🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Iran launches fresh salvo of missiles on Friday as US to move third aircraft carrier closer to Mideast conflict - Region

Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides waged deadly strikes against one another for the eighth day in a row.
Related Trump says will decide whether to attack Iran 'within two weeks' - as it happened Israel expands assassination policy with threat to target Khamenei Israeli army says struck inactive nuclear reactor in Iran's Arak
The face-off between Israel and Iran has continued to intensify overnight and into this morning.
Overnight, the Israeli military reported carrying out dozens of strikes on military targets across Iran, including a significant attack on the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) headquarters in Tehran, which Israel claims is involved in Iran's nuclear weapons development project. Other targets included missile production sites in Tehran and the northern city of Rasht. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed that Israel's rockets had damaged Iran's Khondab Heavy Water Production Plant.
In retaliation, Iran launched fresh barrages of missiles towards Israel. These missiles struck southern Israel, particularly the city of Beersheba for the second consecutive day, causing damage to residential buildings, including a six-story structure. Sirens were activated across southern Israel as missiles were detected, and while most were reportedly intercepted, some impacted areas.
Casualty figures remain high, with an Iranian human rights group stating that Israeli strikes have now killed at least 657 people and wounded over 2,000 in Iran since the conflict began. Iran's retaliatory strikes have resulted in 24 deaths in Israel.
Diplomatic efforts are underway, with the Iranian Foreign Minister expected to meet with top European diplomats in Geneva today, although Iran continues to reject direct negotiations with the US as long as Israeli attacks persist. Concerns are also rising regarding potential cyberattacks, with reports of Iranian hackers targeting Israeli home security cameras.
21:15 At least 19 people were injured in the northern Israeli port city of Haifa as Iran fired a fresh barrage of missiles on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Iran has been launching daily missile salvos at Israel for the past week since a wide-ranging Israeli attack on its nuclear and military facilities triggered war.
One projectile slammed into an area by the docks in Haifa on Friday afternoon where it damaged a building and blew out windows, littering the ground with rubble, AFP images showed.
The locations of missile strikes in Israel are subject to strict military censorship rules and are not always provided in detail to the public.
A spokesman for Haifa's Rambam hospital said 19 people had been injured in the city, with one in a serious condition.
A military official said that "approximately 20 missiles were launched towards Israel" in the latest Iranian salvo.
20:45 The USS Gerald R. Ford will depart for Europe next week, a Navy official said Friday, placing a third American aircraft carrier in closer proximity to the Middle East.
"The Gerald Ford carrier strike group will depart Norfolk (Virginia) the morning of June 24 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the US European Command area of responsibility," the Navy official said.
The US Carl Vinson carrier strike group has been operating in the Middle East since earlier this year, taking part in an air campaign against Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
And a US defense official has confirmed that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth ordered the Nimitz carrier strike group to the Middle East, saying it was "to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel."
20:00 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is currently holding an emergency meeting on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, convened at Iran's request. This marks the second time the Council has met to discuss the conflict since Israel launched its initial attacks a week ago.
During the session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a grave warning, stating that the world is "racing toward" a major crisis and that the "expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire that no one can control." He urged both sides to "Give peace a chance" and for the Council to act with "unity and urgency for dialogue," emphasizing that diplomacy grounded in international law is the "sole path" to lasting peace. Guterres also specifically addressed the nuclear issue, acknowledging a "trust gap" regarding Iran's nuclear program and reiterating that it must be for peaceful purposes with full access for IAEA inspectors.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also briefed the Council, providing updates on the damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. He confirmed that while there was no immediate awareness of damage at Fordow, four buildings were impacted at the Isfahan nuclear site, and the Khondab heavy water research reactor was hit. Crucially, Grossi issued a dire warning about the Bushehr nuclear power plant, stating that a direct hit could result in a "very high release of radioactivity to the environment" and necessitate evacuations. He strongly reiterated that "Armed attack on nuclear facilities should never take place."
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon used his address to the Security Council to strongly defend Israel's actions and criticize the international community's approach to Iran. Danon emphasized that Israel is seeking a "genuine effort" to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities, not merely "another session and debates." He asserted, "We have seen diplomatic talks for the last few decades, and look at the results. If there will be genuine effort to dismantle the capabilities of Iran, then that's something we can consider, but if it is going to be like another session and debates, that's not going to work."
The UNSC meeting is ongoing, with members weighing the immediate threat of escalation against the long-term implications of the conflict.
19:00 Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, issued a forceful condemnation of Israel's ongoing actions against Iran. He notably delivered his message not only in Arabic and English but, for the first time, in Persian on social media. This unprecedented outreach directly targets Iranian audiences as tensions escalate, signaling a significant pan-Islamic appeal from Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning.
In his tweet, El-Tayeb stated, "I strongly condemn the ongoing aggression by the occupying entity against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the systematic attacks and continued recklessness committed by this usurping aggressor and its backers, acts that risk dragging the region to the brink of explosion and igniting a full-scale war, from which only arms dealers and profiteers of bloodshed would benefit."
El-Tayeb further criticized the international community's inaction, arguing that "The international community's silence in the face of this tyranny, and its failure to put an end to it, amounts to complicity in the crime. Such inaction yields nothing but a growing threat to global security. War cannot create peace!"
18:00 Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted Israeli Channel 14's field broadcasting headquarters in Haifa on Friday with Sejil-3 long-range missiles, describing the strike as part of a wider operation involving 'long-range and very heavy missiles.'
According to Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the strike formed part of 'Wave 17' of Operation True Promise 3. The news outlet said the attack followed a prior warning issued by the Guard.
17:00 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel is nearing 'the point of no return', as the United States weighs the possibility of direct military involvement.
'Unfortunately, the genocide in Gaza and the conflict with Iran are quickly reaching the point of no return. This madness must end as soon as possible,' he said, according to AFP.
Erdoğan cautioned that the consequences of the war could extend far beyond the Middle East, affecting Europe and Asia 'for many years'.
He made the comments during an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) youth forum in Istanbul, ahead of a meeting of OIC foreign ministers scheduled for the weekend.
In a separate phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Erdoğan warned the war could trigger a surge in migration and the risk of nuclear contamination.
"The spiral of violence triggered by Israel's attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage," he said, adding that the conflict had "raised the threat to regional security to the highest level".
16:30 Qatar held crisis talks with energy firms this week after Israeli strikes hit Iran's South Pars gas field, which it shares with Qatar, a regional diplomat and an industry source told Reuters.
The South Pars/North Dome field, jointly owned by the two countries, is the world's largest known natural gas reserve.
Iranian media reported a 'massive explosion' and fire on Saturday following an Israeli drone strike on one of the South Pars facilities.
Qatar urged companies to raise the alarm with US, UK and European governments over mounting risks to global gas supplies, the source said.
16:00 Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the north and south, according to Israel's Home Front Command. Al Jazeera initially reported that the salvo involved around 30 projectiles.
Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Channel 12 confirmed a direct hit in Haifa that caused significant damage and injured 21 people, some seriously. Army radio cited strikes at multiple sites, while Channel 7 later said around 20 missiles were involved.
Iran's Nour News said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted Channel 14's field broadcast centre in Haifa with Sejil-3 long-range missiles after a prior warning. The IRGC called the barrage 'Wave 17' of Operation True Promise 3, describing it as a coordinated strike involving 'long-range and very heavy missiles'.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: 'The Zionist enemy is now receiving its punishment.'
The attack marks one of the largest direct missile strikes by Iran since the war began on 13 June. The Israeli army later lifted nationwide shelter orders and confirmed impacts in Haifa, as well as central and southern regions.
Earlier, Israeli forces said their air force was conducting renewed strikes on targets in western and central Iran.
15:15 Iran will not accept a demand for zero uranium enrichment, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, calling it unacceptable while Israeli strikes continue.
However, the official said Tehran was open to negotiating limits on enrichment levels, provided its right to peaceful nuclear development is recognised.
The remarks come ahead of talks in Geneva with the UK, France, and Germany, where efforts are underway to restore diplomatic engagement over Iran's nuclear programme.
14:45 Veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh warned that the United States is preparing for heavy bombing of Iran, possibly as early as this weekend, citing long-standing Israeli and American sources.
Hersh said the Trump administration is fully backing Israel's campaign to dismantle Iran's nuclear programme, while hoping for the collapse of the government in Tehran.
In a Substack post published Thursday, titled 'What I Have Been Told Is Coming in Iran – The Initial Battle Plan for a New War,' Hersh wrote: 'It will entail heavy American bombing,' based on information confirmed by a senior US official.
The official reportedly said the situation would remain 'under control' if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'departs.' 'Just how that might happen, short of his assassination, is not known,' Hersh added.
He criticised the lack of a coherent US strategy: 'There has been a great deal of talk about American firepower and targets inside Iran, but little practical thinking… about how to remove a revered religious leader with an enormous following.'
Hersh also warned of wider consequences: 'The most important unanswered question… will be the response of the world, including that of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who has been an ally of Iran's leaders.'
On continued US support for Israel, Hersh wrote: 'The United States remains Israel's most important ally, although many here and around the world abhor Israel's continuing murderous war in Gaza.'
14:30 Brent crude fell over 2 percent, dragging energy stocks lower, as fears of imminent US strikes on Iran eased. European markets rebounded, while Asian indices closed mixed and the dollar slipped.
The shift followed President Donald Trump's comments that he would delay a decision on joining Israeli attacks for up to two weeks. His remarks came ahead of talks in Geneva between Iranian and European diplomats.
'Brent crude has dropped... as traders price out the worst-case scenario for geopolitics,' said Kathleen Brooks of trading firm XTB.
Earlier concerns that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies had driven prices higher and global equities lower.
'While the immediate prospect of a US intervention may have diminished, it remains a live issue for markets,' said Dan Coatsworth of investment platform AJ Bell.
The main US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), edged up on low post-holiday trading and a drop in US crude stockpiles.
Markets are also watching Trump's trade war, as a 90-day pause on new tariffs nears its end. 'Until then... headlines could have an outsized impact,' said David Sekera of Morningstar.
14:00 Russia warned against any attempt to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, saying it would be 'unacceptable' and risk triggering uncontrollable escalation, Sky News reported.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would react 'very negatively' if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were killed, describing the situation as 'extremely tense and dangerous not only for the region but globally.'
Speaking in Saint Petersburg, Peskov said regime change in Iran would 'open the Pandora's box' and warned that further escalation would only deepen the regional confrontation.
He did not specify how Russia would respond, but said any such act would provoke a strong reaction 'from inside Iran.'
'It would lead to the birth of extremist moods inside Iran and those who are speaking about [killing Khamenei], they should keep it in mind. They will open the Pandora's box.'
13:30 European foreign ministers meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva are expected to relay that the US remains open to direct talks, Reuters reported, citing diplomats.
Two diplomats said Araghchi would be urged to send a 'clear signal' by accepting tough restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly signalled willingness to engage directly with Tehran, though Washington has not formally confirmed this. CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supports European-led diplomacy aimed at reviving talks.
The UK, France and Germany and the EU's foreign policy chief met in Geneva ahead of their meeting with Araghchi. The Swiss city hosted the early stages of talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Trump withdrew the US from that agreement on 8 May 2018, reimposing sanctions and triggering the collapse of follow-up negotiations.
An EU diplomat said: 'The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can. We'll urge them to return to the table before the worst-case scenario.'
Iran has repeatedly said it will not engage with the US while Israeli attacks continue. 'There is no room for negotiations with the US until Israeli aggression stops,' Araghchi said on state television.
13:15 Thousands of supporters of powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied in Baghdad and other cities against Israel's war with Iran, AFP correspondents said.
"No to Israel! No to America!" chanted demonstrators gathered after Friday prayers in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Moqtada Sadr's stronghold in the capital, holding umbrellas to shield themselves from Iraq's scorching summer sun.
"It is an unjust war... Israel has no right" to hit Iran, said protester Abu Hussein.
"Israel is not in it for the (Iranian) nuclear (program). What Israel and the Americans want is to dominate the Middle East," added the 54-year-old taxi driver.
He said he hoped Iran would come out of the war victorious, and that Iraq should support its neighbour "with money, weapons and protests".
In Iraq's southern city of Basra, around 2,000 people demonstrated after the prayers, according to an AFP correspondent.
Cleric Qusai al-Assadi, 43, denounced Israel's use of Iraqi airspace to bomb Iran. "It is a violation of Iraq's sovereignty," he said, warning against "a third world war against Islam."
Echoing the views of Sadr, Assadi said that Iraq should not be dragged into the conflict.
Iraq has long attempted to balance ties between Iran and the US, and has only recently emerged from decades of instability following the 2003 US invasion.
13:00 Thousands of people joined a protest against Israel in the Iranian capital after weekly prayers, chanting slogans in support of their leaders, images on state television showed, AFP reported.
"This is the Friday of the Iranian nation's solidarity and resistance across the country," the news anchor said.
Footage showed protesters in Tehran holding up photographs of commanders killed since the start of the war with Israel, while others waved the flags of Iran and the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah.
"I will sacrifice my life for my leader," read a protester's banner, a reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to state television, protests took place in other cities around the country, including in Tabriz in northwestern Iran and Shiraz in the south.
12:45 French President Emmanuel Macron said European powers will present Iran with a 'comprehensive diplomatic and technical offer' to end the escalating conflict with Israel.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is expected to meet Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva later Friday, alongside UK and German officials.
Macron said the proposal includes four points: full IAEA access and zero uranium enrichment; limits on ballistic capabilities; restrictions on financing regional proxies; and the release of foreign detainees.
He warned that a nuclear-armed Iran poses an 'existential risk' to Israel, but criticised Israeli strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure, saying 'nothing justifies this'.
He added that military action alone cannot eliminate Iran's nuclear programme.
"No one seriously thinks that this risk (posed by the Iranian atomic drive) can be responded to only through the operations that are currently underway," he said.
"There are facilities that are extremely well protected we do not know exactly where the uranium enriched to 60 percent is."
12:00 Several major US airlines have suspended flights to the Middle East, AP reported.
United Airlines said it has indefinitely paused flights between Newark, New Jersey, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
American Airlines announced it is suspending service between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar, at least through Sunday, and will make 'additional adjustments as needed'.
Both airlines said they are monitoring the situation and working to rebook affected passengers.
Last week, Delta Air Lines suspended flights to Tel Aviv, where Ben Gurion Airport remains closed to regular scheduled passenger traffic.
11:30 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi ruled out any negotiations with the United States, calling it a 'partner to Israeli crime against Iran'.
'There is no room for negotiations with us until Israeli aggression stops,' Araqchi told Iranian state television, according to Reuters.
11:15 French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, according to the Guardian, held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the planned Geneva meeting with his UK, German, and Iranian counterparts.
A French diplomatic source said Rubio conveyed that the United States is 'ready for direct contact with the Iranians at any moment.'
11:00 Seven people were injured during Iran's missile attack on the southern Israeli city of Beersheba earlier this morning.
According to a spokesperson for Soroka Medical Centre, quoted by The Jerusalem Post, the individuals sustained minor injuries while rushing to shelters during the barrage.
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🔴LIVE UPDATES: Iran armed forces threatens to strike shipments of military aid to Israel - Region

Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides waged deadly strikes against one another for the ninth day in a row. Related Governments scramble to evacuate citizens from Israel, Iran UN Security Council meets Friday to discuss Israel-Iran war, as Tel Aviv, Tehran conflict escalates - as it happened 'Iran will not surrender, and any American attack will have irreparable consequences' - Khamenei Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks early Saturday, marking the ninth consecutive day of hostilities since Israel launched strikes on 13 June. Around 2.30am local time, Israel's military reported an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Explosions were heard over central Israel as air defences responded. An Israeli military official said five ballistic missiles were fired, with no reports of casualties or impacts, according to the Guardian. Overnight, Israel said it targeted Iranian missile storage and launch infrastructure. The military claimed 'very significant' results, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told German newspaper Bild that the strikes had delayed Iran's nuclear capabilities by two to three years. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, rejected calls for 'zero enrichment' as long as Israeli attacks persisted. A senior official told Reuters Tehran remained open to talks on enrichment limits if its right to peaceful nuclear development was recognised. Since Israel launched attacks, Israeli bombing has killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,326, according to Iranian media, while Iranian missiles have killed at least 25 people and wounded hundreds in Israel, the Guardian reported. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session Friday at Iran's request. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the world was 'racing toward' a major crisis and urged urgent dialogue. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reported damage to four buildings at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site and warned a strike on the Bushehr plant could cause a serious radioactive release. Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed the Nimitz carrier strike group is being deployed to the region. The USS Carl Vinson remains in the Middle East, while the USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to depart for Europe on 24 June. US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard for saying there was no evidence Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapon. Gabbard later said her comments were taken out of context. 22:10 Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed to US President Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff that Egypt believes there are no military solutions to the conflict between Israel and Iran, emphasizing that peaceful settlement and political dialogue remain the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the region. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said this was said during a phone call on Saturday, within the framework of ongoing coordination and consultation between Egypt and the United States on rapidly evolving and dangerous regional developments. The Egyptian top diplomat stressed to the US envoy growing regional concerns amid the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran, and the serious threat they pose to the security and stability of the Middle East. Minister Abdelatty stressed to Witkoff the urgent need to de-escalate tensions, reach a ceasefire between the two sides, and restart US-Iran nuclear negotiations. For his part, Witkoff briefed the Egyptian minister on Washington's perspective on the unfolding situation and the efforts underway to give diplomacy a chance to contain the crisis. This was the third phone conversation between Abdelatty and Witkoff on the Israel-Iran situation this week. 22:05 Loud blasts were heard Saturday in the Iranian capital, AFP journalists said, as fighting raged between the two foes for the ninth day. It was not immediately clear whether the blasts heard in central and northern Tehran were the result of incoming Israeli strikes or Iranian air defence fire. 21:50 Iran's armed forces threatened on Saturday to strike shipments of military aid to Israel during the ongoing fighting between the two foes. "We warn that sending any military or radar equipment by boat or aircraft from any country to assist the Zionist regime will be considered participation in the aggression against Islamic Iran and will be a legitimate target for the armed forces," a spokesman said in a video statement broadcast on state TV. 21:15 At least five Iranian army personnel were killed and nine others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Sumar in western Iran, Iranian state-affiliated Fars News Agency reported Saturday. The casualties were confirmed by the acting governor of Qasr-e-Shirin, who told local media that the attack targeted military positions in the border area near Iraq. 20:30 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Iran to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States as the only viable path to resolve both the escalating conflict with Israel and the longstanding dispute over its nuclear programme, Reuters reported Tuesday. During a meeting in Istanbul with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Erdogan expressed Turkey's readiness to facilitate the restarting of stalled talks. Erdogan also criticized Israel's recent attack on Iran, calling it 'an act of sabotage' aimed at derailing potential diplomatic progress with Washington. 19:50 Two US officials told Reuters on Saturday that the United States is relocating B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Guam. According to The New York Times, the B-2s — long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads — departed accompanied by refueling tankers. The aircraft are known for their capacity to deliver the 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker buster, a weapon experts say could be used to target Iran's underground Fordo nuclear facility. While the Pentagon has not officially linked the deployment to the current Middle East crisis, open-source flight trackers and reports from Israeli news outlet Haaretz indicate that between two and four B-2 bombers and six tankers are en route to Guam. One US official confirmed no forward orders beyond Guam had been issued. 18:55 Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a statement, declaring that the confrontation with Israel over its attack on Iran is "a battle for the entire nation." Saree affirmed that the group is closely monitoring "hostile movements" and will "take all necessary measures to defend our people and homeland." He added that the Houthis will not abandon Gaza and will oppose any 'Zionist-American schemes' in the region, vowing support for any Arab or Islamic country facing Israeli aggression. 'The enemy seeks to dominate the region and is attacking Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, and Palestine,' Saree said, asserting that the resistance axis remains united against expansionist ambitions. 'If the United States joins the aggression against Iran, we will target its ships and warships in the Red Sea,' Saree declared, adding that 'any US attack in support of Israel means the subjugation of our Ummah and the occupation of our homelands.' File Photo: USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. AFP 18:40 ​Al Jazeera obtained satellite imagery confirming the deployment of US B-52 strategic bombers at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, which was documented since 19 June. The exclusive images also reveal the presence of several other US fighter aircraft stationed at the base, indicating a heightened state of operational readiness amid escalating regional tensions. The Diego Garcia military base is a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean and home to a major US military facility known as Camp Justice. Strategically located roughly 3,500 km (2,175 miles) southeast of Iran, Diego Garcia plays a pivotal role in US military operations across the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. A satellite image of diego garcia military base. Photo courtesy of Al-Jazeera X account. 18:20 The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, says Israel struck a centrifuge workshop, which made the machines used to enrich uranium, in Isfahan. 'We know this facility well. There was no nuclear material at this site, and therefore, the attack on it will have no radiological consequences,' Grossi says. This is the third such facility Israel has targeted in Iran since fighting began on 13 June, the agency says. Israel previously struck the Tehran Research Centre and a workshop in the city of Karaj, it says. Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday, 'attacks on nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security' in the country. He added: 'Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur.' 18:00 Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said on Saturday that proposals put forward by European powers at talks in Geneva about his country's nuclear programme were 'unrealistic', suggesting that if they stuck to them, it would be difficult to reach an accord. 'The discussions and proposals made by the Europeans in Geneva were unrealistic. Insisting on these positions will not bring Iran and Europe closer to an agreement,' the senior official told Reuters, speaking anonymously. 'In any case, Iran will review the European proposals in Tehran and present its responses in the next meeting,' the official said. 17:20 Iranian media has acknowledged that another nuclear scientist has died in Israeli strikes on the country, raising the official death toll announced to 10, the BBC reported. The death of the scientist named Isar Tabatabei Ghomsheh was first announced by the newsletter of Tehran's Sharif University, where he was an alumnus. The newsletter of the university said that he was killed 'late last week in his home' alongside his wife, Mansoureh Hajisalem. Iran previously confirmed the death of nine other nuclear scientists. Fereydoon Abbasi was the former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, while Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi served as the president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran. Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, and Amirhossein Feghhi were all academic staff members at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University. Akbar Motallebizadeh, Ali Bakaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji have also been killed. 16:50 Thousands of protesters march towards Whitehall from Russell Square in central London, according to the Guardian. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'free, free Palestine', 'occupation no more, Israel is a terrorist state,' and 'stop bombing Iran', reports the PA news agency. Many chanted 'shame on you' as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. Protesters wave Palestinian and Iranian flags and hold placards reading "Stop arming Israel" as they gather in Russell Square to take part in a march through central London. AFP 16:47: Germany has temporarily moved staff from its embassy in Tehran abroad due to the escalating threat environment, a spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry told Reuters on Saturday. Despite the relocation, the embassy remains operational and offers consular assistance. German nationals in Iran can still reach the embassy by phone, and the mission is providing guidance on potential land routes for those considering leaving the country. 16:35 Internet-access advocacy group reported on Saturday that the limited internet access that had come back up in Iran has once again 'collapsed.' The group said on X that the disconnect came after 'a brief period when residents could exchange messages with the outside world.' A nationwide internet shutdown has been in place for several days, isolating Iranians. Iran cited concerns about Israeli cyberattacks for the shutdown of mobile and web services. 16:20 Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people since they began last week, Iran's health ministry said in an updated toll on Saturday, as fighting raged between the two foes. "As of this morning, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 400 defenseless Iranians and left 3,056 others wounded by missiles and drones," health ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said in a post on X. A building damaged by Israeli air strikes in Tehran, Iran. Photo courtesy of Tasnim news agency. 16:05 Several "powerful explosions" were heard Saturday afternoon in southwestern Iran's Ahvaz, the daily Shargh reported, on the ninth day of hostilities between the Islamic Republic and Israel. Ahvaz is the capital of Khuzestan province, which is situated on the Iraqi border and is Iran's central oil-producing region. The Israeli military had previously announced it was striking "military infrastructure" in the southwest. 15:50 Israel's military said Saturday it was conducting strikes on "military infrastructure" in Iran's southwest, on the ninth day of the war sparked by Israel's attack on the Islamic republic. "Fighter jets are currently striking military infrastructure in southwestern Iran," the military said. 15:30 Former US President Bill Clinton called for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy in the conflict between Israel and Iran, warning of mounting civilian casualties and the risk of broader regional instability. Speaking on The Daily Show late Friday, Clinton criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: 'Mr Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever and ever. He's been there most of the last 20 years.' He urged the Trump administration and regional leaders to seek a diplomatic path. 'I hope President Trump will do that. I hope anybody there will do that. We've got to stop,' he said. 'We've got to convince our friends in the Middle East that we'll stand with them and try to protect them, but choosing undeclared wars in which the primary victims are civilians... is not a very good solution.' Clinton said efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation should continue. 'Do I think that we have to try to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon? I do. I tried at that, and we had some success.' But he added: 'We don't have to have all this outright constant killing of civilians who can't defend themselves and they just want a chance to live.' "We don't have to have all this outright, constant killing of civilians who can't defend themselves." Former President @BillClinton asks for peace amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 20, 2025 15:15 The United Nations has warned that the war between Israel and Iran must not be allowed to trigger another refugee crisis in the Middle East, cautioning that displacement once begun can have long-lasting consequences. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said the intensifying attacks between the two countries had already prompted population movements. It reported that people were fleeing parts of Iran, including Tehran, with some crossing into neighbouring countries. In Israel, strikes had caused people to seek shelter elsewhere in the country or abroad. 'This region has already endured more than its share of war, loss, and displacement. We cannot allow another refugee crisis to take root,' said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 'The time to de-escalate is right now. Once people are forced to flee, there's no quick way back — and all too often, the consequences last for generations.' UNHCR noted that Iran hosts the largest refugee population in the world — some 3.5 million people, mainly from Afghanistan — and warned that continued conflict would increase hardship and uncertainty for these communities. The agency urged a rapid de-escalation of the conflict and called on countries in the region to respect the right to seek safety. Israeli soldiers and first responders inspect the damage at the site of an Iranian strike in Beit She'an. AFP 15:00 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that France and its European partners would ramp up talks with Iran following more than a week of hostilities between the Islamic Republic and Israel. "I am convinced that there is a way out of war and to avoid even greater dangers," Macron said on X after phone talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. "To achieve this, we will step up the negotiations initiated by France and its European partners with Iran." He reiterated that Iran 'must never acquire nuclear weapons' and called on Tehran to provide 'full guarantees' of its peaceful intentions. Macron also repeated his demand for the release of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held in Iran since May 2022 on espionage charges that their families deny. He described their detention as 'inhumane' and 'unjust.' The announcement came after meetings in Geneva between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, and the EU. European officials urged Iran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States, but Tehran said talks could only resume if Israel halted its bombardment. The Iranian President @drpezeshkian called me. I reiterated my firm demand: Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be released. Their inhumane detention is unjust. I expect them to return to France. I also expressed my deep concern about Iran's nuclear program.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 21, 2025 14:30 Iranians started to see internet access restored, allowing people to call friends and family for the first time in days, according to AP. Those in the diaspora posted on social media about connecting to FaceTime or WhatsApp to call relatives they had been worried about. Government officials had disconnected phone and web services earlier in the week for the more than 90 million people who live in Iran, citing cybersecurity threats from Israel. Tasnim News Agency, which is closely affiliated with Iran's government, quoted the information minister saying that access to 'international' internet should be restored across the country by 8 p.m. 14:00 Gulf Cooperation Council ambassadors raised concerns with UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi over the safety of nuclear facilities near their countries amid the ongoing Israeli-Iranian crisis, the Guardian reported, citing Qatari state media. According to Reuters, the ambassadors warned of the 'dangerous repercussions' of targeting nuclear sites during a meeting with Grossi in Vienna. Grossi has previously cautioned that strikes on nuclear facilities could cause 'radioactive releases with great consequences within and beyond boundaries' of the targeted state. The risk of an attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, located on the Gulf coast, has long alarmed Gulf states. It remains the country's only operational civilian reactor. 13:00 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of deliberately attacking Iran to sabotage planned nuclear talks with the United States, saying the move showed Israel had no interest in resolving disputes through diplomacy, Reuters reported. Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul, Erdoğan urged countries with influence over Israel not to 'listen to its poison' and to pursue a resolution through dialogue to avoid a broader conflict. He also criticised Western leaders for providing 'unconditional support' to Israel and warned against attempts to redraw Middle East borders 'in blood', AFP reported. 'It is vital for us to show more solidarity to end Israel's banditry—not only in Palestine but also in Syria, in Lebanon and in Iran,' he told representatives of the OIC's 57 member states, calling on Muslim nations to step up efforts to impose punitive measures on Israel in line with international law and UN resolutions. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul. AFP 12:00 Arab foreign ministers strongly condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran during their meeting in Istanbul ahead of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, Tehran Times reported. The ministers urged an immediate end to the military escalation and warned of dire consequences for regional stability if hostilities continued. They convened for an emergency session to address escalating tensions, particularly in light of Israel's attacks on Iran that began on 13 June. In a final statement issued Friday, the Arab League called the Israeli strikes 'a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state and a threat to regional peace and security". Based on the statement, the ministers appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action, stressing that continued inaction risks further destabilization of the Middle East. 11:30 Israel's first responders said a drone had hit a residential building in northern Israel after the army reported an intrusion in the Beit She'an valley, AFP reported. "A drone strike hit a two-storey residential building in northern Israel", the Magen David Adom said in a statement, adding that its rescue teams found no visible casualties as they arrived. 11:00 A senior United Arab Emirates official urged an immediate end to the Iran-Israel war, warning that a prolonged conflict would have severe consequences for the region, AFP reported. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the war undermined Gulf efforts to build stability and prosperity. 'The longer a war takes, the more dangerous it becomes,' he told reporters on Friday. 'Any extended confrontation or war between Israel and Iran will only bring a very difficult aftermath.' Gargash stressed the importance of de-escalation and said a return to negotiations was still possible. He also cited the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq as a warning, saying the region was still dealing with its fallout. He noted one major risk: disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of global oil output. 'This war flies in the face of the regional order the Gulf countries want to build,' he said. 'We feel that this is setting us back—not only the UAE, but the region.' 10:45 Police in Iran's Qom province said 22 people "linked to Israeli spy services" had been arrested since 13 June. "22 people were identified and arrested on charges of being linked to the Zionist regime's spy services, disturbing public opinion and supporting the criminal regime," Fars news agency reported, citing the head of police intelligence in Iran's Qom province. Tasnim reported on Friday that a European national was also arrested for spying, without giving their nationality or the date of the arrest. 10:30 Iran's Revolutionary Guards said five of its members were killed in Israeli attacks on the city of Khorramabad, Iranian media reported, according to Reuters. Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had killed a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force in a strike on an apartment in Qom. The commander, Saeed Izadi, led the force's Palestine Corps, Katz said in a statement quoted by Reuters. ​ 10:00 Israel's military said its navy struck a Hezbollah-linked site near the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura overnight, a day after Israel's foreign minister warned the group against entering the conflict with Iran. According to the military, the target belonged to Hezbollah's Radwan Force and was described as an infrastructure site used to plan attacks against Israeli civilians. Israel provided no evidence to support the claims. In a separate statement, the military said it had 'struck and eliminated' a Hezbollah member in south Lebanon on Friday, despite a ceasefire between the two sides. Lebanon's health ministry said one person was killed in a drone strike targeting a motorcycle in the same village, according to the state-run National News Agency. A plume of smoke rises above hills after an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese Jezzine district. AFP The Guardian reported, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency, that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul for a meeting with Arab League diplomats to discuss the escalating conflict with Israel at 9:30 a.m. Around 40 diplomats are expected to attend the weekend session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as missile exchanges between Israel and Iran continue, according to AFP. Araghchi's visit follows talks in Geneva on Friday with counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany. 'At this meeting, at the suggestion of Iran, the issue of the Zionist regime's attack on our country will be specifically addressed,' Tasnim quoted him as saying. According to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu, cited by The Guardian, Arab League ministers are expected to issue a statement following the meeting. 9:00 Iran's Fars news agency reported that Israel attacked the Isfahan nuclear site in the early hours of Saturday. Citing a security official, it said multiple Israeli strikes had been carried out, with most explosions linked to air defence activity. There was no "leakage of hazardous materials," the official was quoted as saying. Iranian media also said Israel attacked a building in the city of Qom, with initial reports of a 16-year-old killed and two people injured. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Al-Ahram Weekly

an hour ago

• Al-Ahram Weekly

🔴LIVE UPDATES: Egypt urges Israel-Iran ceasefire and restart of US-Iran nuclear talks

Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides waged deadly strikes against one another for the ninth day in a row. Related Governments scramble to evacuate citizens from Israel, Iran UN Security Council meets Friday to discuss Israel-Iran war, as Tel Aviv, Tehran conflict escalates - as it happened 'Iran will not surrender, and any American attack will have irreparable consequences' - Khamenei Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks early Saturday, marking the ninth consecutive day of hostilities since Israel launched strikes on 13 June. Around 2.30am local time, Israel's military reported an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Explosions were heard over central Israel as air defences responded. An Israeli military official said five ballistic missiles were fired, with no reports of casualties or impacts, according to the Guardian. Overnight, Israel said it targeted Iranian missile storage and launch infrastructure. The military claimed 'very significant' results, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told German newspaper Bild that the strikes had delayed Iran's nuclear capabilities by two to three years. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, rejected calls for 'zero enrichment' as long as Israeli attacks persisted. A senior official told Reuters Tehran remained open to talks on enrichment limits if its right to peaceful nuclear development was recognised. Since Israel launched attacks, Israeli bombing has killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,326, according to Iranian media, while Iranian missiles have killed at least 25 people and wounded hundreds in Israel, the Guardian reported. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session Friday at Iran's request. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the world was 'racing toward' a major crisis and urged urgent dialogue. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reported damage to four buildings at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site and warned a strike on the Bushehr plant could cause a serious radioactive release. Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed the Nimitz carrier strike group is being deployed to the region. The USS Carl Vinson remains in the Middle East, while the USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to depart for Europe on 24 June. US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard for saying there was no evidence Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapon. Gabbard later said her comments were taken out of context. 22:10 Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed to US President Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff that Egypt believes there are no military solutions to the conflict between Israel and Iran, emphasizing that peaceful settlement and political dialogue remain the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the region. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said this was said during a phone call on Saturday, within the framework of ongoing coordination and consultation between Egypt and the United States on rapidly evolving and dangerous regional developments. The Egyptian top diplomat stressed to the US envoy growing regional concerns amid the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran, and the serious threat they pose to the security and stability of the Middle East. Minister Abdelatty stressed to Witkoff the urgent need to de-escalate tensions, reach a ceasefire between the two sides, and restart US-Iran nuclear negotiations. For his part, Witkoff briefed the Egyptian minister on Washington's perspective on the unfolding situation and the efforts underway to give diplomacy a chance to contain the crisis. This was the third phone conversation between Abdelatty and Witkoff on the Israel-Iran situation this week. 22:05 Loud blasts were heard Saturday in the Iranian capital, AFP journalists said, as fighting raged between the two foes for the ninth day. It was not immediately clear whether the blasts heard in central and northern Tehran were the result of incoming Israeli strikes or Iranian air defence fire. 21:50 Iran's armed forces threatened on Saturday to strike shipments of military aid to Israel during the ongoing fighting between the two foes. "We warn that sending any military or radar equipment by boat or aircraft from any country to assist the Zionist regime will be considered participation in the aggression against Islamic Iran and will be a legitimate target for the armed forces," a spokesman said in a video statement broadcast on state TV. 21:15 At least five Iranian army personnel were killed and nine others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Sumar in western Iran, Iranian state-affiliated Fars News Agency reported Saturday. The casualties were confirmed by the acting governor of Qasr-e-Shirin, who told local media that the attack targeted military positions in the border area near Iraq. 20:30 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Iran to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States as the only viable path to resolve both the escalating conflict with Israel and the longstanding dispute over its nuclear programme, Reuters reported Tuesday. During a meeting in Istanbul with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Erdogan expressed Turkey's readiness to facilitate the restarting of stalled talks. Erdogan also criticized Israel's recent attack on Iran, calling it 'an act of sabotage' aimed at derailing potential diplomatic progress with Washington. 19:50 Two US officials told Reuters on Saturday that the United States is relocating B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Guam. According to The New York Times, the B-2s — long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads — departed accompanied by refueling tankers. The aircraft are known for their capacity to deliver the 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker buster, a weapon experts say could be used to target Iran's underground Fordo nuclear facility. While the Pentagon has not officially linked the deployment to the current Middle East crisis, open-source flight trackers and reports from Israeli news outlet Haaretz indicate that between two and four B-2 bombers and six tankers are en route to Guam. One US official confirmed no forward orders beyond Guam had been issued. 18:55 Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a statement, declaring that the confrontation with Israel over its attack on Iran is "a battle for the entire nation." Saree affirmed that the group is closely monitoring "hostile movements" and will "take all necessary measures to defend our people and homeland." He added that the Houthis will not abandon Gaza and will oppose any 'Zionist-American schemes' in the region, vowing support for any Arab or Islamic country facing Israeli aggression. 'The enemy seeks to dominate the region and is attacking Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, and Palestine,' Saree said, asserting that the resistance axis remains united against expansionist ambitions. 'If the United States joins the aggression against Iran, we will target its ships and warships in the Red Sea,' Saree declared, adding that 'any US attack in support of Israel means the subjugation of our Ummah and the occupation of our homelands.' File Photo: USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. AFP 18:40 ​Al Jazeera obtained satellite imagery confirming the deployment of US B-52 strategic bombers at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, which was documented since 19 June. The exclusive images also reveal the presence of several other US fighter aircraft stationed at the base, indicating a heightened state of operational readiness amid escalating regional tensions. The Diego Garcia military base is a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean and home to a major US military facility known as Camp Justice. Strategically located roughly 3,500 km (2,175 miles) southeast of Iran, Diego Garcia plays a pivotal role in US military operations across the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. A satellite image of diego garcia military base. Photo courtesy of Al-Jazeera X account. 18:20 The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, says Israel struck a centrifuge workshop, which made the machines used to enrich uranium, in Isfahan. 'We know this facility well. There was no nuclear material at this site, and therefore, the attack on it will have no radiological consequences,' Grossi says. This is the third such facility Israel has targeted in Iran since fighting began on 13 June, the agency says. Israel previously struck the Tehran Research Centre and a workshop in the city of Karaj, it says. Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday, 'attacks on nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security' in the country. He added: 'Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur.' 18:00 Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said on Saturday that proposals put forward by European powers at talks in Geneva about his country's nuclear programme were 'unrealistic', suggesting that if they stuck to them, it would be difficult to reach an accord. 'The discussions and proposals made by the Europeans in Geneva were unrealistic. Insisting on these positions will not bring Iran and Europe closer to an agreement,' the senior official told Reuters, speaking anonymously. 'In any case, Iran will review the European proposals in Tehran and present its responses in the next meeting,' the official said. 17:20 Iranian media has acknowledged that another nuclear scientist has died in Israeli strikes on the country, raising the official death toll announced to 10, the BBC reported. The death of the scientist named Isar Tabatabei Ghomsheh was first announced by the newsletter of Tehran's Sharif University, where he was an alumnus. The newsletter of the university said that he was killed 'late last week in his home' alongside his wife, Mansoureh Hajisalem. Iran previously confirmed the death of nine other nuclear scientists. Fereydoon Abbasi was the former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, while Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi served as the president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran. Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, and Amirhossein Feghhi were all academic staff members at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University. Akbar Motallebizadeh, Ali Bakaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji have also been killed. 16:50 Thousands of protesters march towards Whitehall from Russell Square in central London, according to the Guardian. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'free, free Palestine', 'occupation no more, Israel is a terrorist state,' and 'stop bombing Iran', reports the PA news agency. Many chanted 'shame on you' as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. Protesters wave Palestinian and Iranian flags and hold placards reading "Stop arming Israel" as they gather in Russell Square to take part in a march through central London. AFP 16:47: Germany has temporarily moved staff from its embassy in Tehran abroad due to the escalating threat environment, a spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry told Reuters on Saturday. Despite the relocation, the embassy remains operational and offers consular assistance. German nationals in Iran can still reach the embassy by phone, and the mission is providing guidance on potential land routes for those considering leaving the country. 16:35 Internet-access advocacy group reported on Saturday that the limited internet access that had come back up in Iran has once again 'collapsed.' The group said on X that the disconnect came after 'a brief period when residents could exchange messages with the outside world.' A nationwide internet shutdown has been in place for several days, isolating Iranians. Iran cited concerns about Israeli cyberattacks for the shutdown of mobile and web services. 16:20 Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people since they began last week, Iran's health ministry said in an updated toll on Saturday, as fighting raged between the two foes. "As of this morning, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 400 defenseless Iranians and left 3,056 others wounded by missiles and drones," health ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said in a post on X. A building damaged by Israeli air strikes in Tehran, Iran. Photo courtesy of Tasnim news agency. 16:05 Several "powerful explosions" were heard Saturday afternoon in southwestern Iran's Ahvaz, the daily Shargh reported, on the ninth day of hostilities between the Islamic Republic and Israel. Ahvaz is the capital of Khuzestan province, which is situated on the Iraqi border and is Iran's central oil-producing region. The Israeli military had previously announced it was striking "military infrastructure" in the southwest. 15:50 Israel's military said Saturday it was conducting strikes on "military infrastructure" in Iran's southwest, on the ninth day of the war sparked by Israel's attack on the Islamic republic. "Fighter jets are currently striking military infrastructure in southwestern Iran," the military said. 15:30 Former US President Bill Clinton called for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy in the conflict between Israel and Iran, warning of mounting civilian casualties and the risk of broader regional instability. Speaking on The Daily Show late Friday, Clinton criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: 'Mr Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever and ever. He's been there most of the last 20 years.' He urged the Trump administration and regional leaders to seek a diplomatic path. 'I hope President Trump will do that. I hope anybody there will do that. We've got to stop,' he said. 'We've got to convince our friends in the Middle East that we'll stand with them and try to protect them, but choosing undeclared wars in which the primary victims are civilians... is not a very good solution.' Clinton said efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation should continue. 'Do I think that we have to try to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon? I do. I tried at that, and we had some success.' But he added: 'We don't have to have all this outright constant killing of civilians who can't defend themselves and they just want a chance to live.' "We don't have to have all this outright, constant killing of civilians who can't defend themselves." Former President @BillClinton asks for peace amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 20, 2025 15:15 The United Nations has warned that the war between Israel and Iran must not be allowed to trigger another refugee crisis in the Middle East, cautioning that displacement once begun can have long-lasting consequences. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said the intensifying attacks between the two countries had already prompted population movements. It reported that people were fleeing parts of Iran, including Tehran, with some crossing into neighbouring countries. In Israel, strikes had caused people to seek shelter elsewhere in the country or abroad. 'This region has already endured more than its share of war, loss, and displacement. We cannot allow another refugee crisis to take root,' said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 'The time to de-escalate is right now. Once people are forced to flee, there's no quick way back — and all too often, the consequences last for generations.' UNHCR noted that Iran hosts the largest refugee population in the world — some 3.5 million people, mainly from Afghanistan — and warned that continued conflict would increase hardship and uncertainty for these communities. The agency urged a rapid de-escalation of the conflict and called on countries in the region to respect the right to seek safety. Israeli soldiers and first responders inspect the damage at the site of an Iranian strike in Beit She'an. AFP 15:00 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that France and its European partners would ramp up talks with Iran following more than a week of hostilities between the Islamic Republic and Israel. "I am convinced that there is a way out of war and to avoid even greater dangers," Macron said on X after phone talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. "To achieve this, we will step up the negotiations initiated by France and its European partners with Iran." He reiterated that Iran 'must never acquire nuclear weapons' and called on Tehran to provide 'full guarantees' of its peaceful intentions. Macron also repeated his demand for the release of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held in Iran since May 2022 on espionage charges that their families deny. He described their detention as 'inhumane' and 'unjust.' The announcement came after meetings in Geneva between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, and the EU. European officials urged Iran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States, but Tehran said talks could only resume if Israel halted its bombardment. The Iranian President @drpezeshkian called me. I reiterated my firm demand: Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be released. Their inhumane detention is unjust. I expect them to return to France. I also expressed my deep concern about Iran's nuclear program.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 21, 2025 14:30 Iranians started to see internet access restored, allowing people to call friends and family for the first time in days, according to AP. Those in the diaspora posted on social media about connecting to FaceTime or WhatsApp to call relatives they had been worried about. Government officials had disconnected phone and web services earlier in the week for the more than 90 million people who live in Iran, citing cybersecurity threats from Israel. Tasnim News Agency, which is closely affiliated with Iran's government, quoted the information minister saying that access to 'international' internet should be restored across the country by 8 p.m. 14:00 Gulf Cooperation Council ambassadors raised concerns with UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi over the safety of nuclear facilities near their countries amid the ongoing Israeli-Iranian crisis, the Guardian reported, citing Qatari state media. According to Reuters, the ambassadors warned of the 'dangerous repercussions' of targeting nuclear sites during a meeting with Grossi in Vienna. Grossi has previously cautioned that strikes on nuclear facilities could cause 'radioactive releases with great consequences within and beyond boundaries' of the targeted state. The risk of an attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, located on the Gulf coast, has long alarmed Gulf states. It remains the country's only operational civilian reactor. 13:00 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of deliberately attacking Iran to sabotage planned nuclear talks with the United States, saying the move showed Israel had no interest in resolving disputes through diplomacy, Reuters reported. Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul, Erdoğan urged countries with influence over Israel not to 'listen to its poison' and to pursue a resolution through dialogue to avoid a broader conflict. He also criticised Western leaders for providing 'unconditional support' to Israel and warned against attempts to redraw Middle East borders 'in blood', AFP reported. 'It is vital for us to show more solidarity to end Israel's banditry—not only in Palestine but also in Syria, in Lebanon and in Iran,' he told representatives of the OIC's 57 member states, calling on Muslim nations to step up efforts to impose punitive measures on Israel in line with international law and UN resolutions. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul. AFP 12:00 Arab foreign ministers strongly condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran during their meeting in Istanbul ahead of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, Tehran Times reported. The ministers urged an immediate end to the military escalation and warned of dire consequences for regional stability if hostilities continued. They convened for an emergency session to address escalating tensions, particularly in light of Israel's attacks on Iran that began on 13 June. In a final statement issued Friday, the Arab League called the Israeli strikes 'a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state and a threat to regional peace and security". Based on the statement, the ministers appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action, stressing that continued inaction risks further destabilization of the Middle East. 11:30 Israel's first responders said a drone had hit a residential building in northern Israel after the army reported an intrusion in the Beit She'an valley, AFP reported. "A drone strike hit a two-storey residential building in northern Israel", the Magen David Adom said in a statement, adding that its rescue teams found no visible casualties as they arrived. 11:00 A senior United Arab Emirates official urged an immediate end to the Iran-Israel war, warning that a prolonged conflict would have severe consequences for the region, AFP reported. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the war undermined Gulf efforts to build stability and prosperity. 'The longer a war takes, the more dangerous it becomes,' he told reporters on Friday. 'Any extended confrontation or war between Israel and Iran will only bring a very difficult aftermath.' Gargash stressed the importance of de-escalation and said a return to negotiations was still possible. He also cited the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq as a warning, saying the region was still dealing with its fallout. He noted one major risk: disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of global oil output. 'This war flies in the face of the regional order the Gulf countries want to build,' he said. 'We feel that this is setting us back—not only the UAE, but the region.' 10:45 Police in Iran's Qom province said 22 people "linked to Israeli spy services" had been arrested since 13 June. "22 people were identified and arrested on charges of being linked to the Zionist regime's spy services, disturbing public opinion and supporting the criminal regime," Fars news agency reported, citing the head of police intelligence in Iran's Qom province. Tasnim reported on Friday that a European national was also arrested for spying, without giving their nationality or the date of the arrest. 10:30 Iran's Revolutionary Guards said five of its members were killed in Israeli attacks on the city of Khorramabad, Iranian media reported, according to Reuters. Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had killed a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force in a strike on an apartment in Qom. The commander, Saeed Izadi, led the force's Palestine Corps, Katz said in a statement quoted by Reuters. ​ 10:00 Israel's military said its navy struck a Hezbollah-linked site near the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura overnight, a day after Israel's foreign minister warned the group against entering the conflict with Iran. According to the military, the target belonged to Hezbollah's Radwan Force and was described as an infrastructure site used to plan attacks against Israeli civilians. Israel provided no evidence to support the claims. In a separate statement, the military said it had 'struck and eliminated' a Hezbollah member in south Lebanon on Friday, despite a ceasefire between the two sides. Lebanon's health ministry said one person was killed in a drone strike targeting a motorcycle in the same village, according to the state-run National News Agency. A plume of smoke rises above hills after an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese Jezzine district. AFP The Guardian reported, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency, that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul for a meeting with Arab League diplomats to discuss the escalating conflict with Israel at 9:30 a.m. Around 40 diplomats are expected to attend the weekend session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as missile exchanges between Israel and Iran continue, according to AFP. Araghchi's visit follows talks in Geneva on Friday with counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany. 'At this meeting, at the suggestion of Iran, the issue of the Zionist regime's attack on our country will be specifically addressed,' Tasnim quoted him as saying. According to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu, cited by The Guardian, Arab League ministers are expected to issue a statement following the meeting. 9:00 Iran's Fars news agency reported that Israel attacked the Isfahan nuclear site in the early hours of Saturday. Citing a security official, it said multiple Israeli strikes had been carried out, with most explosions linked to air defence activity. There was no "leakage of hazardous materials," the official was quoted as saying. Iranian media also said Israel attacked a building in the city of Qom, with initial reports of a 16-year-old killed and two people injured. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Middle East

an hour ago

• Middle East

OPEN// FM, Witkoff discuss Iran-Israel escalation

CAIRO, June 21 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty made a phone call on Saturday with Steve Witkoff, the US President's Special Envoy for the Middle East, as part of ongoing coordination and consultation between Egypt and the United States regarding the dangerous and rapidly evolving developments in the region. The call addressed the growing regional tensions, particularly the military escalation between Israel and Iran, and the serious threat it poses to regional security and stability. Abdelatty stressed the importance of de-escalation, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and the resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. He affirmed that military solutions are not viable for regional conflicts and that peaceful settlement and political dialogue remain the only path to ensuring lasting stability and peace in the Middle East. For his part, Witkoff shared the US perspective on the evolving situation and the ongoing efforts to give diplomacy a chance to contain the crisis. (MENA) M S H/