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New Straits Times
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israel warns 'Tehran will burn' after wave of missile fire
TEHRAN: Israel's defence minister warned Saturday that "Tehran will burn" and its residents pay dearly if Iran continues its missile strikes against Israeli civilians. "The Iranian dictator is turning the citizens of Iran into hostages and bringing about a reality in which they -- especially the residents of Tehran -- will pay a heavy price because of the criminal harm to Israeli civilians," said Israel Katz. "If (Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles toward the Israeli home front -- Tehran will burn," the minister added. The threat came as Israel and Iran exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed strikes that Iran said hit its nuclear facilities, "martyred" top commanders and killed dozens of civilians. Iran has hit back with waves of drone and missile strikes, with a barrage of dozens lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight, killing three people and wounding dozens. Following decades of enmity and conflict by proxy, it is the first time that Israel and Iran have traded fire with such intensity, with fears of a prolonged conflict engulfing the region. Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran early Friday, only days before Iran and the United States had been due to hold a sixth round of talks on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The operation -- dubbed "Rising Lion" -- has since killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, among other senior generals. On Saturday, the Israeli military said it had Tehran in its sights after strikes on dozens of missile launchers and air defences in the area around the Iranian capital. "The way to Iran has been paved," the military's chief of staff and air force chief were quoted as saying in a statement. The military "is proceeding according to its operational plans, and (Israeli air force) fighters jets are set to resume striking targets in Tehran," it added. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in Israel's first wave of strikes on Friday. Iran called on its citizens to unite in defence of the country as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to rise up against their government. Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel through the night, with many residents holed up in bomb shelters until home defence commanders stood down alerts. Israel said dozens of missiles -- some intercepted -- had been fired in the latest salvos from Iran, with AFP images of the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showing blown-out buildings, destroyed vehicles and streets strewn with debris. Israeli rescuers said two people were killed and 19 wounded on Saturday by rocket fire on a residential area in the coastal plain. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked dozens of targets in Israel. Israeli firefighters had worked for hours to free people trapped in a high-rise building in Tel Aviv on Friday. Chen Gabizon, a resident, said he ran to an underground shelter after receiving an alert. "After a few minutes, we just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place," he said. Rescuers said 34 people were wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports. Speaking to CNN, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Iran had fired three salvos of ballistic missiles on Friday, some 150 in total. "We expect that the Iranians, who have a considerable volume of ballistic missiles, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2,000, will continue to fire them," Leiter said. In Tehran, fire and heavy smoke billowed over Mehrabad airport on Saturday, an AFP journalist said, as Iranian media reported an explosion. Blasts were heard across the capital as Iran activated its air defences against the incoming fire. Dozens of Iranians took to the streets to cheer their country's military response, with some waving national flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. The attacks prompted several countries in the region to temporarily ground air traffic, though on Saturday morning, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria reopened their airspace. Iran's airspace was closed until further notice, state media reported. As fears mounted of wider conflict, UN chief Antonio Guterres called on both sides to cease fire. "Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail," he said on X late Friday. Pope Leo XIV appealed for Israel and Iran to show "responsibility and reason". Asked how long the war would last, Israel's ambassador to Paris, Joshua Zarka, said: "A small number of weeks". Prime Minister Netanyahu had said on Friday the strikes would "continue as many days as it takes". The conflict has thrown into doubt Sunday's planned Iran-US nuclear talks in the Gulf sultanate of Oman. After Friday's first strikes, US President Donald Trump urged Iran to "make a deal", adding the United States was "hoping to get back to the negotiating table". Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an allegation it denies. Iran said on Saturday its participation in the Oman talks remained "unclear". "It is still unclear what decision we will make for Sunday," state media reported, citing foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
IOL News
37 minutes ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'Tehran will burn', Israel warns after wave of missile fire
Israel's military said that its fighter jets were set to resume striking targets in Tehran, after announcing it had hit air defences in the Iranian capital area overnight. Image: Atta Kenare / AFP. Israel's defence minister warned Saturday that "Tehran will burn" and its residents pay dearly if Iran continues its missile strikes against Israeli civilians. "The Iranian dictator is turning the citizens of Iran into hostages and bringing about a reality in which they - especially the residents of Tehran - will pay a heavy price because of the criminal harm to Israeli civilians," said Israel Katz. "If (Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles toward the Israeli home front - Tehran will burn," the minister added. The threat came as Israel and Iran exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed strikes that Iran said hit its nuclear facilities, "martyred" top commanders and killed dozens of civilians. Iran has hit back with waves of drone and missile strikes, with a barrage of dozens lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight, killing three people and wounding dozens. Following decades of enmity and conflict by proxy, it is the first time that Israel and Iran have traded fire with such intensity, with fears of a prolonged conflict engulfing the region. Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran early Friday, only days before Iran and the United States had been due to hold a sixth round of talks on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The operation - dubbed "Rising Lion" - has since killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, among other senior generals. On Saturday, the Israeli military said it had Tehran in its sights after strikes on dozens of missile launchers and air defences in the area around the Iranian capital. "The way to Iran has been paved," the military's chief of staff and air force chief were quoted as saying in a statement. The military "is proceeding according to its operational plans, and (Israeli air force) fighters jets are set to resume striking targets in Tehran," it added. 'Smoke, dust' Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in Israel's first wave of strikes on Friday. Iran called on its citizens to unite in defence of the country as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to rise up against their government. Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel through the night, with many residents holed up in bomb shelters until home defence commanders stood down alerts. Israel said dozens of missiles - some intercepted - had been fired in the latest salvos from Iran, with AFP images of the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showing blown-out buildings, destroyed vehicles and streets strewn with debris. Israeli rescuers said two people were killed and 19 wounded on Saturday by rocket fire on a residential area in the coastal plain. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked dozens of targets in Israel. Israeli firefighters had worked for hours to free people trapped in a high-rise building in Tel Aviv on Friday. Chen Gabizon, a resident, said he ran to an underground shelter after receiving an alert. "After a few minutes, we just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place," he said. Rescuers said 34 people were wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel warns ‘Tehran will burn' after wave of Iranian missile fire
The threat came as Israel and Iran exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed strikes that Iran said hit its nuclear facilities. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Israel warns 'Tehran will burn' after wave of Iranian missile fire TEHRAN - Israel's defence minister warned on June 14 that 'Tehran will burn' and its residents pay dearly if Iran continues its missile strikes against Israeli civilians. 'The Iranian dictator is turning the citizens of Iran into hostages and bringing about a reality in which they – especially the residents of Tehran – will pay a heavy price because of the criminal harm to Israeli civilians,' said Israel Katz. 'If (Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles towards the Israeli home front – Tehran will burn,' the minister added. The threat came as Israel and Iran exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed strikes that Iran said hit its nuclear facilities, 'martyred' top commanders and killed dozens of civilians. Iran has hit back with waves of drone and missile strikes, with a barrage of dozens lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight, killing three people and wounding dozens. Following decades of enmity and conflict by proxy, it is the first time that Israel and Iran have traded fire with such intensity, with fears of a prolonged conflict engulfing the region. Israel launched its surprise attack on Iran early on June 13, only days before Iran and the United States had been due to hold a sixth round of talks on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The operation – dubbed 'Rising Lion' – has since killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Major-General Hossein Salami, among other senior generals. On June 14, the Israeli military said it had Tehran in its sights after strikes on dozens of missile launchers and air defences in the area around the Iranian capital. 'The way to Iran has been paved,' the military's chief of staff and air force chief were quoted as saying in a statement. The military 'is proceeding according to its operational plans, and (Israeli air force) fighters jets are set to resume striking targets in Tehran,' it added. 'Smoke, dust' Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in Israel's first wave of strikes on on June 13. Iran called on its citizens to unite in defence of the country as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to rise up against their government. Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel through the night, with many residents holed up in bomb shelters until home defence commanders stood down alerts. Israel said dozens of missiles – some intercepted – had been fired in the latest salvos from Iran, with AFP images of the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showing blown-out buildings, destroyed vehicles and streets strewn with debris. Israeli rescuers said two people were killed and 19 wounded on June 14 by rocket fire on a residential area in the coastal plain. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked dozens of targets in Israel. Israeli firefighters had worked for hours to free people trapped in a high-rise building in Tel Aviv on June 13. Mr Chen Gabizon, a resident, said he ran to an underground shelter after receiving an alert. 'After a few minutes, we just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place,' he said. Rescuers said 34 people were wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports. Speaking to CNN, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Iran had fired three salvos of ballistic missiles on Friday, some 150 in total. 'We expect that the Iranians, who have a considerable volume of ballistic missiles, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2,000, will continue to fire them,' Mr Leiter said. In Tehran, fire and heavy smoke billowed over Mehrabad airport on June 14, an AFP journalist said, as Iranian media reported an explosion. Blasts were heard across the capital as Iran activated its air defences against the incoming fire. Dozens of Iranians took to the streets to cheer their country's military response, with some waving national flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. 'Time to stop' The attacks prompted several countries in the region to temporarily ground air traffic, though on the morning of June 14, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria reopened their airspace. Iran's airspace was closed until further notice, state media reported. As fears mounted of wider conflict, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called on both sides to cease fire. 'Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail,' he said on X late on June 13. Pope Leo XIV appealed for Israel and Iran to show 'responsibility and reason'. Asked how long the war would last, Israel's ambassador to Paris, Mr Joshua Zarka, said: 'A small number of weeks'. Prime Minister Netanyahu had said on June 13 that the strikes would 'continue as many days as it takes'. The conflict has thrown into doubt the planned Iran-US nuclear talks in the Gulf sultanate of Oman on June 15. After the first strikes, US President Donald Trump urged Iran to 'make a deal', adding the United States was 'hoping to get back to the negotiating table'. Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an allegation it denies. Iran said on June 14 that its participation in the Oman talks remained 'unclear'. 'It is still unclear what decision we will make for Sunday,' state media reported, citing foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. Mr Baqaei had called the talks 'meaningless' in view of the Israeli strikes, which he alleged were carried out with 'US permission'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Spectator
an hour ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Is Israel ready for a long war with Iran?
The spectacular Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear, missile and military sites and their commanders and scientists astonished the Israeli public as well as the world. It was a combination of accurate intelligence and brilliant execution by the Israeli Air Force and Mossad operatives. The intelligence preparations for this operation, codenamed' Rising Lion', lasted more than a year. Mossad agents infiltrated Iran and created a network of agents, assistants, safe houses, workshops, vehicles, forged documents and cover stories – alongside advanced technologies. They also smuggled drone components into Iran, before assembling and hiding them there. These drones took part in the attack. In a sense the attack was reminiscent of the sophisticated Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia targeting air bases and destroying aircraft two weeks ago. However, Mossad has been deploying such tactics for three years or so now. In 2022, its operatives launched drones from Iranian soil which destroyed over 100 of Tehran's own drones. For more than a decade and a half, Mossad – with the help of the Israeli military intelligence – has repeatedly succeeded in penetrating Iran and exposing it. This has, in the past, enabled the assassination of nuclear scientists, missile force commanders and IRGC officers, and led to the sabotage of nuclear and missile sites. What also contributed to Israel's success yesterday was the fact that, in April 2024 and again last October, the Israeli Air Force destroyed much of Iran's air defence network. This left it exposed, allowing Israeli warplanes to fly almost freely in Iranian skies. What helped the operation to succeed was a ploy that fooled Iran's military leadership. By sending fabricated signals, Israeli intelligence managed to lure the top commanders of the IRGC's aerospace arm into gathering on Thursday night in an underground command centre. They stayed there until 3 a.m. on Friday without knowing that was Israel's H-hour. The top echelon of the air force, including its commander, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were killed. Among the most significant achievements of Rising Lion were the eliminations of Mohammad Bagheri (the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces) and Hossein Salami (the head of the IRGC). These deaths are a major blow not just morally and psychologically for Iran, but also operationally in the short term. At least, that is, until their replacements – appointed quickly as a show of defiance toward Israel and to signal continuity – can assume their roles. US President Donald Trump seems to have also had a role in deceiving the Iranians. He gave Iran the impression that he was committed to the stalled negotiations on reaching a nuclear deal, with the knowledge that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pushing for imminent strikes. The main aim of the Israeli operation was to destroy as much as possible of Iranian nuclear sites and to kill Iranian scientists who participated in the nuclear program. The security establishment is preparing for the possibility that the confrontation with Iran will last several more days, all the while hoping it does not escalate into a prolonged war of attrition. But it appears that Netanyahu is pushing to continue the war, driven by personal and political motivations. It is important to remember that the Iranians, known for their stubbornness and their historic self-perception as the 'oppressed of the earth', are well-versed in long, gruelling wars of attrition. One need only recall the war imposed on Iran by the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 1979. Hussein expected a brief conflict, but instead found himself in an eight-year war. The Israeli public is exhausted Since 2009, Netanyahu has raised the idea and formulated plans to attack Iran's nuclear sites, but he always backed off at the last minute – or was restrained by Barack Obama, Trump (during his first term) or Joe Biden. There is no doubt that what occurred yesterday is the realisation of Netanyahu's long-standing vision. He has repeatedly warned of the existential threat posed by Iran and has compared it to the Nazi threat. It is likely that Netanyahu will see a rise in public support and may attempt to prolong the campaign to capitalise on his success. Iran's nuclear programme now faces an uncertain future. One option for the country's leadership is to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as North Korea once did. Another is to enrich uranium from its current 60 per cent level to 90 per cent, which weapons-grade. It could also declare it is actively working to assemble a nuclear bomb, a process that might take months to a year. Meanwhile, the Israeli public – exhausted from the Gaza war, a political crisis, and deep national division – must grapple with the government's decision and all its economic, social, and psychological consequences. After the initial shock, Iran recovered and launched in six waves 200 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas. Dozens of buildings were damaged, dozens of cars destroyed and three people were killed and many injured. Israeli air space is closed. There is no guarantee that once the dust settles from the current military euphoria, there will be any strategic achievement. It could just as easily lead to a reality where Israel is doomed to live forever by the sword.
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Israel targets Iran's military capabilities
TEHRAN - Israel targeted Iran's air defences and missile launchers on Saturday as it pressed its bid to dismantle its arch-foe's military capabilities, after a night of mutual attacks. Israel's massive strikes on Iran, which it calls an existential threat, have hit nuclear and military facilities, killed top commanders and dozens of civilians, and sought to destroy the country's defence capabilities. Iran has hit back with volleys of missiles that lit up the night sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, killing three people and wounding dozens. Following decades of enmity and conflict by proxy, it is the first time that Israel and Iran have traded fire with such intensity, with fears of a prolonged conflict engulfing the region. Israel began striking Iran early Friday in an operation it has dubbed "Rising Lion", and has since killed several top Iranian generals including senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guards' air arm. On Saturday, Israel's military said it was striking dozens of missile launchers in Iran after announcing it had targeted air defences with a wave of strikes in the Tehran area. Two senior Iranian generals have been killed in Israeli strikes, Iranian state television reported Saturday, as Israel kept up its assault. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said Friday that 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in the first wave of strikes by Israel. Iran called on its citizens to unite in defence of the country as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to rise up against their government. Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel through the night, with many residents holed up in bomb shelters until home defence commanders stood down alerts. 'SMOKE, DUST' Israel said dozens of missiles - some intercepted - had been fired in the latest salvos from Iran, with AFP images of the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showing blown-out buildings, destroyed vehicles and streets strewn with debris. Israeli rescuers said two people were killed and 19 wounded on Saturday by rocket fire on a residential area in the coastal plain. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked dozens of targets in Israel. Israeli firefighters had worked for hours to free people trapped in a high-rise building in Tel Aviv on Friday. Resident Chen Gabizon told AFP he ran to an underground shelter after receiving an alert. "After a few minutes, we just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place," he said. Rescuers said 34 people were wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports. Speaking to CNN, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Iran had fired three salvos of ballistic missiles on Friday, some 150 in total. "We expect that the Iranians, who have a considerable volume of ballistic missiles, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2,000, will continue to fire them," Leiter said. In Tehran, fire and heavy smoke billowed over Mehrabad airport early Saturday, an AFP journalist said, as Iranian media reported an explosion. Blasts were heard across the capital as Iran activated its air defences against the incoming fire. Dozens of Iranians took to the streets to cheer their country's military response, with some waving national flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. 'TIME TO STOP' The attacks prompted several countries in the region to temporarily ground air traffic, though on Saturday morning, Jordan reopened its airspace. Iran's airspace was closed until further notice, state media reported. As fears mounted of wider conflict, UN chief Antonio Guterres called on both sides to cease fire. "Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail," he said on X late Friday. US officials said they were helping Israel defend against the missile attacks, even as Washington insisted it had nothing to do with Israel's strikes on Iran. US President Donald Trump agreed in a call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that "dialogue and diplomacy" were needed to calm the crisis, Starmer's office said. Trump also spoke with the Israeli prime minister, US officials said without elaborating. In a televised address, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to bring Israel "to ruin". The conflict has thrown into doubt plans for a fresh round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran in Oman on Sunday. After the first wave of strikes on Friday, Trump urged Iran to "make a deal", adding that Washington was "hoping to get back to the negotiating table". The United States and other Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an ambition it has consistently denied. Iran said on Saturday its participation in the Oman talks remained "unclear". "It is still unclear what decision we will make for Sunday," the official IRNA news agency reported, citing foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. Baqaei had called the talks "meaningless" in view of the Israeli strikes, which he alleged were carried out with "US permission".
