Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, June 17
Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said Iranian forces had been pushed toward the center of the country as a result of sustained Israeli airstrikes. (Israel-Iran-Airstrikes)
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TEHRAN -- Two loud explosions were heard in central and northern Tehran on Tuesday, local eyewitnesses reported, as Israel continued its bombardment of the Iranian capital for a fifth consecutive day.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on social media platform X that Iran's Natanz site, which contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, was hit amid Israeli strikes. (Iran-Israeli Attacks-Explosions)
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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel is not engaged in any negotiations with Iran to halt the deadly aerial conflict that began with a large-scale Israeli strike on Friday.
"We are not engaged in any negotiations, and we will not allow harm to Israeli civilians," Katz told reporters during a visit to Herzliya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv, where a missile fired from Iran struck earlier. (Iran-Israel-Negotiations)
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RAMALLAH -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said on Tuesday that the escalation between Iran and Israel should not distract attention from the Israeli "aggression" against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
During a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Mustafa noted the importance of maintaining international momentum toward the Gaza Strip and not diverting focus from ending the war in the coastal enclave, allowing the entry of relief and humanitarian aid, and opening the crossings, according to a statement issued by his office. (Palestine-Israeli Aggression-Gaza)
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