Latest news with #Haaretz
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- General
- Middle East Eye
Israeli strikes hit centrifuge facility in Iran's Isfahan: IAEA
Israeli air raids have damaged a centrifuge manufacturing workshop in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Saturday. According to the agency, the site did not hold any nuclear material, and the strike is expected to have no radiological impact. The Israeli military stated earlier that its air force had targeted a nuclear facility in Isfahan overnight. The site, also struck at the start of Israel's current operation, plays a role in uranium conversion — a key stage in the enrichment process. Later, the Israeli army, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz, confirmed that the target was a facility inside the complex used to produce centrifuges, essential for uranium enrichment.
Roya News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
US deploys B-2 bombers, capable of destroying Iran's Fordow nuclear facility to Pacific: Report
The United States has deployed six B-2 stealth bombers toward Guam, a strategic base in the Western Pacific, amid escalating regional tensions and ongoing 'Israeli' airstrikes on Iranian territory. The aircraft are capable of carrying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bunker-busting bomb believed to be the only conventional weapon that could threaten Iran's heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility. According to a report by Fox News, the bombers departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, accompanied by at least four aerial refueling tankers. Flight tracking data and air traffic control communications indicated that the bombers likely refueled shortly after takeoff, suggesting they may have launched with a heavy payload that could include bunker-buster munitions. Fordow, located near the city of Qom and buried 80–90 meters beneath a mountain, has long been regarded as one of Iran's most secure nuclear sites. Experts have debated whether even the GBU-57—designed to penetrate reinforced underground bunkers—could fully destroy the site, though multiple strikes may be capable of collapsing surrounding infrastructure. 'Destroying Fordow from the air is a job only the U.S. can do,' Fox News Digital quoted Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as saying. Jonathan Ruhe of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) explained that the GBU-57 relies on gravity and kinetic energy to burrow through layers of rock and concrete before detonation, potentially collapsing or disabling key infrastructure underground. The 'Israeli' daily Haaretz reported that Fordow is already among the designated targets in Israel's military planning. A senior Israeli military source told the outlet: 'If we are given the order to strike, we will act.' While the bombers are currently en route to Guam, Haaretz noted they may continue on to Diego Garcia, a U.S. base in the Indian Ocean that lies just over 3,500 kilometers from Iran, though this has not been confirmed. The deployment follows an intense week of conflict. On June 13, 'Israel' launched over 1,000 airstrikes across Iran, targeting missile infrastructure, military facilities, and nuclear sites. Tehran responded with missile attacks, escalating fears of a wider regional war. The Iranian Health Ministry reported that at least 430 people have been killed and over 3,500 wounded in the 'Israeli' assault. In contrast, Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iran's retaliatory strikes. Iran has issued a warning to the United States, stating that direct involvement in 'Israeli'-led operations would trigger a regional response. Tehran also said it would not return to stalled nuclear talks 'under fire.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iranian Ballistic Missiles Hit 'Strategic Points' In Israeli Port City Of Haifa (Updated)
Israel and Iran traded more blows overnight and on Friday, as the conflict continued into its eighth day. Among the most notable targets struck in Israel today was the port city of Haifa. Local mayor Yona Yahav confirmed that Iran had struck 'two strategic points' in the city. Visiting the impact site, he said: 'I am very depressed. To the residents of Haifa, I say — strictly follow the instructions.' There were reports of two people injured in Haifa, one of them seriously injured, according to Haaretz. The same source stated that at least 20 missiles were identified as part of this wave of strikes, with some hitting areas of Beersheba and others coming down in Haifa. Another angle of Iranian missile hitting Israel's Haifa. — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2025 This is the moment an Iranian missile struck a building in Israel's Haifa, seriously injuring several people. Iran reportedly fired around 20 missiles at Israel on Friday, explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 20, 2025 #BREAKING: At least one Iranian ballistic missile impacted the port city of Haifa in northern Israel minutes 15 missiles were said to be launched by Iran in the latest barrage. — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 20, 2025 Haifa is home to the main naval base of the Israel Defense Forces, home to submarines, corvettes, and other vessels. It remains unclear at this point whether this was the intended target and whether or not it was hit. IDF naval base is just across the harbor, you can see the berthing for the corvettes in the picture. Take a wild guess what the intended target may have been. — Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) June 20, 2025 Israeli Channel 12 TV reported today that the international shipping company Maersk has decided to suspend all of its shipping movements to the port until further notice. You can catch up on our coverage of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, designed to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons and dismantle its long-range weapons capabilities, here. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said more than 60 fighter jets using approximately 120 munitions hit dozens of Iranian military areas overnight, including targets inside the Iranian capital. In a post on X, the IDF said it struck several industrial sites in Tehran, which it claimed were used to manufacture missiles. 'During the night, several industrial sites used to manufacture missiles were struck in the Tehran area. These sites were developed over many years and served as a key industrial center for the Iranian Ministry of Defense,' it said. The IDF said it hit the headquarters of Iran's military research and development organization, the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which it claims was involved in Iran's nuclear weapons development. The SPND was established in 2011 by Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the founder of Iran's nuclear weapons program. What did the IDF accomplish in Iran overnight? 60+ fighter jets struck dozens of military targets in Iran using approximately 120 munitions. Several industrial sites used to manufacture missiles were struck in the Tehran area. These sites served as a key industrial center… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2025 Other targets were said to be sites producing missile components and facilities manufacturing raw materials used in casting missile engines. Additionally, a site producing an undisclosed critical component of the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons program was targeted, the IDF said. Reportedly, a key Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in a strike on a building in Tehran. This was reported by Reuters, citing a story from Israel's national broadcaster, Kan, which quoted an Israeli source. They said there was evidence that a scientist was killed in a drone attack on an apartment in the Iranian capital. The IDF's focus on targets within Tehran reflects efforts by Israel to destabilize the Iranian regime. Today, Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz said that he had offered the military to intensify attacks on 'symbols of the regime' in the Iranian capital. 'We must strike at all the symbols of the regime and the mechanisms of oppression of the population, such as the Basij, and the regime's power base, such as the Revolutionary Guard,' Katz said in a statement. A paramilitary volunteer militia, the Basij comes under the IRGC and is notorious for cracking down on public protests. Successive waves of unrest in Iran since the 1979 revolution have been dealt with by the Basij militia, serving as something like the shock troops of the Islamic regime. The IDF also said that more than 25 Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighters destroyed more than 35 missile storage and launch facilities in Iran on Friday morning. These targets were in the areas of Tabriz and Kermanshah in Iran, the Israeli military said. Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck several Iranian air defense batteries in Isfahan and Tehran in recent days, which the IDF says expands its air supremacy in military says the strikes hit the surface-to-air missile launchers and radars, "that were intended to… — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 20, 2025 Additionally, explosions were heard overnight in the Safidrood industrial town near the Iranian town of Kolesh Taleshan, in the northwest of the country, shortly after Israel told people in the area to evacuate. On social media, footage posted by eyewitnesses showed an apparent Israeli airstrike on Rasht, in northwest Iran, which may be related to the presence of a carbon-fiber plant close to the city. This followed another IDF order for civilians to evacuate from areas around the Sefidrud Industrial Park in Rasht. Israeli forces likely just hit and destroyed the half-billion-dollar Iranian carbon fiber plant in Rasht, a key link in the Iranian missile production chain. Reports and footage of a major explosion south of the city earlier tonight. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2025 After a week of Israeli strikes, it is estimated that at least 657 people have been killed and 2,037 others wounded. These figures come from the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Of those dead, the group identifies 263 civilians and 164 security force personnel. The following video, posted on X by the IDF, provides an interview with an IAF pilot, named only as Maj. B, who has flown combat sorties over Iran. The pilot describes being aware that Iranian fighters were taking off during these missions, but says that they turned away rather than confront the Israeli jets. Maj. B also says the first 24 hours of the campaign focused on suppression and destruction of enemy air defense (SEAD/DEAD) sorties to remove the threat posed by Iranian air defenses. What do pilots see 9,000 meters over Tehran? — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2025 Iran has ruled out — at least publicly — talks with the United States over ending its nuclear weapons program as long as Israeli 'aggression' continues. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled yesterday that he would decide on whether to order the U.S. military to strike Iranian nuclear facilities within the next two weeks and has demanded Iran return to the negotiating table. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the country's leadership will not hold talks with Washington as it is a 'partner to Israeli crimes against Iran.' Reuters reports that Araqchi had told Iranian state TV: 'There is no room for negotiations with us until Israeli aggression stops.' Among the targets that Iran struck in Israel overnight was the city of Beersheba in the south of the country. A hospital in the city was also hit yesterday, Iran claiming that the intended target in that instance was a nearby 'large [IDF] command and intelligence headquarters and [a] military intelligence camp.' A blaze was reported near a Microsoft office after a missile hit Beersheba early on Friday, emergency services reported. The Magen David Adom rescue service posted a photo of several vehicles on fire. Israeli media later reported that five people had sustained minor injuries. MDA Spokesperson: Following the Red Alert sirens that were heard in the past few minutes in southern Israel, no reports of casualties have been received at this stage. MDA teams are being dispatched to scan the areas where reports were received. Updates as required — Magen David Adom (@Mdais) June 20, 2025 Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Microsoft was the intended target. In a statement, it said it had targeted the company 'because of its close cooperation with the Israeli Army and its being part of the system supporting aggression, and not just a civilian entity. The cyber area that was attacked also includes the residences of people from the espionage and artificial intelligence fields, who operate in direct cooperation with the enemy army and its security apparatus.' An Israeli military official said that Iran had fired a single missile and that an interceptor that was fired in response had failed to intercept it. Reports out of Israel suggest that the missile that struck Beersheba may have been fitted with a cluster warhead, evidenced by multiple small impacts in footage of the impact. You can read more about Iranian ballistic missiles with warheads containing multiple submunitions in this previous story. Iran likely targeted Beersheba with a cluster bomb in its latest attack on Israel, footage and photos from the southern city show several impacts of small munitions at multiple locations in the city, indicating that a ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb… — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 20, 2025 The IDF said that it intercepted four Iranian drones targeting Israel overnight. Footage has appeared on social media that purports to show an IAF F-16 shooting down a Shahed-series drone, said to be over Syria. Footage of an Israeli Air Force F-16 shooting down an Iranian Shahed-136 attack drone over southern Syria with an AIM-9/Python air to air missile. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2025 Meanwhile, there are reports that the Israeli Navy has, for the first time, used the Barak Magan surface-to-air missile system in combat to intercept a drone that crossed into Israeli territory. This is likely a reference to the Israeli version of the Rafael Barak-8 surface-to-air missile, which is launched from 32 vertical launch cells on the Sa'ar 6, the latest Israeli Navy corvette, which you can read more about here. The Barak-8 is intended to engage targets out to around 60 miles. IDF:"Barak" system, used for the first time in the Air Force's air defense system, intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle. — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2025 There have been more statements from Russian officials about the course of the conflict. The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned of the risk of the Middle East more generally falling into an 'abyss of instability and war.' Peskov also told reporters that he didn't know when Russian President Vladimir Putin might meet President Trump. 'The situation is extremely tense and is dangerous not only for the region but globally,' he added. Peskov also told Sky News that Russia would react 'very negatively' if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to be killed. 'The situation is extremely tense and is dangerous not only for the region but globally,' Peskov said. Regime change in Iran would be 'unacceptable,' Peskov added, and that the assassination of the country's supreme leader would 'open Pandora's box.' Iran regime change is 'unacceptable' and 'will open Pandora's Box' the Kremlin has a rare interview with foreign media, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sky News that Russia would react "very negatively" if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 20, 2025 This came a day after the Israeli defense minister said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'can no longer be allowed to exist.' Peskov did not say how Russia would respond if Khamenei were assassinated, but warned that it would trigger a response 'from inside Iran.' He explained: '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.' In related news, Russian specialists are still working at the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran, according to the head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation. Alexei Likhachev said the situation at the plant in the southern port city was normal and under control amid Russia's warnings to Israel not to attack the site, according to a Reuters report. Russian nuclear energy chief Alexei Likhachev said that the situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, was "normal" and under — The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) June 20, 2025 The movement of U.S. Air Force aircraft into Europe, and then forward to bases in the Middle East, continues. In the past, we have reported specifically about the deployment of tankers and fighters to locations closer to the conflict zone. The departure of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from RAF Lakenheath in England has also been observed today, with the likely destinations being U.S. airbases in the Middle East, as evidenced by the movement of aerial refueling tankers to support them on their trip. Four F-22 heading out with GOLD13 from Lakenheath less than an hour ago. — Def Mon (@DefMon3) June 20, 2025 10:26 TABOR 71 flt x4 USAF F-22/A Raptor'sAfter Some Complications on the Ground: #F22's Now Airborne to head to the Middle East for a Declared MARSA.#TABOR71 and #GOLD23 Working 259.600 / Boom Frequency 268.300#GOLD23 Tail : 22-46101 — Andy (@Andyyyyrrrr) June 20, 2025 Meanwhile, in the last couple of days, there has been extensive evidence of U.S. Air Force transport aircraft movements. Publicly available flight-tracking data reveals that at least 20 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters have been on the move from Europe to bases in the Middle East in the last 24 hours. Over the last 24 hours, at least 20 C-17A 'Globemaster III' and C-5M 'Galaxy' Strategic Heavy-Lift Transports with the U.S. Air Force have arrived at airbases in the Middle East from Europe, most originating from bases in the United States, carrying additional air-defense… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 20, 2025 The arrival of a C-5 Galaxy strategic transport aircraft was also noted today at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. USAF C-5M Super Galaxy landing at Prince Sultan Air Base this morning, with a large amount of cargo in tow. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2025 Iranian aircraft are on the move, too. This follows the highly unusual movement of Iran's primary presidential plane and two other government airliners to the Omani capital Muscat, as we reported earlier in the week. The latest movements concern a pair of Boeing 737s from Saha Airlines and a single Airbus A320 from Meraj Airlines. Another 3 aircraft have left Iran for Muscat, Oman. — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 20, 2025 With President Trump yet to commit to a U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Israel now appears to be looking into the possibility of going it alone. According to Lucas Tomlinson of Fox News, options available to the IDF for the destruction of the deeply buried Iranian nuclear enrichment facility in Fordow include a commando raid, a possibility that TWZ has been discussing now for many years. 'One option could involve sending in elite Israeli Air Force commandos from Unit 5101 Shaldag, who launched a similar operation in September in Syria to destroy an underground missile site used by Iran. Another option would be to cut power to Fordow. Without power, the centrifuges enriching the uranium could become permanently disabled,' Tomlinson wrote. IDF has a number of options to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Fordow, buried deep underground two hours south of option could involve sending in elite Israeli Air Force commandos from Unit 5101 Shaldag, who launched a similar operation in September in… — Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) June 20, 2025 This is a developing story. Stay with The War Zone for AH-64 Apaches have been something of an unsung hero of Israel's air defense architecture. They continue to shoot down long-range one-way attack drones. The Apache has come into its own as a counter-drone asset, which Israel largely pioneered. Overnight, the Israeli Air Force downed at least four drones launched by Iran against Israel, with footage showing the shoot down of two 'Arash-2' long-range attack drones by an AH-64 'Apache' with the IAF. — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 20, 2025 The IDF says Iran has fired 520 ballistic missile at Israel and 25 have impacted the ground, equaling roughly a 5% hit rate. That does not mean they stuck their intended targets though. That number would be significantly lower. Israeli Government Secretary Yossi Fox:520 missiles were fired from Iran, of which only 25 fell, less than five percent. — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2025 The WSJ states that Israel's air defense operation is costing $200M a day. The Wall Street Journal reports that the cost of operating Israel's missile air defense systems could reach $200 million per day. — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) June 20, 2025 Hezbollah, severely weakened after its war with Israel, has still not defended its benefactor, Iran. That could change based on threats, which Israeli defense mintier Katz has responded to. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a post this morning's on X directed at Hezbollah:'The Hezbollah Secretary-General is not learning a lesson from his predecessors and is threatening to act against Israel in accordance with the Iranian dictator's orders.I suggest to the… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 20, 2025 Israel's catalog of man-in-the-loop guided air-launched standoff munitions — which include Popeye and Delilah cruise missiles, and the Spice series of guided bombs, have been center-stage in this conflict. The ability for the controller — usually in the launching aircraft — to 'fly' the weapon right to impact has allowed for extremely accurate strikes, especially on opportunistic targets. The cruise missile and glide-bomb capabilities also allow for the launching aircraft to stay away from high-threat areas where air defenses are most likely to be. Most of the strike video coming from the IAF shows these weapons in action. Footage of an Israeli Air Force-launched Delilah loitering munition slamming into a Russian-supplied Tor-M1 surface to air missile system in Iranian service. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2025 There are multiple unconfirmed reports that the ballistic missile that impacted Haifa landed right next to a mosque. European-led talks with Iranian officials on their nuclear program and a way to stop the war have reportedly failed in making significant progress on either front. BREAKING: Talks with Iran in Geneva today have failed. Iran continues to REJECT giving up its ability to make nuclear weapons & the nuclear fuel cycle. Asked by WSJ if Iran will negotiate further with the U.S., Tehran's FM says 'NO.' — Josh Block (@JoshBlockDC) June 20, 2025 BREAKING Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi in Geneva: "Iran is ready to consider diplomatic paths, but Iran's defense capabilities are not negotiable. Its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and under the supervision of the IAEA. It will continue to exercise its… — Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) June 20, 2025 Israel's Channel 13 says Israeli officials who have been engaged with the U.S. on joining the conflict say that Trump is close to jumping in. BREAKING Ch 13: Senior Israeli officials who have been talking to US administration officials in the past 24 hours say that Trump is close to ordering the US military to join the war with the White House's statement that the president will decide within two… — Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) June 20, 2025 Contact the author: thomas@
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Iranian missiles strike targets in Haifa and Jerusalem
Iranian missiles have struck targets in Haifa and Jerusalem, according to local media reports. Local news channel N12 reported approximately 25 launches from Iran, with missiles hitting targets in Haifa as well as Beersheba. Israeli news platform Haaretz reported that two people have been wounded in the latest strikes. In a Telegram statement, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that intelligence reports indicate that the building targeted in Haifa is a 'sensitive Israeli government complex.'
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel claims strikes on over 35 missile sites in western Iran
The Israeli military has said it carried out a series of air raids early on Friday targeting missile-related infrastructure inside Iran, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. According to the Israeli army, more than 25 aircraft were involved in the operation, which hit over 35 locations believed to be used for missile storage and launches. The strikes reportedly took place in the provinces of Tabriz and Kermanshah in western Iran.
