Donald Trump has claimed he knows where Iran’s Supreme Leader is hiding and called for “unconditional surrender”, as a bloody conflict between Tehran and Israel continues for a fifth day.
In a social media post on Tuesday, the US president warned “our patience is wearing thin”, adding: “We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding.
“He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”
At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported, after a major escalation began when Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear sites and capital of Tehran on Friday morning.
Each day since, both countries have continued to trade blows, attacking major cities and military targets. Thousands have been injured in Iran and hundreds injured in Israel, as residents from both countries evacuate to seek safety abroad.
Earlier on Tuesday, Donald Trump warned that the “gloves are off” if Iran were to attack US soldiers in the Middle East.
Iran has denied allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons, the pretext upon which Israel began striking Iran on Friday morning.
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Key points
- Trump: We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran
- Iran will show Israel no mercy, says supreme leader
- Trump says we won't kill Iran's leader - for now
- Starmer: No indication from Trump that US about to enter conflict
- Iran fires fresh wave of missiles after Israel strikes western Iran
- At least 45 Palestinians killed while awaiting aid in Gaza, says health ministry
Israel strikes killed nearly 600 Iranians - rights group
04:28
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Israeli strikes have killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others, a human rights group has said.
Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said it had identified 239 of the dead as civilians and 126 as security personnel.
The group, which also provided detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, cross-checks local reports in the Islamic Republic against a network of sources it has developed in the country.
Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past.
Iran will show Israel no mercy, says supreme leader
04:08
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has vowed his country will give a "strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime", referring to Israel.
"We will show the Zionists no mercy," Mr Khamenei said in a post on X.
US president Donald Trump has claimed he knows where Iran’s supreme leader is hiding and called for his “unconditional surrender”.
Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social that “our patience is wearing thin”, adding: “We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding.
“He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”
US Air Force shifts military planes to Europe
03:59
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US Air Force deployed at least 30 aerial refueling aircraft to Europe this week after the exchange of airstrikes between Israel and Iran unleashed a fresh wave of turmoil in the Middle East.
The planes, mostly KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, were spotted on the flight tracking website FlightRadar24 and others departing from airfields across the continental United States and heading east over the Atlantic towards Europe.
The craft have reportedly since arrived at a number of strategic locations, including Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Morón Air Base and NAS Rota in Spain, Aviano Air Base in Italy, Prestwick International Airport in the UK, and Souda Bay in Greece.
Joe Sommerlad has more.
Xi Jinping weighs in on conflict
03:43
,
Katie Hawkinson
Chinese President Xi Jinping said he is “deeply concerned” about Israel’s “military action” in Iran while speaking at a summit in Kazakhstan, according to The New York Times.
This marks the first time Xi has publicly commented on the conflict.
Iran saw major internet blackout today
03:15
,
Katie Hawkinson
Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout today, according to NBC News.
Internet access went dark around 5:30 p.m. local time. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities restricted internet access on account of cyberattacks from Israel.
The blackout makes it extremely difficult for Iranians to access and share information about the conflict, NBC News reports.
Senator Tim Kaine calls potential U.S. attacks on Iran a 'catastrophic blunder'
02:40
,
Katie Hawkinson
Senator Tim Kaine spoke on the Senate floor earlier today in favor of a resolution that would require Congressional approval before the U.S. could order troops to attack Iran.
Kaine said that “engaging in a war against Iran... would be a catastrophic blunder for this country.”
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatens 'strong response
01:52
,
Katie Hawkinson
Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei has threatened a “strong response” to Israel in a recent X post.
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime,” Khamenei wrote. “We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
Israel 'currently' striking Tehran
Wednesday 18 June 2025 00:38
,
Katie Hawkinson
The Israeli military said it is “currently conducting” strikes around Tehran, Iran’s capital, according to The New York Times.
U.S. embassy in Israel closed through Friday
Wednesday 18 June 2025 00:09
,
Katie Hawkinson
The U.S. embassy in Israel will be closed Wednesday through Friday, according to a security alert from officials.
“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20),” the embassy said in a statement. “This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. There will be no passport (emergency or regular) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services.”
Israeli officials warn residents to seek shelter again
Wednesday 18 June 2025 00:00
,
Katie Hawkinson
Israeli officials are warning residents to seek shelter for the second time in an hour after Israel’s Home Front Command detected Iranian missiles, according to The New York Times.
Explosions were recently heard over Tel Aviv, Reuters previously reported.
Trump’s chilling warning to Iran: we won’t kill supreme leader – for now
Tuesday 17 June 2025 23:51
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has warned Iran to make a deal “before there is nothing left” and issued a chilling threat: he knows where the supreme leader is hiding but “we are not going to take him out, at least not for now”.
Mr Trump demanded a “real end” to the bloody conflict with Israel, which is now entering its sixth day, and told Tehran there was still time to end the war if it delivered “unconditional surrender”.
Read the full story:
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv
Tuesday 17 June 2025 23:38
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Athena Stavrou
Explosions have been heard over Tel Aviv after the Israeli military warned missiles had been launched from Iran.
A Reuters witness confirmed the explosions.
Trump spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday, Axios reports
Tuesday 17 June 2025 23:29
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Axios reported, citing an unidentified Israeli official.
Senate Republicans circle wagons as Trump beats war drum on Iran: ‘They’ve all had their spines removed’
Tuesday 17 June 2025 23:12
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Athena Stavrou
More missiles launched from Iran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 22:56
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Athena Stavrou
The Israeli military has detected missiles launched from Iran heading towards Israel.
The IDF said its defensive systems were operating to intercept the threat.
Guess what time it is?
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2025
Once again, Israelis all over the country are running for shelter because of an Iranian missile launch. pic.twitter.com/W60Vmw2Dqv
ANALYSIS: Trump isn’t just burning his MAGA coalition over Iran — he’s inspiring a new one to rise
Tuesday 17 June 2025 22:39
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Athena Stavrou
Trump considering strike on Iran - reports
Tuesday 17 June 2025 22:22
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump is reportedly considering a US strike on Iran, sources familiar to the situation told US news outlets.
CBS and NBC both cited sources who said the US president is considering a range of options including a strike.
It follows a meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room which lasted over an hour on Tuesday.
Iran attacking Israeli air bases
Tuesday 17 June 2025 22:19
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Athena Stavrou
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have said they are attacking Israeli air bases that they believe have been used to strike Iranian territory.
Tehran residents flee as Israeli fire continues
Tuesday 17 June 2025 22:02
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Athena Stavrou
Many Tehran residents have fled overnight after several districts of Tehran were struck by Israeli missiles.
Mohammad, 45, said he had already sent his wife and children from Tehran to his hometown in southern Iran. "I could not leave because of my job but I wanted my family to be safe."
"It was worse than other nights. Explosion after explosion. Many of our friends left this morning, We will leave too. Just trying to get some cash from the bank," said Maryam, 33, a teacher in Tehran.
A resident of Tehran’s Ekbatan neighbourhood said: "One bank had a withdrawal limit of 150 million rials (about $160), but most were only allowing 30 million rials ($32)."
"I went to the bank and they told me people couldn't withdraw as much as they want from their accounts, otherwise they would run out of cash," he said.
Three shopkeepers in Tehran told Reuters people were stocking up on food and gas cylinders for cooking, and water. Ramin, 48, said his pharmacy had been swamped by customers.
"People are stockpiling medicine, especially elderly who fear their essential supplies may become scarce because of the war," he said.
The government has assured people that there are sufficient stocks of food and medicine.
"I do not trust the authorities. They said Israel would not dare to attack Iran and look where we are," said Tehran resident Zeynab, 67, a retired bank employee. "I have children and grandchildren. We have to stock up. No one knows what will happen and when this war will end."
Iran arrests 'terrorist team' linked to Israel in Tehran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 21:51
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Athena Stavrou
Iranian security forces have arrested a "terrorist team" linked to Israel with explosives in a town southwest of the capital Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
Trump contradicts his spy chief on Iran's nuclear program
Tuesday 17 June 2025 21:14
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has clashed with his director of national intelligence on assessments which determined that Iran has not been building a nuclear weapon.
The president appeared to publicly contradict his spy chief Tulsi Gabbard for the first time as he appeared to embrace Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's justification for launching airstrikes last week on Iranian nuclear and military targets.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned early to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump was asked how close he believed Iran was to having a nuclear weapon.
"Very close," he responded.
When told that Gabbard testified to Congress in March that the U.S. intelligence community continued to judge that Tehran was not working on a nuclear warhead, Trump replied, "I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having one."
How has Iran managed to breach Israel’s Iron Dome air defence?
Tuesday 17 June 2025 21:01
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Athena Stavrou
The Iron Dome is a surface-to-air missile system which tracks and intercepts projectiles headed towards populated areas in Israel. Its success at repelling attacks in the recent past has meant Israelis are not used to seeing rockets successfully strike their major cities.
Dr Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow of security studies at Chatham House, says that the Iron Dome may not be as effective as many believe.
“A lot of the time, the Iron Dome has better PR than is actually warranted,” she told The Independent.
“At the end of the day, it's an air defence system. It's a very effective air defence system. But no air defence is completely unreachable.”
Given the scale and scope of Iran’s strikes on Israel - which have been more sustained than attacks in recent years - Dr Messmer said it is not a surprise that some of the missiles and drones were able to get through.
“Part of the Iranian strategy is essentially to fire a lot, and therefore to hope that the interceptors won't be able to shoot up through everything down, which is one of the things that we've seen.”
Houthi official says group will intervene to support Iran against Israel
Tuesday 17 June 2025 20:59
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Athena Stavrou
A member of Yemen's Houthi group has said the group will intervene to support Iran against Israel - like it did in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi movement's political bureau, also reiterated to Al Jazeera Mubasher TV that the group is coordinating with Tehran during its ongoing military escalation with Israel.
The Houthis, which have been launching attacks against Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza, said on Sunday that they targeted Israel in coordination with Iran, the first time an Iran-aligned group has publicly announced joint cooperation on attacks with Tehran.
Watch: Moment Israel missile strike interrupts live Iran news broadcast
Tuesday 17 June 2025 20:43
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Athena Stavrou
Comment: This is what the world looks like when America is weak
Tuesday 17 June 2025 20:32
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Athena Stavrou
Trump is choosing weakness over strength with Israel and Iran, writes Luke McGee.
The US president has the power to bring people to the negotiating table, but offers no real sticks or carrots.
Read the comment piece here:
Latest pictures from Iran and Israel
Tuesday 17 June 2025 20:13
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Athena Stavrou
Moscow criticises 'illegal' and 'unacceptable' attack on Iran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 20:05
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced continued Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal and said a solution to the conflict over Tehran's nuclear programme could only be found through diplomacy.
A ministry statement posted on Telegram noted Iran's "clear statements" on its commitment to adhere to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its willingness to meet with U.S. representatives.
The statement also said Moscow was waiting for the International Atomic Energy Agency to provide "unvarnished" assessments of the damage caused to Iranian nuclear facilities by Israeli attacks.
UAE warns of 'uncalculated, reckless steps' amid Israel-Iran air war
Tuesday 17 June 2025 19:59
,
Athena Stavrou
Fears that the conflict between Iran and Israel could spread to all-out war in the Middle East air growing.
The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, has warned of "uncalculated and reckless steps" that could spill out beyond the borders of Iran and Israel, according to a statement by the foreign ministry on Tuesday.
US State Dept has established Middle East task force amid Israel-Iran war
Tuesday 17 June 2025 19:41
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Athena Stavrou
The US State Department has established a Middle East task force to help coordinate support for US citizens, diplomatic missions and personnel.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce gave some details of the task force during a State Department briefing.
She said the task force was intended to help ensure the State Department and American citizens get the information they may need.
US state department briefing starting
Tuesday 17 June 2025 19:27
,
Athena Stavrou
The US state department has begun its briefing about the Iran-Israel conflict.
The department’s spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: “The fact that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon is clear”
She added that President Trump has made this statement a number of time.
Ms Bruce also reiterated that US citizens should not travel to Iran under any circumstances.
Trump meeting with national security council
Tuesday 17 June 2025 19:20
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Athena Stavrou
A White House official has said Donald Trump is now meeting with his national security council about the conflict in the Middle East.
The meeting will be followed by a state department briefing.
US State department briefing imminently
Tuesday 17 June 2025 19:10
,
Athena Stavrou
The US State department is about to hold a briefing as the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates.
Donald Trump has been making comments on the situation throughout the day, and hosted a situation room meeting earlier.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
'Continuous and intense' explosions in Tehran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:57
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Athena Stavrou
We are hearing reports that “continuous and intense” explosions are being heard in western Tehran.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported the explosions.
Watch live: State Department holds briefing as Israel-Iran conflict escalates
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:43
,
Athena Stavrou
Watch: Trump says he doesn’t want a ceasefire, but rather an end to Iran’s nuclear program
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:31
,
Athena Stavrou
Tel Aviv and Haifa residents told to evacuate immediately
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:17
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Athena Stavrou
Iran’s senior army commander has ordered Israelis to evacuate Haifa and Tel Aviv immediately, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
Both cities have been targets of Iranian retaliatory strikes since conflict between Tehran and Israel began on Friday.
UK jets already begun to arrive in Middle East
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:15
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Athena Stavrou
The UK’s secretary of defence has said UK military jets have already begun to arrive in the middle east - with more to follow in coming days.
John Healey told a conference at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) that the jets served as an operational response to “protect our personnel, reassure our partners, reinforce the urgent need for de-escalation”.
He refused to be drawn on whether they would be used to defend Israel. When asked directly if they could be used alongside US aircraft in any future attacks on Iran, he avoided answering the question.
Sir Keir Starmer announced the military aircraft, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers, were being sent to the region over the weekend.
Trump hosting situation room meeting - reports
Tuesday 17 June 2025 18:09
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump is reportedly now hosting a Situation Room meeting.
A White House official confirmed to CNN that the meeting would be taking place at 1pm local time (6pm UK time).
Full story: Trump demands ‘UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER’ from Iran as he issues chilling threat to Supreme Leader Khamenei
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:59
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Athena Stavrou
Israel launches 'massive cyber war' against Iran's digital infrastructure, Iranian media report
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:49
,
Athena Stavrou
Israel has launched a "massive cyber war" against Iran's digital infrastructure, Iranian media has reported.
Outlets quoted the country's cybersecurity command on Tuesday reporting the attacks.
Many of the attacks were successfully repelled, the command added.
Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:34
,
Athena Stavrou
In another social media post, Donald Trump has demanded unconditional surrender from Iran.
Trump: We won't kill Iran's Supreme Leader - for now
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:32
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has said the US “knows exactly” where Iran’s Supreme Leader is - and that he is an “easy target”.
The US president wrote on Truth Social: “We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
It was reported previously that Trump refused to agree to an Israeli proposal to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei due to fears it would escalate the conflict.
What does Trump mean by 'we' have control of Iran's skies?
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:26
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
It's unclear what Trump means when he says "we have complete and total control of the skies over Iran" considering the administration's strenuous denials of any American involvement in the days-old Israeli campaign against Tehran's nuclear program and military capabilities.
But the president's boast about the "American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff'" used by Israel's military suggests that his use of "we" refers to the U.S. defense contractors that supply the IDF — not American military forces.
Trump 'may take further action' to halt Iran's nuclear programme, Vance says
Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:03
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Athena Stavrou
JD Vance has warned that the US president “may decide he needs to take further action" to halt Iran’s nuclear programme.
The US vice president said Donald Trump could act in order to end Iran’s “enrichment” efforts in a social media post on Tuesday.
He claimed Iran has “enriched uranium far above the level necessary for any civilian purpose” and that he had yet to “see a single good argument for why Iran was justified in violating its non-proliferation obligations".
Iran has denied allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons, the pretext upon which Israel began striking Iran on Friday morning.
Look, I'm seeing this from the inside, and am admittedly biased towards our president (and my friend), but there's a lot of crazy stuff on social media, so I wanted to address some things directly on the Iran issue:
— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 17, 2025
First, POTUS has been amazingly consistent, over 10 years, that…
Trump: We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 16:58
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Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has claimed the US and its allies have “complete and total control of the skies over Iran”.
In his latest social media post, the US president said: “Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured “stuff.”
“Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.”
Hundreds flee into Azerbaijan and Armenia from Iran
Tuesday 17 June 2025 16:44
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Athena Stavrou
More than 600 people of 17 nationalities have fled into Azerbaijan from Iran in the last five days, an Azerbaijani source said.
The flight from Iran has been prompted by surprise attacks
