Latest news with #SteveWitkoff
The Journal
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Israeli strikes target Iranian centrifuge and missile production sites overnight
ISRAEL'S MILITARY HAS said strikes it launched into Iran overnight struck a centrifuge production site and multiple weapon manufacturing facilities in capital Tehran, as missile fire between the two countries continued. In an early morning attack, Israel said it targeted weapon production facilities with strikes, claiming to hit a facility for manufacturing centrifuges used to enrich uranium for atomic bombs. More than 50 Israeli jets fired on missile production sites in Iran, the military said this morning. Iran also sent a 'swarm of drones' towards Israel, where the army said it intercepted two over the Dead Sea area. Iran said launched a hypersonic missile at Israel, telling residents in Tel Aviv to seek shelter before firing Fattah-1 rockets. Hypersonic missiles travel at over five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept. Advertisement World powers have scrambled for an off-ramp, hoping to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a region-engulfing war. In separate phone calls with his Iranian counterpart and US envoy Steve Witkoff last night, Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty urged a diplomatic solution. US President Donald Trump fuelled speculation about American intervention when he made a hasty exit from the G7 summit in Canada, where the leaders of the club of wealthy democracies jointly called for a ceasefire. Back in Washington yesterday, Trump demanded the Islamic republic's 'unconditional surrender'. He also boasted that the United States could easily assassinate Iran's supreme leader . '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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. He met with his National Security Council last night to discuss the conflict, ending after an hour and 20 minutes with no immediate public statement. Includes reporting by AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hypersonic missiles Fattah-1 fired at Israel, says Iran
Iran said early Wednesday (June 18, 2025) it fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes between the archfoes, hours after Donald Trump demanded the Islamic republic's 'unconditional surrender'. The U.S. president insists Washington has played no part in ally Israel's bombing campaign, but also warned Iran his patience is wearing thin as the conflict enters a sixth day. Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates - June 18, 2025 Israeli warplanes targeted the Iranian capital before dawn Wednesday after the military issued a warning for civilians to leave one district for their safety. The Israeli military later said it struck weapons manufacturing sites and a facility used to make centrifuges in Tehran. Iran told residents of Tel Aviv to prepare for an attack, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming its hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles were 'repeatedly shaking the shelters' in the commercial hub. 'The 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3 using Fattah-1 missiles' was carried out, the Guards said in a statement broadcast on state television. Hypersonic missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept. Iran also sent a 'swarm of drones' towards Israel, where the army said it intercepted two over the Dead Sea area. Attempts to prevent regional war World powers have scrambled for an offramp, hoping to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a region-engulfing war. In separate phone calls with his Iranian counterpart and US envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday night, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged a diplomatic solution. Mr. Trump fuelled speculation about American intervention when he made a hasty exit from the G7 summit in Canada, where the leaders of the club of wealthy democracies jointly called for a ceasefire.
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
The Latest: Israel strikes Tehran for a sixth day as Iranian casualties rise
Explosions were heard in Tehran early Wednesday as intense Israeli airstrikes again targeted Iran's capital in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded. Iran has retaliated against Israel's airstrike campaign by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel. Here's the latest: ___ Egypt's FM holds calls with Iranian counterpart and U.S. envoy Egypt's top diplomat has held calls with both Iran's foreign minister and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, Cairo and Tehran say. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held the calls Tuesday with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff. Abdelatty reportedly stressed 'the necessity of working toward de-escalation in the region and resorting to diplomatic and political solutions that contribute to containing the escalating situation and averting the risk of a widespread conflagration in the Middle East.' Abdelatty 'underscored the imperative of achieving an immediate ceasefire and returning to the path of negotiations as the only means to reach a sustainable agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program,' his office said in a statement. He 'further emphasized the absence of military solutions to the crises currently facing the region.' A social media account associated with Araghchi confirmed the calls took place. U.S. officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Human rights group says 585 people killed in Iran Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others, a human rights group said Wednesday. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which covers the entirety of Iran. It said of those dead, it identified 239 civilians and 126 security force personnel being killed. Human Rights Activists, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini , crosschecks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country. Iran has not been offering regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people being killed and 1,277 others being wounded. Israeli strikes hit Tehran Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran's capital early Wednesday after it issued a warning about a new area it could target. One major explosion could be heard around 5 a.m. local time Wednesday morning, with other explosions booming earlier in the predawn darkness. Authorities in Iran offered no acknowledgement of the attacks, which has become increasingly common as the Israeli airstrike campaign has intensified since they began on Friday. The Israelis had warned they could strike a neighborhood south of Mehrabad International Airport. That area includes residential neighborhoods, military installations, pharmaceutical companies and industrial firms. Satellite photos show U.S. Navy ships out of Bahrain dock Satellite images analyzed Wednesday by The Associated Press appear to show that there are no longer any vessels anchored off the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain as the strikes between Israel and Iran continue. The images, taken Tuesday, show the main dock there without any ships against it. Dispersing ships is a common safety technique employed by navies around the world in times of trouble. Meanwhile Tuesday, local media reported that Bahrain conducted a test of its air raid sirens. Iran has threatened to target U.S. military installations in the region, though there's not been any attack so far since the Israeli campaign against Iran began on Friday. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
The Latest: Israel strikes Tehran for a sixth day as Iranian casualties rise
Explosions were heard in Tehran early Wednesday as intense Israeli airstrikes again targeted Iran's capital in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded. Iran has retaliated against Israel's airstrike campaign by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel. Here's the latest: ___ Egypt's top diplomat has held calls with both Iran's foreign minister and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, Cairo and Tehran say. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held the calls Tuesday with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff. Abdelatty reportedly stressed 'the necessity of working toward de-escalation in the region and resorting to diplomatic and political solutions that contribute to containing the escalating situation and averting the risk of a widespread conflagration in the Middle East.' Abdelatty 'underscored the imperative of achieving an immediate ceasefire and returning to the path of negotiations as the only means to reach a sustainable agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program,' his office said in a statement. He 'further emphasized the absence of military solutions to the crises currently facing the region.' A social media account associated with Araghchi confirmed the calls took place. U.S. officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others, a human rights group said Wednesday. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which covers the entirety of Iran. It said of those dead, it identified 239 civilians and 126 security force personnel being killed. Human Rights Activists, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, crosschecks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country. Iran has not been offering regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people being killed and 1,277 others being wounded. Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran's capital early Wednesday after it issued a warning about a new area it could target. One major explosion could be heard around 5 a.m. local time Wednesday morning, with other explosions booming earlier in the predawn darkness. Authorities in Iran offered no acknowledgement of the attacks, which has become increasingly common as the Israeli airstrike campaign has intensified since they began on Friday. The Israelis had warned they could strike a neighborhood south of Mehrabad International Airport. That area includes residential neighborhoods, military installations, pharmaceutical companies and industrial firms. Satellite images analyzed Wednesday by The Associated Press appear to show that there are no longer any vessels anchored off the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain as the strikes between Israel and Iran continue. The images, taken Tuesday, show the main dock there without any ships against it. Dispersing ships is a common safety technique employed by navies around the world in times of trouble. Meanwhile Tuesday, local media reported that Bahrain conducted a test of its air raid sirens. Iran has threatened to target U.S. military installations in the region, though there's not been any attack so far since the Israeli campaign against Iran began on Friday.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Latest: Israel strikes Tehran for a sixth day as Iranian casualties rise
Explosions were heard in Tehran early Wednesday as intense Israeli airstrikes again targeted Iran's capital in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded. Iran has retaliated against Israel's airstrike campaign by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel. ___ Egypt's FM holds calls with Iranian counterpart and U.S. envoy Egypt's top diplomat has held calls with both Iran's foreign minister and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, Cairo and Tehran say. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held the calls Tuesday with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff. Abdelatty reportedly stressed 'the necessity of working toward de-escalation in the region and resorting to diplomatic and political solutions that contribute to containing the escalating situation and averting the risk of a widespread conflagration in the Middle East.' Abdelatty 'underscored the imperative of achieving an immediate ceasefire and returning to the path of negotiations as the only means to reach a sustainable agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program,' his office said in a statement. He 'further emphasized the absence of military solutions to the crises currently facing the region.' A social media account associated with Araghchi confirmed the calls took place. Human rights group says 585 people killed in Iran Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 others, a human rights group said Wednesday. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which covers the entirety of Iran. It said of those dead, it identified 239 civilians and 126 security force personnel being killed. Human Rights Activists, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, crosschecks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country. Iran has not been offering regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people being killed and 1,277 others being wounded. Israeli strikes hit Tehran Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran's capital early Wednesday after it issued a warning about a new area it could target. One major explosion could be heard around 5 a.m. local time Wednesday morning, with other explosions booming earlier in the predawn darkness. Authorities in Iran offered no acknowledgement of the attacks, which has become increasingly common as the Israeli airstrike campaign has intensified since they began on Friday. The Israelis had warned they could strike a neighborhood south of Mehrabad International Airport. Satellite photos show U.S. Navy ships out of Bahrain dock Satellite images analyzed Wednesday by The Associated Press appear to show that there are no longer any vessels anchored off the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain as the strikes between Israel and Iran continue. The images, taken Tuesday, show the main dock there without any ships against it. Dispersing ships is a common safety technique employed by navies around the world in times of trouble. Iran has threatened to target U.S. military installations in the region, though there's not been any attack so far since the Israeli campaign against Iran began on Friday.
