
Israel tightens civil defence measures after US strikes on Iran
Israel has tightened civil defence restrictions nationwide following US airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, the Israeli military announced on Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that only essential activities would be allowed across the country, in accordance with new directives approved by Defence Minister Israel Katz.
The decision came after a fresh security assessment.
"It was determined that as of today (Sunday), at 03:45am [0045 GMT],immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command instructions.
As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Partial and Limited Activity to Essential Activity," the IDF said in a post on Telegram.
"The instructions include: a prohibition on educational activities,gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors."
The announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump said that US aircraft had attacked three nuclear sites in Iran, including Natanz, Esfahan and the Fordow uranium enrichment facility.
Israel launched a campaign on June 13, saying it is aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon - a charge that Tehran has consistently denied, saying its nuclear programme only serves civilian purposes.
Since the start of Israeli attacks in Iran more than a week ago,Tehran has attacked Israeli cities and military facilities with more than 450 missiles, according to official Israeli figures.
The data also states that over 400 Iranian drones entered Israeli airspace during that period.
A total of 24 people in Israel have been killed and more than 1,200 injured in the strikes, according to official figures.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
43 minutes ago
- Observer
Trump's bombs on Iran blow up heat of Mideast war
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said US air strikes on Sunday "totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites, with Tehran later accusing Washington of "blowing up" talks aimed at a deal on its nuclear programme. Following the attack — the United States' first large-scale strikes on Iran — Trump warned Washington would hit more targets if Tehran did not make peace. Hours later, Iran launched two waves of attacks against long-time foe Israel. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said, adding the key underground enrichment site at Fordo was hit, along with facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace," he said, warning future attacks would be "far greater" unless a diplomatic solution was reached. "Remember, there are many targets left." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a press conference at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Center, in Istanbul. — AFP Trump's intervention — despite his past pledges to avoid another "forever war" — threatens to dramatically widen the conflict, after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran last week, with Tehran vowing to retaliate if Washington joined in. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of sabotaging diplomacy after talks with European powers. "This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," he wrote on X. Aragchi later told reporters in Istanbul the United States and Israel had "crossed a very big red line", asserting Iran would continue to defend itself "by all means necessary". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the US strikes, saying Trump's decision to "target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history". In response to the US attack, Iran's armed forces said they targeted multiple sites in Israel including Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main international gateway near Tel Aviv. Israeli rescuers said at least 23 people were wounded. Police said at least three impacts were reported. One of them was the Ramat Aviv area of Tel Aviv, tearing holes in the facades of apartment blocks. "Houses here were hit very, very badly," said Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai. "Fortunately, one of them was slated for demolition and reconstruction, so there were no residents inside." In Jerusalem, Claudio Hazan, a 62-year-old software engineer, said he hoped the US intervention would hasten an end to the Iran-Israel war. "Israel by itself would not stop... and it would take longer," he said. Protesters hold placards condemning the US attacks on Iran during a protest, in Seoul. — AFP Israel said it had launched fresh strikes on western Iran and in Qom, south of Tehran. Iran's official IRNA news agency reported four Revolutionary Guard members were killed in strikes on a military base in the city's north. The Israeli military said it had "struck missile launchers ready to launch towards Israeli territory, soldiers in the Iranian Armed Forces, and swiftly neutralised the launchers that launched missiles towards Israeli territory a short while ago". In Tehran, journalists said the roar of aircraft flying over the city could be heard repeatedly for the first time since Israel's initial attacks. The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said it had not detected any increase in radiation levels at key nuclear sites in Iran following the strikes and Tehran said on Sunday there were "no signs of contamination". The Iranian foreign minister said he would travel to Moscow for "serious consultations" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. US media reported the strikes were carried out by B-2 stealth bombers dropping bunker-buster bombs, as well as submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles. Following his address, Trump warned Iran against "any retaliation". Iran and its proxies have previously attacked US military bases in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. The US president had stepped up his rhetoric against Iran since Israel first struck Iran on June 13, repeating his insistence it could never have nuclear weapons. Israel and Iran have traded wave after wave of devastating strikes since then. Tehran denies seeking an atomic bomb. On Saturday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran's right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme "cannot be taken away... by threats or war". — AFP


Observer
44 minutes ago
- Observer
Iran announces new missile attack against Israel
Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps(IRGC) on Sunday announced a further missile attack on Israel following the night's US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Long-range missiles targeted Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, are search centre and command and military facilities, the Fars news agency wrote. Attacks on the sites have not yet been confirmed by Israel. The US intervened in the war alongside Israel overnight and,according to US President Donald Trump, totally obliterated Iran's"key nuclear enrichment facilities." The targets included the well-fortified underground uranium enrichment site at Fordow. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of "everlasting consequences" following the US strikes.


Observer
44 minutes ago
- Observer
Bahrain, Kuwait prepare for possible Iran conflict spread
DUBAI: Bahrain and Kuwait, home to U.S. bases, made preparations on Sunday for the possibility the Iran conflict might spread to their territory, with Bahrain urging drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait establishing shelters in a ministries complex after U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. U.S. forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites late on Saturday, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. Tehran had previously warned if it was attacked by the United States, it could target American assets in the region, including U.S. military bases. Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and there are several U.S. bases in Kuwait. "In light of recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary, to maintain public safety and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X. Bahrain also told 70% of government employees to work from home on Sunday until further notice, citing escalating tensions, according the Civil Service Bureau. Kuwait set up shelters in the country's ministries complex, an extensive compound of buildings that houses several government departments, including the ministries of justice and finance, the finance ministry said. Bahraini authorities earlier this week said they had activated a national plan and a national civil emergency centre to prepare in case of emergencies and proceeded to test warning sirens across the country. Regional media also reported the country had set up 33 shelters.