The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Hossein Salami, is feared dead following Israel’s preemptive strikes, multiple Iranian state media outlets have reported.
Other top Guard officials, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also believed to be dead.
Explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital of Tehran in the early hours as the news broke, Iran’s state-run Nour News reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied that the United States was involved in the strikes.
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” Rubio said. “President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S interests or personnel,” he added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address on YouTube that the attacks will continue “for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.”
Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Israel’s Defense Minister Ian Katz said in a statement.
U.S. and Iranian officials were due to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials.
Key points
- Israel has launched ‘preemptive strikes’ against Iran, defense minister says
- Head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is feared dead
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US 'not involved' in strikes on Iran
- Israel’s Prime Minister says operation against Iran will continue for 'many days'
UN nuclear watchdog says it is 'closely monitoring' situation in Iran
04:46
,
Shweta Sharma
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was “closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran” after Israel launched strikes on the country.
The IAEA "can confirm Natanz site among targets. The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country”, director general Rafael Grossi said.
An Israeli military official said Israel was striking "dozens" of nuclear and military targets, including the facility at Natanz in central Iran.
The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.
The Natanz complex, located about 250km south of Tehran, is Iran’s largest enrichment facility and central to its nuclear programme. Analysts say it develops and assembles centrifuges used to convert uranium into nuclear fuel.
Iran’s supreme leader vows 'severe punishment' for Israel
04:35
,
Shweta Sharma
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had "unleashed its wicked and bloody" hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive "a bitter fate for itself".
“The regime must await a severe punishment,” he said.
“In the enemy’s attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred. Their successors and colleagues will, God willing, immediately continue their duties without pause,” he added.
“With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself – and it will certainly receive it.”
Airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq remains empty as tensions rise
04:27
Airspace above Israel, Iran and Iraq has been cleared out by airlines after Israel launched attacks on targets in Tehran, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel's air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel.
Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, state media reported.
As reports of strikes on Iran emerged, a number of commercial flights by airlines including Dubai's Emirates, Lufthansa and Air India were flying over Iran.
02:30 UTC 13 June vs 6 June 2025. pic.twitter.com/s2Vm8ORBdg
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 13, 2025
Iraq early on Friday closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.
Flights steadily diverted over Central Asia or Saudi Arabia, flight tracking data showed.
"The situation is still emerging - operators should use a high degree of caution in the region at this time," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information.
US embassy in Israel asks its all employees and their families to take shelter
04:13
,
Shweta Sharma
The US embassy in Jerusalem has directed all US government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice over the quickly changing “security environment”.
“The US Embassy reminds US citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, including mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system intrusions, often take place without any warning. The security environment is complex and can change quickly,” a security alert by the embassy said.
It said the US embassy may further restrict or prohibit government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel (including the Old City of Jerusalem) and the West Bank in response to security incidents and without advance notice.
Israel: As a result of the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) June 13, 2025
This is provided for your information as you make your own security plans.
The U.S. Embassy… pic.twitter.com/mQC9bHuGwt
Iran closes entire airspace
03:54
,
Andrea Cavallier
Iran has closed its entire airspace following Israel's strikes.
Earlier, there was a temporary closure of airspace over Tehran, according to a NOTAM issued by Iran, CNN reported. But now the entire airspace is shut down.
US Senator calls strikes a ‘reckless escalation’
03:52
,
Andrea Cavallier
US Sen. Jack Reed issued a statement on Israel’s strikes on Iran, calling the decision a “reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.”
"Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence," Reed said Thursday.
“While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer,” he added as he urged both sides to show “immediate restraint.”
He also called on President Trump and international partners to “press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals out of control.”
Watch: Netanyahu addresses missile strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities
03:50
,
Andrea Cavallier
Oil prices spike after strikes
03:35
,
Andrea Cavallier
Oil prices were up by 8.3 percent to $73.75 a barrel following Israel’s strikes on Iran.
It’s the biggest one-day percentage increase since March 2022 during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, CNN reported.
03:30
,
Andrea Cavallier
“New York is closely monitoring tonight’s actions from Israel and Iran,” Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted Thursday night.
“There are no credible threats to New York at this time. As a precaution, we have increased security for sensitive locations and stepped up cybersecurity protections. “
“My priority is keeping New Yorkers safe.”
New York is closely monitoring tonight’s actions from Israel and Iran. There are no credible threats to New York at this time.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 13, 2025
As a precaution, we have increased security for sensitive locations and stepped up cybersecurity protections.
My priority is keeping New Yorkers safe.
Photos show destruction in Tehran from Israeli strikes
03:12
,
Andrea Cavallier
Iraq closes airspace
03:07
,
Andrea Cavallier
Iraq has closed its airspace, according to Iraq’s ministry of transportation, CNN reported.
Israel’s Ben-Gurion international airport, the country’s main airport, has also been closed until further notice.
Ted Cruz defends Israel’s strikes against Iran
02:56
,
Andrea Cavallier
GOP Sen. Ted Cruz defended Israel’s strikes against Iran on Thursday night.
“Israel is acting to defend themselves and tonight we should stand unequivocally with the state of Israel,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“Israel has an incredible military. They are surrounded by nations that would drive them into the sea and exterminate them. We don’t know how this is going to end up but a nuclear Iran would be a profound threat to Israel and a profound threat to America.”
Head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is feared dead
02:52
,
Andrea Cavallier
The head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, is feared dead, according to Iranian state television as reported by the Associated Press.
Other top officials, as well as two nuclear scientists, are also believed to be dead, according to the report.
'Netanyahu has started a war with Iran that has no justification'
02:41
,
John Bowden
In a statement issued by CATO institute scholar Justin Long:
“Benjamin Netanyahu has started a war with Iran that has no justification. The attack will destroy US diplomatic efforts to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon. Netanyahu’s war has overtaken President Trump’s declaration this afternoon that
“the United States is committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue.”
Netanyahu has chosen to present Trump with a fait accompli and dare him to oppose it.
Iran was not on the precipice of acquiring nuclear weapons. It had not thrown out IAEA inspectors (from whom all information about the Iran nuclear program flowed). It had not enriched uranium to weapons-grade. Tehran maximized its leverage in negotiations, which Netanyahu deplored.
The American president should make clear that the United States had no part in the Israeli attack on Iran. He should not ask US servicemembers to protect Israel from Iranian retaliation, and should immediately remove US troops from bases in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere that do nothing other than welcome Iranian reprisals.
Israel has the right to choose its own foreign policy. At the same time, it has the responsibility to bear the costs of that policy.
The United States should remind all Middle Eastern countries of their place in US foreign policy and their limited relevance to Americans’ well-being.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu releases statement
02:26
,
Andrea Cavallier
"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.
This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US 'not involved' in strikes on Iran
02:00
,
Joe Middleton
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the U.S. was “not involved in the strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S interests or personnel,” he added.
Trump ally tweets: 'Game on'
01:57
,
Joe Middleton
Trump ally and senator Lindsay Graham has posted on X:
Game on.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 13, 2025
Pray for Israel.
Israel has launched ‘preemptive strikes’ against Iran, defense minister says
01:42
,
Joe Middleton
Our senior correspondent Richard Hall reports
Israel launched strikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, raising the prospect of a regional war between the longtime foes over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Israel’s Defense Minister Ian Katz said in a statement.
Explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital of Tehran in the early hours as the news broke, Iran’s state-run Nour News reported.
BREAKING: Israel carries out strikes on Iran
01:28
,
Joe Middleton
Israel has begun carrying out strikes on Iran, two U.S. officials said on Thursday, adding there was no U.S. assistance or involvement in the operation.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide further information.
Family pleads for release of Nepali student abducted by Hamas
01:00
,
Daniel Keane
The family of a Nepali man taken captive by the Palestinian militant group Hamas appealed to his captors for his release, stressing that he has no involvement in the conflict in Gaza.
Bipin Joshi, now 25, was among 17 Nepali students studying agriculture in southern Israel during the October 7 2023 Hamas attack that ignited the war in Gaza.
His sister, Pushpa Joshi, told the Associated Press: “Bipin Joshi is an innocent agriculture student.
"He is a student who has a long life ahead of him, who is just 25 years old now."
Militants killed 10 of the Nepali students in the attack and injured six others.
Third enrichment site 'ready to operate', says Iran
Friday 13 June 2025 00:01
,
Daniel Keane
An Iranian official has said that a third enrichment site announced as a countermeasure to a UN nuclear watchdog resolution is built and ready to operate.
Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation, told state media that the site was ready to function when equipped with machinery.
Israel 'considering military action in coming days' - reports
Thursday 12 June 2025 22:47
,
Daniel Keane
Israel is considering military action against Iran in the coming days, according to reports.
Three sources familiar with the situation told ABC News that it was possible that the US could play a logistical role and share intelligence with the IDF that could be used in a strike.
Talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to take place this weekend.
German foreign minister says he will not accept Iran getting nuclear weapons
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:47
,
Daniel Keane
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said that he will not accept Iran getting nuclear weapons.
"Everyone wants to avoid any escalation. We will not stand by idly and watch Iran become nuclear-armed. That must be made clear in this situation," Wadephul said.
He said he would travel to the Middle East on Thursday night and will be in Israel on Sunday.
Israel deports six more activists detained on Madleen
Thursday 12 June 2025 20:47
,
Daniel Keane
In other developments, Israel has deported six more activists who were detained when it seized an aid boat bound for Gaza Strip, according to the rights group representing them.
The six include Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament who Israel had previously barred from entering Israel.
It comes days after Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel.
Israel's Foreign Ministry, which has dismissed the aid boat as a publicity stunt, posted a photo of Ms Hassan on what appeared to be an aeroplane.
"Six more passengers from the 'selfie yacht,' including Rima Hassan, are on their way out of Israel," the ministry wrote on X. "Bye-bye - and don't forget to take a selfie before you leave."
The Madleen had sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver what it called a symbolic amount of aid.
Italy says it has no indication of imminent Israeli attack on Iran
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:47
,
Daniel Keane
Italy has no indication there will be an Israeli attack on Iran in the near future, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday.
"I don't know if there will be an Israeli attack on Iran, we have no signs, apart from what the Americans have done, that there will be an attack in the immediate future", Tajani told reporters.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday U.S. personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because it could become a “dangerous place”.
Trump admits strike on Iran 'could very well happen'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:25
,
Joe Middleton
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen" but he would not call it imminent and that he would prefer to avoid conflict with Tehran and reach a peaceful solution over its nuclear program.
Trump's comments came after the U.N. nuclear watchdog's board of governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations and Tehran announced counter-measures, as an Iranian official said a "friendly country" had warned it of a potential Israeli attack.
U.S. and Iranian officials will hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to U.S. and Omani officials.
But security concerns have risen since Trump said on Wednesday American personnel were being moved out of the region because "it could be a dangerous place" and that Tehran would not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
"I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen," Trump told reporters at a White House event, adding Iran could not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
"I'd love to avoid the conflict," he said. "Iran's going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher, meaning they're going to have to give us something they're not willing to give us right now."
Explained: Obama's 2015 nuclear deal
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:47
,
Daniel Keane
Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, negotiated under then-President Barack Obama, allowed Iran to enrich uranium to 3.67 per cent.
This is enough to fuel a nuclear power plant but far below the threshold of 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade uranium.
It also drastically reduced Iran's stockpile of uranium, limited its use of centrifuges and relied on the IAEA to oversee Tehran's compliance through additional oversight.
But President Donald Trump in his first term in 2018 unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, insisting it wasn't tough enough.
Iran now enriches up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels.
Iran alerted to possible Israeli attack by 'friendly' country - reports
Thursday 12 June 2025 17:48
,
Daniel Keane
A senior Iranian official has told Reuters that a "friendly" country had alerted Tehran to a potential strike on its nuclear sites by Israel.
Iranian state media reported that Iran's military had begun drills earlier than planned to focus on "enemy movements".
Iranian retaliation for any Israeli attack will be "more forceful and destructive" than in the past, Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami told state media.
Top general says UN watchdog ruling on Iran is 'troubling'
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:48
,
Daniel Keane
The top US general said on Thursday that a new report from the UN nuclear watchdog was troubling and the United States was watching the situation develop closely.
"The IAEA report is certainly troubling," General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said.
He told lawmakers that the international community appeared to be thinking about what they would do about the IAEA's latest resolution, which declared that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.
What is Israel's relationship with Iran?
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:48
,
Daniel Keane
Israel has often described Iran as its most dangerous enemy and has indicated it may strike the country's nuclear sites.
Any such attack would likely need US backing, potentially dragging Washington into a conflict with Tehran.
Israel is already widely seen as behind covert attacks on Iran's nuclear programme including the Stuxnet computer virus and assassinations of scientists. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this.
Tensions have increased since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and as war raged in Gaza.
UN nuclear watchdog resolution complicates talks on Sunday, says Iran
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:19
,
Daniel Keane
The UN nuclear watchdog’s declaration that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations will complicate talks set to take place between Tehran and Washington on Sunday, Iran’s foreign minister has said.
His warning comes as US and Iranian representatives prepare to meet in Oman for talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, which have reached a deadlock in recent weeks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) earlier declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years, raising the prospect of reporting it to the UN Security Council.
Iran will rebuild nuclear facilities if destroyed, says President
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:57
,
Daniel Keane
Iran will rebuild its nuclear facilities if they are destroyed, the country's President Masoud Pezeshkian has said.
His comments come amid reports that Israel is planning an attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.
"It is not the case that if they destroy our facilities with bombs, everything will be lost. These capabilities exist in our minds, and therefore, whatever they do, we will rebuild again," Mr Pezeshkian said.
Explained: Why is Iran's nuclear programme such a key issue?
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:19
,
Daniel Keane
Iran’s nuclear programme began in the 1950s as a research project, with US support.
But after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, cooperation with international agencies ceased and the country’s new government pursued its nuclear activities in secret.
The revelation that Iran was secretly enriching uranium - a process to generate fuel for an atomic power plant but that can also make more concentrated material needed for a bomb - put its nuclear programme in the US crosshairs.
Iran claims its programme is entirely civilian, but Washington and its allies maintain that Tehran has consistently hidden important elements of its programme and believe it wants to build a nuclear bomb.
In 2015, Iran and six major powers including the United States agreed to curb Tehran’s nuclear work in return for limited sanctions relief - but Donald Trump ripped up the deal in 2018.
The US president has entered new negotiations since returning to the White House, but they have stalled in recent weeks.
Oil prices fall amid tension in the Middle East
Thursday 12 June 2025 13:51
,
Daniel Keane
Shares in European airlines and travel companies fell in morning trade amid growing fears of an Israeli strike on Iran.
Crude oil futures fell about 2 per cent on Thursday, with US West Texas Intermediate down 2.02 per cent.
Global benchmark Brent fell by around 1.93 per cent, according to CNBC.
Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that US personnel would be evacuated from the embassy in Iraq over fears of a potential conflict in the Middle East.
Full-blown Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure would be 'nightmare scenario', says expert
Thursday 12 June 2025 13:21
,
Alex Croft
A full-blown Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure would be a “nightmare scenario” for the Middle East, an expert has warned.
“This is the worst case scenario, Israel going full blown attack on Iranian nuclear [infrastructure]. It’s a nightmare scenario, not only for Iraq but the rest of them,” said professor Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at Chatham House.
Reports have suggested Iran would strike US bases in Iraq, in retaliation to any Israeli strikes on its nuclear infrastructure.
Pushed on whether Iraq would respond angrily to this development, prof Mekelberg told The Independent: “In principle, Iran and Iraq are close countries, [with] Shia governments.
“I don’t think [Iran] is going to hit Iraq, it will be more American targets.
“So it will be more an American-Iran than an Iraq issue.”
Iran says retaliation to Israeli attack will be 'unprecedented'
Thursday 12 June 2025 13:00
,
Daniel Keane
Iran has warned that a retaliation to an Israeli attack will be “more forceful and destructive” than before.
Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami told state media that a response would eclipse past offensives.
Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on October 1 last year, but this caused only minimal damage and a few injuries.
Tehran said it had been alerted of a potential attack by a “friendly” country in the region, Haaretz reported.
Explained: The long-running tension between the US and Iran
Thursday 12 June 2025 12:36
,
Daniel Keane
Relations between Tehran and Washington have been strained for decades over a number of issues, most prominently the question of whether Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon - an allegation it denies.
In his first presidency, Donald Trump withdrew the US from a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, which imposed strict limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for relief from sanctions.
Iran accuses the US of interfering in its internal affairs, from orchestrating the 1953 coup against then prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh to the 2020 assassination of top military commander Qassem Soleimani.
The US, in turn, cites Iran’s support for armed groups across the Middle East – Hamas in occupied Palestinian, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen – as evidence of its destabilising role in the region.
Bid to dissolve Israeli parliament defeated in vote
Thursday 12 June 2025 12:14
,
Daniel Keane
Benjamin Netanyahu's government has survived an attempt to dissolve parliament, in a boost to his embattled premiership.
Some of the Israeli Prime Minister’s ultra-Orthodox coalition partners had threatened to bring down the government over a bill that would have forced them to register for military service while the country is at war.
The issue has long divided the Jewish Israeli public, especially during the 20-month war in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's opposition had hoped the public anger over the exemptions would help topple the government.
However, just two of the 18 ultra-Orthodox members of the Knesset supported the bill to dissolve.
What are Israel and Iran’s attack and defence capabilities?
Thursday 12 June 2025 11:53
,
Daniel Keane
Our reporter Holly Evans has taken a look at the attack and defence capabilities of both Israel and Iran as fears grow of a war between the two countries.
The latest figures published by the think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) show that Israel has 169,500 active personnel, with a reserve army of 465,000.
Those currently in service include 126,000 in the army, 9,500 in the navy and 34,000 in the air force.
Israel is also estimated to have 90 nuclear warheads in its stockpile.
Meanwhile, Iran has 610,000 active personnel, which includes 350,000 in their army, 190,000 in the IRGC, and 15,000 in air defence and 18,000 in the navy.
They also have an additional reserve of 350,000 with conscription mandatory for Iranian men over 18.
You can read her full analysis below.
Israeli attack on Iran without US approval would make 'zero sense', says expert
Thursday 12 June 2025 11:35
,
Daniel Keane
Our foreign affairs reporter Alex Croft has been speaking to military and diplomatic experts about the significance of Trump’s withdrawal of embassy staff in Iraq.
Professor Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme, told The Independent that it would make “zero sense” for Israel to attack Iran without consulting the US first.
“If Israel strikes, and then American soldiers are here, American assets, then Israel is losing almost the only ally that it has left,” he said.
Prof Mekelberg said that if Israel does strike, it will most likely have been given the go-ahead by the Trump administration.
But he added that it is “not beyond the realm of possibility that [Israel] decides to go rogue”.
He added: “Knowing that the type of president in the White House is not a forgiving one, doing something like this, in my mind, [would be] crazy. Completely irrational.”
Israel says world must 'respond decisively' to Iranian non-compliance
Thursday 12 June 2025 11:20
,
Daniel Keane
Israel’s foreign ministry has said that the world must “respond decisively” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Their statement follows the news that the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), declared that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.
“Iran has consistently obstructed IAEA's verification and monitoring, it removed inspectors, and it sanitised and concealed suspected undeclared locations in Iran,” the foreign ministry wrote on X.
“These actions undermine the global non-proliferation regime and pose an imminent threat to regional and international security and stability.”
They added: “These actions undermine the global non-proliferation regime and pose an imminent threat to regional and international security and stability.
“The international community must respond decisively to Iran's non-compliance and take measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.”
Iran's armed forces launches military drills
Thursday 12 June 2025 11:08
,
Daniel Keane
Iran’s armed forces have launched military drills with a “focus on enemy movements”, state media in the country reported.
It comes after Washington withdrew personnel from the region during heightened frictions.
Recap: Israel's last strike on Iran
Thursday 12 June 2025 10:46
,
Daniel Keane
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) unleashed a series of strikes on Iran in October last year, saying it targeted sites used to make missiles fired at Israel in a previous attack.
Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on October 1, sending Israelis scrambling into bomb shelters but causing only minimal damage and a few injuries.
Tehran claimed the barrage was a retaliation for attacks in recent months that killed leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Iranian military.
The exchange of attacks pushed the two countries closer to all-out war, an outcome which would have disastrous consequences for the Middle East.
Until the attack, Iran had not faced a sustained barrage of fire from a foreign enemy since its 1980s war with Iraq.
US restricts travel outside Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Thursday 12 June 2025 10:29
,
Daniel Keane
Washington has restricted travel for government employees and their family members outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva until further notice amid rising tension in the Middle East, the US Embassy said in a statement.
Fears of an Israeli attack on Iran have already prompted US officials to partially evacuate the American embassy in Iraq.
Mossad head to meet US envoy Witkoff, Israeli media reports
Thursday 12 June 2025 10:15
,
Daniel Keane
The head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency will meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff amid rising fears of an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Mossad chief David Barnea and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will meet with Mr Witkoff ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday, the Times of Israel reports.
It comes as the US and Iran have been holding talks on Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it must not develop a nuclear weapon, but efforts to reach a deal have stalled in recent weeks.
Mr Witkoff is set to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat to discuss the Iranian response to a US proposal.
Iran announces counter-measures to UN nuclear watchdog ruling
Thursday 12 June 2025 09:58
,
Daniel Keane
Iran has announced counter-measures after the UN’s nuclear watchdog formally declared Tehran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.
In a statement carried on Iranian state TV, the Iranian government said the resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was a “political decision” without technical or legal foundations.
Counter-measures include the opening of a new enrichment site and the upgrade of centrifuges in the Fordow nuclear facility.
"Iran's many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the agency with full and timely co-operation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran ... constitutes non-compliance with its obligations under its safeguards agreement," the draft resolution says.
UN nuclear watchdog says Iran is not complying with nuclear obligations
Thursday 12 June 2025 09:44
,
Daniel Keane
The UN nuclear watchdog has formally found that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.
Nineteen countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) board voted for the resolution, which renewed a call on Iran to provide immediate answers about uranium traces found at several locations that it has failed to declare as nuclear sites.
Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, 11 abstained and two did not vote, according to the Associated Press.
The move could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore sanctions on Tehran later this year.
Pictured: Armoured vehicles belonging to Iraqi security forces are stationed outside the US Embassy in Baghdad
Thursday 12 June 2025 09:30
,
Daniel Keane
Armoured vehicles belonging to Iraqi security forces have been pictured outside the US Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday.
Non-essential personnel have been withdrawn from the embassy, a key diplomatic post in the region for Washington