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NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Live updates: Trump says he won't kill Iran's supreme leader - ‘for now'
President Donald Trump said the United States would not kill Iran's supreme leader 'for now' and appeared to demand Tehran's surrender, as US ally Israel traded fire with its arch foe for a fifth day. The comments marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's rhetoric against Iran and its leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fuelling questions as to whether Washington would join Israel's attacks after insisting it had no hand in the campaign. Israeli warplanes targeted drone and missile sites with at least two waves of strikes in western Iran on Tuesday (local time), the military said. It also said it had killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight strike on a 'command centre in the heart of Tehran', just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel's initial surprise attack. STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVE BLOG STORY CONTINUES The attacks drew retaliatory fire from the Islamic republic, with explosions heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and air raid sirens sounding around Dimona, a southern town home to a nuclear power plant. There were no immediate reports of hits. Days after a senior US official said Trump had told Israel to back down from plans to assassinate Khamenei, the US President appeared to put the option back on the table with a post on his Truth Social platform. 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' Trump said. 'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,' he added, later posting a message saying: 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' Trump had said earlier in the day that he wanted 'a real end' to the conflict. A White House official said Trump was convening a meeting of his National Security Council to discuss the conflict. Despite mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the aerial blitz that began on Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. 'Punitive operations' Iranian media reported several explosions on Tuesday in the central city of Isfahan, home to nuclear facilities. Blasts were also heard across Tehran. The Iranian armed forces warned residents in the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate 'for the sake of their lives', warning of 'punitive operations' to come. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had launched an attack targeting Israeli air bases. Residential areas in both countries have suffered deadly strikes since the fighting broke out, and foreign governments have scrambled to evacuate their citizens. A cyber attack crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, the Fars news agency reported. Fearing the violence, many residents have fled Tehran. Long queues stretched outside bakeries and petrol stations as the remaining residents rushed to stock up on fuel and basic supplies. Security checkpoints have been set up across the capital, adding to the atmosphere of tension as authorities monitor movement in and out of key districts. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was deploying 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East, with a US aircraft carrier reportedly heading to the region. Even before Trump's remarks about Khamenei, China had accused him of 'pouring oil' on the conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of being 'the biggest threat to the security of the region'. At a G7 summit in Canada, leaders, including Trump, had called for 'de-escalation', while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself and that 'Iran can never have a nuclear weapon'. 'Direct impacts' After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel said its surprise air campaign aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons – an ambition Tehran denies. The UN's nuclear watchdog said there appeared to have been 'direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls' at Iran's Natanz facility. Israel has maintained ambiguity regarding its own atomic activities, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says it has 90 nuclear warheads. The conflict derailed a running series of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks, with Iran saying after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate with the United States while under attack. Since Friday, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu's office. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then. Netanyahu said Israel's campaign was 'changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself'.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Trump says wants 'real end' to Israel-Iran conflict, not ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday (June 17, 2025). Israeli warplanes targeted dozens of missile launchers in western Iran and killed a senior commander, the military said, drawing retaliatory fire from the Islamic republic. Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem shortly after sirens sounded in many parts of Israel warning of incoming missiles, with the military warning of another barrage in the afternoon. Israeli police reported that debris fell in the central Tel Aviv area and the fire brigade said it was tackling a blaze. The Israeli military said it killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran", just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel's surprise attack. Israel also said it targeted multiple missile and drone sites in western Iran overnight and again later on Tuesday, with black-and-white footage showing some of them exploding. Despite mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the missile blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. A new wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran -- including a dramatic hit on state television headquarters that the broadcaster said killed three people -- prompted both sides to activate missile defence systems overnight. Iranian media reported several explosions in the central city of Isfahan, home to a key nuclear facility. Residential areas in both countries have suffered, while foreign government scrambled to evacuate their citizens. A cyberattack on Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, the Fars news agency reported. 'Complete give-up' Mr. Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace, without elaborating on the outcome he seeks. "I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he told reporters after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in Canada. Mr. Trump, who has said Washington was not involved in Israel's initial strikes, again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying "we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off". The U.S. President had earlier issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform, saying: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Fearing the violence, many residents have fled Tehran since Friday. On Tuesday, long queues stretched outside bakeries and petrol stations as the remaining residents rushed to stock up on fuel and basic supplies. Security checkpoints have been set up across Tehran, adding to the atmosphere of tension as authorities monitor movement in and out of key districts. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East, with a US aircraft carrier reportedly heading to the region. China accused Trump of "pouring oil" on the conflict. "Making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict," said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. At the G7 summit, leaders including Trump called Monday for "de-escalation" while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself and that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon". Iran 'will continue' After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel said its surprise air campaign aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — an ambition Tehran denies. The UN nuclear watchdog said there appear to have been "direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls" at Iran's Natanz facility. Israel has maintained ambiguity regarding its own atomic activities, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says it has 90 nuclear warheads. The escalation has derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington and stoked fears of broader conflict. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then. Netanyahu said Israel was "changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself". After several rounds of talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks, Iran said after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate with the United States while under attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that "absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue". Iranian state television said the Tel Aviv headquarters of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency was among the Revolutionary Guards' targets.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Trump rejects ceasefire, demands Iran 'give up' in Israel conflict
TEHRAN: US President Donald Trump said he wants a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday. Israeli warplanes targeted dozens of missile launchers in western Iran and killed a senior commander, the military said, drawing retaliatory fire from the Islamic republic. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem shortly after sirens sounded in many parts of Israel warning of incoming missiles, with the military warning of another barrage in the afternoon. Israeli police reported that debris fell in the central Tel Aviv area and the fire brigade said it was tackling a blaze. The Israeli military said it killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran", just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel's surprise attack. Israel also said it targeted multiple missile and drone sites in western Iran overnight and again later on Tuesday, with black-and-white footage showing some of them exploding. Despite mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the missile blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. A new wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran – including a dramatic hit on state television headquarters that the broadcaster said killed three people – prompted both sides to activate missile defence systems overnight. Iranian media reported several explosions in the central city of Isfahan, home to a key nuclear facility. Residential areas in both countries have suffered, while foreign government scrambled to evacuate their citizens. A cyberattack on Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, the Fars news agency reported. Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace, without elaborating on the outcome he seeks. "I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he told reporters after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in Canada. Trump, who has said Washington was not involved in Israel's initial strikes, again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying "we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off." The US president had earlier issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform, saying: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Fearing the violence, many residents have fled Tehran since Friday. On Tuesday, long queues stretched outside bakeries and petrol stations as the remaining residents rushed to stock up on fuel and basic supplies. Security checkpoints have been set up across Tehran, adding to the atmosphere of tension as authorities monitor movement in and out of key districts. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East, with a US aircraft carrier reportedly heading to the region. China accused Trump of "pouring oil" on the conflict. "Making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict," said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. At the G7 summit, leaders including Trump called Monday for "de-escalation" while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself and that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel said its surprise air campaign aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons – an ambition Tehran denies. The UN nuclear watchdog said there appear to have been "direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls" at Iran's Natanz facility. Israel has maintained ambiguity regarding its own atomic activities, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says it has 90 nuclear warheads. The escalation has derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington and stoked fears of broader conflict. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then. Netanyahu said Israel was "changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself." After several rounds of talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks, Iran said after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate with the United States while under attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that "absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue."
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Trump says wants 'real end' to Israel-Iran conflict, not ceasefire
17 June 2025 18:49 TEHRAN (AFP)US President Donald Trump said he wants a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the nations traded fire for a fifth day on warplanes targeted dozens of missile launchers in western Iran and killed a senior commander, the military said, drawing retaliatory fire from the Islamic were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem shortly after sirens sounded in many parts of Israel warning of incoming missiles, with the military warning of another barrage in the police reported that debris fell in the central Tel Aviv area and the fire brigade said it was tackling a Israeli military said it killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran", just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel's surprise also said it targeted multiple missile and drone sites in western Iran overnight and again later on Tuesday, with black-and-white footage showing some of them mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the missile blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.A new wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran -- including a dramatic hit on state television headquarters that the broadcaster said killed three people -- prompted both sides to activate missile defence systems media reported several explosions in the central city of Isfahan, home to a key nuclear areas in both countries have suffered, while foreign government scrambled to evacuate their citizens.A cyberattack on Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, the Fars news agency said on Tuesday that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran in return for peace, without elaborating on the outcome he seeks."I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he told reporters after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in who has said Washington was not involved in Israel's initial strikes, again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle US president had earlier issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform, saying: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"Fearing the violence, many residents have fled Tehran since chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East, with a US aircraft carrier reportedly heading to the the G7 summit, leaders including Trump called Monday for "de-escalation" while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself and that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon".At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mayhem in Tehran as military leaders flee, main bank hit by cyberattack, ATMs down, and explosions rock the city
Tehran is experiencing heightened tension as the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies. There were explosions all over the city just hours after the Israeli military warned of them. A huge cyberattack took down major banks and ATMs. People are scared, military leaders are said to be running away, and digital systems have stopped working in what some call a cyberwar. A hacker group attacked Iran's Sepah Bank in a big way, shutting down ATMs, stopping gas stations, and erasing important data. Ads By Google Ad will close in 24 Skip Ad by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia and Memory Issues Have Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? gofitlifeguide Click Here Undo Iran's cyber command is in a panic, and officials can't use devices that let them access social media. Who's behind the cyberattack on Iran's bank system? According to reports, a pro-Israel hacker group launches a cyberattack that disrupts ATMs, gas stations, and financial services, crippling Iran's Sepah Bank, which finances the IRGC's missile and nuclear programs. Live Events Iran was the target of a massive cyberattack Tuesday afternoon, just after Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, the head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate, whe head of IDF intelligence hinted that more military action might be coming after Israel's successful attack on Tehran, as quoted in a report by Y NetNews. ALSO READ: Tehran evacuation order: Trump calls for immediate withdrawal from Iran's capital — what we know so far Iran International revealed that the pro-Israel hacker collective Predatory Sparrow had launched a significant cyberattack that targeted several Iranian banks. Around noon local time, Iran's Fars News Agency, which is connected to the IRGC, confirmed the cyberattack and stated that gas stations all over the nation were experiencing disruptions. Why are Iran's fuel and ATM networks crashing? A major branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and one of Iran's biggest financial institutions, Sepah Bank, has reported that its ATMs are not allowing cash withdrawals. The group, which has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Iranian steel, fuel, and security infrastructure, claimed to have erased all of Sepah Bank's data. It asserted that the bank had been used to finance IRGC activities, such as Iran's nuclear and missile programs, and to get around international sanctions. In a statement, the group thanked "allies" who helped with the operation and said, "This is the fate of an institution dedicated to sustaining the dictator's terrorist fantasies." Banking services were interrupted an hour ago when a cyberattack targeted Sepah Bank's infrastructure. There may be delays at certain gas stations in the upcoming hours because the bank serves a number of them. Fars claims that the cascading failures observed at stations can be explained by the crucial role Sepah Bank plays in sustaining Iran's national fuel distribution network. Iranian social media posted a video of a man who said he went to ten ATMs but was unable to take out cash from any of them. Following the hack, Iran's cyber directorate issued a directive prohibiting senior staff, government officials, and their security teams from using devices linked to social media sites. FAQs What was the cyberattack's target in Iran? It struck Sepah Bank, disrupting ATMs and fuel networks. The attackers claim that the bank funds Iran's missile and nuclear programs. Why are Tehran residents panicking? Explosions have rocked the city, ATMs are down, and key officials are reportedly fleeing. The cyberattack has disrupted critical services.
