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Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Middle East crisis: Israel targets Iran's interal security headquarters; conflict enters day 8
IDF attacks Iran's internal security headquarters in Tehran. The Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran entered eighth day with Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announcing on Friday that they have been targetting Tehran's 'special internal security unit'. Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on Iran's 'Internal Security headquarters' and the headquarters of Iran's 'special internal security unit.' Israeli intelligence branch-guided Air Force fighter jets carried out these operations, striking both the Internal Security Headquarters and the Special Units headquarters in the Tehran region. These security installations are integrated components of the Iranian regime's military structure. The Israeli military reported that Iran deployed missiles with multiple warheads, creating new defensive challenges. These weapons systems are more complex to intercept than single-warhead missiles, potentially testing the capabilities of Israeli defense systems like Iron Dome. The Washington-based organization Human Rights Activists reported Friday that Israeli strikes on Iran over the past week have resulted in 657 deaths and 2,037 injuries. Iran's capital experienced an unusually quiet weekend on Friday, as many residents had left the capital following the Israeli airstrikes that began last week. Streets were empty with little traffic. Shops stood closed. Those who remain in the city seem to largely be choosing to stay indoors as the war between Israel and Iran continues. Iran's foreign minister says his country is not seeking negotiations with anyone as long as Israel continues its strikes on Iran.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Israel Iran war live: 3 special flights to bring back Indians from Mashhad
Iran Israel war live updates: A view of burnt cars and a damaged residential building at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel's in Be'er Sheva city on June 20, 2025. Israel Iran War: Entering the eighth day of conflict with full force, Israel and Iran continue to fire missiles and drones at each other. The Israeli Defence Forces said that they hit multiple military targets across Iran in a series of strikes overnight. Iran also launched a fresh barrage of missiles at Israel on Friday and hit the city of Beersheba for the second day straight after the strike on city's Soroka hospital. ...Read More Iranian missiles struck Soroka hospital, southern Israel's largest medical facility, and hit residential buildings in Tel Aviv on Thursday, injuring 240 people and causing widespread damage. Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, blamed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has given the army instructions to achieve their goals in Iran at any cost. "Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,' Katz said in a post on X. Israel launched strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, marking its latest assault on Iran's extensive nuclear program. Iranian state television reported that the facility had been evacuated prior to the attack and assured there was 'no radiation danger whatsoever.' The White House says President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to strike Iran. It says Trump still sees a 'substantial' chance that negotiations can achieve US and Israeli demands on Iran's nuclear program. What is the latest in Israel-Iran conflict Israel bombed Iranian nuclear and missile facilities again on Thursday following Iran's missile and drone strikes, including one that damaged a hospital in Beersheba. Over 270 people have been injured in Israel from Iranian strikes; Iran has not updated its casualty figures since Sunday. Israel accuses Iran of using cluster munitions in the hospital attack. US President Donald Trump may decide within two weeks whether the US will intervene on Israel's side, with ongoing back-channel talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's foreign minister. Iran's nuclear program has been severely damaged but not destroyed, according to reports. Israel continues airstrikes to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which Iran denies pursuing. Israeli leaders have called for intensifying strikes on Tehran and openly questioned the future of Iran's Supreme Leader, while Iran warns that US involvement would bring "hell" to the region.
India.com
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Is World War 3 Looming? Israel-Iran Conflict Raises Global Security Concerns; Experts Analyse…
Israel-Iran Conflict: The Middle East is currently facing a volatile, war-like situation as Israel and Iran continue to exchange aerial strikes. Tensions between the two nations have simmered for years, but the latest escalation began after Tel Aviv claimed that Tehran had moved closer to becoming a nuclear power. On June 13, Israel launched strikes against Iran to target its alleged nuclear programme, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Following this, Jerusalem not only struck the nuclear facility in Isfahan but also killed several top Iranian military officials and targeted the Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters. In response to the attacks from Israel, Tehran launched ballistic missile strikes and deployed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) against Israel. This exchange of fire resulted in casualties on both sides; moreover, as Israel and Iran continue their military engagement, its consequences and implications could be felt globally. Retired Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak explained that although the conflict is currently regional, its ripple effects will not be confined to just the two nations. "There could be a range of consequences, as the nations could impact the Red Sea, oil prices, trade, and the movement of goods and services," he warned. He also highlighted that the fallout could lead to increased trade costs and higher insurance premiums. Multi-front War Possible? According to International Affairs and Strategic Analyst Naval Captain (retired) Shyam Kumar, Israel's objective is clear - stop Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He clarified that a multi-front war does not seem likely as the situation is expected to remain contained. "The Middle East is very progressive; they do not want to come to the front to fight as an Arab world," he added. He continued, "I feel that the war would not escalate to a global level - it will be contained within just a few days, as long as Israel achieves its objectives and halts Iran's programme to a point from which it cannot recover." Effect on US, Russia and China? Describing the current conflict, Kumar said, "The Middle East is flaming, and it affects other countries as well." He explained that from both a security and economic standpoint, Russia, China, and the United States can sustain themselves. However, they may still face indirect consequences. "If the conflict prolongs, the world economy, the Red Sea, and key routes of communication will be affected. Oil prices are already rising. So indirectly, it affects the world and these three countries," he said. Effect on India as well? Focusing on India's ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv, Kak said, "India has very close relations with Israel and Iran, so there are ramifications for all countries. If the situation spirals, then we have 9 million people living in the region who send remittances to India worth about $50 billion every year." From a geopolitical, defence and strategic standpoint, Israel has also developed strong ties with India. "We have interests with both countries, and if this spreads, it will also impact other dimensions of India-West Asia relations," he said. He added that the end of the conflict is not in sight at the moment, and elaborated, "Israel says its purpose was to ensure that Iran's nuclear weapons capability is set back by a couple of years. I doubt whether that has happened, because Iran is a very determined state, and it has attained a certain level of technology. It may perhaps return to the same nuclear stage in months instead of years." He also emphasised that both Russia and the United States can play diplomatic roles in helping to de-escalate the current crisis. Kumar, on the other hand, brought up former US President Donald Trump and his rationale that since Iran has not killed any Americans, there would be no reason for the United States to get involved. He added that tactically, militarily, economically and politically, the United States is supporting Israel.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump weighs joining Israel-Iran war as nuclear talks hang in the balance
As Donald Trump delays decision on joining Israel's war, US officials prepare for a possible strike on Iran's fortified nuclear sites, including the mountain-buried Fordow enrichment facility New Delhi President Trump said he would decide within two weeks whether the United States will join Israel's military campaign against Iran, as rising tensions between the two nations threaten to ignite a broader regional conflict with global consequences. In a statement delivered by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, Trump said the possibility of renewed nuclear negotiations with Tehran would weigh heavily on his decision. 'There's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future. I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' the statement said. US officials prepare for possible action in Iran The announcement followed days of speculation over Washington's potential involvement in ' Operation Rising Lion ', Israel's ongoing air campaign targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure and missile systems. While Trump had previously struck a more aggressive tone, including calling on Tehran residents to evacuate, his latest comments suggested a possible turn towards diplomacy. Israeli strikes continue, target nuclear assets Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes continued overnight. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had hit dozens of targets in Tehran, including missile production centres, command hubs and the heavy water reactor at Arak. The Arak facility, long a source of international concern, could theoretically produce plutonium, providing a second route to nuclear weapons capability beyond enriched uranium. Iranian state television reported no radiation risk from the Arak strike, saying the site had been evacuated. The IDF said the objective was to ensure the reactor could not be restored for weapons development. Iran had agreed to redesign the reactor under the 2015 nuclear deal, but that work stalled after Trump withdrew the US from the accord in 2018. ⭕This nuclear reactor in Arak was created for one purpose: to build a nuclear bomb. It has now been neutralized. Here is a closer look at the reactor itself: — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2025 Netanyahu says regime change is not the goal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking during a visit to Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, damaged in a missile strike on Thursday, said Israel's objective was to dismantle Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. 'We may create the conditions to help change the government, but our goal is not regime change—it's removing the threat,' he told Kan television. When asked whether Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was a target, he replied, 'No one is immune'. Defence Minister Israel Katz took a more explicit line, calling Khamenei the 'modern Hitler' and saying his removal was 'absolutely necessary' to ensure regional stability. הדיקטטור חמינאי הוא היטלר המודרני שחרט על דגלו את השמדת מדינת ישראל ומשעבד את כל המשאבים של המדינה שלו לקידום המטרה הנוראית הזאת. הוא לא יכול להמשיך ולהתקיים. — ישראל כ'ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) June 19, 2025 The conflict has so far claimed at least 657 lives in Iran, including 263 civilians, and injured more than 2,000, according to a US-based Iranian human rights group. Israel has reported 24 deaths and hundreds wounded in Iran's retaliation, which has involved more than 450 missiles and 1,000 drones. Diplomatic window still open As tensions escalate, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate have gained urgency. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is due to meet his British, French, German and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, after holding talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, said there was now a 'window' to reach a diplomatic solution. Khamenei on Wednesday ruled out surrender and warned that US military intervention would have 'irreparable consequences'. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused Trump of using military threats to extract concessions at the negotiating table.
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First Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
What is Iran's Arak heavy water reactor ‘created to build nukes' that Israel struck?
Israel carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor in its latest offensive against Tehran's controversial nuclear programme. While the facility was not active and contained no uranium fuel, Israeli officials said it could one day enable Iran to produce plutonium, a powerful material used to develop atomic bombs read more Israel on Thursday carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor in its latest offensive against Tehran's sprawling nuclear programme, dramatically escalating the conflict in West Asia. The massive explosion, captured in dramatic satellite footage, showed fire and smoke billowing from the site, just 250 kilometres southwest of Tehran. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shared a video of the nuclear reactor, claiming that it was being used by Iran to create a nuclear bomb. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This nuclear reactor in Arak was created for one purpose: to build a nuclear bomb. It has now been neutralised. Here is a closer look at the reactor itself,' it said, sharing the video. ⭕This nuclear reactor in Arak was created for one purpose: to build a nuclear bomb. It has now been neutralized. Here is a closer look at the reactor itself: — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2025 This strike marked the latest move in Israel's campaign to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure, following recent attacks on facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran. As questions swirl about the implications of this strike, the Arak reactor has once again become the centre of global attention. Here's what we know about the facility. A legacy of Iran's nuclear ambitions The Arak reactor traces its origins back to Iran's military nuclear ambitions in the 1990s, following the country's brutal war with Iraq. When foreign powers refused to supply the necessary reactor technology, Iran took matters into its own hands and began constructing the facility independently. Designed as a heavy water reactor, Arak uses a special type of water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium. This setup allows the reactor to run on natural uranium, which in turn produces plutonium as a byproduct, a material that can potentially be extracted and used in nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A satellite image shows infrastructure at the Though Iran has long maintained that its program is for peaceful purposes. However, it also had been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. Iran was the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich at that level. The international community has remained deeply uneasy about Arak, especially since other countries have used similar reactors to produce plutonium for nuclear arms. Adding to the concern is the secrecy surrounding the site's development, with reports suggesting that foreign experts—possibly including Russian engineers, were involved in its construction. The full extent of that involvement, however, remains unclear. A key player in Iran's 2015 nuclear deal After Iran secretly developed its heavy water research reactor, a turning point came in 2015, when Iran signed a historic agreement with several world powers, including the United States. Commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal, the pact aimed to roll back Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from billions of dollars' worth of international sanctions, Politico reported. As part of the deal, Iran committed to redesigning the Arak reactor and scaling back parts of its nuclear infrastructure to address global concerns around nuclear proliferation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2019, Iran proceeded with launching the secondary circuit of the Arak reactor. While this did not constitute a formal breach of the 2015 agreement, it was widely seen as a significant step that nudged the country closer to nuclear weapons capability. In 2019, Iran proceeded with launching the secondary circuit of the Arak reactor. It was widely seen as a significant step that nudged the country closer to nuclear weapons capability. AP However, the Arak reactor returned to the global spotlight, following the US exit from the deal. Ali Akbar Salehi, a top Iranian nuclear official, claimed on Iranian state television in 2019 that Iran had obtained extra parts to replace the section of the reactor that had been sealed with concrete as per the nuclear agreement. With Iran increasingly limiting access to its nuclear facilities, the IAEA later said it had lost 'continuity of knowledge' regarding the country's heavy water production. This meant inspectors could no longer independently verify how much heavy water Iran was producing or stockpiling. Why Israel struck the Arak heavy water reactor Although the Arak reactor has never been brought online and has never been fuelled with uranium, Israel said the facility posed a significant risk that needed to be neutralised. Nuclear analysts estimate that if Arak were ever fully operational, it could generate up to 9 kilograms of plutonium each year, an amount sufficient to build at least one nuclear weapon annually, provided the spent fuel is reprocessed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Thursday's strike, Israel claimed to have specifically targeted the reactor's dome and core seal, with the intention of rendering it permanently unusable for producing plutonium, a material central to making an atomic bomb. 'The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development,' Israel said. The IAEA later confirmed that there were no radioactive substances present at the site and assured that there was no radiological threat to the public. However, the agency also repeated its longstanding position that nuclear facilities, whether operational or not, should never be treated as military targets. With input from AP
