US president Donald Trump has slammed the US intelligence Community’s assessment of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and claimed Tehran could produce a working weapon within a “matter of weeks”.
When he was asked to compare the current claims being made about Iran’s nuclear program with the assertions made about Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the 2003 American invasion, Trump replied that the difference is that Iraq had no such weapons and claimed that he never believed Iraq possessed any to begin with.
Meanwhile, there was no breakthrough in talks involving UK foreign secretary David Lammy as he urged Iran to carry on negotiations with the US as he continued to seek a diplomatic solution to the Middle East conflict.
It comes after huge explosions have struck the Israeli city of Haifa, injuring at least two people, following warnings of a daytime Iranian missile attack.
Footage online has shown a building in Haifa partially destroyed while additional videos showed a plume of smoke protruding from the cityscape.
Israel’s medical services say two people have been wounded, including a 16-year-old boy, who is in serious condition, and a 54-year-old man with shrapnel wounds.
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Key points
- Donald Trump warns Tehran could have bomb in ‘weeks’
- Iran and Israel trade missile strikes as Europe begins negotiations with Tehran
- Israel says it killed Quds Force commander leading Palestine Corps
- Israeli strikes kill 44 Palestinians in Gaza, say officials
- Casualty toll rises to 12 - Israeli media
- Israel believes Iran has enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs
- Britons stuck in Israel set to be flown home, Lammy announces
Israel says it killed Quds Force commander leading Palestine Corps
06:47
,
Shahana Yasmin
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the military had killed Saeed Izadi, a senior commander in Iran’s Quds Force, during a strike on an apartment in the city of Qom, according to Reuters.
Izadi, who led the Palestine Corps within the Quds Force, the overseas arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was described as a veteran figure in Iran’s regional operations.
Who’s who in the secret group advising Trump on Iran - who has been left out of the planning?
06:30
,
Joe Sommerlad
President Donald Trump let it be known on Thursday that he will make a decision on whether to involve the U.S. in Israel’s war with Iran within the next two weeks, as tensions over the question continue to divide conservatives.
The president, who signed off on attack plans on Tuesday but resisted giving the go-ahead, is reportedly taking soundings from a small coterie of trusted advisers while also throwing the conversation open to fellow world leaders, as well as allies such as the hawkish Republican senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
Keep reading:
Israel vows to continue strikes until Iran’s nuclear programme is dismantled
06:20
,
Shahana Yasmin
Israel pledged on Friday to keep up its military offensive against Iran until Tehran’s nuclear capabilities are fully dismantled, Reuters reported.
“Though our homes, our families and our children are under threat, we will not stop,” Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the United Nations Security Council. “Not until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled. Not until its war machine is disarmed. Not until our people and yours are safe.”
In response, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, called on the Security Council to intervene to halt Israel’s attacks.
“Israel apparently declared that it will continue this strike for as many days as it takes,” he said. “We are alarmed by credible reports that the United States... may be joining this war.”
Iran faces near-total internet blackout amid conflict with Israel
06:10
,
Shahana Yasmin
As the war between Iran and Israel enters its second week, much of Iran remains in a near-total communication blackout, leaving millions unable to connect with the outside world or even with friends and family across the country.
According to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, Iran has been largely cut off from global internet access for more than 60 hours.
“The internet shutdown continues to severely limit the public's ability to express political viewpoints, communicate freely, and follow safety alerts amid ongoing conflict with Israel,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.
⚠️ Update: #Iran has now been largely offline for 60 hours; metrics show the internet shutdown continues to severely limit the public's ability to express political viewpoints, communicate freely, and follow safety alerts amid ongoing conflict with Israel ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/EkYtbTvkiY
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) June 21, 2025
Do Israeli attacks on Iran risk nuclear contamination?
06:00
,
Reuters
Ex-CIA chief warns US would trigger regional war by striking Iran
05:50
,
Shahana Yasmin
Former CIA director and defence secretary Leon Panetta has warned that any US military strike on Iran would almost certainly plunge the country into a wider regional war.
Panetta said the US made a “terrible mistake” by invading Iraq two decades ago and urged US president Trump to heed the lessons of the past.
“It’s a lesson that the president needs to learn, because if he goes in and attacks Iran, then there’s no question that the United States would be in a regional war at that point,” Panetta told CNN, adding that Iran would inevitably retaliate.
“So make no mistake about it. It may be an airstrike, but it would definitely involve the United States in a war.”
Iran signals openness to diplomacy, but only if Israel halts attacks
05:40
,
Shahana Yasmin
Iran has said it is open to pursuing diplomatic talks with European nations, but only on the condition that Israel ends its military operations and those responsible are held to account.
Following a meeting in Geneva with European diplomats, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expressed “serious concern” over the failure of France, Germany, the UK, and the EU to condemn what he described as Israel’s surprise strike and ongoing aggression against Iran. He warned that any assault on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities would represent a severe violation of international law.
“I explicitly and clearly stated that Iran's defensive capabilities are not negotiable,” the minister said, reported the Associated Press. However, he added that Iran is ready to keep talking with the Europeans “in the near future”.
His comments came as Israel’s top military commander said the country was preparing for a potentially prolonged conflict.
Iran says no radiation leak after Israel targets its Isfahan nuclear site
05:33
,
Shahana Yasmin
Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan, Reuters reported citing Iran’s Fars news agency, on Saturday.
The agency added that no hazardous material had leaked from the site.
Who is Iran’s supreme leader? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rise to power explained during Israel conflict
05:20
,
Shahana Yasmin
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, who has spent more than three decades consolidating power by crushing internal threats, now faces his most significant challenge yet as Israel escalates its punishing air campaign against the Islamic Republic.
The severity of the threat has been underscored by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who stated that Khamenei "cannot continue to exist."
Watch: What Trump must decide in his two week pause on the Israel-Iran conflict
05:10
,
Katie Hawkinson
Iran and Israel trade missile strikes as no sign of diplomatic breakthrough
05:00
,
Sam Kiley, Tom Watling
Iran and Israel traded daytime missile attacks on Friday to cap a week of relentless bombing as talks involving Iran’s foreign minister and his European counterparts showed no sign of a breakthrough.
Abbas Araghchi said Iran would not negotiate with the US as long as Israel continued to carry out airstrikes, and insisted his country’s nuclear programme was entirely peaceful.
Israeli emergency services reported that at least 17 people were injured, including a teenager who is in a serious condition, after Iranian ballistic missiles on Friday slammed into a building near the port city of Haifa in the early afternoon. Israel said it had conducted multiple strikes on Iran earlier in the day.
Keep reading:
Tulsi Gabbard defends Iran nuclear remarks, says media spread ‘fake news’
04:50
,
Shahana Yasmin
In a post on X, US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has accused media outlets of “taking my testimony out of context,” after the US president called her “wrong” for saying Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon.
“The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalise the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree,” she wrote.
The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the… pic.twitter.com/mYxjpJY2ud
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 20, 2025
Pictured: Iran launches attack on Israel
04:40
,
Shahana Yasmin
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim fresh missile and drone strike on Israel
04:30
,
Shahana Yasmin
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed carrying out a new missile and drone strike targeting Israel, marking what it said was the 18th such operation against Israeli targets.
In a statement published by Iranian news agency Tasnim, the IRGC said the latest round of attacks focused on military installations and operational support centres in central Israel, including Ben Gurion International Airport.
The attack reportedly involved domestically developed Shahed-136 drones, which the IRGC claimed “continuously carried out missions in the skies” over what it described as occupied territory. The operation also featured a mix of solid- and liquid-fuelled Iranian missiles.
According to the statement, reported by Al Jazeera, “the most advanced defence systems were unable to intercept them”.
Israel, Iran launch new attacks as tensions escalate over nuclear talks
04:09
,
Shahana Yasmin
Iran and Israel launched fresh attacks on each other early on Saturday, a day after Tehran declared it would not engage in nuclear negotiations while under threat.
At around 2.30am local time, the Israeli military issued warnings of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, reported Reuters. Air raid sirens were activated across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and southern regions, according to Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom.
Simultaneously, Israel launched retaliatory strikes on Iranian territory, targeting what it described as missile storage and launch infrastructure, the Israeli military said.
Trump says Gabbard and US intelligence ‘wrong’ on Iran nukes as he warns Tehran could have bomb in ‘weeks’
04:00
,
Andrew Feinberg
President Donald Trump on Friday slammed his handpicked Director of National Intelligence and the Intelligence Community’s assessment of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and claimed Tehran could produce a working weapon within “a matter of weeks” while offering no evidence.
The president was speaking to reporters after arriving in New Jersey, where he will spend the weekend at one of his golf resorts, while occasionally huddling with advisers regarding Israel’s week-old war against Iran.
When asked to compare the current claims being made about Iran’s nuclear program with the assertions made about Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the 2003 American invasion, Trump replied the difference is that Iraq had no such weapons and claimed that he never believed Iraq possessed any to begin with.
Explosions heard in Isfahan: report
03:41
,
Katie Hawkinson
Explosions have been heard in Isfahan, Iran, CNN reports, citing state media.
Earlier today, the Israeli Defense Forces said it had launched a new wave of attacks on Iran.
“The Air Force has now begun a wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure in central Iran,” their statement read.
Two killed in residential building in Iran: report
03:03
,
Katie Hawkinson
Two people have been killed in a strike that hit a residential building in Qom, Iran, CNN reports, citing Iranian state media.
Four others were also injured in the strike, according to CNN.
US evacuates 79 staff and family from embassy in Israel as more Americans ask how to leave
02:27
,
Associated Press
The U.S. evacuated 79 staff and families from the U.S. Embassy in Israel on Friday as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies and growing numbers of private American citizens seek information on how to leave Israel and Iran.
An internal State Department memo says the military flight, the second known to have occurred this week, left Tel Aviv for Sofia, Bulgaria, where some or all of the passengers were to get a connecting charter flight to Washington.
Keep reading:
IDF says it launched new wave of attacks on Iran
02:15
,
Katie Hawkinson
The Israeli Defense Forces says it has launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, CNN reports.
“The Air Force has now begun a wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure in central Iran,” their statement reads.
Iran and Israel trade missile strikes as Europe begins negotiations with Tehran
02:00
,
Alexander Butler
Why peace may not be the solution in the Israel-Iran conflict
01:30
,
Alexander Butler
'Sirens in Tel Aviv,' says Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor
01:00
,
Katie Hawkinson
Sam Kiley, The Independent’s world affairs editor, said he heard sirens in Tel Aviv just minutes ago.
He added that explosions were audible from the basement of his hotel, but it was unclear if they were caused by impacts or interceptions.
The most dangerous battle facing Trump isn’t in Iran
Friday 20 June 2025 23:00
,
Alexander Butler
Israeli scientists reel after Iranian missile strikes premier research institute
Friday 20 June 2025 22:30
,
Alexander Butler
In pictures: Israeli first responders arrive in an area reportedly hit by an Iranian strike in Haifa
Friday 20 June 2025 22:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Trump says Gabbard and US intelligence ‘wrong’ on Iran nukes as he warns Tehran could have bomb in ‘weeks’
Friday 20 June 2025 21:30
,
Alexander Butler
President Donald Trump on Friday slammed his handpicked Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Intelligence Community’s assessment of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and claimed Tehran could produce a working weapon within “a matter of weeks” while offering no evidence to support the alarming assertion.
The president was speaking to reporters after arriving in New Jersey, where he will spend the weekend at one of the golf resorts he owns while occasionally huddling with advisers regarding Israel’s week-old war against Tehran.
When he was asked to compare the current claims being made about Iran’s nuclear program with the assertions made about Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the 2003 American invasion, Trump replied that the difference is that Iraq had no such weapons and claimed that he never believed Iraq possessed any to begin with.
Trump says Europe will not be able to help much with Iran-Israel war
Friday 20 June 2025 21:16
,
Alexander Butler
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Europe would not be able to help much in the war between Iran and Israel.
"Europe is not going to be able to help with this one," Trump said.
European foreign ministers urged Iran on Friday to engage with Washington over its nuclear program after talks in Geneva aimed at opening negotiations for a new nuclear deal ended with little sign of progress.
Who could lead Iran if Ayatollah Khamenei is deposed?
Friday 20 June 2025 21:00
,
Bryony Gooch
When Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF would strike Iran last week, he made no secret of his long-running ambition to wipe out Tehran’s authoritarian regime.
Addressing the Iranian people, he said: “I believe that the day of your liberation is near; and when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again.”
Days later, his call for regime change was echoed by President Donald Trump, who has refused to rule out the US joining the conflict. On Wednesday, Mr Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and claimed that the US could assassinate him if and when it chooses to.
Alex Croft reports:
Watch: Israel strikes Iran's Natanz nuclear site in series of overnight attacks
Friday 20 June 2025 20:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint
Friday 20 June 2025 19:45
,
Alexander Butler
Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe tried to coax Tehran back into negotiations and the United States considers whether to get involved in the conflict.
A week into its campaign, Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets, including missile production sites, a research body it said was involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.
The Israeli military later said they had struck surface-to-air missile batteries in southwestern Iran as part of efforts to achieve air superiority over the country.
Explosions were heard in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province and at least four people there were killed, IRNA news agency reported.
British mother recalls 'very scary' Haifa blast
Friday 20 June 2025 19:30
,
Alex Ross
Lisa Baker, a British national stranded in Haifa with her 15-year-old daughter and 78-year-old mother, heard the blast while sheltering in a safe room at the hotel she was in, a few kilometres from the site of damage.
She had been told the explosion came from a business district in Haifa, which was quieter than usual due to the beginning of Shabbat, when workers leave their office early to return home.
“We heard it,” she said. “It was very scary. It was one blast, one impact. I didn't know if it had hit my relatives' homes - that's the problem, when you are in the shelter, and you hear it, you do not know where it has hit, and for us English people in a safe room with Israelis speaking Hebrew, which I don't understand, it is a very, very scary experience.”
“It's a symbiotic mutually exclusive fear that grips you, because when it's that loud, we know it's close, and everyone is worrying for their friends and family nearby."
In pictures: Israeli forces cordon off area hit in Iran's strike on Haifa
Friday 20 June 2025 19:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Palestine Action to be banned after break-in at RAF base
Friday 20 June 2025 18:48
,
Alexander Butler
The Home Secretary is preparing to ban Palestine Action following the group’s vandalism of two planes at an RAF base, the PA news agency understands.
Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action.
The decision comes after the group posted footage online showing two people inside the base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine.
The incident is being also investigated by counter terror police. The Home Secretary has the power to proscribe an organisation under the Terrorism Act of 2000 if she believes it is “concerned in terrorism”.
Proscription will require Ms Cooper to lay an order in Parliament, which must then be debated and approved by both MPs and peers.
European foreign ministers say ready for more talks with Iran
Friday 20 June 2025 18:33
,
Alexander Butler
European foreign ministers on Friday said they were ready for more talks with Iran after discussions to try to restore a diplomatic path over its nuclear programme.
After three hours of talks, the ministers from France, Britain, Germany and the European Union made brief remarks, but did not signal whether there had been any tangible progress.
Iran and Israel trade missile strikes as Europe begins negotiations with Tehran
Friday 20 June 2025 18:30
,
Alexander Butler
Israeli strikes kill 44 Palestinians in Gaza, UN warns of man-made drought
Friday 20 June 2025 18:15
,
Alexander Butler
Israeli fire killed at least 44 Palestinians in Gaza on Friday, many of whom had been trying to get food, local officials said, while the United Nations' children's agency warned of a looming man-made drought in the enclave as its water systems collapse.
At least 25 people awaiting aid trucks were killed by Israeli fire south of Netzarim in central Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run local health authority said.
Asked by Reuters about the incident, the Israel Defense Force said its troops had fired warning shots at suspected militants who advanced in a crowd towards them.
An Israeli aircraft then "struck and eliminated the suspects", it said in a statement, adding that it was aware of others being hurt in the incident and was conducting a review.
Watch: Netanyahu shocks Israelis by describing ‘personal cost’ of Iran war – postponing his son’s wedding
Friday 20 June 2025 18:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Britain's UN ambassador urges restraint in Israel-Iran conflict
Friday 20 June 2025 17:30
,
Alexander Butler
Britain's ambassador to the United Nations on Friday urged all parties in the Israel-Iran conflict to protect civilians and said restraint was vital to prevent further escalation.
"This is a dangerous moment for the entire region, and further escalation is in no one's interest. Civilians must never be targeted, and we deplore the loss of civilian life," Ambassador Barbara Woodword told the UN Security Council.
"Restraint is vital to protect further escalation and loss of life. ... Military action cannot put an end to Iran's nuclear capabilities," Ms Woodword said.
Has Iran actually tried to kill Trump? Here’s what we know
Friday 20 June 2025 17:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Israel has pointed to allegations of assassination threats as the US weighs up joining its military campaign, with Donald Trump giving a two-week window to decide whether they’ll join the conflict.
Senior US reporter Alex Woodward reports on whether Iran actually has tried to kill the US president.