the first two hours of Wednesday morning. Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported clashes early on Wednesday between security forces and unidentified gunmen in the city of Rey, south of Tehran, adding that assailants may be linked to Israel and intended to carry out "terrorist operations in densely populated areas of the capital". Reuters could not independently verify the situation there. Iranian news websites said Israel was attacking a university linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the country's east, and the Khojir ballistic missile facility near Tehran, which was also targeted by Israeli airstrikes last October. Trump's social media posts - which have ranged from diplomatic offers to end the war to threats to join it - have created uncertainty over his intentions. The U.S. has so far taken only indirect actions in the conflict, including helping to shoot down missiles fired toward Israel. But Washington has capabilities that Israel lacks, including massive bombs able to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment plant, built deep under a mountain at Fordow. On Tuesday he mused about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding," he wrote on Truth Social. "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now ... Our patience is wearing thin." Three minutes later Trump posted, "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" The U.S. is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, three U.S. officials told Reuters. A source with access to U.S. intelligence reports said Iran had moved some ballistic missile launchers, but it was difficult to determine if they were targeting U.S. forces or Israel. Iran, for its part, has lost much of its capability to retaliate against Israel through proxy fighters close to Israeli borders during the past 20 months of Israel's war in Gaza. Israel has pounded Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, propped up by Iran through 13 years of war, was toppled last year.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Iranian Supreme Leader warns 'the battle begins'
Iran's Supreme Leader issued a series of apocalyptic warnings as US President Donald Trump weighs three military options for the US in the ongoing war. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) threatened Israel on Tuesday night with disturbing post of an image that showed balls of fire raining down upon an ancient city as a sword-wielding man storms the gate. 'In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins,' he wrote in Farsi, referring to Ali - whom Shia Muslims consider the first Imam and the rightful successor to the prophet Mohammed. Khamenei also shared a separate message in English, saying: 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime.' He added: 'We will show the Zionists no mercy.' Meanwhile, Iranian state television ominously reported that 'tonight, a great surprise will occur - one that the world will remember for centuries.' Amid the threats, Trump is said to be considering a US strike on Tehran following Situation Room crisis talks with security advisers. Trump was given three options by advisors about how the should largest military in history should assist Israel in demolishing Iran's nuclear program, according to The New York Times. For months Trump had tried to convince Netanyahu to use diplomacy with Iran. But while meeting with top advisors at the presidential retreat at Camp David earlier this month, he admitted: 'I think we might have to help him.' That's when Trump was provided with three military options to assist Israel in their bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear threat, the Times said. The first and most basic option was the US providing intelligence and jets for refueling Israeli airplanes on bombing missions along. The second option included American and Israeli joint strikes on Iran. The most hawkish option provided a plan for a US-led military campaign that included B-1 and B-2 bombers, aircraft carriers and 'cruise missiles launched from submarines,' the Times reported. Four U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers have already been stationed at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean - within striking distance of Iran. The B-52s, which can carry nuclear weapons or other precision-guided bombs, were spotted on a runway at Diego Garcia on Monday. While those were being deployed, Trump urged Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' and even issued a death threat to Khamenei after he abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada. He said the US knows where the Supreme Leader is hiding out, but doesn't want him killed 'for now.' 'We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding,' the U.S. President wrote on Truth Social. 'He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. 'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,' Trump warned following reports that he nixed an Israeli request to take out Khamenei. The president also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, though it remains unclear what the two world leaders discussed as drone strikes between Israel and Iran continued for a fifth consecutive day. Both Israel and Iran launched fresh strikes at each other overnight, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it launched a 'more powerful' new wave of missiles at Israel. Yet Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran's army, claimed that all of the attacks 'carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence. 'The punishment operation will be carried out soon,' he warned. Residents in Tel Aviv have already been seen running for shelter as missiles rained down on the city and the Iron Dome sprang into action. At the same time, Israel's military said it killed Iran's wartime chief of staff and carried out extensive strikes on Iranian military targets. The International Atomic Energy Agency even reported that there appears to have been a 'direct impact' on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. The hostilities first erupted on Friday, when Israel launched a massive pre-emptive strike on Iran, hitting nuclear and military facilities and killing top military brass and nuclear scientists. Iran has claimed its nuclear program is peaceful, and the US and others have assessed that Tehran has not had an organized effort to pursue a nuclear weapon since 2003. But the IAEA has repeatedly warned that the country already has enough enriched uranium to make several nuclear bombs. US President Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon - and members of his administration were set to meet with their Iranian counterparts to iron out a new deal in which the country would not develop any nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief when Israel attacked. Trump has since said he does not believe Israel will slow its assault on Iran, as Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the US, said 'this is the war to end wars'. 'This is the war to engender peace in the Middle East,' he added. Harking back to the audacious bombs-in-pagers plot against Hezbollah last year, Mr Leiter said: 'We've pulled off a number of surprises. When the dust settles, you're going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday, that will make the beeper operation almost seem simple.' Foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa'ar also noted that Israel's goals were to severely damage the nuclear program, the ballistic missile program and to 'severely damage Iran's plans to eliminate the state of Israel.' Israel would be greatly helped in those efforts if the United States did get involved, as American GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs are capable of striking deep underground - raising the possibility it could penetrate the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, buried deep in a mountain south of Tehran. The United States also already has a Carrier Strike Group in the eastern Mediterranean, including an aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, with nine squadrons of fighter jets, as well as frigates and destroyers. And as Trump continues to deliberate on his options - after previously saying it was 'possible' that the United States get involved in the regional conflict - the Pentagon has sent more than 40 additional US jets to the UK and Europe. They are thought to include stealth bombers and air-to-air refuelers - which could be critical for any operation in the Middle East. The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier group also headed to the region from the South China Sea Monday.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Tucker Carlson's Iran war claims provoke Ted Cruz
Tucker Carlson humiliated Republican senator Ted Cruz during an intense grilling over Iran in which he sensationally claimed America is 'carrying out military strikes.' Former Fox firebrand Carlson has shared a snippet of his sit-down with Cruz, who has been calling for Trump to help Israel overthrow the Iranian regime in what would be a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Carlson has made no secret of his disdain for Trump 'abandoning his America First policies' amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. And now with America teetering on the brink of full scale involvement, Carlson pressed Cruz on his knowledge of the Middle Eastern region with a series of 'gotcha' questions which culminated in a jaw dropping revelation that America was directly involved in 'carrying out military strikes' on Iran. Cruz's statement is a major departure from everything the Trump administration has said about US involvement up until this stage - a point that was not lost on Carlson. 'You said Israel was [carrying out strikes],' Carlson said, to which Cruz responded: 'I've said we. Israel is leading them, but we're supporting them. You're breaking news here,' Carlson said. 'The US government last night denied... on behalf of Trump, that we're acting on Israel's behalf in any offensive capacity.' Cruz appeared to backpedal on his statement, then telling Carlson: 'No, we're not bombing them. Israel is bombing them.' Carlson said: 'You just said we were. This is high stakes. You're a senator. If you're saying the United States is at war with Iran right now, people are listening.' The conservative commentator's earlier line of questioning had put Cruz under pressure and highlighted just how little he knows about the region. 'How many people live in Iran, by the way?' Carlson had asked. 'I don't know the population,' Cruz accepted, much to Carlson's horror as he quipped: 'At all?' 'You don't know the population of the people you're trying to topple?' Carlson added. Cruz tried to turn the tables back on Carlson, asking him for the number, to which the podcast host immediately responded: '92 million.' 'How could you not know that?' Carlson said. 'It's kind of relevant because you're calling for the overthrow of the government.' By this stage, the men were shouting over the top of one another as Cruz frantically tried to defend himself, first arguing 'I don't sit around memorizing population tables', before adding: 'Why is it relevant whether it's 90 million or 80 million.' Carlson, who appeared incredulous at the question, began to explain why he found it important 'if you don't know anything about the country', but was cut off by Cruz who said: 'I didn't say I don't know anything about Iran.' 'Okay,' Carlson countered, 'what is the ethnic mix of Iran?' Cruz stumbled over his answer, naming Persians and 'predominately Shia' before he was cut off by Carlson, who said again: 'What percent? You don't know anything on Iran.' Finally Cruz cracked, shouting: 'Okay, I'm not the Tucker Carlson expert on Iran.' Carlson said: 'You're the Senator who is calling for the overthrow of the government and you don't know anything about the country.' The argument went from bad to worse when Cruz began leveling insults at Carlson. He said: 'No, you don't know anything about the country. You're the one who claims they're not trying to murder Donald Trump. You're the one who can't figure out if it was a good idea to kill General Solami.' Trump is said to be considering a US strike on Tehran following Situation Room crisis talks with security advisors. But up until this point, Trump and his senior officials have repeatedly maintained that the United States played no part in the offensive strikes Israel has launched at Iran. Both Israel and Iran launched fresh strikes at each other overnight, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it launched a 'more powerful' new wave of missiles at Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned: 'The battle begins... We will show the Zionists no mercy.' Trump and Carlson have had a high-profile falling out amid Carlson's public criticism of the assault on Iran. Trump wrote Monday night on Truth social: 'Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that,' IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!' Earlier in the day, he said: 'I don't know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen.' The former host was spectacularly fired from the news network in April 2023 and started his own independent network. Carlson issued a chilling warning to Trump on the War Room show with Steve Bannon to discuss the ongoing debate about Iran and the role the United States should play. 'A full-scale war with Iran,' he argued, 'would end, I believe, Trump's presidency, effectively end it, so that's why I'm saying this.' Carlson said if he could speak to Trump about the conflict, he would urge him to act in America's interests and bring peace to the region. 'I would say to him, you're the only person who can bring peace. You should continue to try and do that, it's difficult, it takes a long time but your timetable is the only timetable that matters, don't get [expletive] rushed,' he said. Carlson called his long-time ally Trump 'complicit in an act of war,' while he slammed conservatives close to the president as 'warmongers' in a social media post the same day.
