Latest news with #BlessingsofVictory
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Donald Trump's three-word taunt for Iran after missiles fired at US base
Donald Trump has broken his silence on Iran's retaliation, taunting the nation for it's 'very weak response' after a wave of missiles were launched at US bases in Qatara. According to a senior US official, the White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats, including to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Iranian state media has said the missile operation 'Blessings of Victory' against US sites in Qatar has reports from Iranian state media said a US base in Iraq had also been targeted although it is understood the Qatar attack was the only one detected. US officials have also reportedly said that no Iranian missiles hit the Qatar air base. It comes after one British national has been injured in Israel during missile attacks by Iran, David Lammy has said. The Foreign Secretary said the Middle East is now going through "a perilous moment" as the conflict continues after the US got involved too at the weekend. Strikes between Iran and Israel have now continued for 10 days. Meanwhile, hundreds of Iran's elite soldiers are believed to have been killed after Israel struck at the "heart of Tehran" today. In fresh strikes on the ideological symbols of the Iranian regime, Israel targeted the entrance of the notorious Evin Prison - where enemies of the state are held - and the Basij Headquarters. The Basij is the shadowy paramilitary wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps - which the US previously prescribed as a terrorist organisation. Qatar says Iran fired 19 missiles at the US air base and one hit but caused no casualties. The US embassy in Qatar has lifted a shelter-in-place order on Monday evening. The embassy, which had told American citizens to shelter in place earlier today, said in a notice posted on its website that it would reopen on Tuesday. In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump declared it's now "time for peace". Trump said no US or Qatari citizens were killed in today's attack as he thanked the "Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region." Writing on Truth Social, the US president said: "I'd like to thank the Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. "Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Donald Trump has said Iran gave "early notice" of the attack on the US air base in Qatar, which "made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured." The US president said he hopes there will be "no further HATE" after the attack - adding he encourages both Israel and Iran to find peace. This is the full statement he shared on his social media platform, Truth Social: A flight from Manchester Airport to Doha is heading back to the UK after being diverted following Iran's attack on a US base in Qatar. Flight QTR36R had reached the Turkish coast when it was diverted following the latest Middle Eastern clashes. Currently the Qatar Airways flight is heading back over the Balkans in the Eastern Europe. More on the story here. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has insisted his country will not surrender. "We have not violated anyone's rights, nor will we ever accept anyone's violation; this is the logic of the Iranian nation," Khamenei said in a statement posted on social media. The UK Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Iran and urges British nationals in the region to follow local guidance. It has also updated its travel advice for Qatar, warning British nationals to shelter in place "out of an abundance of caution" following a US security alert in the country. In updated guidance, it said: "Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. "Follow instructions from local authorities. The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops." The United Arab Emirates has condemned Iran's attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. In a statement reported by state-run news agency WAM, the UAE said: "The UAE condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's targeting of Al Udeid Air Base in the State of Qatar, considering it a blatant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace, and a clear contravention of international law and the UN Charter. "The UAE affirms its categorical rejection of any attack that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar and the region." Iraq's foreign ministry said in a statement Monday that "regional crises can only be resolved through dialogue, resorting to diplomatic channels, and avoiding military options, which only bring further escalation and suffering." The statement stopped short of condemning the attack by Iran on a US base in Qatar, but said Iraq is "following with deep concern the dangerous and accelerating escalation in the region." Baghdad has close ties to both Washington and Tehran and has attempted to strike a delicate balance between them. Iraq also announced a complete closure of its airspace. Most of the country's airspace was already closed due to the ongoing Israel-Iran war, but the airport in the southern city of Basra had been open until Monday. Kuwait has also announced the closure of its airspace "as a precautionary measure, effective from today until further notice." The country's civil aviation said: "The relevant authorities confirm that this decision is made within the framework of maintaining the highest levels of safety and security amid regional developments, with continuous coordination with competent authorities locally and internationally to monitor developments and take necessary measures." EgyptAir has the cancellation of all flights from Cairo to Gulf countries "until the situation in the region stabilises." The airline said: "Due to the ongoing events in the region and the closure of airspace in several Gulf countries, EgyptAir flights from Cairo Airport to and from Gulf cities and vice versa have been cancelled until the situation in the region stabilises." Qatar Airways has confirmed the temporary suspension of its flights. The airline said it will resume operations when the airspace re-opens. Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways FlightsAs a result of the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar, we can confirm the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support… Flights are landing and taking off again in the United Arab Emirates, according to a post on X by Flightradar24, which tracks real-time air traffic. Flightradar24 added that more than 10 flights earlier had to divert from the UAE. A US official has said no other US bases in the Middle East have been attacked besides Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The official added the US is still determining how many missiles were fired by Iran today - and said there are no reports of damage to the base at this time. BBC Persian reporter Ghoncheh Habibiazad said residents of east and north-east Tehran have reported hearing explosions this evening. According to Iranian outlets, such as the semi-official Mehr, the air defence has been activated in the capital. French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a new statement after Iran launched an attack on a US air base in Qatar. He tweeted: "I express France's solidarity with Qatar, which has been struck by Iran on its soil. I am in close contact with the country's authorities and our partners in the region. "I call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, de-escalate, and return to the negotiating table. This spiral of chaos must end." A Defence Department official is confirming a missile attack from Iran on a US military base in Qatar but says no casualties have been reported. The official said that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The US is continuing to monitor the situation, said the official. The confirmation came soon after Iran acknowledged the missile attacks, saying the attack in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites over the weekend, signalling its likely desire to de-escalate. America's attack on Iran has triggered growing fears of a wave of terror hitting the UK as Iran-backed footsoldiers take deadly revenge. Britain is considered a prime target for terrorism by Iranian regime supporters and UK streets could see blood spilled by Tehran-sponsored attackers. It is believed both Lebanese Hezbollah and their Tehran sponsors the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could launch hits in the UK. Among their targets are Jewish and Israeli targets but this could also switch to the general civilian public if ordered by Tehran. And in particular RAF bases and other military sites could also be targeted because they would get coverage and it would make the UK look vulnerable. The terror threat level to the UK is assessed by MI5 as being at "substantial" and has been at that level for several years. Donald Trump issued a weird monologue on his Truth Social website tonight, after Iran attacked US air bases in Qatar. The US President chose to completely ignore the latest developments, and instead started rambling about "sleazebags in the media" and "fake news". He wrote: "The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it. Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible - And even they say they were 'pretty well destroyed!' "Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of 'Con'cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast's NBC Fake News. It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that's why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW - ZERO CREDIBILITY!" UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the country is "closely" monitoring the "fast-changing situation" and while saying he can't give details at this stage, he said the British government "utterly condemns any escalation." Giving a statement in the House of Commons about protecting UK military bases, the minister said: "We have put force protection measures at its highest level to safeguard our personnel in the region. "We have robust measures in place to protect our armed forces personnel and their safety is our top priority." The United Arab Emirates has joined Qatar in closing its airspace, according to an analysis of flight paths and air traffic control audio by flight tracking website Flightradar24. "Lots of aircraft are forced to turn around," the website said. Both countries are major hubs of international air travel. The US has long had major military bases in the region - of which eight are permanent. They are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Tens of thousands of US troops are based in the Middle East. Sirens have sounded in Bahrain, the Ministry of Interior has said, urging residents to move to "the nearest safe place". In a series of posts on X, the ministry said people should seek refuge in a building or other covered areas "until the danger has passed" and added they should take precautions "in the event of a loud explosion". Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region. Speaking to US troops at the base in May, the US president said "my priority is to end conflicts, not start them." "But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it's necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here," referring to Qatar. "When we're threatened, America's military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force." The Qatari government official said base had been evacuated earlier given the tensions in the region. He added that there were no injuries or human casualties from the attack. Dr. Al Ansari said: "The base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. "All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others. We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack." Qatar is calling for "the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue," said Dr. Majed Al Ansari. The statement, shared on X, reads: "We also emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security." Dr. Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has said the country condemns that attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. In a statement shared on X, he said Qatar "reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law." Dr. Al Ansari said Qatari aid defences "thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles." The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that… The attack on the US air base came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. Just before the explosions in Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. "But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."
Iraqi News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
US officials confirm no Iranian attack against Iraq
Baghdad ( – US officials confirmed on Monday that Iran has not attacked US military bases in Iraq after reports mentioned that Iran launched missile assaults on US military sites in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the US bombardment of Iran's nuclear facilities. An Iraqi security official told The Associated Press (AP) that Iran targeted the Ain Al-Assad base, which houses US troops in western Iraq. It was not immediately known whether the Iraq base had been damaged or whether anyone was injured. Qatar denounced the attack on Al-Udeid Air Base, where more than 8,000 troops are stationed, but stated that the missiles were successfully intercepted with no deaths recorded. It said that its airspace was now safe. Iran confirmed the strike on national television, describing it as a powerful and successful reaction to US aggression. An Israeli defense official verified to Al-Monitor that Iran had launched at least ten missiles against US sites in Qatar and one at Iraq. The United States military also has a presence at Ain Al-Asad Air Base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, Iran's missile campaign against US sites in Qatar and Iraq has begun under the code name Blessings of Victory.
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strike on US Bases in Qatar and Iraq
Iran has announced a missile attack targeting US bases stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as well as Ain Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar province, calling it retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officially confirmed the operation on Monday. Residents in Doha reported seeing flares in the sky, along with loud explosions. The operation is reportedly under the name 'Blessings of Victory.' The escalation follows heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran vowing to respond to US military actions. Updates to follow as more information becomes available. Tags: IranIran QatarIran strikesIraqMiddle East
Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Iranian missiles fired towards US airbase in Qatar as Trump meets security team
Iran has officially retaliated against the US, launching a wave of missile strikes aimed at US bases in Qatar and Iraq as Trump hosts a meeting with his top security team. According to a senior US official, the White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats, including to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Iranian state media has said the missile operation 'Blessings of Victory' against US sites in Qatar and Iraq has begun. It comes after one British national has been injured in Israel during missile attacks by Iran, David Lammy has said. The Foreign Secretary said the Middle East is now going through "a perilous moment" as the conflict continues after the US got involved too at the weekend. Strikes between Iran and Israel have now continued for 10 days. Meanwhile, hundreds of Iran's elite soldiers are believed to have been killed after Israel struck at the "heart of Tehran" today. In fresh strikes on the ideological symbols of the Iranian regime, Israel targeted the entrance of the notorious Evin Prison - where enemies of the state are held - and the Basij Headquarters. The Basij is the shadowy paramilitary wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps - which the US previously prescribed as a terrorist organisation. Follow our live blog below... Dr. Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has said the country condemns that attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. In a statement shared on X, he said Qatar "reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law." Dr. Al Ansari said Qatari aid defences "thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles." The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that… The attack on the US air base came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. Just before the explosions in Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. "But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer." US President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other officials are in the White House Situation Room monitoring the latest updates. Iran has begun its "mighty and victorious" response to US strikes, state media reported this evening. According to the state-run Tasnim agency, Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched missiles at a US base in Qatar. Iran says it has launched an attack on US forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. It comes after a senior administration official, who was not authorised to comment publicly, said the White House and Pentagon were aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to the air base. Explosions were heard in Qatar on Monday night as witnesses said they saw what appeared to be missiles in the skies over the country. There was no immediate acknowledgment from Qatari authorities of any attack. The reports emerged as Qatar closed its airspace amid Iranian threats to retaliate against the United States over its bombing early Sunday of three Iranian nuclear sites. Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team at 1pm ET (6pm BST) at the White House. The US president is set to discuss the threat of Iranian retaliation, which could determine how he responds, and establish whether the US will plunge deeper into Israel's war with Iran. Tony Redondo, founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange, has said it would be "wise for consumers to fill up their tanks now" as even a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz would have an "immediate and significant" impact on petrol prices. The expert said the closure could spike Brent crude up 15% to over $80/barrel, pushing prices to 152p/litre very quickly, The Sun reported. Mr Redondo als warned a full closure could see oil hit $100-$150, driving petrol up towards £2/litre, saying: "That's why now could be a smart time to fill up your tank before any further hikes come into effect." Please note, you should only fill up your tank if you believe you need to - and most importantly, if you can afford it. Ken James, Director at Contractor Mortgage Services, said crude oil could soar "well beyond $150 (£111) per barrel - levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis." He explained: "While the final decision rests with Iran's powerful Security Council and has not yet been made, the symbolic move has begun to send shockwaves through energy markets. "Analysts warn that any actual closure could ignite a sharp spike in oil prices, with estimates suggesting crude could soar well beyond $150 per barrel - levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Investor sentiment is already showing signs of a risk-off shift. "Safe-haven assets like gold, US Treasuries, and the Swiss franc could see significant inflows if tensions escalate. As markets await a final decision from Tehran, traders are on high alert. The Strait of Hormuz may still be open for now but the global economic ripple effects are already being felt." The worst possible outcome is least likely and that involves Iran declaring all-out war on America and Israel, says our Defence and Security Editor Chris Hughes. He writes: "This would happen if the Iranian regime miscalculated and goes too far when it makes a revenge gesture of reply to the United States. "The problem is that US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran will be hit by far worse if it does hit US interests so that starts a cycle of escalating violence. "I believe if Iran does something below the threshold for war then America may be forced to let it pass and give Iran that off-ramp, saving face and avoiding all-out war." To read the full story, click here. Shelter in place is a public safety protocol which means finding a safe location indoors and staying there until you are given an "all clear" or told to evacuate. It can be invoked during various emergencies including extreme weather, chemical or radiological hazards, or even active shooter situations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Qatar to recommend British nationals in the Gulf state "shelter in place". In an update to the page, the FCDO said: "Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. Follow instructions from local authorities. "The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops." There are fears that petrol prices could increase if Iran decides to close the Strait of Hormuz, which sees around a fifth of the world's global oil supply pass through. After the US attacked nuclear facilities at the weekend, Iran's parliament voted to close the strait - but this requires approval from the country's Supreme National Security Council. This could lead to oil prices surge - and when the market opened earlier today Brent Crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, hit $81.40 (£60.41) a barrel. However, it later dropped to trade 0.3% lower on the day at $76.76 (£56.97) by early afternoon in the UK. To see which other everyday items could go up in price as a result of the conflict, click here. Israel's military is warning Iranians it will continue to attack military sites around Tehran over "the coming days." The military issued the warning on social media, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world because of an internet shutdown in the country. The warning says "we ask you to stay away from weapons production centres, military bases and security institutions affiliated with the regime." Iran has criticised the warnings as a way to scare its public. However, the Israelis have carried out strikes after their warnings multiple times in the war. One British national has been injured in Israel during missile attacks by Iran, David Lammy has said. In a statement to the Commons, the Foreign Secretary said: "This is a perilous moment in the Middle East, waves of strikes between Israel and Iran have now lasted for 10 days, continuing overnight. "I know the whole House will have in their thoughts the many civilians impacted by the fighting. I can confirm today, this includes one British national, injured in Israel. We've reached out to offer consular support." South Africa is calling on the United States, Israel and Iran to allow the United Nations to lead diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the conflict. It is also calling on them to allow an inspection and verification of Iran's uranium enrichment and its nuclear capacity. South Africa has strong diplomatic ties with Iran, which the Trump administration has criticised. The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah has indicated that the group will not join the war between Iran and Israel for now. Naim Kassem spoke in his first public comments since the US inserted itself into the war on Sunday. He said his group is ready to back any decision taken by the Lebanese state to force Israel to stop the war. He also told the Iran-backed group's Al-Ahad newspaper in a report published Monday that the attacks on Iran will "have a high cost" as the whole region is in danger, and says Donald Trump's threats to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are a "vile act and a sign of weakness." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says US operations in the Middle East haven't changed despite Trump raising the possibility of what he called "regime change" in Iran on Sunday. "The president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking," Leavitt told reporters on Monday. She added: "If they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn't the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?" US President Donald Trump has called for oil prices to stay down amid fears Iran could retaliate to US strikes by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel. In a post shared to TruthSocial, Mr Trump said: "Everyone, keep oil prices down. "I'm watching. You're playing right into the hands of the enemy. Don't do it." Donald Trump shocked the world when he boasted the US had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites during "Operation Midnight" - but what sparked such drastic action? President Trump claimed on Sunday that the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. Israel confirmed they were in "full co-ordination" with the US in planning the strikes, which signals a significant escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Iran has downplayed Israel's targeted attacks on Evin prison as part of its fresh strikes on the country. The Mizan news agency, which is affiliated with the country's judiciary, said "all necessary measures" were put in place to "protect the safety of prisoners." It is the same prison where dual British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent four years of her sentence. This is the moment British nationals boarded a Royal Air Force plane out of Israel - one of the first emergency evacuations since the US attacked nuclear sites in Iran. Keir Starmer has urged British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to make contact with the Foreign Office as it prepares for an evacuation flight. Reports yesterday said evacuation flights for British citizens trapped in Israel could begin "within hours". And today at 3pm local time a flight of around 50 people took off from Tel Aviv airport, headed for a base in Larnaca, Cyprus. It is currently in the air. It is understood passengers will then board another plane returning to the UK. One passenger - who wants to be anonymous - said he was notified at 3am local time that a flight would be made available to take people home. According to the Israeli Government, the flights will have a strict limit of 50 people. The passenger on board said: "We were notified at 3am this morning."People are feeling very relieved, there are lots of empty seats on board despite people saying it is full." Administration officials are openly speaking about regime change, saying that the Iranian people should be able to overthrow the "violent regime". White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says if Iran refuses to come to diplomatic solution, "why shouldn't the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime?" Some recent reports from Iran say there is a huge amount of solidarity among the Iranian people against the US and Israel, with the public demanding a strong response and a refusal of negotiations. Israeli and American attacks on Iran's nuclear programme have had a "huge" impact, according to the UK's former ambassador to Iran. However, Rob Macaire - who served from 2018 to 2021 - said that it's still unclear what's happened at the subterranean Fordow plant. "The cumulative impact of the Israeli attacks and the US attacks on Iran's nuclear programme has seen huge damage," he said. "The question is whether Iran comes out of this determined to rebuild that programme and to try to get towards a nuclear weapon as a result of this - or whether it comes out of it recognising that's not going to be an option and seeing if there is a negotiation route for them "That is what is to play for now." The UK government has responded to questions over its position on the US's decision to bomb Iran over the weekend. Downing Street has issued a statement, saying: "We're clear that the prevention of Iran getting nuclear weapons is a good thing for this country. "But our focus is on diplomacy. That is the priority and that is what every member of this government is working towards and that's been the focus of the calls with international partners over the weekend." The spokesman added: "Iran should take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks." حمله نمادین اسرائیل به سردر زندان اوین Israel Air Force strikes in Tehran/Karaji- Iranian state television buildings- Stone (Evin) Prison and another prison in Karaj- Ministry of Energy Building- Shahid Behashti University- Police/Basij regional stations Iranian media thinks these attacks are carried out by… Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has met with Russia's Vladimir Putin today. The Russian leader told Araghchi: "You are visiting Russia at a difficult time, during a sharp aggravation of the situation in the region and around your country." He said Russia is "making efforts to assist the Iranian people". Israeli media is reporting that Israel's most recent strike in Iran has killed hundreds of members of the country's shadowy IRGC organisation. Israel targeted a number of locations across the capital, including Evin Prison and the Basij headquarters, an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post. Israel Katz, the country's defence minister, said Israel is now attacking "the heart of Tehran" with "unprecedented force". He mentioned Evin as the home of political prisoners held by the regime, and the Basij headquarters as the internal security base for the revolutionary guard corps' paramilitary wing. "For every shot fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be punished and the attacks will continue with full force," he says.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Iranian missiles fired towards US airbase in Qatar as Trump meets security team
Iran has officially retaliated against the US, launching a wave of missile strikes aimed at US bases in Qatar and Iraq as Trump hosts a meeting with his top security team. According to a senior US official, the White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats, including to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Iranian state media has said the missile operation 'Blessings of Victory' against US sites in Qatar and Iraq has begun. It comes after one British national has been injured in Israel during missile attacks by Iran, David Lammy has said. The Foreign Secretary said the Middle East is now going through "a perilous moment" as the conflict continues after the US got involved too at the weekend. Strikes between Iran and Israel have now continued for 10 days. Meanwhile, hundreds of Iran's elite soldiers are believed to have been killed after Israel struck at the "heart of Tehran" today. In fresh strikes on the ideological symbols of the Iranian regime, Israel targeted the entrance of the notorious Evin Prison - where enemies of the state are held - and the Basij Headquarters. The Basij is the shadowy paramilitary wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps - which the US previously prescribed as a terrorist organisation. Just before the explosions in Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. "But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer." US President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other officials are in the White House Situation Room monitoring the latest updates. Iran has begun its "mighty and victorious" response to US strikes, state media reported this evening. According to the state-run Tasnim agency, Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched missiles at a US base in Qatar. Iran says it has launched an attack on US forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. It comes after a senior administration official, who was not authorised to comment publicly, said the White House and Pentagon were aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to the air base. Explosions were heard in Qatar on Monday night as witnesses said they saw what appeared to be missiles in the skies over the country. There was no immediate acknowledgment from Qatari authorities of any attack. The reports emerged as Qatar closed its airspace amid Iranian threats to retaliate against the United States over its bombing early Sunday of three Iranian nuclear sites. Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team at 1pm ET (6pm BST) at the White House. The US president is set to discuss the threat of Iranian retaliation, which could determine how he responds, and establish whether the US will plunge deeper into Israel's war with Iran. Tony Redondo, founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange, has said it would be "wise for consumers to fill up their tanks now" as even a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz would have an "immediate and significant" impact on petrol prices. The expert said the closure could spike Brent crude up 15% to over $80/barrel, pushing prices to 152p/litre very quickly, The Sun reported. Mr Redondo als warned a full closure could see oil hit $100-$150, driving petrol up towards £2/litre, saying: "That's why now could be a smart time to fill up your tank before any further hikes come into effect." Please note, you should only fill up your tank if you believe you need to - and most importantly, if you can afford it. Ken James, Director at Contractor Mortgage Services, said crude oil could soar "well beyond $150 (£111) per barrel - levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis." He explained: "While the final decision rests with Iran's powerful Security Council and has not yet been made, the symbolic move has begun to send shockwaves through energy markets. "Analysts warn that any actual closure could ignite a sharp spike in oil prices, with estimates suggesting crude could soar well beyond $150 per barrel - levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Investor sentiment is already showing signs of a risk-off shift. "Safe-haven assets like gold, US Treasuries, and the Swiss franc could see significant inflows if tensions escalate. As markets await a final decision from Tehran, traders are on high alert. The Strait of Hormuz may still be open for now but the global economic ripple effects are already being felt." The worst possible outcome is least likely and that involves Iran declaring all-out war on America and Israel, says our Defence and Security Editor Chris Hughes. He writes: "This would happen if the Iranian regime miscalculated and goes too far when it makes a revenge gesture of reply to the United States. "The problem is that US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran will be hit by far worse if it does hit US interests so that starts a cycle of escalating violence. "I believe if Iran does something below the threshold for war then America may be forced to let it pass and give Iran that off-ramp, saving face and avoiding all-out war." To read the full story, click here. Shelter in place is a public safety protocol which means finding a safe location indoors and staying there until you are given an "all clear" or told to evacuate. It can be invoked during various emergencies including extreme weather, chemical or radiological hazards, or even active shooter situations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Qatar to recommend British nationals in the Gulf state "shelter in place". In an update to the page, the FCDO said: "Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. Follow instructions from local authorities. "The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops." There are fears that petrol prices could increase if Iran decides to close the Strait of Hormuz, which sees around a fifth of the world's global oil supply pass through. After the US attacked nuclear facilities at the weekend, Iran's parliament voted to close the strait - but this requires approval from the country's Supreme National Security Council. This could lead to oil prices surge - and when the market opened earlier today Brent Crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, hit $81.40 (£60.41) a barrel. However, it later dropped to trade 0.3% lower on the day at $76.76 (£56.97) by early afternoon in the UK. To see which other everyday items could go up in price as a result of the conflict, click here. Israel's military is warning Iranians it will continue to attack military sites around Tehran over "the coming days." The military issued the warning on social media, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world because of an internet shutdown in the country. The warning says "we ask you to stay away from weapons production centres, military bases and security institutions affiliated with the regime." Iran has criticised the warnings as a way to scare its public. However, the Israelis have carried out strikes after their warnings multiple times in the war. One British national has been injured in Israel during missile attacks by Iran, David Lammy has said. In a statement to the Commons, the Foreign Secretary said: "This is a perilous moment in the Middle East, waves of strikes between Israel and Iran have now lasted for 10 days, continuing overnight. "I know the whole House will have in their thoughts the many civilians impacted by the fighting. I can confirm today, this includes one British national, injured in Israel. We've reached out to offer consular support." South Africa is calling on the United States, Israel and Iran to allow the United Nations to lead diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the conflict. It is also calling on them to allow an inspection and verification of Iran's uranium enrichment and its nuclear capacity. South Africa has strong diplomatic ties with Iran, which the Trump administration has criticised. The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah has indicated that the group will not join the war between Iran and Israel for now. Naim Kassem spoke in his first public comments since the US inserted itself into the war on Sunday. He said his group is ready to back any decision taken by the Lebanese state to force Israel to stop the war. He also told the Iran-backed group's Al-Ahad newspaper in a report published Monday that the attacks on Iran will "have a high cost" as the whole region is in danger, and says Donald Trump's threats to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are a "vile act and a sign of weakness." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says US operations in the Middle East haven't changed despite Trump raising the possibility of what he called "regime change" in Iran on Sunday. "The president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking," Leavitt told reporters on Monday. She added: "If they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn't the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?" US President Donald Trump has called for oil prices to stay down amid fears Iran could retaliate to US strikes by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel. In a post shared to TruthSocial, Mr Trump said: "Everyone, keep oil prices down. "I'm watching. You're playing right into the hands of the enemy. Don't do it." Donald Trump shocked the world when he boasted the US had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites during "Operation Midnight" - but what sparked such drastic action? President Trump claimed on Sunday that the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. Israel confirmed they were in "full co-ordination" with the US in planning the strikes, which signals a significant escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Iran has downplayed Israel's targeted attacks on Evin prison as part of its fresh strikes on the country. The Mizan news agency, which is affiliated with the country's judiciary, said "all necessary measures" were put in place to "protect the safety of prisoners." It is the same prison where dual British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent four years of her sentence. This is the moment British nationals boarded a Royal Air Force plane out of Israel - one of the first emergency evacuations since the US attacked nuclear sites in Iran. Keir Starmer has urged British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to make contact with the Foreign Office as it prepares for an evacuation flight. Reports yesterday said evacuation flights for British citizens trapped in Israel could begin "within hours". And today at 3pm local time a flight of around 50 people took off from Tel Aviv airport, headed for a base in Larnaca, Cyprus. It is currently in the air. It is understood passengers will then board another plane returning to the UK. One passenger - who wants to be anonymous - said he was notified at 3am local time that a flight would be made available to take people home. According to the Israeli Government, the flights will have a strict limit of 50 people. The passenger on board said: "We were notified at 3am this morning."People are feeling very relieved, there are lots of empty seats on board despite people saying it is full." Administration officials are openly speaking about regime change, saying that the Iranian people should be able to overthrow the "violent regime". White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says if Iran refuses to come to diplomatic solution, "why shouldn't the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime?" Some recent reports from Iran say there is a huge amount of solidarity among the Iranian people against the US and Israel, with the public demanding a strong response and a refusal of negotiations. Israeli and American attacks on Iran's nuclear programme have had a "huge" impact, according to the UK's former ambassador to Iran. However, Rob Macaire - who served from 2018 to 2021 - said that it's still unclear what's happened at the subterranean Fordow plant. "The cumulative impact of the Israeli attacks and the US attacks on Iran's nuclear programme has seen huge damage," he said. "The question is whether Iran comes out of this determined to rebuild that programme and to try to get towards a nuclear weapon as a result of this - or whether it comes out of it recognising that's not going to be an option and seeing if there is a negotiation route for them "That is what is to play for now." The UK government has responded to questions over its position on the US's decision to bomb Iran over the weekend. Downing Street has issued a statement, saying: "We're clear that the prevention of Iran getting nuclear weapons is a good thing for this country. "But our focus is on diplomacy. That is the priority and that is what every member of this government is working towards and that's been the focus of the calls with international partners over the weekend." The spokesman added: "Iran should take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks." حمله نمادین اسرائیل به سردر زندان اوین Israel Air Force strikes in Tehran/Karaji- Iranian state television buildings- Stone (Evin) Prison and another prison in Karaj- Ministry of Energy Building- Shahid Behashti University- Police/Basij regional stations Iranian media thinks these attacks are carried out by… Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has met with Russia's Vladimir Putin today. The Russian leader told Araghchi: "You are visiting Russia at a difficult time, during a sharp aggravation of the situation in the region and around your country." He said Russia is "making efforts to assist the Iranian people". Israeli media is reporting that Israel's most recent strike in Iran has killed hundreds of members of the country's shadowy IRGC organisation. Israel targeted a number of locations across the capital, including Evin Prison and the Basij headquarters, an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post. Israel Katz, the country's defence minister, said Israel is now attacking "the heart of Tehran" with "unprecedented force". He mentioned Evin as the home of political prisoners held by the regime, and the Basij headquarters as the internal security base for the revolutionary guard corps' paramilitary wing. "For every shot fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be punished and the attacks will continue with full force," he says. Iran has vowed to kill as many as 50,000 American soldiers as British service personnel remain on high alert for a retaliatory attack after the devastating strikes at the country's military sites. Tehran's mullahs have scrambled to assert that they remain a threat to the US and its allies in the Middle East and beyond after President Donald Trump followed Israel's lead by bombing three nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. State television, which parrots the Islamic regime's talking points, showed a map of US bases across the Middle East with particular focus being paid to ones in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, which are all in range of Iran's missiles. Al Jazeera reports the channel's anchor Mehdi Khanalizadeh said: "It is now clearer than ever, not just for the Iranian nation but for the whole peoples of the region, that all US citizens and military personnel are legitimate targets. "We were negotiating and progressing through a diplomatic path, but you chose to spill the blood of your soldiers. The US president in the Oval Office chose to take delivery of the coffins of up to 50,000 US soldiers in Washington." Iran makes chilling vow to kill 50,000 soldiers as British sites on high alert The Fordow nuclear plant is Iran's highly-secretive uranium enrichment site, built inside a mountain around 20 miles north of the central city of Qom. Originally an IRGC base - its mountainside location was chosen specifically to protect it against airstrikes. Israeli media today reported the military has destroyed a road leading to the facility. On June 13, Israeli strikes hit the above-ground sections, but the subterranean chambers remained largely intact, according to Iranian sources. Yesterday, Donald Trump launched "Operation Midnight Hammer", using B-2 bombers carrying bunker-busting bombs in the hopes of penetrating deeper into the ground at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Satellite imagery from the latter operation showed six craters deep in the mountain above Fordow and significant subterranean damage. Iran has claimed that the highly enriched uranium was evacuated before the strike and the damage was largely superficial. Experts have warned the deep facility may not be fully destroyed and that enrichment could continue.
