Israel-Iran War Highlights (June 18): World will blow up if Iran gets nuclear bomb, says Donald Trump

Israel-Iran War Live: World will blow up if Iran gets nuclear bomb, says Donald Trump

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency Cobra meeting to address the escalating situation in the Middle East. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, ministers were briefed on efforts to assist British nationals in the region and safeguard regional security. The meeting also reviewed the UK’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions.

• You look at the forecast, you will see that people do generally expect inflation to move up and then come back down.
• I think we learned in April after the March meeting that substantially higher tariffs were likely, and then since then, the estimates that were the tariffs we have actually moved back down, although still an elevated levels.
• Uncertainty really peaked in April and since then has come down. It's diminished, but still elevated, it's uncertainty, I think that's an accurate state.
• The housing market is a longer run problem and also a short run problem.
• I think the best thing we can do for the housing market is to restore price stability in a sustainable way and create a strong labour market, and that's the best thing we can do for the housing market.
• There are many, many different scenarios, many combinations of scenarios, where inflation does or doesn't prove out to be at the levels we think, where the labour market does or doesn't soften.
• Everyone would agree that they're all going to be data dependent
• If you see somebody saying a right method involves cuts, that's them saying, yes, I think we will get to a place more likely than not, where cuts will be appropriate.

• So, we've had three months of favourable inflation reading since the high readings of January and February, and that's, of course, highly welcome news.
• Part of that just is that service course services both housing services and housing services, have really been grinding down toward levels that are consistent with 2% inflation, so that's the good news.
• We've had goods inflation just moving up a bit, and of course, we expect as you point out, we do expect to see more of that over the course of the summer. It takes some time for tariffs to work their way through the chain of distribution to the end consumer. A good example of that would be goods being sold at retailers today, may have been imported several months ago before tariffs were imposed. So we're beginning to see some effects and we do expect to see more of them overcoming months.
• So we're beginning to see some effects and we do expect to see more of them overcoming months. We do also see price increases in some of the relevant categories, like personal computers

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, warning that continued hostilities could lead to "enormous consequences" for the region and beyond. In a statement released by his office, Guterres said he remains "profoundly alarmed" by the situation and reiterated his urgent call for an immediate ceasefire. He cautioned that further military interventions risk destabilizing not only the directly involved parties but also the wider Middle East and global peace and security.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India and Croatia have agreed that whether it is Europe or Asia, solutions to problems cannot come from battlefields, asserting that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way ahead.
• In his media statement following talks with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković, Modi said both leaders agree that "terrorism is an enemy of humanity" and it is inimical to forces that believe in democracy.
• "We agree, whether in Europe or Asia, solutions to problems can't be found from battlefields, and dialogue and diplomacy is the only way," he said.
• His comments come amid an escalating situation in West Asia as the military confrontation between Israel and Iran intensified. - PTI

Israel has carried out attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, alleging Tehran was getting close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. In a statement on Friday, when the attacks were launched, the Israel Defence Forces said they were revealing for the first time Iran’s secret and accelerating plan for the development of a nuclear weapon that could threaten Israel. Israel has not, however, produced proof that Iran is as close as it now alleges. (Read More)

The United States has not yet made a formal request to use British military bases in Diego Garcia or Cyprus for any potential operations against Iran, according to a BBC report. Typically, Washington would notify the UK in advance if it planned to launch offensive actions from those bases. While US bombers are believed to be stationed at Diego Garcia, the report notes that the US Air Force routinely deploys aircraft to the strategically located base.

• U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard rescheduled a briefing on Wednesday for the U.S. Senate intelligence committee because of the situation in Iran, a spokesperson for the panel's Republican chairman, Senator Tom Cotton, said.
• "Given her principal-level engagements and ongoing developments in the Middle East, we are looking to find a mutually agreeable day in the near future," the spokesperson said.
• The postponement was first reported by Axios. - Reuters

• Commercial ships are sailing close to Oman and are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around the Strait of Hormuz, with the risk of the conflict between Israel and Iran escalating, shipping sources said on Wednesday. Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices. - Reuters

• Iran has temporarily imposed nationwide restrictions on internet access, citing security concerns as the reason behind the move. The country’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology stated that the decision was made by relevant authorities to safeguard national security.
• “Due to the aggressor enemy’s misuse of the national communication network for military purposes and to endanger the lives and property of innocent people, internet access restrictions have been temporarily imposed by the decision of the competent authorities,” the ministry said in an official statement.

• Iran has launched around 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel since the conflict erupted on Friday, according to an Israeli military official quoted by CNN.
• About 20 ballistic missiles struck civilian areas in Israel.
• At least 24 people have been killed in Israel since it began its military operation.

The Shehbaz Sharif government has issued a clarification stating that all border crossings along the Pakistan-Iran frontier remain fully operational. This statement comes in response to media reports suggesting partial or complete closures of the border. Dismissing such claims as inaccurate, the government emphasised that there has been no disruption in cross-border movement and that operations at all entry and exit points are continuing as normal.

• According to an Al Jazeera report, two aircraft registered to the Iranian government have landed in Muscat, the capital of Oman.
• Flight-tracking data also shows that a third plane, belonging to Iran’s privately owned Meraj Airlines, arrived in the city as well.
• So far, Tehran has not issued any official statement regarding a delegation visit to Oman, a country known for its role as a mediator in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.

Wall Street traders fixated on the latest developments in the Middle East drove stocks higher after President Donald Trump said Iran has reached out about the possibility of negotiations, bolstering hopes Tehran’s conflict with Israel will de-escalate. Oil erased gains. (Read More)

• Israel's military assault on Iran has united much of the nation after a period of bitter divisions over the war in Gaza, transforming the political landscape overnight as even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's foes close ranks behind him.
• Most Israelis support using force to destroy Iran's nuclear programme, polling shows, despite retaliatory Iranian missile strikes that have killed 24 civilians and put normal life on hold.
• "Netanyahu took a really difficult decision. On the topic of Iran, right now he is doing the right thing," Avigdor Lieberman, a legislator and hawkish former defence minister who fell out with Netanyahu and quit his government in 2018, told Reuters. - Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to look at ending the Ukraine war before offering to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict.

"He actually offered to help mediate ...  I said 'do me a favor, mediate your own. Let's mediate Russia first, okay?" Trump told reporters at the White House. "I said 'Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first, you can worry about this later.'"

The Iranian Red Crescent said that an Israeli attack took place near its building in Tehran, noting that the strike appeared to not be targeting the aid group.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Red Crescent reported an "attack by the Zionist regime near the Red Crescent Peace building."

Iran is facing 'near-total' internet blackout amid escalating conflict with Israel, confirmed NetBlocks.

"Confirmed: Live network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total national internet blackout; the incident follows a series of earlier partial disruptions and comes amid escalating military tensions with Israel after days of back-and-forth missile strikes," it said in a post on X.

Iran has denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iranian officials sought a meeting at the White House. “No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House. The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s Supreme Leader,” said the Iran mission to the UN on X.

The comment comes soon after Trump said Iranian officials had reached out to him for negotiations.

"Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” it added.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Indian nationals in Iran to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24x7 Control Room.

Emergency helpline numbers of Embassy of India in Tehran:

For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109

For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709

⁠Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036

Zahedan: +98 9396356649

Email- cons.tehran@mea.gov.in

Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set-up by MEA in New Delhi:

800118797 (Toll free) , +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905

WhatsApp: +91-9968291988 ; Email- situationroom@mea.gov.in

India accords highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country and to subsequently evacuate them using the available and feasible options.

India on Wednesday launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran.

"India has already evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of 'Missions in Iran and Armenia' on June 17. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19," the MEA said in a post on X.

US President Donald Trump said Iran is totally defenseless, with no air defense whatsoever. Iran, according to Trump, is now interested in negotiating and has even suggested coming to the White House in order to do so.

But Trump indicates he may no longer be interested. “It's very late for talking," he said, reiterating that what he now wants is Iran’s “unconditional surrender". "Then we go blow up all the nuclear stuff in Iran," Trump added.

US President Donald Trump kept tensions high and plans vague on Wednesday, refusing to confirm whether the United States will strike Iranian nuclear facilities.

"You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that question... I may do it, I may not do it," he told reporters.

The US President claimed that Iran now wants to negotiate, but blamed Tehran for not acting earlier. “Why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country.”

A drone that was launched from Iran at Israel was shot down by the Israeli Air Force (IDF) over the Golan Heights a short while ago, the military said.

The drone had entered the south of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights, it added.

Israel destroyed the Iran internal security headquarters in its latest strike, Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

"Israeli Air Force fighter jets just destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s internal security, the main arm of the Iranian dictator’s oppression. As we promised, we will continue to target symbols of (Iran's) rule and strike the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be," he said.

As Iran braces for potential escalation with Israel and faces rising threats from Trump, another high-stakes question looms over the Islamic Republic’s future: Who will succeed Khamenei, the most powerful figure in Iran, commanding the military, judiciary, and nuclear policy?

Top contenders-

1. Alireza Arafi: A powerful member of the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts – bodies directly involved in selecting the next Supreme Leader – Arafi is also head of Iran’s seminaries. He is ideologically aligned with hardliners, has religious authority, and is deeply embedded in the clerical establishment. His support from conservative circles makes him a serious contender.
2. Ali Asghar Hejazi: Hejazi is Khamenei’s longtime intelligence adviser and head of his personal security team. Though not a cleric and therefore unlikely to be Supreme Leader himself, he plays a kingmaker role. He’s known for managing Khamenei’s connections with the IRGC and has influence over internal succession discussions.
3. Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri: A prominent member of the Assembly of Experts, Bushehri has served as Friday prayer leader in Qom and holds strong clerical credentials. He is viewed as a traditionalist, deeply embedded in the seminaries, and respected by older clerics for his scholarly background.
4. Reza Pahlavi: The exiled son of the former Shah, Reza Pahlavi commands no institutional power inside Iran, but continues to be a polarizing and symbolic figure for Iranians abroad. Though not a contender in any official sense, his popularity among sections of the diaspora and opposition movements – especially in the wake of recent protests – has raised speculation about a possible return in a post-Islamic Republic era.
5. Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i: Iran’s current Chief Justice, Mohseni-Eje'i is a hardline cleric and former intelligence minister. He has shown loyalty to Khamenei and the regime’s ideology, and his clerical credentials put him in the running. However, his judicial role and reputation for harsh crackdowns might alienate some factions.
6. Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani: A trusted and long-serving chief of staff to Khamenei, Golpayegani is a powerful behind-the-scenes figure. He manages much of the Supreme Leader’s correspondence and inner circle communications. Like Hejazi, he may not seek the top post himself but has enormous influence over who gets it.
7. Ali Akbar Velayati: A former foreign minister and current senior adviser to Khamenei on international affairs, Velayati is a veteran diplomat with extensive experience. Though not a cleric with the required religious standing, he could be influential in shaping the political context of the transition, possibly even as a behind-the-scenes coordinator of elite consensus.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday told Iranians worried about the situation in the country that they should consider contacting the Mossad.

"Dear citizens of Iran. We understand your difficult situation under the harsh conditions created by the regime. In recent days, we have received many messages from people who are worried about the current uncertain future. Even those who identify themselves as members of the regime’s security institutions have expressed to us their fear, despair, and anger over what is happening in Iran, and have asked us to contact Israeli authorities, so that Iran does not suffer the same fate as Lebanon and Gaza," it said in the statement posted on X in Persian.

"At this point, it is necessary to clarify that we are not the appropriate authority for such requests. But the least we can do is refer you through this link to the Mossad website," the IDF added, including the spy agency's contact page.

Israel military is striking military targets in Iranian capital Tehran.

"The IAF (Israeli Air Force) is currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian Regime in Tehran," the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) posted on its official X account.

At least 90 students from Jammu & Kashmir are set to arrive in New Delhi tonight from Armenia, amid the evacuation operation facilitated by the Government of India in view of the Israel-Iran conflict.

The students were seen boarding an IndiGo flight in visuals from Armenia's Zvartnots International Airport shared by Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). In a statement, JKSA thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the timely evacuation effort.

The family members of British diplomatic staff in Israel have been "temporarily withdrawn" as Iran and Israel continue to exchange fire, Britain's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Relatives of staff working at the UK embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem were "temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure", the Foreign Office said, adding that staff at the mission remain.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the Israel-Iran crisis and even offered to mediate. Both the leaders expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel and stressed the need for a quick resolution, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.

During the call, Putin also reiterated Russia's willingness to help mediate the crisis.

Multiple blasts were heard in Tehran soon after Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation stating Iran will not surrender to anyone.

According to news agency AFP, black smoke visible was in eastern part of Tehran.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.

According to Russia's Interfax news agency, he warned the US against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such "speculative options". "This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation," the agency said citing Ryabkov.

Israel has delivered huge blows to the Iranian regime, confirmed Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson BG Effie Defrin.

"We have delivered significant blows to the Iranian regime, and as such, they have been pushed back into central Iran. They are now focusing their efforts on conducting missile fire from the area of Isfahan. We are aiming at military targets, they are attacking civilian homes," he said.

As tensions soar between Iran and Israel, Iranian authorities are now urging citizens to delete WhatsApp, accusing the app of acting as a tool for Israeli intelligence. The move marks a renewed push by Tehran to tighten control over digital communication, reigniting concerns over surveillance, censorship, and information warfare.

The Iranian authorities claim that WhatsApp may harvest sensitive information – even metadata – and hand it over to foreign intelligence services, a charge vehemently denied by the messaging platform.

Meta-owned WhatsApp says these are “false reports” aimed at justifying a new ban when the service is most needed by Iranians.

Iran has conveyed to the United States its readiness to 'respond very firmly' if Washington is directly involved in the war, Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva Ali Bahreini said.

The ambassador also criticised US President Donald Trump’s demand for Iran's unconditional surrender. "The remarks made by Donald Trump are completely unwarranted and very hostile. We cannot ignore them ... We are vigilant about what he is saying ... There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response on our side. And that line will be defined by our relevant authorities, including military forces," he said.

Poland said on Wednesday it has evacuated around 160 people from Israel as that country's conflict with Iran escalates. Another plane is scheduled to bring back home dozens of Polish nationals tomorrow.

"The first group of Poles has just landed in Warsaw ... They arrived in Poland via Egypt. Another flight tomorrow," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on X.

According to Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Moscicka-Dendys, there were around 160 people, most of them Poles, on the plane, including kids. "Tomorrow (Thursday) there will be another flight and that plane will fly from Amman ... It will be 65 people, and this time it will only be Polish citizens," she added.

Israel's missile defense systems, while highly effective, are now under severe strain as the country faces an unrelenting wave of Iranian ballistic missile attacks. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which cites a US official familiar with allied intelligence assessments, Israel is rapidly depleting its stockpile of long-range missile interceptors, particularly those used in its Arrow system.

The revelation comes days into Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s large-scale military offensive launched last Friday in response to Tehran’s escalatory behaviour and support for proxy groups. In retaliation, Iranian forces have fired around 400 ballistic missiles at Israeli territory - a small portion of Iran’s estimated arsenal of 2,000 long-range missiles. Read full story

Over 40 missile infrastructure components directed toward Israel were hit by 25 Israeli fighter jets today.

"Approximately 25 fighter jets struck over 40 missile infrastructure components directed toward Israel this morning, including missile storage sites and military operatives of the Iranian Regime," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on X.

It added that a loaded and ready-to-launch "Emad" missile launcher was also struck overnight.

Issuing a stern warning late Tuesday night, President Donald Trump claiming the US knows the location of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and demanded unconditional surrender.

"We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now... Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, ending a string of posts with the declaration: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to the US over President Donald Trump's remarks, saying that those who know Iran and its history "know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat".

"The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable consequences," he said.

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei said the nation "will stand firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace.

"This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition," he said in the televised address.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a televised address to the nation, struck a defiant tone amid the ongoing military offensive. “Our nation will never abandon the blood of its martyrs or stay silent in the face of airspace violations,” he declared. Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Iran’s unconditional surrender, Khamenei warned, “The Americans must understand that the Iranian nation cannot be subdued. Any military intervention will bring irreversible consequences.”

Iranian state media has announced that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to deliver a televised message shortly. The broadcast is expected to begin in a few minutes, though no details have been provided about the content of his remarks. Updates will follow once the speech is aired.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy towards Israel's rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran's "unconditional surrender".

"We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy," Khamenei posted on X.

In an another X post, Khamenei wrote, "the battle begins," amid reports suggesting that Trump was seriously considering joining the war on Iran and launching a strike against its nuclear facilities. Read more here

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to deliver a televised speech in a few minutes from now, IRNA news agency reported. This comes as the war with Israel entered the sixth day on Wednesday.

His last appearance was on Friday.

Israel-Iran War Live Updates: IAEA says two centrifuge production facilities hit in Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday said it has information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit.

Iran is reportedly running low on defensive Arrow interceptors, The Wall Street Journal reported citing an unnamed US official. The shortage has raised concerns about the country's ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles.

The US official said that Washington had been aware of the capacity problems for months and had been augmenting Israel’s defences with systems on the ground. However, that stock is limited too.

Iranian forces have reportedly fired around 400 ballistic missiles, with Isreal's Arrow system neutralising most projectiles -- though not without significant strain.

Israel Defense Forces officials on Tuesday stated that Israel is likely to achieve its objectives against Iran's nuclear program within a week or two, The Times of Israel reported.

This came as Israel continued to operate against the Islamic Republic's forces and nuclear program -- conducting a wave of airstrikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers in western Iran.

Israel stated that it struck a nuclear site near Tehran on Wednesday. Iran, meanwhile, said it fired hypersonic missiles as the arch foes traded fire for a sixth day straight.

Iranian authorities have called on citizens to remove WhatsApp from their smartphones, claiming the messaging platform collects user data to share with Israel.

According to Iranian state media, officials have accused the Meta-owned app of being involved in intelligence-gathering operations. The move marks a renewed push to restrict access to Western digital platforms amid escalating tensions in the region.

WhatsApp, in response, denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.

“We are concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most,” the company said in a statement.

“We do not track users’ precise location, we don’t keep logs of who everyone is messaging, and we do not track personal messages. We do not provide bulk information to any government.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has announced that since the launch of Operation Rising Lion, over 3,800 residents have been evacuated from their homes.

The operation has so far resulted in 24 fatalities and more than 800 people injured.

Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran has strategic plan to destroy it, calls strike a 'last resort', says Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has written to the United Nations Security Council, warning that Iran is pursuing a “strategic plan” to destroy Israel and defending his country's recent military action as a necessary act of self-defense.

“Iran has a strategic plan to eliminate Israel. Israel cannot and will not accept the threat of extermination!” Sa’ar posted on X, sharing a copy of the letter addressed to the UNSC.

In the letter, Sa’ar said Israel’s recent strike on Iran came in response to a “critical development” in Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme.

The operation, he claimed, was also intended to thwart “imminent” missile and proxy attacks planned by Iran.

Calling the strike a “measure of last resort,” Sa’ar stated that Israel was left with no choice but to act in the face of an escalating existential threat.

The Israeli airstrike that killed Fereidoun Abbasi, former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, has once again drawn global attention to the long-running shadow war over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Abbasi, considered a central figure in Iran's nuclear infrastructure, had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2010.

His death has revived memories of another high-profile killing, the 2020 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the elusive scientist widely regarded as the chief architect of Iran’s nuclear programme. Know what happened that November.

Iran, today, issued a stark warning to the U.S., cautioning that any direct involvement in Israeli military operations against Tehran would trigger an immediate retaliatory response.

“If we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks on Iran, we will start responding to the U.S.,” said Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.

Since the outbreak of hostilities last Friday, Iran has fired more than 400 missiles and launched hundreds of drones at Israel, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

The attacks have targeted 40 sites across the country, triggering nearly 19,000 damage claims filed with Israel’s tax authority. The escalating bombardment has left 24 people dead, over 800 wounded, and forced the evacuation of more than 3,800 residents from vulnerable areas, the statement added.

In response, Israel has maintained a steady campaign of airstrikes on Iranian territory.

Iranian officials have reported at least 224 fatalities since the conflict began, though independent verification remains limited.

The tit-for-tat attacks mark one of the most intense periods of military confrontation between the two longtime adversaries, with the civilian toll rising on both sides.

As the Israel-Iran conflict escalates, global oil markets are on edge, and China, Iran’s last major crude customer, may have the most to lose.

While Israeli strikes have so far avoided Iran’s vital oil infrastructure, any direct hit on export facilities could cripple Tehran’s ability to ship crude, with serious repercussions for China’s energy supply and refining sector.

According to data from commodities analytics firm Kpler, more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports now flow to China.

A large share of this crude is processed by small, privately-owned “teapot” refineries in China’s Shandong province.

These facilities, operating on thin profit margins, began turning to heavily discounted Iranian oil in 2022 despite U.S. sanctions, seeing it as a financial lifeline.

European airlines are grappling with mounting operational challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict forces carriers into increasingly narrow and congested air corridors.

The latest disruptions come amid broader regional instability and follow widespread airspace closures over Israel, Iraq, and Jordan over the weekend.

Major carriers including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and Wizz Air are among more than 150 airlines globally that have been forced to reroute or cancel flights as a result of the sudden shutdowns.

With airspace over Russia already off-limits to many Western airlines due to the Ukraine war, the options for safe and efficient routing have become even more limited.

The airspace restrictions are the latest blow to an industry already under strain.

In a humanitarian gesture amid escalating regional tensions, the United Arab Emirates has announced a temporary waiver of overstay penalties for Iranian nationals stranded due to widespread airspace closures, according to a report by the state-run WAM news agency today.

The exemption applies to all Iranian citizens currently in the UAE, including both residents and visitors, regardless of their visa status.

“This measure is a direct response to the exceptional circumstances in the region, aiming to alleviate the burden on individuals who have been unable to return to Iran due to airspace closures and flight suspensions,” the WAM report stated.

In a parallel development, satellite imagery today revealed that no U.S. Navy vessels are currently docked at the 5th Fleet’s headquarters in Bahrain, a move widely interpreted as a precautionary dispersal amid heightened tensions in the region.

The strategic shift follows repeated threats from Iran to target American military installations in response to Israel’s ongoing air campaign.

The U.S. Navy has not commented publicly on the fleet's repositioning, but dispersing ships is a standard security measure in times of elevated risk.

The 5th Fleet, based in Manama, plays a central role in safeguarding U.S. interests and maintaining maritime security across the Gulf and Arabian Sea.

In a further indication of growing regional readiness, Bahraini authorities conducted air raid siren tests in recent days, an unusual step that underscores concerns over the conflict’s potential to spill over beyond Israeli and Iranian borders.

While Iran has yet to carry out any direct strikes on U.S. assets, analysts caution that the risk of broader escalation remains high. Israel continues to strike Iranian military and nuclear-related targets, while Tehran has vowed additional retaliation.

Defense experts warn that any miscalculation could draw other regional players into the conflict, pushing the Middle East into a wider war.

Diplomatic efforts to defuse the escalating Israel-Iran conflict are gaining momentum, with Egypt taking the lead in urging restraint.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls on Tuesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, according to official statements from Cairo and Tehran.

Abdelatty called for “an immediate ceasefire” and stressed the need for a return to diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear programme, warning that continued military action would further destabilize the region. “

There is no military solution to the current crisis,” his office said in a statement, underscoring Egypt’s position that negotiations remain the only path to a sustainable resolution.

The Israeli military has directly accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, declaring that “the Iranian regime is enriching uranium intended for the purpose of developing nuclear weapons.”

This marks one of Israel’s clearest assertions in recent weeks regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. intelligence and military officials have, however, taken a more cautious stance.

While acknowledging Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment, they maintain that there is no definitive evidence of a resumed, full-scale nuclear weapons development program.

Israel carried out a major overnight aerial assault on Iran, deploying more than 50 fighter jets to strike key military infrastructure in and around Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said early today.

According to the IDF, the wave of airstrikes specifically targeted facilities involved in the production of missiles and nuclear centrifuges.

“More than 50 Air Force fighter jets, guided by accurate intelligence from the Intelligence Branch, executed a series of strikes on military targets in the Tehran area,” the military said in a statement.

Among the sites hit were installations used to manufacture surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, the IDF added. A major centrifuge production facility, believed to be central to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, was also bombed.

Israel’s war with Iran is proving to be an increasingly costly engagement, with missile defense operations alone racking up a staggering $285 million per night, according to a report by The Marker, a prominent Israeli financial outlet.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Re’em Aminac,  a former senior defense official and adviser to the IDF chief of staff, has estimated that the country is currently spending around $725 million daily in direct military costs.

During the first two days of the conflict, Israel reportedly spent approximately 5.5 billion shekels ($1.45 billion), with costs split evenly between offensive strikes and defense systems.

Meanwhile, as the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies with missile strikes on both Tehran and Tel Aviv, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan this morning urged the Centre to prioritise the evacuation and safety of Indian nationals in the conflict zones.

"The war is ongoing, and bombings are taking place in both Tehran and Tel Aviv. Ensuring the safety of Indian citizens is the responsibility of our government. No Indian should lose their life in this war... All citizens must be evacuated immediately," Hasan told ANI.

The Embassy of Iran in India today shared remarks made by Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that there is no evidence Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon.

In a post on X, the embassy quoted Grossi as saying, “What we reported was that we did not have any proof of a systematic effort [by Iran] to move toward a nuclear weapon.”

The post included a clip from Grossi's recent interview with CNN, also shared by Iran’s state-run Press TV.

Grossi reiterated that the IAEA had found no verifiable signs of Iran advancing a nuclear weapons program.

However, this assertion comes amid heightened concerns. According to a Times of Israel report citing Hebrew media, Israeli intelligence reportedly uncovered that Iranian scientists had successfully conducted tests related to nuclear weapon design — suggesting Iran could be just weeks away from building a bomb. The report described the intelligence as “golden information,” prompting Israel’s recent preemptive strikes.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has reaffirmed Washington’s position. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Tuesday that President Donald Trump remains firm on denying Iran nuclear capabilities.

“President Trump has clearly stated since taking office that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Bruce said during a briefing.

These statements come as Iran and Israel trade missile strikes for a sixth consecutive day. On Wednesday morning, air raid sirens and explosions were reported over Tel Aviv, with Israel’s defense minister vowing to hit “very significant targets in Tehran.”

Amid surging tensions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly transferred key powers to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), setting up a wartime command structure under the military’s Supreme Council.

Citing Iran Insight, reports state that Khamenei has been moved to a heavily fortified underground bunker in northeast Tehran, accompanied by close family members, including his powerful son and presumed successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

At least 585 people have been killed and 1,326 wounded in Israeli strikes across Iran since the outbreak of hostilities, according to Washington-based Human Rights Activists (HRA), a group known for its documentation of civil unrest and government crackdowns inside the Islamic Republic.

The group reported this morning that it had identified 239 civilians and 126 security personnel among the dead.

HRA’s casualty tracking, which gained credibility during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, relies on cross-verification of local Iranian reports through a network of in-country sources.

Iranian authorities have not issued regular updates on casualties during the conflict, and have been accused of downplaying losses. The last official update, issued on Monday, claimed 224 people had died and 1,277 had been wounded, significantly lower than the rights group's figures.

Trump has contradicted his own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on the status of Iran’s nuclear program, asserting during his return from the G7 summit that Tehran is “very close” to building a nuclear bomb, despite Gabbard’s earlier testimony stating otherwise.

“I don’t care what she said,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

His remarks came shortly after he cut short his trip to Canada to return to Washington for urgent national security talks amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

In testimony to Congress in March, Gabbard had said, “The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.” She also noted that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest level ever for a state without nuclear arms, warranting close monitoring.

Trump met with Gabbard and other national security officials in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss the path forward.

In a later interview with CNN, Gabbard downplayed any conflict with the president, saying, “President Trump was saying the same thing that I said. We are on the same page.”

Israel-Iran War Live Updates: ‘The battle begins’, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei declares war against ‘terrorist Zionist regime’

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fiery message on social media in the wee hours today, signaling a hardened stance amid intensifying hostilities with Israel.

In a post on X, Khamenei wrote, “In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins.”

The reference to Haidar, a title for Imam Ali, whom Shia Muslims revere as the first Imam and rightful successor to Prophet Mohammed, carries strong religious and martial symbolism, often used in contexts of resistance and war.

On his English-language X account, Khamenei added, “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”

The U.S. will temporarily shut its embassy in Jerusalem from June 18 through June 20, due to heightened security concerns and in accordance with Israeli government guidance, the State Department has announced.

“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow through Friday,” the department said in a post on X.

The closure comes as hostilities intensify between Iran and Israel, with missile exchanges continuing into a sixth consecutive day. The move reflects growing fears of further escalation and potential U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Missile exchanges between Iran and Israel escalated dramatically early today, marking the sixth day of an intensifying conflict that now threatens to spiral further despite mounting global concern, and a blunt demand from U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

President Trump, in a series of late-night posts on his Truth Social platform, delivered his most forceful message yet, claiming the U.S. has precise knowledge of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s whereabouts.