Latest news with #Huthi
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
US attacks on Iran put Middle East on knife edge
Protesters in support of Iran and Palestinians in Gaza hold flags and placards during a demonstration against the actions of Israel and the US in Sydney, Australia. Similar protests were held in India, South Korea, Pakistan among other countries on Sunday. Image: AFP THE US's surprise strikes on Iran at the weekend threaten to deepen the conflict in the Middle East after Israel also launched its own bombing campaign against Iran, with Tehran vowing to retaliate against US involvement. 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. Iran's Huthi allies in Yemen repeated their threat on Sunday to resume attacks in the Red Sea if Washington joined the war, saying they were ready to target US ships and military warships. This was after President Donald Trump claimed total success for the operation in an address to the nation just hours after the attack, and Vice President JD Vance said: "We know that we set the Iranian nuclear program back substantially last night, whether it's years or beyond," he told ABC. "We're not at war with Iran -- we're at war with Iran's nuclear program," he added. "The president took decisive action to destroy that program." The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said it had not detected any increase in radiation levels at the nuclear sites and Tehran said there were no signs of contamination. 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." The Israeli military was also checking the results of the US raid on the deeply buried nuclear facility in Fordo, with a spokesperson saying it was "too soon" to know if Iran had removed enriched uranium from the site. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump "seeks peace, and Iran should take that path. "This mission was not, and has not been, about regime change." "We devastated the Iranian nuclear program," Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing, adding that the operation "did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people." People gathered in the centre of Tehran to protest against US and Israeli attacks, waving flags and chanting slogans, state TV showed. 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. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as "outrageous" and said his country had a right to defend its sovereignty. "The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he posted on social media, calling the attacks "lawless and criminal" behaviour. Araghchi later said the United States and Israel crossed "a very big red line" with the attacks, and said he would head to Moscow later Sunday for talks with President Vladimir Putin. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, which had been mediating Iran-US nuclear talks, criticised the US move and urged de-escalation. The European Union called on all sides "to step back," while stressing Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis". "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," Starmer said on X, adding that "stability in the region is a priority". French President Emmanuel Macron called a meeting of the country's defence council on Sunday, with his office saying he had spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Oman. France urged "all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict", Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X. Russia "strongly condemned" the bombings, calling them "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". "A dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry added. China's foreign ministry also condemned the US strikes, warning that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East". "China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible," the ministry said. President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the US, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity. The UN was set to meet over the latest attacks on Sunday. THE MERCURY
Iraqi News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq, Arab states express frustration over US strikes on Iran
Dubai – Arab countries on Sunday strongly condemned the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of serious repercussions and calling for a return to diplomacy. Iran's former arch-rival in the region, Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a Chinese-brokered detente with Tehran since 2023, expressed 'great concern' over the attacks. Gulf countries have been engaged in a diplomatic frenzy for solutions since Israel launched its air campaign on their neighbour Iran on June 13. Many of the oil-rich countries host major US assets and bases and fear that a spillover from the war could threaten their security and economy. Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared 'catastrophic consequences' for the region and the entire world. Yemen's Huthi rebels repeated threats to target US vessels and warships in the Red Sea after the overnight strikes, describing them as a 'war declaration' on the Iranian people. On Saturday, the Iran-backed group threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea despite a recent Oman-mediated truce, should Washington strike Iran. US President Donald Trump said the attacks destroyed Iran's main nuclear sites, describing them as a 'spectacular military success'. But his allies in the Gulf, who neighbour Iran, were urging a return to diplomacy. Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, strongly condemned the US strikes labelling them illegal and calling for immediate deescalation. The United Arab Emirates expressed concern after the attack, calling for 'an immediate end to the escalation'. Bahrain, home to a major US naval base, told most of its government employees to work from home until further notice following the escalation. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which covers the region, is based in Bahrain. Kuwait said its finance ministry had activated an emergency plan that includes readying shelters. The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned what it called 'blatant US aggression' against Iran. Iraq, which also hosts US bases, expressed 'deep concern and strong condemnation' of the attacks, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said, labelling them 'a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East'. Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it were to join Israel in its war against Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, largely seen as close to the United States, urged both sides to resume talks to restore stability in the region. The country has been reeling from a destructive conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group over the Gaza war, which ended with a fragile truce last November despite frequent Israeli attacks on the group. Egypt also condemned the escalation in Iran, warning of 'dangerous repercussions' for the region and calling for diplomacy.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Arab States Condemn US Strikes On Iran, Warn Of Regional Escalation
Arab countries on Sunday strongly condemned the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of serious repercussions and calling for a return to diplomacy. Iran's former arch-rival in the region, Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a Chinese-brokered detente with Tehran since 2023, expressed "great concern" over the attacks. Gulf countries have been engaged in a diplomatic frenzy for solutions since Israel launched its air campaign on their neighbour Iran on June 13. Many of the oil-rich countries host major US assets and bases and fear that a spillover from the war could threaten their security and economy. Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared "catastrophic consequences" for the region and the entire world. Yemen's Huthi rebels repeated threats to target US vessels and warships in the Red Sea after the overnight strikes, describing them as a "war declaration" on the Iranian people. On Saturday, the Iran-backed group threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea despite a recent Oman-mediated truce, should Washington strike Iran. US President Donald Trump said the attacks destroyed Iran's main nuclear sites, describing them as a "spectacular military success". But his allies in the Gulf, who neighbour Iran, were urging a return to diplomacy. Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, strongly condemned the US strikes labelling them illegal and calling for immediate deescalation. The United Arab Emirates expressed concern after the attack, calling for "an immediate end to the escalation". Bahrain, home to a major US naval base, told most of its government employees to work from home until further notice following the escalation. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which covers the region, is based in Bahrain. Kuwait said its finance ministry had activated an emergency plan that includes readying shelters. The Palestinian group Hamas condemned what it called "blatant US aggression" against Iran. Iraq, which also hosts US bases, expressed "deep concern and strong condemnation" of the attacks, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said, labelling them "a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East". Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it were to join Israel in its war against Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, largely seen as close to the United States, urged both sides to resume talks to restore stability in the region. The country has been reeling from a destructive conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group over the Gaza war, which ended with a fragile truce last November despite frequent Israeli attacks on the group. Egypt also condemned the escalation in Iran, warning of "dangerous repercussions" for the region and calling for diplomacy.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
us attacks iran: Trump says US 'obliterated' Iran nuclear sites, threatens more
— realDonaldTrump (@realDonaldTrump) ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT 'Heads up' ADVERTISEMENT Huthi threat President Donald Trump said US air strikes on Sunday had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran 's main nuclear enrichment facilities, and warned of more attacks to come if Tehran does not seek a televised address to the nation from the White House after the United States joined Israel's air campaign against Tehran, Trump called the US attacks a "spectacular military success."Trump had earlier stunned the world by announcing on social media that US aircraft had struck Iran's Fordo nuclear enrichment plant, plus the Natanz and Isfahan the fresh US military entanglement comes despite Trump's promises to avoid another "forever war" in the Middle East -- Iran has vowed to retaliate against US forces in the region if Washington got involved."Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace," said Trump."If they do not, future attacks will be far greater, and a lot easier," added Trump, who was flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his address on Saturday evening for US said earlier on his Truth Social site that a "full payload of BOMBS" was dropped on the underground facility at Fordo, describing it as the "primary site."Trump added that "all planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors."Earlier Saturday there were reports that US B-2 bombers -- which carry so-called "bunker buster" bombs -- were headed out of the United States across the did not say what kind of US planes or munitions were involved. Iranian media confirmed that part of the Fordo plant as well as the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attacks, while the United States also gave key ally Israel a "heads up" before the strikes, a senior White House official told congratulated Trump on the strikes, saying that "America has been truly unsurpassed."Trump had said on Thursday that he would decide "within two weeks" whether to join Israel's campaign -- but the decision came far US president had also stepped up his rhetoric against Iran in recent days, repeating his insistence that it could never have a nuclear and Iran have traded wave after wave of devastating strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear President Masoud Pezeshkian had warned earlier Saturday of a "more devastating" retaliation should Israel's nine-day bombing campaign continue, saying the Islamic republic would not halt its nuclear program "under any circumstances."On Saturday, Israel said it had attacked Isfahan for a second time, with the UN nuclear watchdog reporting that a centrifuge manufacturing workshop had been Revolutionary Guard meanwhile announced early Sunday that "suicide drones" had been launched against "strategic targets" across denies seeking an atomic bomb, and on Saturday Pezeshkian said its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program "cannot be taken away... by threats or war."Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Istanbul on Saturday for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the diplomats from Britain, France and Germany had met Araghchi in Geneva on Friday and urged him to resume nuclear talks with the United States that had been derailed by the Huthi allies in Yemen on Saturday threatened to resume their attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea if Washington joined the war, despite a recent ceasefire US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Friday that, based on its sources and media reports, at least 657 people had been killed in Iran, including 263 health ministry on Saturday gave a toll of more than 400 people killed in the Israeli retaliatory strikes have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official US Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said Trump risked US "entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," while the Israeli army raised its alert level, permitting only essential activities until further notice.
NDTV
15-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Israel, Iran Bombard Each Other: What To Know Of Conflict
Jerusalem: Israel and Iran traded fire for a third straight day on Sunday, with rising casualties and expanding targets marking a sharp escalation in the conflict between the longtime adversaries. Overnight Iranian strikes killed at least ten people in Israel, adding to the growing toll in both countries since Friday when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, sparking retaliation. The exchange of strikes is the first time the arch-enemies have traded fire with such intensity, triggering fears of a prolonged conflict that could engulf the Middle East, even as international leaders urge de-escalation. Here are the latest developments: Deadly Iranian Strikes Iran unleashed deadly barrages of missiles at Israel overnight Saturday into Sunday, killing at least ten people, including children, and wounding around 200, according to Israeli emergency services. Air raid sirens and booms rang out in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Sunday as Israel's military said millions of Israelis were "running for shelter as sirens sound" in dozens of cities and communities around the country. The first wave of Israeli strikes on Iran killed 78 people and wounded 320, according to Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, but Iranian authorities had not provided an updated toll as of early Sunday. Iran also struck sites used by Israeli warplanes for refuelling, the Revolutionary Guards said early Sunday. Israel said it had also intercepted seven drones launched towards its territory, as it worked to head off attacks while carrying out further strikes on Iran. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday said they had launched several missiles at Israel. Israel Expands Targets After targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, including killing top brass and scientists, Israel expanded targets to air defences and oil infrastructure. Israeli strikes hit two fuel depots in Tehran, the Iranian oil ministry said Sunday, with AFP journalists reporting seeing fire at the oil depots in Shahran northwest of the Iranian capital. On Saturday, Israel's military said it was attacking dozens of missile launchers in Iran after announcing it had targeted air defences with a wave of strikes in the Tehran area. Iranian news agency Tasnim reported early Sunday that an Israeli strike had also targeted the country's defence ministry headquarters in Tehran and damaged one of its buildings. The defence ministry did not comment. Faltering Nuclear Diplomacy Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Israel had "crossed a new red line" by targeting Iran's nuclear sites, after Tehran on Saturday had pledged to limit its cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, criticising it for its silence over Israeli strikes. "It is entirely clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue. It does not want negotiations and does not seek diplomacy," Araghchi told foreign diplomats, saying the attack launched on Friday was an "attempt to undermine diplomacy and derail negotiations". The fiercest ever exchange of fire between the arch foes came amid ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington seeking to reach a deal on Iran's nuclear programme. Before the Israeli strikes, the two sides had been set to hold a sixth round of negotiations in Oman on Sunday. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that Tehran would not attend nuclear talks with the United States so long as Israel kept up its attacks on the Islamic republic. Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which it denies. International Unease Others states have urged restraint and warned against a larger conflict. US President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed in a phone call on Saturday that the conflict between Iran and Israel "should end." But on Sunday morning, Trump issued a warning to Iran saying it would experience "the full strength" of the US military if it attacks the United States, reiterating that Washington "had nothing to do" with Israel's strikes on Tehran's nuclear and intelligence facilities. Iraq -- a close ally of Tehran, but also a strategic partner of Iran's arch-foe the United States -- has approached the Iranian and US governments in a bid to prevent being caught up in a regional escalation.
