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Trump: Next week is going to be very big
Trump: Next week is going to be very big

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timea day ago

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Trump: Next week is going to be very big

Donald Trump said next week is going to be 'very big' after he was asked whether the US will join Israel's military action against Iran. 'Next week will be decisive regarding Iran, and it may happen before the end of the week,' Mr Trump told reporters on White House South Lawn. 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble,' he said. The president is considering backing Israeli strikes on Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site, which so far has been spared damage. The Prime Minister today is expected to discuss how to respond if the US president asks the UK for support in conducting strikes against Iran. Mr Trump also said that Iran had reached out to negotiate and offered to visit the White House. 'Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate,' the US president told reporters. 'And I said, why didn't you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction? Why didn't you go?' Thank you for following our live blog. We will be back in the morning to bring you the latest out of the Iran-Israel conflict. The US military has moved some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack, two US officials told Reuters. The officials, who were speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the move was a part of planning to protect US forces. They declined to say how many aircraft or ships had been moved and where they would be going. One of the officials said US naval vessels had been moved from a port in Bahrain, where the military's fifth fleet is located, while aircraft that were not in hardened shelters had been moved from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. 'It is not an uncommon practice. Force protection is the priority,' the official said. Iran has not asked its ally Russia for military help amid its escalating conflict with Israel, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. 'Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this,' he said in response to a question from an AFP reporter at a televised press conference in Saint Petersburg. Answering questions from the media, Putin said he 'doesn't even want to discuss' the potential assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israel or the United States. Iran has resumed its aerial attack on Israel tonight, sending a barrage of missiles towards Tel Aviv and the West Bank. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by Lord Hermer that UK involvement in a US attack on Iran could be illegal. Advice ascribed to the Attorney General is understood to have said that Britain must limit its involvement to protecting its allies from attack. On Wednesday afternoon, Sir Keir held a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee at which options for joining a US-led strike were discussed, with Donald Trump suggesting he was poised to enter Israel's war. Britain's capabilities extend from offering air and maritime logistics support in the Gulf to shooting down attack drones targeting Israel or even firing submarine-launched missiles at Iran itself. However, it is understood that Lord Hermer is reluctant to sign off on any offensive operations. One official who has seen his legal advice told The Spectator: 'The AG has concerns about the UK playing any role in this except for defending our allies.' Donald Trump made a dramatic exit from the G7 summit in Canada and then hunkered down with his National Security Council in the White House situation room to plot his next moves on Iran. Then on Wednesday he was asked by reporters whether he was about to send his bombers into action. 'I may do it. I may not do it,' he said on the South Lawn after chatting with construction workers putting up a 27-metre flagpole. 'I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble.' It is a familiar playbook. David Lammy is travelling to Washington for talks with his American counterpart Marco Rubio. The Foreign Secretary will meet with the US secretary of state after President Donald Trump said he was considering whether to join Israeli strikes against Iran. 'He will be addressing the current situation in the Middle East along with other foreign policy matters,' a spokesman for the British embassy in Washington said. Tel Aviv residents are spending another night underground as Iranian missile attacks continue to threaten the city. A belly dancer is performing for those sleeping (or trying to) at the city's light rail station. Donald Trump has repeated the claim that Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office a moment ago, the US president said a deal with Tehran 'could still happen' and that he believes 'Iran was a few weeks away from having a nuclear weapon'. He added: 'They should have made the deal, I had a great deal for them, in the end they decided not to do it, and now they wish they did it'. US intelligence sources and the United Nations have doubted that Iran was about to have a nuclear weapon. Earlier today, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it 'could not affirm there is any systematic effort in Iran at the moment to manufacture a nuclear weapon.' Mr Trump also said that Iranian officials 'want to come to the White House', a claim that Tehran has denied. Donald Trump has just spoken to reporters in the Oval Office, during an event with the Juventus football team. He said he had not yet decided what to do on Iran. 'I have ideas as to what to do,' he said. 'I like to make a final decision one second before it's due.' He once again said that Iran should have made a deal and now it was too late to meet. So could the regime there fall, he was asked. 'Sure, anything could happen,' he said. The US president added that he will hold a meeting in the Situation Room in about an hour to discuss the evacuation of American citizens from Israel. An Israeli strike has hit near police headquarters in Tehran, according to state media. A number of police men were wounded, it added. 'Some buildings around the headquarters of the National Police were attacked, and a number of our colleagues were injured,' the official IRNA news agency reported, citing a police statement. A majority of Donald Trump backers are against US military involvement in Israel's war with Iran, a poll published Wednesday found. It comes as the president is considering backing Israeli strikes on Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site, which so far has been spared damage. 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do,' Trump said on Wednesday. A wide ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53 per cent of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel's strikes. The poll reflects a growing Republican backlash to the president's threats to involve US forces in the escalating Middle East tensions without the approval of Congress. 'This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution,' Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican representative, wrote on X on Monday. Israeli officials are expecting the United States to join its offensive against Iran, according to local reports. Two senior Israeli sources told Israel's Channel 12 News they 'would be very surprised if the Americans don't join the offensive,' adding that 'it's not a question of if — but of when.' They said it was hard to see President Trump 'pulling back at this stage', adding he will want to 'join the attack from a clearly advantageous position.' 'Mentally, he's in attack mode — not isolationism. Something truly exceptional would have to happen for him not to join,' they said. The Israeli prime minister has thanked Donald Trump for 'standing by our side'. 'We are in continuous communication, including last night—we had a very warm conversation,' said Benjamin Netanyahu in his daily video statement. Mr Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel is suffering many 'painful losses', but said 'the home front is strong, the people are steadfast, and Israel is stronger than ever.' President Macron has asked France's foreign affairs ministry to facilitate the departure of French citizens who wish to leave Iran or Israel, the presidential palace said on Wednesday. 'We strongly advise against all travel to these two countries,' it added. A man has been 'lightly wounded' following Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel, reported Magen David Adom, Israel's ambulance service The injury came after a fragment from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile struck a car on a highway in central Israel, it said, adding that the man is fully conscious. The UN-backed nuclear watchdog does not believe Iran was attempting to build nuclear weapon, its chief said on Wednesday. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told Sky News it 'could not affirm there is any systematic effort in Iran at the moment to manufacture a nuclear weapon.' But Mr Grossi said 'there were elements for concern' as the IAEA's report, which has been widely cited by Israel, found Iran is enriching 60 per cent uranium - the only country in the world doing so. 'But as to saying they are building and manufacturing a nuclear weapon - no, we didn't say that,' he said. Mr Grossi warned there 'is always the possibility of a radiological event' when a nuclear site is hit, such as the 'dispersion of nuclear material in the atmosphere'. Credit: Reuters There have been no immediate reports of impacts in urban areas or injuries in Iran's ballistic missile attack, according to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency service. A small number of missiles were fired from Iran in the attack, according to initial Israeli Defence Force (IDF) assessments. The IDF issued an early warning around 10 minutes before sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and surrounding cities in central Israel. Iran is in the midst of a 'near-total national internet blackout', a UK-based watchdog has said. We reported earlier that Tehran's ministry of communication said it would 'temporarily impose restrictions on internet access (see post at 5:31pm). 'The incident follows a series of earlier partial disruptions and comes amid escalating military tensions with Israel after days of back-and-forth missile strikes,' NetBlocks wrote on X. Ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel, the Israeli military has said. 'A short while ago, the IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,' the army said in a statement. Israeli defence are working to intercept the threat, it added. Sirens are sounding across central Israel, according to social media reports. Iran will temporarily impose restrictions on internet access, its ministry of communication has said. The move is to prevent 'the enemy from threatening citizens' lives and property', the ministry said in a statement. Senator Lindsey Graham said president Trump was 'very focused, very calm' when discussing offensive action against Iran on Tuesday. 'I feel like when he says no nukes for Iran, he means it. He gave them a chance for diplomacy,' Mr Graham told CNN. 'I think they made a miscalculation when it comes to President Trump,' he added. Mr Graham said Trump offered 'no timetable' for taking offensive action against Iran, adding that 'the sooner we end this threat, the better for mankind.' The first Israelis have returned home after the government gave permission to resume flights for people who had been stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran. Israel's airspace has been closed since Israel and Iran began trading attacks on Friday, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled. Passenger flights are still not allowed to leave Israel. El Al Airlines, Israel's flagship carrier, has cancelled all scheduled flights up to 23 June. Three Iranian aircraft including the presidential plane are flying towards Oman, aviation analysts have said. Experts, citing flight tracking sights, said they expect Iranian negotiators are headed for ceasefire talks. There has been no official comment. The planes are not en route to meet US negotiators, The Telegraph understands. Oman has brokered recent talks between the US and Iran on its nuclear program until Israel attacked Iran last Friday. Earlier, Iran's mission to the UN said 'Iran does not negotiate under duress' and 'shall not accept peace under duress' (see post at 3:51pm). The United States is working to evacuate US citizens from Israel by air and sea, the US ambassador said on Wednesday. Mike Huckabee said the US embassy in Jerusalem is working on arranging 'evacuation flights and cruise ship departures', he wrote on X. He urged Americans in the country to 'enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program' to be alerted with updates. Pakistan's most powerful man is having lunch at the White House today with Donald Trump. Field Marshall Asim Munir is not the nation's prime minister or president. He is chief of the army staff. It is highly unusual for him to meet the president like this. Perhaps the most recent example was 2010. But even then the chief of the army staff was meeting with other officials and Barack Obama dropped in on their meeting for a few minutes. It comes after tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir erupted into conflict last month. 'I stopped the war between Pakistan and India,' Mr Trump told reporters when asked about the lunch. 'This man was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi, from the India side.' At the same time, Pakistan has been signalling that it is interested in closer ties with Washington and is not necessarily squarely on Team China. And it shares a long border with Iran, so Mr Trump may also want to see where Pakistan's top brass stands in relation to possible US strikes against its nuclear facilities. The US military is 'prepared to execute' any decision President Donald Trump might make on matters of war and peace, said Washington's defence secretary on Wednesday. Pete Hegseth declined to confirm whether he provided President Trump with options to strike Iran, saying he 'wouldn't disclose that' in a public senate hearing. Iran has denied it ever reached out to the White House and says it will 'not accept peace under duress'. 'No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House,' said Iran's mission to the UN on X. 'Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,' it added. It warned that 'Iran shall respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures.' Britain is considering whether to provide military support to the US if Donald Trump decides to join Israel's war against Keir Starmer is set to chair a Cobra meeting with senior security officials and ministers this afternoon to discuss the conflict in the Middle are expected to discuss how to respond if the US president asks the UK for support in conducting strikes in shares Diego Garcia airbase base in the Indian Ocean, which could be used as a launchpad for any strikes against at the base are America's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which carry so-called 'bunker busting' bombs capable of destroying Iran's underground Fordo site. Donald Trump is using a familiar play book on Iran: Keep everything on the table and leave the world guessing. Will he join Israel's strikes against nuclear facilities? 'I may do it, I may not do it,' he said on the South Lawn of the White House. He offered a sarcastic take on journalists' questions. 'Would you please inform us so we can be there and watch?' he said, suggesting it would be foolish to outline his plans. The president made a dramatic exit from the G7 summit on Monday, triggering feverish speculation that he was about to launch American bombers. Since then he has hunkered down with his national security team and issued bellicose tweets. Does he have a plan or is he dithering at a pivotal moment in his presidency? Or is the theatre designed to push Iran back to negotiations on more favourable terms. We'll find out in the next few days. Trump claimed that Iran's negotiators suggested they 'may come to the White House'. He did not provide details. He said he isn't sure 'how long' the conflict will last, describing Iran as totally defenceless, with no air defence whatsoever. 'Two very simple words: unconditional surrender,' he said. 'I've had it.' Trump said he believed the Iranians have 'bad intentions' for their nuclear programme. 'They had bad intentions, you know, for 40 years they've been saying death to America, death to Israel, death to anybody else that they didn't like anywhere,' he added. Trump declined to answer reporters' questions on whether the US was planning to strike Iran or its nuclear facilities, and said the Iranians had reached out but he feels 'it's very late to be talking.' 'There's a big difference between now and a week ago,' Trump told reporters outside the White House. He said: 'You don't know that I'm going to even do. You don't know. I may do it. I may not do it.' Trump said 'nobody knows what I'm going to do', but warned: 'Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.' The US president questioned why Iran didn't 'negotiate with me before all this death and destruction?...I said to people, why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago?'. Donald Trump is about to address the media at the White House. He is likely to face questions about tensions in the Middle East. Hundreds of Pakistanis living in Iran have arrived at the Taftan border crossing on Wednesday as they make their way back home to Pakistan amid the conflict. Telecom worker Ghulam Mustafa Ijaz said he was advised to leave Tehran with his family because the situation was becoming dangerous. 'We left everything behind and carried just one bag containing some necessities and food items,' Ijaz said. 'We are five family members, but we carried just one bag. We just left, and left everything else there.' Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometre (560-mile), largely lawless border where smugglers and militants roam freely. Israel destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters in a strike on Tehran, the country's defence minister has said. The IDF launched a wave of heavy strikes in the north of Tehran this afternoon. Footage shows huge plumes of smoke billowing above the city's skyline after attacks in Lavizan. 'The tornado continues to hit Tehran,' said Israel Katz, the country's defence minister. Israel has partially downgraded its martial law restrictions for the civilian population, following more than 48 hours without deaths from Iranian missiles. The Home Front Command announced on Wednesday that the alert status for much of the country would relax from allowing only 'essential activity' to allowing 'limited activity'. This means up to 30 people may gather, provided it is possible to reach a protected space within the time available from a missile launch. Workplaces may open with the same caveat. Schools across the country will remain shut until further notice, however. In the northern frontier communities, Golan Heights, Beit She'an Valley, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Arava, Eilat, and Gaza border communities, the status has been relaxed to allow 'partial activity'. This means gatherings in those areas are permitted up to 50 people outdoors and 100 people indoors, provided a shelter can be reached in time. The IDF also said it was scrapping its pre-launch alerts for Iranian barrages. Since Friday, it has sent out mobile phone alerts up to 30 minutes ahead of the sirens sounding - triggered by detecting an imminent launch - advising people to get close to a shelter. The IDF will continue to send out 10-minute warnings, which are issued once a launch has taken place. A new series of strong blasts was heard in east Tehran this afternoon, an AFP journalist said. At least five columns of smoke could be seen in the east and south-east of the Iranian capital, according to the journalist, who reported the blasts were heard around 3:50 pm local time (1.20pm in the UK). The Isralei military said it was attacking military targets in the Iranian capital. Sir Keir Starmer will chair a COBRA meeting with ministers on the situation on the Middle East. The Prime Minister is returning to Britain after meeting leaders at the G7 in Canada. It is understood that there will be a COBRA ministerial meeting on the situation in Israel and Iran this afternoon. Downing Street confirmed that the families of embassy staff in Israel had already left the country. But it added that Government advice was for British citizens was to 'follow local advice on staying close to shelter'. They added that there were staff on the Jordanian border if citizens wanted to leave Israel via commercial routes such as bus or taxi. A spokesman said: 'Our key message to British nationals in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories is to follow the advice of local authorities in staying close to shelter, to register their presence with the FCDO.' Israel will resume its natural gas exports when the country's military believes it would be safe to do so, its energy ministry has said. Two of Israel's three gas fields off its Mediterranean coast that provide the bulk of exports to Egypt and Jordan have been shut since 13 June amid an air battle between Israel and Iran. Eli Cohen, the Israeli energy minister, said he has been in contact with Egypt and Jordan about the cut in supplies. 'They can see that we are in a war. I don't want to use our strategic storage, so therefore, I needed to cut exports.' 'I hope I will be able to use another rig as soon as possible and use it for the supply of gas (exports). For me, the most important thing is (supplying) Israel,' he said, alluding to fuel needs during the conflict with Iran. Russia's foreign ministry has said Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure risk spiralling into a broader nuclear conflict. 'We are millimetres away from catastrophe,' Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign policy spokeswoman, said this afternoon, according to state news. In a call today, Vladimir Putin and UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed 'expressed deep concern' over the daily strikes, which the Kremlin said 'risked the most negative consequences for the whole region.' Somewhere in a bunker in Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reacting to pressure as he always does: with stubborn and scornful defiance. The Supreme Leader will not surrender and he regards Donald Trump's threats to his life as contemptible and ridiculous. But the reality is that Israel has free rein to strike almost any target in Iran at will. For a sixth day, the skies above the Ayatollah's domain are filled with Israeli jets, apparently immune to Iranian air defences. Khamenei may genuinely not care about his own safety - he is a fanatic, but no coward - yet he is running a huge risk. What he prizes more than anything else - and certainly more than his own life - is the survival of the regime. The Ayatollah's gamble is that he can stand firm against Israel and America while still ensuring that the Islamic Republic outlives this crisis. Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump are seeking to convince Khamenei that this option does not exist. They are trying to push him to the brink and force him to contemplate the downfall of the regime and understand that accepting their terms is the only way of preventing this outcome. Those terms would certainly include totally dismantling Iran's nuclear programme. So this is the ultimate example of a pressure campaign: Israeli warplanes are instruments of the most coercive form of diplomacy imaginable. America's threats to join the offensive are designed to concentrate Khamenei's mind even more. Now the question is: will the Ayatollah crack? Members of the Khatib family in Tamra, Israel, have held a funeral for their loved ones after an Iranian missile strike destroyed their home. Iran is preparing retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the Middle East if Washington joins Israel's campaign against its nuclear facilities, Iranian officials said. Tehran would target American forces in Iraq first, then expand attacks to other Arab countries hosting US bases, two senior Iranian officials told The New York Times. Officials also warned that Iran may mine the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, potentially disrupting international shipping and triggering a spike in energy prices. The Houthi rebels, armed by Iran, would also be expected to resume missile strikes on vessels in the Red Sea. US military transport planes have been spotted flying across the Atlantic, signalling a ramp-up in logistical operations. Iran's supreme leader has vowed his country will 'never surrender' in a direct rebuke to Donald Trump. The statement from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broadcast on Iranian state TV, also warned that 'any form of US military intervention will undoubtedly be met with irreparable harm'. 'This nation will never surrender to imposition from anyone.' It came after the American president said on Tuesday that the US would not 'take out' Khamenei 'at least not for now', as he considers joining Israel's military campaign against Tehran. American officials told The Telegraph that Mr Trump was more bullish about joining the conflict, which has been less deadly than feared. In response, Tehran could target American forces in Iraq first, then expand attacks to other Arab countries hosting US bases, two senior Iranian officials told the New York Times. Russia, a key strategic partner of Iran, warned Mr Trump against joining Israel's military campaign, saying it could radically destabilise the Middle East. Russia has warned the US against intervening in Israel's conflict with Iran, according to state media. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, warned that direct military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East. Ryabkov said Moscow cautioned the US against supplying such assistance to Israel - or even considering it. He said Moscow was in contact with both Israel and Iran. US intervention in the conflict between Israel and Iran would be 'a recipe for all-out war in the region', Tehran has warned. Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, was also asked if he thought the US could control Israel. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he replied: 'Not really.' Israel struck two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed. The nuclear watchdog confirmed that the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Centre were both hit in overnight strikes. In Tehran, one building was hit where centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested, while in Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where components were manufactured, the agency said. Britain is temporarily withdrawing the family members of staff who work at the country's embassy and consulate in Israel because of the ongoing conflict with Iran. 'Family members of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the British consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure,' Britain's foreign office said on its travel advice page for Israel. 'The embassy and consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals,' it added. The Israeli military said one of its drones had been downed by a surface-to-air missile while operating over Iran. An army statement said the drone 'fell in Iran. No injuries were reported and there is no risk of an information breach.' Iranian state television broadcast pictures of the wreckage of what it said was an armed Israeli Hermes drone in the central city of Isfahan. Israel has now gone more than 48 hours without anyone being killed as a result of Iranian rocket fire. The IDF said it believed its air assault against Iran's launch sites was 'directly' linked to the smaller barrage Israel endured the previous night. This morning, after a similarly low-key attack (by contemporary Middle East standards, that is), Israel's war leaders will be hoping their strategy is paying off. While the mood in Israel seems broadly in favour of this war - you hear the word 'existential' a lot - there was always the risk that civilians would begin to question its wisdom if the death toll mounted precipitously, particularly if it emerged that Iran's nuclear programme remained intact. But it was confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday that Israel had managed to hit the underground enrichment plant at Netanz, the 'beating heart' of Iran's nuclear programme. In Jerusalem, the mood on the street has relaxed to an extent. Never great rule-followers at the best of times, some Israelis are quietly reopening their coffee shops and restaurants. Down in Tel Aviv, the sun worshippers are returning to the beach. Everyone knows it will likely be some time before they can return to the relative feeling of safety they enjoyed before last Friday. Nevertheless, six days into the war, and with America seemingly closer than ever to weighing in, this is Israel's brightest morning yet. Expressions of concern, calls for de-escalation. As the 20-year crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions reaches its historic climax, Britain has resorted to a policy of platitudes. Sir Keir Starmer wants no part in Israel's offensive against the Iranian regime and its nuclear plants. He will keep Britain as far away as possible from this campaign, and there is no reason to suppose that his position will change even if American forces were to join the assault, as anonymous US officials have been hinting. That is an entirely defensible position. Israel's bombs could yet achieve nothing but impose a short delay in Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon. The uranium enrichment plant at Natanz has been severely damaged, wrecking thousands of centrifuges, but the second such facility, buried in a mountain at Fordow, seems to have escaped attack so far. If Iran's regime manages to survive the onslaught and then repair the damage in a few months before going for a nuclear weapon as rapidly as possible, then Israel will have failed and Britain's decision to stay out will look entirely sensible. But the campaign may not end that way and, in the meantime, Sir Keir's empty bromides doom Britain to diplomatic irrelevance. The buzzing sound of Israeli drones criss-crossing the skies spread over Beirut and other parts of Lebanon last night. It's one of many constant reminders that the Israel-Iran war is right next door and could quickly spill over into Lebanon, just north of Israel – particularly as it remains home to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group that could spring to action on behalf of the regime. Keeping Hezbollah at bay at this time of heightened tension is likely on the agenda today for Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, who is due to visit Beirut. Barrack's trip was scheduled in advance of the current spike in hostilities, which means he'll now have his work cut out for him as the regional landscape has shifted dramatically – in just days. Trump has increasingly hinted that the US may become directly involved, despite threats from Iran and regime-backed militant groups in the region to do exactly the opposite. So whatever message Barrack, an American of Lebanese descent, brings with him to Beirut, will come at a crucial moment, and could help the region gauge what might come next. Donald Trump's MAGA base is continuing to argue amongst itself over potential US involvement in the conflict with Iran. Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, and Ted Cruz, the US senator for Texas, both supported Mr Trump at the last election but have differing views on the conflict in Iran. In a clip from his upcoming show, Mr Carlson accused the senator of failing to know the details of 'the country you seek to topple'. 'How many people live in Iran, by the way?' Mr Carlson asked. 'I don't know the population,' Mr Cruz responded. 'At all?' 'No, I don't know the population,' the senator said. 'You don't know the population in the country you seek to topple?' Mr Carlson hit back. It comes after a recent poll suggested just 16pc of Americans would support Mr Trump joining the war, despite 86pc admitting they did not want to see Iran with a nuclear weapon. You can read more about Maga splits over Trump's Iran strategy here. Iran's supreme leader has promised his country will show no mercy towards Israel's politicians, hours after Donald Trump demanded Tehran's 'unconditional surrender'. 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted on X. Israel last week launched an unprecedented bombing campaign hitting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas. Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones, and early thi morning said it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel. Experts have raised doubts about the hypersonic ability of Tehran's missiles. Iranians are racing to download tools to help them access uncensored information online as war rages on. The demand for VPNs – virtual private networks that allow users to bypass internet restrictions – has surged more than 700% since June 13, after authorities imposed internet restrictions following Israel's initial air strikes early that morning. That jump is compared to the daily average from the month prior, and is expected to rise, finds Top10VPN, which tracks VPN demand surges around the world. The spike underscores how Iranians, despite VPNs being officially banned, are seeking crucial, uncensored information 'as they navigate the current upheavals affecting the nation,' wrote Top10VPN in its findings. Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad this morning, launching a phased airlift operation to collect the thousands of Israelis who have been stuck overseas since the war started on Friday. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al , touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. Israel struck an Iranian missile production facility to the south of Tehran overnight. Footage shows a plumes of smoke from a large fire billowing through the sky behind a mountain where the Khojir facility is located. It is thought to be one of the largest sites manufacturing ballistic missiles for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Credit: Reuters Iran could begin to mine the Strait of Hormuz if the US decides to join the conflict, US officials have said. Such a move could temporarily restrict US warship's ability to exit the Persian Gulf and lead to the disruption of global oil supply, causing a sharp spike in prices. Donald Trump gave Israel support from the US intelligence community to carry out its attacks on Iran, according to a report. The New York Times reported that the US president chose a 'middle course' by providing Israel with intelligence and increasing pressure on Tehran to make concessions over the future of its nuclear programme. The report said that Mr Trump was now seriously considering sending US aircraft to refuel Israeli fighter jets and to join strikes against Iran's underground Fordo facility with 30,000-pound bombs. Iran has made plans for a possible retaliatory strike against the US should it join Israel's military campaign, according to a report. Two Iranian officials told the New York Times that Tehran would attack US bases in the Middle East, starting with those in Iraq, followed by bases in Arab countries. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels would also be expected to resume strikes on ships in the red Sea. Israel struck an Iranian nuclear facility and multiple weapons sites in an overnight strike, its military has said. More than 50 Israeli fighter jets took part in the operation, which the military said was part of its 'broad effort to disrupt Iran's nuclear weapons development programme'. Centrifuges are machines that enrich uranium, which can then be developed into nuclear weapons. Israel appears to have struck a site where those machines are made. Israeli air strikes also struck a key missile production facility around the Iranian capital and an academy linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps. 'During the wave of attacks, several weapons manufacturing sites were struck, including facilities for producing raw materials and components used to assemble surface-to-surface missiles,' the IDF said. In Israel, air raid alerts sounded twice overnight as Iran claimed to have fired hypersonic missiles, though experts have raised questions about their capabilities. There have been no reports of any impact. It comes as Donald Trump considers joining the conflict against Iran, which has reportedly prepared possible retaliatory strikes on US bases in the Middle East. American officials told the Telegraph that Mr Trump was more bullish about joining the conflict, which has been less deadly than feared. Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its sixth day. We'll bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

France plans European 'initiative' to end Iran-Israel conflict: Presidency
France plans European 'initiative' to end Iran-Israel conflict: Presidency

LBCI

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • LBCI

France plans European 'initiative' to end Iran-Israel conflict: Presidency

France is planning along with European partners to suggest a negotiated solution to end the conflict between Iran and Israel, the country's presidency said Wednesday, after President Emmanuel Macron chaired a national security council meeting. Macron at the meeting ordered Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to draw up in the coming days "an initiative with close European partners that would propose a demanding negotiated settlement to put an end to the conflict," the presidency said in a statement, without giving details on the nature of the plan. AFP

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