Iran, Israel conflict enters fifth day
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Israel and Iran continued to trade strikes for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, with US President Donald Trump urging Iranians to evacuate Tehran after slamming the Islamic republic for failing to reach a nuclear deal with Washington.
Trump on Tuesday cut his trip short to the G7 summit in Canada due to tensions in the Middle East, telling reporters that 'I have to be back.' The announcement came after he called on Iranians to evacuate Tehran, describing its failure to strike a deal as 'a shame, and waste of human life.'
Tensions between Israel and Iran boiled over on Friday after Israel carried out extensive airstrikes in Iran, killing senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran launched missile salvos and deployed scores of drones against Israel.
According to Israeli authorities, so far, at least 24 civilians have been killed and 592 injured. In Iran, authorities reported 224 people killed and 1,277 injured.
On Monday, G7 leaders issued a joint statement calling for 'the resolution of the Iranian crisis' to begin 'a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.'
The statement, released by Canada, said that Israel 'has a right to defend itself.'
'We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,' it stressed.
Israel has launched around 380 ballistic missiles since the beginning of the conflict, according to Channel 12.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday called on the US to take a clear stance on the latest escalation between Iran and Israel, stressing that Washington is backing Israel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
44 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Israel strikes Hezbollah command site in southern Lebanon
Shafaq News/ Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, including a targeted strike on a command center in Naqoura. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said an overnight strike targeted a facility operated by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force and was carried out based on intelligence obtained from a recently captured Hezbollah operative. #عاجل 🔸هاجمت قطعة بحرية لسلاح الجو الليلة الماضية مبنى عسكريًا تابعًا لقوة الرضوان في حزب الله في منطقة الناقورة في جنوب لبنان. 🔸لقد تم تجريم المبنى بناء على معلومات استخبارية تم الحصول عليها في اعقاب تحقيق مع احد عناصر حزب الله قبل عدة أسابيع حيث استخدمت قوة الرضوان هذا… — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 21, 2025 The Israeli army also reported additional air raids, including in the Tyre and Iqlim al-Tuffah regions. The strikes reportedly killed Hezbollah commanders, including Mohammad Khodor al-Husseini, described as the 'commander of the firepower unit in the Litani sector.' #عاجل 🔸جيش الدفاع قضى على قائد منظومة النيران في قطاع الليطاني في حزب الله🔸هاجم جيش الدفاع في وقت سابق اليوم في منطقة الشبريحة في جنوب لبنان وقضى على المدعو محمد خضر الحسيني قائد منظومة النيران في قطاع الليطاني لدى حزب الله الارهابي. 🔸خلال الحرب دفع الإرهابي بعمليات إطلاق… — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 20, 2025 Although a ceasefire agreement has officially been in effect since November 27, Israeli aerial and artillery attacks have continued, particularly in Lebanon's southern and eastern regions, with Lebanese authorities recording over 3,000 ceasefire violations and reporting that Israeli forces remain stationed at five locations along the shared border. Tensions have intensified over the past 48 hours, with Israel significantly expanding its military operations in Lebanese territory. The escalation comes amid broader regional tensions following the outbreak of direct hostilities between Israel and Iran. In response to the mounting conflict, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared late Thursday the group's alignment with Tehran. 'Hezbollah is not neutral when it comes to Iran's legitimate rights and independence versus the injustice of the US, its aggression, and the cancerous entity—Israel,' Qassem said. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded by warning Qassem directly, stating that he 'has not learned from the fate of his predecessors,' and that Hezbollah 'should tread carefully' in its actions moving forward.
Shafaq News
8 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Pentagon bolsters Mideast forces as Iraq factions threaten US troops
Shafaq News/ The US Department of Defense confirmed on Friday that it has deployed additional military assets to the Middle East as tensions escalate over the Israel–Iran conflict and threats mount from Iran-aligned Iraqi factions. Responding to inquiries from Shafaq News, a Pentagon spokesperson pointed to official statements by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who ordered enhanced force posture under US Central Command (CENTCOM). The spokesperson did not disclose the nature or locations of the deployments. — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025 In a separate post, Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell clarified that 'US forces remain in a defensive posture,' indicating that Washington is not seeking to escalate the situation militarily at this stage. The Pentagon declined to comment on whether direct communications had occurred with the Iraqi government to defuse threats from armed factions, or on the nature of any potential US response should its personnel or facilities come under attack in Iraq. Officials instead referred to public statements issued by senior defense leaders. The warning signs follow explicit threats from powerful Iraqi armed groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, both of which vowed to target US positions in Iraq and Syria if Washington intervenes militarily in support of Israel. Roughly 2,500 American troops are stationed in Iraq under a mission to advise and assist Iraqi security forces and the Global Coalition against ISIS. However, these forces have repeatedly come under rocket and drone attacks since 2020, with threats intensifying after the US assassination of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Shafaq News
8 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Aerial crisis: Iraq losing millions daily due to Iran-Israel conflict
Shafaq News/ Iraqi officials and aviation sources warned that the full closure of Iraqi airspace since June 13, amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, is costing the country millions of dollars each day. The shutdown has halted overflight traffic and inflicted heavy losses on local airlines and airports. Previously, around 700 aircraft flights — including passenger and cargo — traversed Iraqi skies daily. Overflight fees averaged $450 per passenger flight and $700 for cargo planes, according to aviation data. In May, the General Company for Air Navigation Services recorded 19,841 transit flights, a record figure highlighting Iraq's growing role as a regional aviation hub, its general manager, Abbas Sabbar Al-Baydani, commented. 'Direct losses from halted overflights exceed $250,000 per day,' remarked Amer Abdul-Jabbar, a member of Iraq's parliamentary transport committee, cautioning that this did not account for indirect losses faced by airlines, airports, and ground services. In the south, Basra Airport has run only 13 flights since the crisis began. Baghdad, Najaf, and Erbil airports have seen partial or full suspensions. Self-funded local carriers such as Iraqi Airways and Fly Baghdad are also struggling financially. Parliamentary and governmental sources note that overflight and operational revenues fund staff salaries and allowances, which are at risk if the closure persists. Flight tracking analysis by FlightRadar24 showed that the closure of Iraqi and Iranian airspace has redirected flights over Saudi Arabia, doubling flight counts from 700 to 1,400 per day. Flights over Afghanistan surged by 500%, causing international carriers like Qatar Airways and FlyDubai to reroute via Pakistan and Afghanistan — adding approximately two hours to some journeys. Iraq's civil aviation network includes key airports in Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, and Basra, which serve as vital sources of non-oil revenue from overflight fees, ground services, and cargo operations. Despite recent growth in air traffic, the sector faces challenges in modernization and route expansion amid security and political instability. Analysts warn that a prolonged airspace closure could deepen economic pressures, weaken Iraq's national aviation sector, and leave airlines ill-equipped to absorb the financial shock.
