Iranian missiles rain down on Israel after ‘CAR BOMBS’ obliterate nuclear scientists in Tehran during IDF blitz on city… amid claims Trump ‘stopped assassination of Supreme Leader’
Israel has killed 14 Iranian nuclear scientists in a series of attacks that reportedly included car bombs, Tehranhas claimed.
Sources told Reuters that the attacks, which have taken place since Friday, were designed to cripple Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Local media reported Tehran was hit by five car bombs.
Since the escalating tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran, the IDF has named nine scientists it has so far killed, resulting in Tehran looking like a war zone.
At least ten people have been killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country’s total death toll to 13.
In Iran, Israeli strikes have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654, according to Washington-based Human Rights Activists. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
The IDF has warned strikes against its neighbour will continue until Tuesday at the earliest as the region braced for a drawn-out conflict over the coming days.
The Middle East conflict escalated on Thursday night after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, with Iran confirming missiles struck nuclear facilities, ‘martyred’ top commanders and killed dozens of civilians.
Follow along for updates.
WATCH: Israel attacks Iranian nuclear scientists in car bombings
Iran has claimed that Israel has detonated five car bombs in Tehran. They were among a series of attacks that killed 14 of Iran’s nuclear scientists.
Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that they were set off by Israel-linked groups, although these claims have not yet been verified.
Israeli officials have denied partaking in the bombings.
Breaking:Israeli air strike hits military targets in Iran
The IDF has released footage of an Isreali air strike in ‘the hear of Tehran’ following an attack on Sunday.
It said earlier that it had launched a wave of strikes on dozens of surface-to-surface ballistic missile targets in the country.
Breaking:Two people injured following Iran missile strikes
Israel’s ambulance service, Magen David Adom, said two people have been taken to hospital with shrapnel injuries following strikes in northern Isreal.
IDF says ‘several areas’ across Israel hit by missiles
The IDF has confirmed that ‘several areas across the country’ have been hit by strikes from Iran.
It added that Isrealis could now leave their bomb shelters following the latest attack.
The IDF said in a post on X: ‘Rescue forces are operating in several areas across the country where reports of falls have been received.’
Pictures from AFP have also shown smoke billowing from the city of Haifa, after seemingly been hit by missile.
Pictured: Iran launches latest barrage of missiles towards Isreal
Breaking:Iranian missile hits Isreal city of Haifa
A missile has hit the city of Haifa in Isreal, after Iran launched a new wave on strikes on the country on Sunday.
Iran warns Israeli residents to leave vicinity of ‘vital areas’
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 on Sunday evening.
It came around the time taht Iran sent a new barrage of missiles towards Israel.
An armed forces spokesperson said: ‘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.’
Air raid sirens heard in Jerusalem amid latest Iran strikes
Air raid sirens and booms rang out in Jerusalem while missiles flew across the sky on Sunday evening, AFP journalists said.
Just moments ago, the IDF said the Isreali Air Force ‘is working to intercept’ the attack.
‘Sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,’ the military said in a statement.
Iran ‘activates air defences amid Israeli strikes’
Iran activated its air defences in Tehran and western parts of the country on Sunday, media reports in the Islamic republic said, as Israel intensified its attacks.
‘A few minutes ago, the Kermanshah air defence system was activated,’ the Mehr news agency said.
The official IRNA news agency said air defences were also activated in the Iranian capital.
Pictured: Smoke fills the sky in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Iran
Tens of thousands of British citizens trapped in Israel amid ongoing conflict
By Jason Groves, Political Editor
Tens of thousands of British citizens are currently trapped in a war zone as officials admitted an evacuation from Israel is currently impossible.
The Foreign Office issued an urgent warning against all travel to Israel following two nights of bombardment by deadly Iranian missiles and drones.
Officials have dusted off previous contingency plans for an airborne evacuation of British nationals from Israel.
But insiders have admitted it was impossible to put in place while Israel’s airspace remains closed to all civilian flights.
New Foreign Office guidance has advised against all travel to Israel and urged those stranded there to follow local advice and stay away from missile debris.
‘We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks,’ it said. ‘The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning.’
The Foreign Office warned anyone looking to flee the country that Israeli airspace ‘remains closed’ and that the conflict with Iran ‘may disrupt road links’.
Breaking:Missiles launched from Iran towards Israel
Iran has reportedly launched missiles towards Isreal in its latest attack on the country since Friday.
The IDF said the Isreali Air Force ‘is working to intercept’ the attack and has ‘activated alerts in several areas of the country’.
Keir Starmer speaks with UAE President about ‘grave situation’ in Iran-Israel conflict
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a call earlier today.
The pair discussed the ‘grave situation’ in the Iran-Israel conflict, according to a Downing Street statement.
‘The Prime Minister reiterated that his priority is diplomacy and dialogue, in order to de-escalate as quickly as possible,’ it said.
WATCH: Netanyahu Fox News interview in full
Fox News have shared the full interview with Israeli Prime Minister on its official X account. You can watch it below.
Israeli Air Force begins new wave of strikes on western Iran
The Israeli Air Force has launched a wave of strikes on dozens of surface-to-surface ballistic missile targets in western Iran, the IDF said in a post on X.
‘Urgent action’ needed to prevent Israel-Iran conflict escalating, Turkey president says
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said ‘urgent action’ was needed to prevent the Iran-Israel conflict engulfing the Middle East, in a call with US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday.
‘President Erdogan hailed the recent comments by US President Trump concerning a resolution of the conflict between Israel and Iran… and stressed that urgent action is needed to prevent a catastrophe that could enflame the whole region,’ the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
During the call, Erdogan said the ‘spiral of violence unleashed by Israel’s attacks on Iran have caused irreparable economic and civil damage to both sides’ and called for moves to ‘halt this dangerous escalation’, it said.
IDF warns Israeli strikes will continue to Tuesday at the earliest
The official account of the IDF said in a post on X that Isreal would continue its ‘defense policy’ until at least 8pm on Tuesday.
Officials claim US is not in favour of going after Iran’s political leadership
Here’s a bit more detail on the earlier post stating that Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A senior U.S. administration official told the press agency on Sunday: ‘Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.’
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said top U.S. officials have been in constant communications 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 Reuters report, Netanyahu, in an interview on Sunday with Fox News Channel’s Special Report With Bret Baier. 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.’
Israel strikes have set Iran back ‘quite a bit’
Netanyahu believes Israel’s airstikes have set Iran back ‘quite a bit’, adding ‘I think they were completely surprised’.
He also told interviewer Bret Baier that Isreal has secured a ‘free highway to Tehran’ after securing air superiority agianst Iran’s forces.
‘We can now pick off the targets we need in Tehran and in other places,’ he added.
Iran death toll ‘rises to 406 people’
Israeli strikes have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654 in Iran, according to Washington-based Human Rights Activists.
Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country’s total death toll to 13.
Netanyahu: Trump is Iran’s ‘enemy number one’
Here’s another exerpt from Netanyahu’s interview with Fox News earlier today, in which he told Bret Baier that Iran sees Trump as ‘enemy number one’.
Iran attacks on Israel kill five Ukrainians
Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel have killed five Ukrainian nationals, including three children, in the Israeli city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Kyiv said on Sunday.
The five were killed Saturday in the ‘massive’ Iranian strikes when a missile hit a residential building in the city, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
Turkey ready to play facilitator role to resolve Israel Iran conflict
Tayyip Erdogan told Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday that Ankara was ready to play a facilitator role to resolve the conflict between Israel and Iran, the Turkey President’s office said.
Erdogan welcomed Trump’s latest statement on a possible peace between Iran and Israel, his office said.
He also urged his US counterpart to take action immediately to prevent a disaster ‘that could set the region on fire’.
Breaking:Trump ‘vetoed Israeli attack on Iran Supreme Leader’
Reuters is reporting that Donald Trump recently vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran Supreme Leader, according to two US officials.
When asked about the claims in an interview, Netanyahu said: ‘I’m not going to get into that.’
Israeli strikes could see regime change in Iran
Netanyahu has said that Israel’s military attacks could result in a regime change in Iran.
He is currently speaking to Fox New’s Bret Baier on his ‘Special Report’ program in one of his first interviews since Israel’s attacks on Iran began on Friday.
Breaking:Netanyahu informed US about Israel’s strikes on Iran ahead of time
Israel president Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed he informed the US and President Donald Trump about the country’s attacks on Iran on Friday ahead of time.
Pictured: Iranians watch in horror following Israeli strike on Sharan Oil depot
Pictured: Iranian officials forced to clear cars out following airstrike
Breaking:Israeli death toll rises to 14
Israel’s government has confirmed that the death toll of Iranian strikes has risen to 14, after another body was recovered in the city of Bat Yam.
France’s Macron hoped escalating Middle East violence will ‘calm’ in ‘coming hours’
Speaking during a visit to Greenland, French president Emmanuel Macron has said he hopes the ‘coming hours will bring calm and a road forward for discussion, to avoid any escalation of nuclear capabilities, acquisition of nuclear capacities in Iran, and to prevent any unrest in the region.’
He added: ‘We will have the opportunity, in a few hours, to revisit this matter with G7 leaders.’
Top Israeli defence official meets with defence firms to discuss weapons production acceleration
Amir Baram, a director in Israel’s defence ministry, has reportedly held a top-level meeting with the heads of Israel’s biggest defence contractors.
He reportedly called for the pace of weapons production to be accelerated, and for enhanced levels of protection of critical infrastructure.
Baram said: ‘Our defense is not hermetic.’
Israeli security service arrests two men on suspicion of spying for Iran
Shin Bet, Israel’s security service, arrested two Jewish Israelis suspected of carrying out missions on Iran’s behalf.
They were arrested in an overnight raid, and are currently being held and interrogated.
WATCH: Iranians flee Tehran as Middle East violence continues
Israel denies responsibility for Iran car bombs
Israeli officials have denied partaking in the detonations of car bombs in Tehran.
Breaking:Israel admits it expected civilian casualties from Iran strikes
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar says that while his government expected civilian casualties from its attack on Iran, it ‘didn’t have any other choice.’
He said: ‘When we took this historic decision, tough decision, we knew we will have difficult times and we will face casualties, but saying that, we didn’t have any other choice.’
IDF bombs Iranian refuelling plane at Mashhad Airport
Pictured: Palestinians rush for cover after Israeli strike on Bureij camp
Breaking:Israel: The goal of our operation is not regime change
The IDF has denied claims that it is carrying out strikes on Iran to force the current regime out.
Israel’s cabinet extends nationwide state of emergency until end of the month
Israel’s cabinet has approved extending the nationwide state of emergency until at least June 30.
Pictured: Iranians desperately flee Tehran amid ongoing strikes
Breaking:Trump: ‘It’s possible’ for US to get involved in Iran-Israel conflict
President Donald Trump told a news network Sunday it remains possible the United States will become involved in the Iran-Israel conflict and that he would be ‘open’ to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin being a mediator.
‘It’s possible we could get involved’ in the ongoing battle between the Middle East arch-foes, Trump said in an interview, according to ABC News.
The network added that Trump stressed that the United States is ‘not at this moment’ involved in the military action.
As for Putin being a potential mediator in the conflict, ‘he is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,’ Trump said.
Pictured: Israeli strike hits Tehran police HQ
Russia says it can play ‘key role’ in Israel-Iran mediations
Russia’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said in a post on X on Sunday that Russia can play ‘a key role’ in mediating the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Dmitriev was responding to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflict.
Breaking:Iran claims ‘Israel detonated five car bombs in Tehran’
Iran has claimed that Israel has detonated five car bombs in Tehran.
Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that they were set off by Israel-linked groups.
These claims have not yet been verified.
14 Iranian nuclear scientists killed by Israeli strikes
Reuters is reporting that at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks.
Etihad Airways cancels flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv
Etihad Airways has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until at least June 22.
It said in a statement: ‘This remains a developing situation, and some disruption and delays may be expected in the coming days.’
Israel ‘strikes Iran’s intelligence and justice ministries’
Israel has reportedly struck Iran’s Justice and Intelligence ministries, in the heart of Tehran.
Threat to Tel Aviv appears to have passed
The IDF has now said that civilians in central and northern Israel don’t need to seek shelter in bunkers anymore.
WATCH: Bunkers across Tel Aviv filled with civilians
Pictured: Israelis take shelter at the side of highway
Breaking:Trump: ‘Iran and Israel should make a deal’
US president Donald Trump has urged Iran and Israel to make a deal with each other.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: ‘Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP!
‘Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR.
‘I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River.
‘There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.
‘I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!’
Russian embassy in Tehran working to evacuate citizens
Russia’s embassy in Tehran said on Sunday that it was working on the option of evacuating Russian citizens from Iran by a land route.
Breaking:Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Explosions have been heard in the Tel Aviv area. It is not currently known what has been hit in the Israeli city, nor how many missiles Iran has fired.
Iran asks Iraq to block Israel from its airspace
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iraq on Sunday to block Israel from using its airspace and territory to launch attacks on the Islamic republic.
‘We emphasise that the Iraqi government must exercise greater vigilance and protection of its borders and airspace so that Iraqi territory is not misused against the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ said Pezeshkian in a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Netanyahu says Iran will pay ‘very heavy price’ for Israeli deaths
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Iran would pay ‘a very heavy price’ for killing Israeli civilians.
Speaking at the site of a missile strike in Bet Yam, he said: ‘Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children.’
Iran ups death toll to 128
Iran says the death toll from Israel’s strikes is now 128.
Latest pictures show Tehran covered in smoke
Breaking:Iran attack forces sirens to sound across central Israel and Jerusalem
Sirens are being sounded across central Israel and Jerusalem, as Iran launches another missile barrage.
The IDF says it is workring to shoot down the missiles.
Breaking:Fresh alert issued in Israeli city as IDF warns people to avoid public spaces
Officials in the city of Bat Yam have issued a new warning telling people to stay near a protected space.
It comes as the IDF told Israelis across the country to avoid gatherings and public spaces.
The military said: ‘Movement in public areas should be minimised, and public gatherings must be avoided. Upon receiving an alert, enter a protected space and remain there until an official update is issued.’
Breaking:Israel strikes Yemen in overnight bombing campaign targeting Houthi leader
Israel bombed Yemen overnight in an attempt to kill a top military official in the Houthi group, the New York Times has reported.
An airstrike on the country saw Israel attempt to take out Mohamed Al-Ghamari, the Houthi military’s chief of staff.
It is not currently known if Al-Ghamari was killed or injured in the attack, and the Houthis have not publicly commented on it yet.
Surreal scenes in Lebanon as people party unfazed on rooftops under a sky of fiery missiles
Iran warns of more ‘severe’ retaliation as reports say 128 died in strikes
Iran has warned of ‘more decisive and severe’ attacks as local media reported 128 had been killed in Israel strikes on Friday and Saturday.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran’s military has so far responded ‘strongly and appropriately’.
Pictured below is a partially collapsed block of flats in Bat Yam after it was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile.
Video: Lebanon continues partying as Iran’s missiles light up the sky
Britons have been warned not to travel to Israel as the conflict with Iran ramps up today.
The Foreign Office is now advising ‘against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories’.
Planning is also believed to be under way to evacuate UK nationals if the situation deteriorates further.
The stark message came as Israel and Iran continued to bombard each other overnight.
Read the full story below.
US-led coalition ‘shot down drones’, says Iran
Two drones launched from Iran towards Israel were shot down over Iraq by the US-led international coalition to defeat the Islamic State group, two Iraqi military officials told news agency AFP.
‘The international coalition at Ain al-Asad (military base) shot down two Iranian drones that were en route to Israel,’ one official said, referring to an Iraqi airbase housing foreign troops in western Iraq.
The drones were shot down overnight Saturday to Sunday, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The other official said the drones were targeted because they entered the defensive perimeter of the anti-jihadist coalition, where troops are instructed to engage any potential threat.
Breaking:Two explosions heard in central Tehran
Two explosions have been heard in central Tehran.
Unverified footage posted on X shows three pillars of smoke rising in the city.
According to the Tasnim news agency, missile-like projectiles hit two locations today.
The news agency shared footage of the explosion site, saying it occurred near the central Valiasr Square.
The video showed columns of smoke rising from the area, with debris and shattered glass scattered across the scene. Other media carried similar reports.
Netanyahu: ‘Iran will pay heavy price’
Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Iran ‘will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women, and children’.
The Israeli Prime Minister warned ‘it will happen soon’ after he said Tehran had targeted the civilians deliberately in a barrage of missile attacks that were launched overnight.
Netanyahu made the comments on X alongside photos of the PM visiting the city of Bat Yam where flats were destroyed in the strikes.
Iran will pay a very heavy price for the murder of women, children, and innocent civilians – and it will happen soon. I am here at the scene together with the rescue forces and the Home Front Command. On behalf of the people of Israel – we send a hug to the families and once again call on every citizen: obey the instructions – it saves lives.
We are in an existential battle, facing a cruel enemy who is planning destruction. Our soldiers and pilots are operating bravely – above the skies of Iran. This is a war of salvation. We will strike them with one blow – and we will win.
New footage shows IDF striking Iran’s ‘nuclear programme HQ’
Israeli airline cancels flights to and from major cities
El Al, Israel’s national airline, has cancelled flights going to and from major European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow.
It said today that all flights have been cancelled up to and including June 17.
The carrier said: ‘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.’
Iran admits seven more top air force officials killed in Friday strikes
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has released a list of seven further air force commanders who were killed in Israel’s strikes.
The list includes its head, Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Explosions hear in Tehran’s northwestern neighbourhoods
The BBC has reported that explosions have been heard in Tehran’s Shahrak-e Gharb and Saadat Abad neighbourhoods.
Iranian officials have told local media that the capital’s air defence systems have been activated.
Iran says mostly women and children killed and injured by Israeli strikes
Iran’s health minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghand has today said that the majority of those killed by Israeli airstrikes since Friday are women and children.
While no official tally has been given for the entire weekend’s violence, Iran’s UN agency said on Friday that at least 78 had been killed, while 320 were wounded.
Advertisement
Share or comment on this article:
Iranian missiles rain down on Israel after ‘CAR BOMBS’ obliterate nuclear scientists in Tehran during IDF blitz on city… amid claims Trump ‘stopped assassination of Supreme Leader’