Explosions rocked Israeli capital Tel Aviv as several residential buildings were struck in an Iranian missile attack, Reuters reported this morning as both Iran and Israel continue to target each other with devastating missiles and airstrikes.
Last evening in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv, residents braced for another sleepless night after an overnight strike on an apartment tower.
Rescue teams in Israel combed through rubble of residential buildings destroyed by Iranian missiles, using sniffer dogs and heavy excavators to look for survivors after at least 10 people, including children, were killed, raising the two-day toll to 13.
In Iran, images from the capital showed the night sky lit up by a huge blaze at a fuel depot after Israel began strikes against Iran's oil and gas sector - raising the stakes for the global economy and the functioning of the Iranian state.
Israeli military international spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told Sky News that Israel "will continue operating until we feel we have removed this existential threat".
Key points
- Trump says he hopes Israel and Iran can strike ceasefire
- Netanyahu says regime change in Iran could be result of Israel's attacks
- Israeli missiles hit Iran foreign ministry buildings - reports
- Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader - report
- 224 people killed since Israel began its attacks on Iran, Iranian state media says
Is it safe to travel to Israel? Your rights as conflict with Iran escalates
04:44
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Arpan Rai
Britain has advised against all travel to Israel amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen deadly strikes traded between the two countries.
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice on Saturday to say that it now advises against travel to anywhere in Israel, where attacks have left at least 10 people dead as sent millions rushing to bomb shelters.
The advice is a change from Friday, when the government said only essential travel was allowed to some areas.
Our correspondent Holly Bancroft explains:
Trump reportedly vetoed Israel's plan to kill Iranian supreme leader Khamenei
04:26
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Arpan Rai
At least two US officials said Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters.
When asked about the Reuters report, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News yesterday: "There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I'm not going to get into that."
"We do what we need to do," he told Fox's "Special Report With Bret Baier."
Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days.
The intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Kazemi, and his deputy were killed in attacks on Tehran yesterday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said.
Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation.
G7 meeting in Canada shadowed by Israel-Iran tensions
04:06
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Arpan Rai
Israel and Iran kept up their attacks, killing and wounding civilians and raising concern among world leaders at a G7 meeting in Canada this weekend that the biggest battle between the two old enemies could lead to a broader regional conflict.
Group of Seven leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies yesterday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority.
In the early hours today, the Israeli military said it had detected more missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.
"At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat," the Israeli Defence Forces said. Live video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and Reuters witnesses said explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem.
At least 10 people in Israel, including children, have been killed so far, according to authorities there.
The Iranian death toll in four days of Israeli strikes, carried out with the declared aim of wiping out Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, had reached at least 224, with 90 per cent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said.
ICYMI | EU foreign ministers to meet by video on Tuesday to discuss Mideast
04:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called a video conference of EU foreign ministers for Tuesday to discuss the Middle East, following Israel's attack on Iran and Tehran's counter-strikes.
"In light of the gravity of the situation in the Middle East, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has convened a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers via video link for Tuesday," an EU spokesperson said
"The meeting will provide an opportunity for an exchange of views, coordination on diplomatic outreach to Tel Aviv and Tehran, and possible next steps."
UK maritime firm says fires observed at power plant in vicinity of Haifa port
03:57
,
Arpan Rai
British maritime security firm Ambrey said fires were observed at the power plant in the vicinity of Israel's Haifa port today, after Iranian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on port infrastructure amid escalations with Israel.
Ambrey said it observed video footage of the Israeli military intercepting the attack, followed by impacts from two hypersonic missiles.
03:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Watch | Iranian minister accuses Israel of 'deliberate strike' on ministry building
02:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Trump rejected Israeli plan to kill Iran’s supreme leader, reports say
01:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Comment | What’s happening between Iran and Israel is a direct result of Trump’s carelessness
Sunday 15 June 2025 23:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Trump says he hopes Israel and Iran can strike ceasefire
Sunday 15 June 2025 23:36
,
Jabed Ahmed
Donald Trump has said he hopes Israel and Iran can broker a ceasefire but said sometimes countries have to fight it out first.
Talking to reporters as he left for the G7 summit in Canada, Trump said the US will continue to support Israel but declined to say if he asked the US ally to pause strikes on Iran.
"I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it's time for a deal and we’ll see what happens. Sometimes they have to fight it out, but we’re gonna see what happens," Trump said.
Netanyahu says Iran tried to assassinate Trump as he tries to justify air strikes on Fox News
Sunday 15 June 2025 23:34
,
Jabed Ahmed
Recap of today's events
Sunday 15 June 2025 23:28
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Jabed Ahmed
New attacks kill civilians:
Israel and Iran launched fresh strikes on Sunday, killing and injuring civilians on both sides.
Iran said at least 224 people have been killed since Friday, the majority civilians, while Israeli authorities reported at least 10 deaths and multiple injuries in missile attacks on Tel Aviv, Haifa and southern Israel.
Mutual warnings to evacuate:
Both militaries urged civilians to evacuate danger zones. Israel told Iranians near military or nuclear sites to leave, while Iran warned Israelis to avoid “vital areas”.
Israel targets Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure:
Israel claims to have struck nuclear sites, military bases and the Defence Ministry in Tehran. Explosions were reported across Iran, including a major fire at a fuel depot.
Iran rules out ceasefire talks:
Tehran told Qatar and Oman it will not negotiate a ceasefire with the U.S. while under Israeli attack, Reuters reports.
Trump vetoed Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei:
Two US officials told Reuters that Donald Trump blocked an Israeli request to target Iran’s Supreme Leader. Trump later warned Iran not to strike American targets, while denying US involvement in Israeli strikes.
High-profile Iranian commander killed:
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported the killing of the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence chief and his deputy in Israeli attacks on Tehran.
Netanyahu hints at regime change:
The Israeli PM said regime change could result from the campaign, though the official Israeli position remains focused on dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Global concern grows:
G7 leaders meeting in Canada discussed efforts to prevent escalation.
Watch | Iran claim they have 'no intention of going towards a nuclear bomb'
Sunday 15 June 2025 23:02
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Jabed Ahmed
Iran rejects ceasefire negotiations while under Israeli attack, official says
Sunday 15 June 2025 22:32
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Jabed Ahmed
Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters.
"The Iranians informed Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue serious negotiations once Iran has completed its response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conflict.
Iran made "clear that it will not negotiate while under attack," the official said.
224 people killed since Israel began its attacks on Iran, Iranian state media says
Sunday 15 June 2025 22:21
,
Jabed Ahmed
The death toll of Israel's attacks on Iran since Friday has climbed to 224, of which 90 per cent are civilians, Iran's state media said.
The Independent View | The UK must exercise all its leverage to de-escalate the Middle East
Sunday 15 June 2025 21:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Read our full editorial below:
EU's von der Leyen speaks with Netanyahu on Middle East unrest
Sunday 15 June 2025 21:29
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Jabed Ahmed
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu regarding developments in the Middle East.
Ms Von der Leyen, in a post on X, reiterated the EU's commitment to peace, stability and diplomatic efforts leading to de-escalation.
"Europe has always been clear: Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon. There is an urgent need for a negotiated solution," von der Leyen said.
Watch | Iranian Minister Accuses Israel Of 'Deliberate Strike' On Ministry Building
Sunday 15 June 2025 21:09
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Jabed Ahmed
Sunday 15 June 2025 20:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence chief killed in Israeli strike - reports
Sunday 15 June 2025 20:59
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Jabed Ahmed
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence chief and his deputy have been killed by an Israeli strike, according to reports.
A statement from the IRGC, reported by the IRNA news agency, confirmed the deaths of Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy, General Hassan Mohaqiq.
Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News earlier today: “Moments ago, I can tell you we got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran.”
Israeli missiles hit Iran foreign ministry buildings - reports
Sunday 15 June 2025 20:34
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Jabed Ahmed
Several people have been injured after Israeli missiles hit the Irani foreign ministry building in Tehran, news agency IRNA reports.
Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said, according to IRNA: “The criminal Israeli regime carried out a deliberate and brutal attack on one of the Iranian Foreign Ministry buildings, located opposite the Institute for Political and International Studies.
“Several civilians were injured in the attack, including a number of my colleagues who were taken to the hospital for treatment.”
Trump urges Iran and Israel to ‘make a deal’ - as hawks in the Senate push for regime change
Sunday 15 June 2025 20:29
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Jabed Ahmed
Israel's El Al cancels all flights until 19 June, some until 23 June
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:58
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Jabed Ahmed
Israel’s El Al Airlines has announced that it has suspended all flights until at least 19 June, with additional cancellations to many European cities extending to 23 June, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier had earlier suspended all flights until 17 June, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council (NSC) cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasize that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings – indicating a high threat level – and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas. These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension," the NSC said.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
Tehran residents flee north
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:56
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Jabed Ahmed
Large numbers of people have been leaving Tehran and heading north, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), which reports heavy traffic on all major routes out of the capital.
The movement comes after fresh explosions were heard in Tehran and other parts of the country.
EU foreign ministers to meet by video on Tuesday to discuss Mideast
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:51
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Jabed Ahmed
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called a videoconference of EU foreign ministers for Tuesday to discuss the Middle East, following Israel's attack on Iran and Tehran's counter-strikes.
"In light of the gravity of the situation in the Middle East, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has convened a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers via video link for Tuesday," an EU spokesperson said
"The meeting will provide an opportunity for an exchange of views, coordination on diplomatic outreach to Tel Aviv and Tehran, and possible next steps."
Israel has ‘freedom of action’ over Tehran, says foreign minister
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:29
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Jabed Ahmed
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has claimed the country now has “great freedom of action” over Tehran and said strikes had already been carried out on nuclear targets in the Iranian capital.
In a series of briefings to around 220 foreign ambassadors, diplomats and Israeli representatives, Mr Sa’ar said Israel had “severely hit” Iran’s air defence systems and was not yet finished with its military objectives.
“We still have work to do in Iran, we are not finished with the goals,” he said.
“This plan has been in preparation for a long time. Only yesterday we reached a state of being able to operate freely over Tehran.”
He added: “Yesterday we hit the targets of the nuclear programme inside Tehran. The Iranians know they are exposed. We have great freedom of action in western Iran and in Tehran.”
Mr Sa’ar also accused Iran of deliberately targeting Israeli civilians “in an attempt to break the spirit of the Israeli public”, but said: “Our people are strong and understand the necessity of our action.”
He suggested Israel had expected a more intense response from Iran: “We knew it would have heavy costs, the assessments we received spoke of larger scopes than what is actually happening.”
Live: Tel Aviv skyline as explosions heard in Tehran and Israel
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:20
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Jabed Ahmed
Israeli military instructs people to leave protected shelters
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:16
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Jabed Ahmed
The Israeli military has instructed the public that it is safe to leave protected shelters, signalling that the threat from the current Iranian missile attack is over.
Missile hits Haifa
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:15
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Jabed Ahmed
A missile from Iran has hit Haifa in Northern Israel.
Pictures show smoke billowing from a building in the city.
Pictured | Iran launches missiles into Israel
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:13
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Jabed Ahmed
Iran's armed forces warn Israelis not to stay or travel near 'vital areas' - state TV
Sunday 15 June 2025 19:03
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Jabed Ahmed
Iran's armed forces told residents of Israel to leave the vicinity of "vital areas" for their safety, in a video statement broadcast by state TV around the time that Iran sent a new barrage of missiles towards Israel.
"We have a data bank of vital and critical areas in occupied territories (Israel) and call upon you not to let the brutal regime use you as human shields. Do not stay or travel near these critical areas," an armed forces spokesperson said.
German chancellor urges G7 to show unity in tackling Israel-Iran conflict
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:59
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Jabed Ahmed
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he hoped an upcoming meeting of the G7 countries would show unity and could reach an agreement on four key points to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Speaking as he prepared to fly to Canada for the G7 summit, Merz said the Middle East conflict would be high on the agenda.
The four points were:
- Iran cannot develop or possess nuclear weapons;
- Israel has the right to defend itself against existential threats, which he said Iran's nuclear programme represented;
- Thirdly, the conflict should not escalate;
- And fourth, that scope for diplomacy must be created.
"I would like to add that in Germany we are also getting ready in case Iran should target Israeli or Jewish targets in Germany," Merz told reporters, without going into more detail.
G7 leaders gather for a summit in the Canadian Rockies starting on Sunday until Tuesday.
Israeli military confirms missiles coming from Iran
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:52
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Jabed Ahmed
The Israeli military has confirmed missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel.
In a statement, it said: “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel.
“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.
“Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.”
We previously reported explosions have been heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:47
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Jabed Ahmed
Explosions have been heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
We will bring you more as it becomes clearer.
British man stranded in Israel considers desert escape after Iranian missile strikes
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:29
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Jabed Ahmed
Turkey ready to play facilitator role to resolve nuclear dispute, Erdogan tells Trump
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:17
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Jabed Ahmed
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan told Donald Trump in a phone call that Ankara was ready to play a facilitator role in resolving the nuclear dispute that led to the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Erdogan welcomed Trump's latest statement on a possible peace between Iran and Israel, his office said.
He urged Trump to take action immediately to prevent a disaster "that could set the region on fire".
Netanyahu says regime change in Iran could be result of Israel's attacks
Sunday 15 June 2025 18:10
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Jabed Ahmed
Regime change in Iran could be a result of Israel's military attacks on the country, Benjamin Netanyahu has said, adding Israel would do whatever is necessary to remove the "existential threat" posed by Tehran.
Asked by Fox News if regime change was part of Israel's military effort, Netanyahu said: "Could certainly be the result because the Iran regime is very weak."
"We're geared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our dual aim, to remove ... two existential threats - the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat," Netanyahu said in one of his first interviews since Israel's attacks began.
"We did act - to save ourselves, but also, I think, to not only protect ourselves, but protect the world from this incendiary regime. We can't have the world's most dangerous regime have the world's most dangerous weapons," he said.
Is it safe to travel to Israel? Your rights as conflict with Iran escalates
Sunday 15 June 2025 17:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader - report
Sunday 15 June 2025 17:50
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Jabed Ahmed
Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two US officials told news agency Reuters.
"Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we're not even talking about going after the political leadership," one of the sources, a senior US administration official, told Reuters.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said top US officials have been in constant communication with Israeli officials in the days since Israel launched a massive attack on Iran in a bid to halt its nuclear program.
They said the Israelis reported that they had an opportunity to kill the top Iranian leader, but Trump waved them off of the plan.
The officials would not say whether Trump himself delivered the message. But Trump has been in frequent communications with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When asked about the Reuters report, Netanyahu, in an interview with Fox News, said: "There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I'm not going to get into that."
"But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we'll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States," Netanyahu said.
Israeli strikes in Iran have killed at least 406 people and wounded 654, human rights group says
Sunday 15 June 2025 17:36
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Jabed Ahmed
Israeli strikes in Iran have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654, a human rights group has said.
The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said its figures covered the entirety of Iran.
Iran’s government has not offered any overall casualty figures from Israeli attacks that have decimated its military leadership and targeted its nuclear sites.
So far, Human Rights Activists death toll breakdown included at least 197 civilians, 90 members of the military and 119 others it could not identify. The wounded included 100 civilians, 71 troops and 483 others it could not identify.
Starmer speaks to UAE president urging de-escalation
Sunday 15 June 2025 17:29
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer and the president of the UAE have had a conversation discussing the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister called His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan while in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon.
Issuing a readout of the conversation a Number 10 spokesperson said: “They discussed the grave situation in the Middle East.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that his priority is diplomacy and dialogue, in order to de-escalate as quickly as possible.
“The Prime Minister said this would be top of the agenda during his conversations with G7 partners in the next two days. They also discussed Gaza, and the need to bring an end to the devastation there.
“They agreed to stay in close touch.”
Full report | Britain warns against all travel to Israel as tensions with Iran intensify
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:58
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Jabed Ahmed
Watch: Britain ‘not at war’ despite sending more RAF jets to the Middle East, Reeves says
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:40
,
Athena Stavrou
Mapped: Where Iran and Israel’s missiles have struck as Middle East tensions escalate
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:29
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Athena Stavrou
Israel hits aerial refuelling plane in Iran in 'longest-range strike'
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:25
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Jabed Ahmed
The Israeli military said it struck an aerial refuelling aircraft at Mashhad Airport in eastern Iran, describing it as its longest-range attack since launching operations against Iran last week.
Latest pictures from Iran and Israel
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:16
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Athena Stavrou
Watch: Bat Yam rescue operation after Iran's deadly attack
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:04
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Athena Stavrou
ICYMI: Netanyahu warns Iran will pay ‘heavy price’ for strikes
Sunday 15 June 2025 16:03
Benjamin Netanyahu warned earlier that Iran “will pay a heavy price” for its retaliatory strikes on Israel.
The Israeli prime minister visited the site of an Iranian strike in Bat Yam, a city just south of Tel Aviv, on Sunday.
Six people were killed in an overnight strike on a building, according to Israeli officials.
"Iran will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women and children," Netanyahu said from a balcony overlooking blown-out apartments.
No reports of fallen projectiles: Israel
Sunday 15 June 2025 15:54
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Athena Stavrou
Residents in Israel have been told they can leave air raid shelters after Iran launched missiles on Sunday afternoon.
Iran launched the missiles shortly after two explosions were seen in central Tehran.
In a statement widely circulated, the IDF has said most of the missiles were intercepted and that there were no reports of fallen projectiles.
Smoke billows following an explosion in central Tehran
Sunday 15 June 2025 15:38
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Athena Stavrou
Analysis| The UK should protect its allies in the Gulf and Middle East - but Israel isn’t one of them
Sunday 15 June 2025 15:26