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India Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Israel hits Iran's refinery, warns of more attacks as Middle East crisis deepens
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday vowed to intensify strikes on Iran, warning that "what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days." His comments came after Israel launched one of its most extensive aerial offensives under Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure in cities including Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran. Iranian media reported a fire at the South Pars gas field following fresh Israeli strikes on Saturday, though the blaze was later offensive, which reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian generals and nuclear scientists, triggered a swift and forceful retaliation from Tehran. Within 24 hours, Iran launched over 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities, accusing Israel of pushing the region into a "dangerous cycle of violence". It also called off its upcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States, calling them "unjustifiable" under the current circumstances. Tehran warned that if Israeli strikes continue, its response will grow "more severe" and may include military bases of Israel's regional DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a large-scale aerial assault on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military infrastructure, and key leadership figures. Strikes reportedly hit over 150 sites, including Natanz and Isfahan, killing several top military commanders and nine nuclear scientists. advertisement Netanyahu declared that Iran's nuclear efforts were "in the 90th minute" and vowed more strikes to come, saying, "What they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days." In retaliation, Iran fired roughly 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli targets in four waves. Israel claimed most were intercepted, with help from US defence systems, but at least three people were killed and dozens injured. Iran also warned that any foreign military base involved in intercepting its missiles, including those of Israel's allies, would become a target. Despite the attack, Tel Aviv beaches were busy by Saturday, with residents returning to public space. Iranian media reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted the South Pars gas field in southern Bushehr province, causing a fire and halting production of 12 million cubic meters of gas from Phase 14. Iran reported heavy civilian casualties from Israel's two-day assault. Iranian state TV said a missile strike on a 14-storey residential tower in Tehran killed around 60 people, including 20 children. In total, 78 deaths were reported on the first day of Israeli strikes. Visuals showed buildings flattened, and upper floors collapsing into the street. Netanyahu said Israeli Air Force jets would soon be seen "over the skies of Tehran" and reiterated that his government would strike "every site and every target of the Ayatollahs' regime". Defence Minister Israel Katz further escalated the rhetoric, warning, "If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn." Iran has called off scheduled nuclear talks with the United States following Israel's air offensive. Confirming the development, Oman - who had been mediating-said the dialogue was no longer on the table. advertisementIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated it was "unjustifiable" to proceed with negotiations while "barbarous Israeli airstrikes" continued. A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry added, "Continuing dialogue under these conditions is meaningless. Washington's silence signals complicity." At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, India called for "dialogue and diplomacy" to de-escalate tensions. This came after the China-led group issued a strong condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran. India refrained from backing the statement, instead emphasising the need for restraint. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in calls with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused Netanyahu of trying to "drag the region into fire" and "sabotage nuclear talks". Erdogan said Israel's actions were an attempt to divert attention from "genocide in Gaza" and warned that the conflict risked triggering waves of irregular migration across the region. He labelled Netanyahu's government the biggest threat to regional stability. advertisement Iranian lawmaker and military general Esmail Kosari said Tehran is reviewing whether to close the Strait of Hormuz - a critical oil route for the global economy. Meanwhile, Iranian state media said the country had warned it would target military bases in the region that assist in intercepting Iranian missiles. Croatia's consul in Israel and his wife were slightly injured during Iran's missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman confirmed the building they were living in had been hit and expressed relief that their injuries were not life-threatening. He condemned the attacks on civilians and diplomatic properties and called for "immediate de-escalation and restraint". Israeli PM Netanyahu claimed "clear support" from US President Donald Trump for the strikes. Iran, in turn, warned that further attacks would trigger more severe retaliation, including targeting military bases of Israel's regional allies. Tune InMust Watch
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Extraordinarily dangerous & volatile time' travel alert as Irish told to avoid Israel & Iran amid all-out war fears
IRISH people are being urged not to travel to Israel or Iran as the Middle East descends into all-out war. It comes as the Department of Foreign Affairs has offered assistance to 17 Irish citizens currently living in Advertisement 3 Simon Harris urged all Irish citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran Credit: 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 3 Israel attacked the Iranian capital, Tehran Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The Department of Foreign Affairs has reached out to 17 Irish citizens who are residing in the capital Credit: Getty Images - Getty Following a series of rocket attacks on Iran, leaders in Tehran have promised that the 'gates of hell' will open for Foreign Affairs Minister He said: 'The very clear travel advice from 'We already had such travel advice in place in relation to Advertisement READ MORE ON ISRAEL-IRAN WAR 'We are keeping in very close contact with our diplomatic teams on the ground in Iran and Israel but I would ask all Irish citizens to heed that new 'This is an extraordinarily dangerous and volatile time and I urge all Irish citizens to heed that advice.' There are currently 17 Irish people living in Tehran with the Department of Foreign Affairs reaching out to them today to offer them assistance. Taoiseach Advertisement Most read in Irish News The Speaking today, the Taoiseach urged Iran and Israel to step back from the brink and avoid escalation. Unprecedented vid shows Israeli commandos directing drone strikes from on ground INSIDE Iran to blow up missile bases He said: 'I am deeply concerned by the airstrikes on Iran. 'I call on all in the Advertisement 'The region and the world need stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.' SOLIDARITY FOR PALESTINIANS Meanwhile, Irish bishops have called for arms supplies to Israel to be 'cut off' and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians. The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of It said: 'In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that Advertisement 'The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland." Israel's 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The military operation has A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence. Advertisement 'OUTRAGEOUS TRAGEDY FOR HUMANITY' The Irish bishops said: 'What is happening in Gaza – and the West Bank – is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children. 'This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.' The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end. Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Advertisement The militants still hold 55 hostages — less than half of them believed to be alive — after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
