June 13: PM meets underground with security chiefs, ministers to discuss response to Iran missile fire

No immediate word on injuries as several impacts reported in Tel Aviv area

Magen David Adom says it has so far not received reports of injuries in the latest Iranian ballistic missile barrage on Israel.

Several impacts were reported in the Tel Aviv area.

IDF says Israeli warship in the Red Sea has downed 5 Iranian drones in past day

An Israeli Navy Sa’ar 6-class corvette stationed in the Red Sea shot down five drones from Iran since yesterday, the latest just an hour ago, the military says.

Separately, another drone was shot down by the Israeli Air Force over Syria a short while ago, the IDF adds.

ספינת טילים של חיל הים יירטה מהבוקר 5 כטב״מים ששוגרו מאיראן

מצורף תיעוד מיירוט שני כטב״מים ששוגרו מוקדם יותר היום מאיראן pic.twitter.com/B7E4BFqKAS

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Sirens activated as IDF says fresh Iranian missile barrage fired at Israel

The IDF says it has detected a new barrage of ballistic missiles launched from Iran at Israel.

Sirens sound across large parts of the country, as air defenses work to shoot down the threats.

Civilians are instructed to remain in bomb shelters until further notice.

NYT: Iran’s air defenses continuously fire in Tehran neighborhood where supreme leader, president live

Iran’s air defenses are repeatedly firing in Tehran’s Pastour neighborhood, where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian live, residents tell The New York Times.

מערך הנ"מ האיראני עובד הלילה שעות נוספות בטהראן כולל בשכונה שבה הנשיא והמנהיג העליון גרים כביכול. במקביל דיווח על פיצוץ בקרבת המטה הכללי של הכוחות המזוינים בבירה pic.twitter.com/LYe6bzNdUR

— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) June 13, 2025

MDA says 63 hurt, including one critically in Iranian missile barrage

First responders evacuate a victim from a building hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Citing the Magen David Adom ambulance service, Channel 12 reports that 63 people were hurt in Iran’s ballistic missile attack tonight.

One person is in critical condition, one person is in serious condition, eight are in a mild condition, while the others were lightly hurt.

IDF says it downed suspicious aerial target which triggered sirens in Eilat; two others shot down after sirens in Arava

The IDF says air defenses intercepted a suspicious aerial target which triggered sirens in Eilat.

Two other targets are shot down after sirens in the Arava.

Drone infiltration sirens sound in southern communities

Drone infiltration sirens are sounding in dozens of communities in the Arava and Dead Sea area.

Hebrew media reports that a drone that triggered sirens in Eilat was shot down.

Caitlyn Jenner drinks wine in bomb shelter amid Iran’s missile attack

Activist Caitlyn Jenner, who came to Israel to be the guest of honor at Tel Aviv's Gay Pride parade on June 13, 2025, in Kibbutz Be'eri on June 12, 2025 (Courtesy)

Caitlyn Jenner, who came to Israel for the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, was pictured drinking a glass of wine in a bomb shelter with an Israeli influencer amid Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack.

In a post on X, Jenner writes, “‘Quiet’ night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail. I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever.”

The pride parade was cancelled due to the ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic.

מה אתם עשיתם באזעקות? כי אני שותה יין עם קייטלין. pic.twitter.com/v3FHmixHjd

— Regev Gur (@RegevGur) June 13, 2025

‘Quiet’ night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail. I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever. pic.twitter.com/cQpDWyvVKg

— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 13, 2025

Sirens blare warning of suspected drone attack in Eilat

Sirens are activated warning of a suspected drone infiltration attempt in the southern city of Eilat and surrounding areas.

Iranian UN envoy claims 78 killed in Israeli strikes

Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN, gives a statement after a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security at the United Nations Headquarters on June 13, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP)

UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s strikes on Iran have killed 78 people, including top military commanders, and wounded more than 320, the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to the United Nations says.

“So far, 78 people, including senior military officials, have been martyred and over 320 other injured. The overwhelming majority of them (are) civilians, including women and children,” Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Amir Iravani tells the Security Council.

Israel’s operation is targeting Iran’s military command and nuclear program.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

Iran’s state media says missile defenses activated in Tehran amid fresh strikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Air defenses in Iran’s capital, Tehran, are activated to intercept fresh Israeli strikes, state media IRNA reports, a day after Israel initiated a number of attacks on Iran’s nuclear program and military command.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting published a video of air defenses activated over Tehran. pic.twitter.com/UAzf5zuj0H

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) June 13, 2025

US tells UNSC that Israel informed DC before strikes on Iran that they were necessary for self-defense

A UN Security Council meeting on June 13, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP)

A senior US official tells the UN Security Council that Israel informed Washington ahead of time that the strikes it launched earlier today against Iran were “necessary for its self-defense.”

“Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself and Israel is no exception,” senior State Department official McCoy Pitt says during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran.

McCoy reiterates a warning issued earlier by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who said Washington wasn’t involved in the Israeli strike and that the consequences against Tehran would be dire if the Islamic Republic retaliates against US interests or personnel.

“President Trump was elected with a sweeping mandate from the American people: to advance peace and to avoid the grave mistakes of past administrations that led to forever wars,” McCoy continues. “The United States will continue to seek a diplomatic resolution that ensures Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon or pose a threat to stability in the Middle East.”

The United States will continue to seek a diplomatic resolution that ensures Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon or pose a threat to stability in the Middle East. Iran’s leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time,” he adds.

Judge denies release request for pro-Palestinian activist Khalil

A US judge has denied pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s request to be released from detention after President Donald Trump’s administration said the Columbia University student was being held on an immigration fraud charge.

Newark, New Jersey-based US District Judge Michael Farbiarz says Khalil’s lawyers had not successfully argued why it was unlawful for the government to hold him on the charge, which he has denied.

Farbiarz suggests Khalil file an application for bail with the immigration judge in his case.

The ruling marks the latest turn in Khalil’s fight to be released from a Louisiana detention center after his March arrest for involvement in the pro-Palestinian protest movement, which Trump has called antisemitic.

As lawyers for the Syrian-born activist sought his release, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another immigrant targeted by the Trump administration, pleaded not guilty to migrant smuggling charges after his wrongful deportation.

Marc Van Der Hout, a lawyer for Khalil, says the government practically never detained people for immigration fraud and he was being punished for opposing Israel’s U.S.-backed war in Gaza following Hamas’ October 2023 attack.

IDF releases footage of interception of Iranian drone from earlier today

The IDF releases footage showing the interception of an Iranian drone by an Israeli Air Force helicopter earlier today.

תיעוד מיירוט כטב״ם איראני ששוגר מוקדם יותר היום על ידי מסוק קרב של חיל האוויר pic.twitter.com/rYm8m8VLhF

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Iran launched around 100 drones at Israel earlier, with the IDF reporting that it shot down the majority of them before reaching the country.

Qatar says emir and Trump discussed de-escalating Israel-Iran conflict during phone call

US President Donald Trump and Qatari Emir Tamim discussed de-escalating the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict during a phone call earlier today, according to a Qatari readout.

Oil prices jump 7% as Israel, Iran trade air strikes

Oil prices jumped on Friday and settled 7% higher as Israel and Iran traded air strikes, feeding investor worries that the combat could widely disrupt oil exports from the Middle East.

Brent crude futures settled at $74.23 a barrel, up $4.87, or 7.02%, after earlier soaring over 13% to an intraday high of $78.50, the strongest level since January 27.

US West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $72.98 a barrel, up $4.94, or 7.62%. During the session, WTI jumped over 14% to its highest since January 21 at $77.62.

Both benchmarks had their largest intraday moves since 2022 when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused a spike in energy prices.

IDF rescues civilian trapped in Tel Aviv area building hit by Iran missile

Home Front Command soldiers rescue a civilian from one of the buildings in the Tel Aviv area that was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile on June 13, 2025. (IDF)

Home Front Command soldiers rescued a civilian from one of the buildings in the Tel Aviv area that was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile, the IDF says.

Iran’s foreign minister says calls for restraint are ‘unjustified’

Calls for restraint from Iran in the face of Israel’s attack are unjustified, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his British counterpart David Lammy in a phone call, according to an Iranian readout.

Iranian official warns Israel against hitting vital infrastructure — state media

Iran will immediately hit Israel’s economic and energy infrastructure if its own vital facilities are hit in future attacks, a Revolutionary Guards source tells Iran’s Fars news agency.

IDF says it hit two airbases in western Iran earlier today

Israeli Air Force fighter jets bombed two airbases in western Iran earlier today, the IDF announces.

The strikes hit airbases used by Iran’s air force near the cities of Hamadan and Tabriz, the IDF says, adding that the latter site was “destroyed” in the strikes.

Additionally, the IDF says it destroyed dozens more Iranian air force targets, including air defense assets, drones, and ballistic missile launchers.

Iran claims limited damage to Fordo, Isfahan nuclear sites after Israeli attack

Iran’s atomic energy agency says there was limited damage to the Fordo nuclear site south of Tehran and another site in the country’s center after Israeli attacks.

“The damage was limited to areas that did not cause any urban damage in the case of Fordo… In Isfahan, there were also attacks on several points, which were related to warehouses that caught fire,” says agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, adding that “the damage was not extensive and there is no cause for concern in terms of contamination.”

The IAEA says Iran’s above-ground enrichment site in Natanz was completely destroyed.

Iran airspace to remain closed until Saturday — state media

Iran’s airspace will remain closed until Saturday after Israel launched a large scale attack that hit multiple cities, state media reports.

“The Civil Aviation Organization… has announced in aviation notices (NOTAM) that the country’s airspace will be closed until tomorrow, Saturday,” the official IRNA news agency reports.

Iran’s above-ground enrichment plant at Natanz destroyed, IAEA chief says

Social media video shows Iran’s Natanz facility for uranium enrichment after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes early on June 13, 2025, with Israeli defense officials assessing the damage was significant. (X screenshot; used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)

The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday.

“At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordo fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan,” International Atomic Energy Agency’s Grossi tells the 15-member council.

“At this moment, we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has taken place around these facilities as well.”

MDA raises injury count from Iran missile attack to 35, with one in critical condition

Some 35 people were wounded in Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to medical officials.

One woman is listed in critical condition, while four other people are moderately hurt. Nine are listed in light-to-moderate condition, while the rest are lightly hurt or suffering acute anxiety.

The victims were taken to Beilinson, Sourasky, and Sheba hospitals in central Israel.

Netanyahu to Iranian people: We hope our operation will clear path for your freedom

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells Iranians that he hopes Israel’s ongoing military operation against the Islamic Republic will “clear the path for you to achieve your freedom.”

Netanyahu addresses Iranians directly in an English language video, calling Israel’s Operation Rising Lion “one of the greatest military operations in history.”

“The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years, threatens to destroy our country,” Netanyahu says. “The objective of Israel’s operation is to thwart the Islamic regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us.”

“As we achieve our objective, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom,” he adds.

“More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom — Zan, Zendegi, Azadi,” Netanyahu says, echoing the slogan of anti-government Iranian protests.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
To the proud people of Iran,
We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion.
The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/F67bxcDitL

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Dog rescued from Tel Aviv building struck by Iranian missile

A dog rescued from a home that was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile in the Tel Aviv area on June 13, 2025. (Screen capture/X)

Rescuers managed to pull a dog from a building in the Tel Aviv area that was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile.

כוחות ההצלה חילצו כלבה מתוך הבניין שנפגע בתל אביב pic.twitter.com/zLaLEzKA9G

— Bar Peleg (@bar_peleg) June 13, 2025

Separately, police say a large fragment from an intercepted ballistic missile that was launched from Iran impacted in a town in northern Israel, causing damage, police say.

The scene of an Iranian ballistic missile strike in northern Israel on July 13, 2025 (Israel Police)

Trump, Netanyahu hold phone call amid Israel-Iran conflict, White House official says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with US President Donald Trump earlier this afternoon, a White House official confirms.

It’s their second call in two days, amid Israel’s massive strike against Iran and Tehran’s counter-launch of two barrages of ballistic missiles.

IDF says fewer than 100 missiles fired by Iran in two barrages

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says fewer than 100 ballistic missiles were fired from Iran at Israel in the two barrages.

He says most of the missiles were intercepted by air defenses or fell short before reaching the country.

“There are a limited number of impacts on buildings, some were caused by interception fragments,” he says.

Trump speaks with MBS about ‘need for de-escalation’ between Israel and Iran, Saudi readout says

US President Donald Trump spoke earlier this afternoon with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict, according to a Saudi readout.

The pair discussed the “need for de-escalation and for resolving all disputes through diplomatic means.”

MDA raises injury count from Iran missiles barrages to 22; two seriously wounded

The scene of an Iranian ballistic missile strike in the Tel Aviv area, July 13, 2025 (Magen David Adom)

Some 22 people were injured in the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel, medics say.

According to Magen David Adom, two people are listed in serious condition, two are in moderate condition, while the rest are lightly hurt or suffering acute anxiety.

PM huddles underground with security chiefs, ministers to discuss response to Iranian missile barrages

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a consultation with security chiefs and ministers in an underground bunker to discuss how to respond to Iran’s two ballistic missile attacks, Channel 12 reports.

2 rescued after being trapped in Tel Aviv area building hit by missile

The scene of an Iranian ballistic missile strike in the Tel Aviv area, July 13, 2025 (Magen David Adom)

The Israel Fire and Rescue Service says it rescued two people who were trapped in a building in the Tel Aviv area, following a ballistic missile impact that caused damage to the area.

Another missile from Iran impacted in Tel Aviv, causing damage to a high-rise tower, the service says.

In northern Israel, fragments from a missile caused damage to a home and sparked a brush fire, it adds.

In all, some 15 people were taken to hospitals, including one in moderate condition.

Macron says Iran responsible for destabilizing region

French President Emmanuel Macron says that Iran bears heavy responsibility for the destabilization of the Middle East and that it had pushed ahead with an unjustified nuclear program, but he also urged restraint after Israel struck Iran.

After a day of talks with regional and international leaders following Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets, notably its nuclear sites, Macron says Tehran was close to a “critical point” in acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Iran has consistently denied seeking one.

“Iran bears a very heavy responsibility for the destabilization of the region,” Macron says.

“Iran is continuing to enrich uranium without any civilian justification and to levels that are very close to what is needed for a nuclear device,” he says.

While he urged restraint, Macron acknowledged that resuming diplomatic efforts, specifically US negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran that started two months ago, would be difficult.

“The current situation has a risk of uncontrolled escalation,” he said, adding that Iran’s activities threatened Europe.

Warning of a possible impact on the global economy, Macron said France would defend Israel if it was attacked by Iran as it had done in the past, but he ruled out taking part in any operation against Tehran.

France and Israel, traditionally close allies, have had frosty relations in recent months, with Macron increasingly critical over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Macron says France’s support for Israel was not unconditional and that Paris has the right to disagree with some Israeli government decisions because “they are sometimes against Israel’s security interests.”

IDF says civilians can leave bomb shelters, but should remain nearby them until further notice

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians can leave bomb shelters following Iran’s ballistic missile barrages, but should remain close to them until further notice.

IDF estimates that Iran has fired 150 missiles at Israel in two barrages

So far, Iran has fired some 150 ballistic missiles at Israel in two barrages, according to new IDF estimates.

There have been reports of nine impact sites, with some 15 people wounded, mostly in good condition, according to medics.

Katz says Ayatollah regime ‘crossed red lines’ with barrages at civilian centers, will pay heavy price

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Iran has “crossed red lines after it dared to fire missiles at civilian population concentrations in Israel.”

“We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions,” he adds.

US reportedly assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles

The US is assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles that have been launched at the country this evening, Axios reports, citing an Israeli official.

A US official confirms the American assistance, noting that there are several hundred thousand Americans who live in Israel and that their government is working to protect them.

Israeli official says Iran will pay ‘unbearable price’ for its missile attacks on civilian areas

Amid Iran’s missile attacks across Israel tonight, which have seen some 200 missiles fired, Channel 12 quotes an unnamed Israeli political source threatening Iran with escalated strikes.

“Iran will pay an unbearably heavy price for its fire at civilian areas,” the Israeli source is quoted as saying.

“We know what Israel hit [in its attacks on Iranian targets today], “and we know what Israel decided not to hit. And that’s the next step.”

The remark appears to be a reference to potential Israeli strikes on Iranian energy and infrastructure targets.

IDF denies Iranian state media report claiming Tehran downed pair of Israeli fighter jets

The IDF denies a report by Iran’s state media claiming that the country’s forces downed two Israeli fighter jets and captured a pilot.

“Fake Iranian media,” says Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman. “This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless.”

Magen David Adom updates injury count from Iran attack to 5, with one moderately wounded

The scene of an Iranian ballistic missile strike in the Tel Aviv area, July 13, 2025 (Magen David Adom)

Five people have been wounded in Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, medics say.

Magen David Adom says it treated one person in moderate condition and four others lightly hurt by shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area.

They were taken to hospitals in the city.

Several missile impacts were reported in the Tel Aviv area.

Iran Revolutionary Guards confirm attacks on dozens of targets in Israel

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they launched an attack on dozens of targets in Israel after its large scale attack on the Islamic Republic.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… has executed its decisive and precise response against tens of targets, military centers and airbases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories,” the Guards say in a statement carried by state media.

IAEA says aware of reported attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is aware of reports concerning the Isfahan and Fordo nuclear facilities and is seeking information from Iranian authorities regarding any potential impact, the agency says in an X post.

Sirens triggered across Israel as dozens of missiles launched in 2nd wave from Iran

Sirens are sounding across northern and southern Israel following a second barrage of dozens of ballistic missiles launched from Iran.

The IDF says it is working to shoot down the projectiles.

Dozens of ballistic missiles have been launched in this second wave, according to the IDF.

Iran’s Supreme Leader: Israel’s ‘hit and run’ attacks won’t be allowed without grave consequences

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says in a statement that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences.

“The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,” Khamenei says in a statement.

UK’s Starmer speaks to Trump about de-escalating Iran-Israel tensions

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to US President Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of de-escalating the Iran-Israel conflict, saying he respected Israel’s right to self-defense, The Times editor Steven Swinford says in an X post on Friday.

Medics say several Israelis injured amid 7 reported impacts in Tel Aviv area

Magen David Adom says its medics are scanning seven reported impact sites in the Tel Aviv area, following Iran’s ballistic missile barrage.

Several people are reportedly lightly injured.

Damage was also caused to several buildings, police say.

IDF says second barrage of Iran ballistic missiles has been launched at Israel

The IDF says another barrage of dozens of ballistic missiles has been launched from Iran at Israel.

It says civilians should continue to remain in bomb shelters as air defenses work to shoot down the threats.

Iranian media says Iran launched hundreds of missiles toward Israel

Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel, marking the start of Tehran’s response to intensive Israeli strikes, Iranian media reported.

The latest Israeli assessment is that dozens of missiles targeted the country, with the discrepancy potentially due to some of the missiles falling well short.

Iran FM calls for UN action against Israel’s ‘warmongering’

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi calls on the United Nations to act against Israel’s “warmongering,” following a wave of massive Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.

“Araghchi emphasized the need for the United Nations to take immediate action to confront the Zionist regime’s aggression and warmongering,” says a readout of his phone call with UN chief Antonio Guterres released by the Iranian foreign ministry.

‘The enemy is watching’: IDF calls on public not to publish location or photos of missile impacts

The IDF calls on the public not to publish the locations or photos of missile impacts.

“The enemy monitors the footage to improve its attack capabilities,” the military says.

Smoke seen rising from Tel Aviv following apparent Iran missile impact

Smoke is seen rising from Tel Aviv following an apparent missile impact in the area.

Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel a short while ago, according to the IDF.

Magen David Adom says there are no immediate reports of injuries.

Pro-Iran groups in Iraq demand US troops leave, warn of regional escalation

Pro-Iran groups in Iraq call for the withdrawal of US troops, with one powerful faction warning of “additional wars in the region” after a wave of Israeli strikes on Iran.

During the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since October 2023, Tehran-aligned armed factions have launched rocket and drone attacks at army bases hosting US troops, who are deployed in Iraq and in neighboring Syria as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.

Accusing US President Donald Trump of having “authorized” the major Israeli attack on Iran on Friday, Iraqi group Kataeb Hezbollah said in a statement that “the American forces in Iraq have enabled this aggression by opening the Iraqi airspace to Zionist aircraft.”

To stop Iraq from becoming “a battlefield,” Kataeb Hezbollah said that the government in Baghdad “must urgently remove these hostile foreign forces from the country in order to avoid additional wars in the region.”

Akram al-Kaabi, the leader of another group, Al-Nujaba, decried the alleged “coordination” between Israel and the “American occupier” and called for the “complete withdrawal” of US forces.

US forces stationed in Iraq at Baghdad’s invitation have supported the fight against the Islamic State group.

The foreign troops in Iraq and Syria were repeatedly targeted by pro-Iran militants following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, but responded with heavy strikes on Tehran-linked targets, and the attacks largely subsided.

The United States and Iraq have announced that the anti-IS coalition would end its decade-long military mission in federal Iraq by the end of 2025, and by September 2026 in the autonomous Kurdistan region in the country’s north.

There are currently about 2,500 US troops in Iraq.

Footage shows Iranian missiles above Israel as attack underway

Footage shows the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The IDF says that dozens of missiles were fired.

Footage shows the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The IDF says that dozens of missiles were fired. pic.twitter.com/xsoP918IOh

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

France’s Macron: Iran nuclear program was close to a critical stage

French President Emmanuel Macron says that the information France had on the Iranian nuclear program was most concerning, adding that the program was close to a critical stage.

Macron, speaking at a news conference, says France did not recommend attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, saying there was still a “diplomatic route” to resolve the issue.

Sirens triggered across Israel as roughly 100 Iranian missiles said heading toward country

Sirens are sounding across Israel amid a major Iranian ballistic missile attack.

An estimated 100 missiles were launched from Iran at Israel, according to an Israeli military source

Putin tells Netanyahu issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program must be solved through diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in separate telephone conversations on Friday, told Iran’s president that Moscow condemned Israel’s actions against Tehran and told Israel’s prime minister that questions around Iran’s nuclear program could only be solved through diplomacy.

A Kremlin statement says Putin told Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia “condemns the actions of Israel taken in violation of the UN Charter” and expressed condolences for those killed.

The statement says Putin, in his conversation with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, “stressed the importance of a return to the process of talks and resolution of all issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program strictly through political and diplomatic means.”

The Kremlin statement said Russia would remain in close contact with both Iran and Israel.

Israeli official: We won’t take our foot off the gas; damage from Iranian response won’t be minor

Netanyahu is set to convene security chiefs and key ministers at 10 tonight, Channel 12 reports.

The network quotes a senior Israeli official warning against any euphoria and saying: “Iranian missiles will get here, and it won’t take them long. The results will not be minor. That’s precisely why we need to use every moment to attack and not hold back. We won’t take our foot off the gas. We are preparing for a lengthy conflict. This is one of the most significant historic events since the establishment of the state.”

The TV station also says that perhaps the most likely scenario presented to ministers last night is that of Iran firing 600 ballistic missiles in phases at Israel.

Channel 12 says ministers were told last night by security officials that “there are documents indicating that Iran genuinely intends to push toward nuclear weapons — not just talk but action — and to obtain components [of the weapons program] that they never dared to seek before.”

“This, in addition to Iran’s ballistic missiles — which it intended to triple — requires action to degrade. If we don’t act now, we’ll know less and less each day.”

Detecting missile attack from Iran, IDF orders civilians to enter shelters

The IDF says it has detected a missile attack from Iran.

“A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran at Israel,” the military says.

Civilians are told to enter bomb shelters and remain there until further notice.

IDF spokesman’s press conference cut short due to heightened alert at military HQ

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin gives a press conference on June 13, 2025. (Screen capture)

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin’s press conference was cut short due to the military headquarters going on heightened alert.

While taking questions at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, a loudspeaker can be heard announcing that the base is going into “defensive standby,” an alert meaning that it is preparing for an attack.

As of now, no ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran.

IDF reveals that it killed six top Iranian military commanders and nine nuclear scientists

An IDF graphic of the senior Iranian military and nuclear officials who were killed in the Israeli strike on Iran on June 13, 2025. (IDF)

During his press conference, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin reveals that the military has killed at least six top Iranian military commanders and nine nuclear scientists.

The military officials include Iran’s chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri; IRGC chief Hossein Salami; head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholam Ali Rashid; IRGC Air Force chief Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh; IRGC Air Force drone unit commander Taher Pour; and IRGC Air Force air defense unit commander Davoud Shaykhian.

IDF spokesman: Israel’s war against Iran ongoing; we’re prepared for it to continue for many days

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says the military continues to strike in Iran.

“We are in the midst of the operation, continuing to strike in Iran and remain ready on the defense,” Defrin says in a press conference.

He says, “we cannot be complacent.”

“We are aware of the enemy’s intentions to harm us, and there will be more attempts of this kind. We still have challenges ahead,” Defrin says.

Asked how long Israel’s airspace will remain closed, Defrin says, “We are in a ongoing war, and prepared for many days of a campaign.”

US Embassy in Jerusalem orders staff to shelter in place until further notice

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has directed all of its staff and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.

IDF reveals that it struck Isfahan nuclear site

An Iranian technician works at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities, February 3, 2007. (AFP/Behrouz Mehri)

The Israeli Air Force struck an Iranian nuclear facility near Isfahan earlier today, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says in a press conference.

Isfahan joins Natanz on the list of nuclear sites Israel has confirmed targeting. There have also been reports and footage of an attack on the Fordo nuclear site.

“We will not allow Iran to advance toward a nuclear [bomb]. We will not allow the development of missiles intended to harm us,” he says.

UN conference on Israel-Palestinian conflict postponed, Macron confirms

President Emmanuel Macron says that a United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed after Israel launched a military attack on Iran.

Macron tells reporters that the conference, which had been planned for June 17-20, had been postponed for logistical reasons as members of the Palestinian Authority could not travel to New York and that it would be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Iran media reports ‘massive explosion’ in country’s center

A “massive explosion” was heard Friday in Isfahan, a major city in central Iran, in a province that is home to several nuclear facilities, Mehr news agency says.

“A few minutes ago, a massive explosion was heard in Isfahan,” says Mehr, without immediately elaborating.

Jerusalem said to threaten Iranian oil refineries if Tehran targets Israeli population centers with missiles

A senior Israeli security official tells Channel 12 that Israel has warned Iran that if it targets Israeli population centers with ballistic missiles, Israel will target Iranian regime leaders and state infrastructure such as oil refineries.

Iran media says air defenses intercept ‘projectiles’ over Tehran

Iranian air defenses intercepted “projectiles” over the capital Tehran on Friday, state media says, as Israel vowed to keep up pressure after a wave of strikes on military and nuclear sites.

“Enemy projectiles were intercepted by the Tehran air defense,” state news agency IRNA says, with another agency, ISNA, reporting that “the air defense systems of Tehran successfully shot down targets.”

Red Crescent says 3 Palestinian children injured by shrapnel, after Yemeni missile lands in West Bank

The Palestine Red Crescent Society says three children were injured by shrapnel on Friday, after Israel said a missile from Yemen landed near the West Bank city of Hebron.

“Three children, aged six, seven and 12, were injured by shrapnel from a missile that fell in the town of Sa’ir near Hebron,” the Red Crescent said in a statement.

The Israeli military says that “a missile launched from Yemen fell in the area of Hebron, no interceptors were launched.”

Iranian air defenses activated in central Tehran, state media reports

Iranian air defenses were activated on Friday evening in central Tehran, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound and the presidential office are located, Iranian state media reports.

IDF instructs civilians to remain close to bomb shelters until further notice

The IDF Home Front Command has instructed civilians to remain close to bomb shelters until further notice.

“The Home Front Command has now instructed residents across the country to remain close to protected spaces,” the military says.

“Movement in public areas should be minimized, and public gatherings must be avoided. Upon receiving an alert, enter a protected space and remain there until an official update is issued,” the IDF adds.

IDF conducting a war in Iran, not an operation — senior military official

The IDF is conducting a war in Iran, not an operation, a senior military official says during a briefing with reporters.

“We are in a historic event. This is not an operation, this is a planned war, 1,500 kilometers from Israel,” the official says.

IDF: Houthi missile lands in southern West Bank; no immediate reports of injuries

A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen impacted near Hebron in the southern West Bank, the military says.

The missile hit the Palestinian town of Sa’ir. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

The IDF says that no interceptors were launched at the incoming missile, adding that the incident is under further investigation.

#شاهد| سقوط شظايا من الصاروخ اليمني قرب بلدة سعير شمال الخليل، بمحيط تجمع مستوطنات "غوش عتصيون". pic.twitter.com/BjmWyrOiyd

— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) June 13, 2025

Sirens had sounded in the Jerusalem area and southern West Bank settlements. Preceding the sirens by about two minutes, an early warning was issued via the Home Front Command app.

Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 49 ballistic missiles and at least 11 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.

Houthi missile said to impact in Palestinian town in southern West Bank

Palestinian media reports an apparent missile impact in the West Bank town of Sa’ir near Hebron, after the IDF warned of a ballistic missile that was fired from Yemen.

There are no immediate reports of injuries.

سقوط شظايا صاروخ في بلدة سعير قضاء مدينة الخليل#ديوان #اسرائيل #اليمن_قول_وفعل pic.twitter.com/drxIRbeWdq

— ديوان (@DiwanDaily) June 13, 2025

UK PM Starmer speaks to Netanyahu, stresses Israel’s right to self-defense

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks in a video statement on November 12, 2024. (Screenshot/GPO); Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, London, November 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

Britain has “grave concerns” over Iran’s nuclear program and believes Israel has the right to self-defense, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, Starmer’s spokesperson says.

“The prime minister was clear that Israel has a right to self-defense and set out the UK’s grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear program,” the spokesperson says in a statement after Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran earlier on Friday.

“He reiterated [to Netanyahu] the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region.”

Swiss ambassador summoned by Iran following attacks by Israel

The Swiss ambassador to Iran, who represents US interests in Tehran, was summoned by the officials from the Islamic Republic on Friday following Israeli strikes against Iran overnight, the Swiss government says.

Speaking at a press conference, Alexandre Fasel, a state secretary in the foreign ministry, says the ambassador was summoned in the context of the mandate that Switzerland holds for Washington, but did not give further details.

Ballistic missile from Yemen triggers sirens in Jerusalem and West Bank

Sirens are sounding in the Jerusalem area and southern West Bank settlements following the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen.

The IDF says it is working to shoot down the projectile.

Toll from Israeli strikes on Iran’s northwest up to 18 dead — state media

The death toll from Israeli strikes in northwestern Iran on Friday increased to 18, state media reports, revising an earlier figure of eight dead.

“So far, as a result of this brutal aggression, 18 individuals have attained martyrdom and 35 of our fellow citizens have been injured,” state news agency IRNA quotes East Azerbaijan provincial authorities as saying, reporting attacks on 11 locations in the province.

US gave Qatar, other regional allies heads up on Israel’s planned attack on Iran

The US State Department informed a number of regional allies in the Middle East of Israel’s looming strike on Iran hours before the attack took place, three sources familiar with the matter say.

In a diplomatic note sent out Thursday afternoon, the State Department confirmed that the Israeli attack was set to take place late on Thursday. Qatar was among the countries that received the heads-up.

Washington was not involved in Israel’s operation and was not providing any support, the note said, adding that President Donald Trump has been very clear on his desire for peace in the region, but at the same time has been firm that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Israel launched a barrage of strikes across Iran on Friday, saying it had attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories and killed military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Iran downs Israeli drone near Fordo nuclear site, state media claims

Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli drone in the vicinity of the country’s Fordo nuclear facility, Iranian media reports.

Earlier, Iranian media reported two explosions heard in the area of the nuclear site.

The Israeli Air Force is now striking Iran’s Fordo underground nuclear site, according to Iranian media. pic.twitter.com/SGM4oajRhC

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Lander, Mamdani endorse each other for NYC mayoral primary

New York City mayoral candidates at a forum hosted by the B'nai Jeshurun synagogue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, June 8, 2025. From left: New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and former comptroller Scott Stringer. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, two leading progressives in the city’s mayoral primary race, cross-endorse each other a day ahead of early voting.

Lander, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the city government, identifies as a progressive Zionist, and Mamdani is a harsh critic of Israel who has identified as an anti-Zionist.

Mamdani’s anti-Israel rhetoric and his support for policies such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) campaign have alarmed many Jewish supporters of Israel.

His far-left Democratic Socialists of America party has made anti-Israel activism one of its planks.

Early voting begins tomorrow and election day is June 24. The Democratic party primary will likely determine the winner of November’s November election in the mostly Democratic city.

The city uses a ranked-choice voting system that allows voters to select up to five candidates in order of preference.

The cross-endorsement means Lander and Mamdani are asking their supporters to rank the other candidate in second place, in a boost to both campaigns.

Mamdani is polling in second place, close behind frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor. Lander has been polling in third place.

During the campaign, Cuomo has courted Jewish voters, saying combating antisemitism is a priority, voicing support for Israel, visiting synagogues and wearing a yellow ribbon in support of the hostages. Cuomo is the leading candidate for Jewish voters, according to polls.

Lander and Mamdani have also reached out to Jews by appearing at Jewish events and earned a joint endorsement from the far-left Jews for Economic and Racial Justice through the group’s electoral arm, the Jewish Vote.

Lander and Mamdani take aim at Cuomo in their cross-endorsement announcements.

“With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re cross-endorsing to defeat the ex-Gov. and win a city everyone can afford,” Mamdani says.

“[Mamdani] and I are officially cross-endorsing each other to join forces — and defeat [Cuomo],” Lander says.

The pair will hold a joint press conference to announce the endorsement at 3 p.m., Lander’s campaign says.

Trump says Israel’s attack on Iran could lead Iran to soften stance in nuclear talks

US President Donald Trump says Israel’s ongoing strikes against Iran could coax Tehran to agree to a nuclear deal.

Asked whether the strikes will jeopardize the ongoing negotiations, Trump tells Axios, “I don’t think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously.”

He says Iran now has more of an incentive to reach a deal following Israel’s crippling strikes, noting that the IDF used “great American equipment” in the attack.

“I gave Iran 60 days, today is day 61… They should have made a deal,” Trump says. “I couldn’t get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.”

IDF chief says army continues to strike Iran ‘with full force’

L-R: Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Operations Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, during an assessment on July 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military is continuing to strike Iran “with full force.”

“We are continuing with the two main efforts we defined for ourselves, the defensive effort and the offensive effort,” Zamir says during an assessment with the IDF’s top brass.

“There will be more difficult moments, and we must be prepared for the range of scenarios we have trained for,” he says.

“We are continuing with full force, at a high pace, in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves,” Zamir adds.

Hanegbi: Military force alone can’t destroy Iran’s nuke program; only Trump can compel Iran to abandon it; Iran’s political leaders won’t be targeted

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi at a press conference after the US allowed Israel into its visa-waiver program, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on September 28, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi tells Channel 12 that Israeli strikes alone won’t be capable of entirely destroying Iran’s nuclear program.

Hanegbi says the overall goal of Israel’s campaign, rather, is to pressure Iran militarily into agreeing to completely dismantle its nuclear program.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump said that Iran still has another chance to strike a nuclear deal after Israel launched its ongoing attack.

Hanegbi also says that Israel does not intend to target Iran’s “political leadership” in this campaign.

Hanegbi specifies that the goals of the ongoing operation, as approved by the cabinet, against Iran are four-fold: striking Iran’s nuclear program, striking its ballistic missile capabilities; attacking its capacity to destroy Israel via a ground attack; and creating the conditions for the long-term thwarting of Iran’s nuclear program via diplomatic means.

Asked if this means that Israel does not have the goal of “the IDF destroying Iran’s nuclear program,” Hanegbi replies: “That’s not possible. It cannot be done via kinetic means.”

What is possible, he says, is a solution such as played out in Libya, South Africa and elsewhere, where “the balance of pros and cons” leads the leadership of a state to abandon its nuclear weapons efforts.

“Only the Americans can bring that about,” he says. “Only President Trump. He is capable of bringing about what is described as ‘a good deal’ — the model under which Iran, by its choice, gives up on nuclear weapons, pays considerable costs, gets lots of benefits… That’s the diplomatic expectation…”

Hanegbi confirms that the US knew ahead of time about the Israeli strikes. During the entire period since Trump returned to office, he says, “there has not been a day without high-level diplomatic discussions” involving Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Ron Dermer and/or himself and the US leadership, including Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The talk of a crisis in the ties was “inaccurate,” he says. “Today, too, they want a diplomatic agreement.” But at a certain stage, “they understood, as we had understood earlier, that an agreement could not [yet] be attained” with the Iranians.

After referring to Iranian military commanders targeted in the strikes so far, Hanegbi stresses that Israel does not intend to target Iran’s “political leadership” in this campaign.

Asked if Israel has ground forces inside Iran, he says guardedly, “There is fighting in Iran not only involving the Air Force and the Navy.”

He says the campaign is at “the beginning of the beginning,” that Israel’s “ambitious goals” will not be realized quickly, and expects that Iran will continue to retaliate.

He says cabinet ministers, asked to approve the operation last night, and with time short, agreed not to make speeches. Netanyahu told them there were only a few minutes before the need to give the order to scramble the air force, Hanegbi says, and simply asked if anyone was opposed. “Nobody was opposed.”

Trump: Unclear if Iran still has nuke program, not worried about regional war

US President Donald Trump tells Reuters in a phone interview that it is unclear if Iran still has a nuclear program following Israeli strikes on the country.

Trump tells Reuters the US still has nuclear talks planned with Iran on Sunday but that he is not sure if they will still take place. He says it is not too late for Iran to make a deal.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet an Iranian delegation in Oman on Sunday, but the Israeli attacks have raised doubts on whether the session will still take place.

Trump says he was fully aware of Israel’s plans for the attack.

“We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out. They can still work out a deal however, it’s not too late,” he says.

He says he is not concerned about a regional war breaking out as a result of Israel’s strikes.

IAEA says radiation outside Natanz site targeted by Israel ‘remained unchanged’

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog says that radiation levels outside Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site following Israeli strikes “remained unchanged.”

“The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi writes on X.

IDF releases new footage of strikes on Iran military sites

Israeli Air Force F-35I fighter jets depart for strikes in Iran, June 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF releases additional footage showing its strikes against Iranian military facilities today.

The clips show strikes on a site in Iran used to launch drones as well as ballistic missile launchers, according to the military.

The IDF also publishes a video showing F-35I fighter jets taking off for the strike in Iran.

The IDF releases additional footage showing its strikes against Iranian military facilities today.

The clips show strikes on a site in Iran used to launch drones and ballistic missile launchers, according to the military.

The IDF also publishes a video showing F-35I fighter… pic.twitter.com/6vuBdrEYcd

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Iran media says Israeli strike destroyed border post, killed soldier

An Israeli strike destroyed a military base in northwest Iran, near the Iraqi border, killing one soldier, Tasnim news agency reports.

The news agency says a border guard base in Sardasht “was targeted in a missile strike by the Zionist regime, resulting in the destruction of the facility” and “the martyrdom” of a soldier.

Israel reportedly striking Iran’s Fordo underground nuclear site

This Nov. 1, 2019, satellite image provided by provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordo nuclear facility, just north of the holy city of Qom in Iran. The resumption of activity at Fordo pushes the risk of a wider confrontation involving Iran even higher after months of attacks across the Middle East that the US blames on Tehran. (Satellite image ©2019 Maxar Technologies via AP)

Israel is now attacking Iran’s Fordo underground nuclear site, The New York Times reports.

لحظاتی پیش صدای ۲ انفجار از محدودهٔ سایت فردو به گوش رسید و ۲ نقطه از سطح زمین در محدوده فردو هدف قرار گرفته شده است.

سایت اتمی فردو در عمق چندصد متری زمین قرار دارد. pic.twitter.com/8PyJ8Bq2sQ

— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) June 13, 2025

Report: Head of Iran’s elite Quds Force killed in Israeli strike

Esmail Qaani, the head of Iran's Quds Force, speaks during a ceremony on the occasion of first anniversary of death of the force's previous head Qassem Soleimani, in Tehran, Iran, January 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force Gen. Esmail Qaani was killed in Israel’s ongoing attack against Iran, The New York Times reports, citing unnamed Iranian sources.

Qaani was in charge of Iran’s proxies in the region.

Air force chief says Israel’s military presence in western Iran ‘critical’

IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar speaks to officers at a command center, July 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar tells officers at the IAF’s command center during the strikes in Iran that the military’s aerial presence in the west of the country is “critical.”

“Our presence in western Iran is critical. Every launcher we strike saves lives in Israel,” Bar says in a video published by the IDF.

PM says Israel destroyed Iran’s Natanz nuclear site and that Tehran’s response will come

Screen capture from a video of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering a statement about Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, June 13, 2025. (GPO)

Iran will strike back, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises: “It will come.”

“I expect an attack against us, ” he says in a video statement. “It could be very severe attacks, in waves.”

Netanyahu says Israel is working to reduce the price the country will have to pay, without going into details. He warns citizens not to “go into euphoria,” and to listen to instructions from authorities.

He calls the opening strikes “very successful,” which hit a significant part of the Iranian military general staff and the leading nuclear scientists.

Israel destroyed the Natanz plant, he says.

There were doubts about Israel’s capabilities and about the price Israel would pay, he says.

He praises the “amazing work” from the IDF and Mossad to remove any doubts about Israel’s capabilities.

Centrifuges line a hall at the Uranium Enrichment Facility in Natanz, Iran, in a still image from a video aired by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting company on April 17, 2021, six days after the hall had been damaged in a mysterious attack. (IRIB via AP)

On the question of US support, Netanyahu says he hoped in cabinet meetings that Washington would back Israel, “but we have no choice.”

“If we don’t attack, then it’s 100% that we will die,” he argues.

“So even if it’s not perfect, we have to do it, because we have to change the direction of Iran’s military build-up, both its ballistic weapons and nuclear weapons.”

“US support, or at least US non-opposition, is something that is extremely desirable,” he continues.

He and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer secured US backing in meetings with their US partners, some of which remain secret, he says.

Netanyahu says he updated Washington ahead of time, and he doesn’t know what Trump will decide to do now.

“I’ll leave it to America to set out its stance,” he says. “What they do now? I’ll leave that to President Trump.’ he notes that Trump has specified that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons and cannot have uranium enrichment. The US, he says, will determine how to realize that policy.

He says world leaders recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran.

US President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP)

Netanyahu says he doesn’t know how long it will last.

He recognizes the challenge of dealing with sites such as the Fordow plant near the city of Qom, but says he will not go into details about how Israel will confront that challenge.

At the same time, all the components of the ballistic missile program are vulnerable and above ground, he points out.

He says the surprise element of the operation was vital, and that the scale of the surprise attack is far greater than the detonating of explosives in Hezbollah’s beepers last year.

This operation is on “a whole different level” and it will “change history — ensure our future and change the region.”

The success of this operation will affect what happens in Gaza, he says, and can lead to a new Middle East.

He will address the Iranian people directly later, says Netanyahu.

FM says he held calls with 9 counterparts to update them on Israel’s Iran strike

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says he has spoken with nine of his counterparts around the world today about Israel’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear and military sites, which he calls a “necessary” move to prevent Israel’s destruction in a statement from his office.

“In recent hours, I have been focusing on calls with foreign ministers from around the world, in which I have detailed the cabinet decision and its reasons and the IDF’s activities,” says Sa’ar.

“So far today, I have already spoken with the foreign ministers of India, Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Paraguay, Panama, Cyprus and the European Union…in addition to the important consultations in which I am taking part,” he continues.

Sa’ar says the call to carry out the attack was “a historic, courageous, and necessary decision…to remove the threat of annihilation from Israel.”

He adds that he is also instructing “Foreign Ministry officials, Israeli ambassadors and representatives around the world, on aspects related to our diplomacy and public diplomacy activities.”

Iran’s new Guards chief says ‘gates of hell’ will open on Israel

The newly appointed commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, threatens to open “the gates of hell” in retaliation for Israel’s attacks that killed his predecessor, Hossein Salami.

“In retribution for the blood of our fallen commanders, scientists and citizens, the gates of hell will soon be opened upon this child-killing regime,” Pakpour says of Israel in a message carried by state news agency IRNA.

Netanyahu says he gave order to take out Iran’s nuclear program in November 2024

The directive to take out Iran’s nuclear program was given in November 2024, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement, pledging to give daily video updates when possible.

“The directive came shortly after the assassination of [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah,” he says, adding that it was clear to him that Iran would rush toward the bomb once its proxy axis was shattered by Israel.

Israel, he says, identified tangible steps Iran was taking toward weaponization, beyond just uranium enrichment.

Netanyahu set the date for the end of April 2025, he says. He points to “various reasons” it couldn’t be done then, without going into detail.

One very pressing reason might have been US President Donald Trump’s announcement in April that he would engage in direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Instead, the launch of the military strikes was set for this morning, he says, without explaining why he chose that day.

He also says that after Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program last year, Tehran embarked on a program to create 300 ballistic missiles a month.

“We decided we couldn’t wait anymore. We are at midnight.”

Netanyahu claims he wanted to strike in 2011-2012, but couldn’t garner enough support. Other security officials at the time have denied this account, though.

US shifts military resources in Mideast in response to Israel strikes and possible Iran attack

The future USS Thomas Hudner, a US Navy destroyer named after Korean War veteran Thomas Hudner, during christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, April 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

The United States is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East in response to Israel’s strikes on Iran and a possible retaliatory attack by Tehran, two US officials say.

The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House.

US President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation. The US officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

The forces in the region have been taking precautionary measures for days, including having military dependents voluntarily depart regional bases, in anticipation of the strikes and to protect those personnel in case of a large-scale response from Tehran.

Typically around 30,000 troops are based in the Middle East, and about 40,000 troops are in the region now, according to a third US official. That number surged as high as 43,000 last October amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran as well as continuous attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The Navy has additional assets that it could surge to the Middle East if needed, particularly its aircraft carriers and the warships that sail with them. The USS Carl Vinson is in the Arabian Sea — the only aircraft carrier in the region.

The carrier USS Nimitz is in the Indo-Pacific and could be directed toward the Middle East if needed, and the USS George Washington just left its port in Japan and could be directed to the region if so ordered, one of the officials said.

Then-president Joe Biden initially surged ships to protect Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that launched the war in Gaza. It was seen as a deterrent against Hezbollah and Iran at the time.

On October 1, 2024, US Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.

Footage shows large blasts at Iranian military site in Tabriz

Footage shared on social media shows large explosions at an Iranian military facility near Iran’s northwestern Tabriz city, following Israeli airstrikes in the area.

Footage of multiple major secondary fires and explosions in Tabriz, Iran, after a series of Israeli strikes this afternoon.

Israeli aircraft reportedly struck an Iranian ballistic missile facility. pic.twitter.com/axQStacKzR

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

German foreign minister alters Middle East trip after Israel strikes Iran

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had to change his trip in the Middle East, dropping a stop in Israel, after the country launched a barrage of strikes across Iran earlier on Friday.

Speaking in Cairo after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, Wadephul says that he would travel from Egypt to Saudi Arabia for further talks on Saturday.

He initially had planned to visit Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well. The foreign ministry left open if he would still make stops at those locations.

Israel said it attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories and killed a swathe of military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Wadephul said earlier on Friday that no one benefits from further escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran and called for all parties to return to the negotiating table.

The German foreign ministry also issued a warning to its citizens against travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, saying on its website that “Israel is still formally in a state of war.”

The ministry added that German citizens currently in Gaza and the West Bank should leave those territories, if possible.

IDF says it called up reservists ‘to all combat arenas throughout country’

The Israeli military says it has called up reservists from various units and is deploying them “to all combat arenas throughout the country.”

The reservist call-up comes “as part of the IDF’s preparations for defense and offense across all arenas and with the start of operation” in Iran, the army says.

Trump: Iran may have another opportunity to strike nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump tells NBC News that Iran missed an opportunity to make a nuclear deal with the United States, but it may now have another chance to strike an agreement.

“They missed the opportunity to make a deal. Now, they may have another opportunity. We’ll see,” Trump is quoted as saying by NBC.

Trump tells NBC that Iranian representatives were calling him to suggest they still want a deal.

PM’s aide under criminal investigation breaks silence to hail Netanyahu after Iran attack

In rare public comments on X, Jonatan Urich, a close media aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, extols his boss for carrying out the unfolding attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Urich is under criminal investigation for his role in two separate scandals, the leaked documents affair and the Qatargate affair, and has not posted anything on X since early January.

“Ten years have passed since 2015. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes to Congress to fight for our lives against a dangerous nuclear agreement with Iran,” recalls Urich of Netanyahu’s effort to have the US Congress reject the JCPOA nuclear agreement, which the US, China, France, Russia, the UK, Germany and the European Union ultimately signed with Tehran.

“I hear him speak against then-US president Obama, with Elie Wiesel in the audience, in front of a portrait of Moses, and I think of my grandfather who was beaten by Nazis and my grandmother who starving for bread in Siberia, and I say to myself, silently, that this Jew is raising our stature to a height I haven’t read about in books,” writes Urich reverentially.

“With God’s help, we will succeed.”

Urich was released from house arrest at the end of May after being arrested for questioning by the police in connection with the Qatargate affair, in which he is suspected of breach of trust and bribery for having conducted public relations work for Doha while working at the same time as a media adviser for Netanyahu.

Urich is forbidden from being in touch with anyone connected with the alleged violations connected to the two investigations.

Netanyahu updates Herzog on Iran operation; president hails attack, calls for release of hostages

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reviews with President Isaac Herzog the current political and diplomatic situation in light of Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military capabilities, the Prime Minister’s Office says in a statement.

Netanyahu also “thanked President Herzog, who expressed his support for him, the members of the security cabinet, and the heads of the security establishment, for the successful operation,” the statement reads.

In a post on X, Herzog praises the operation — dubbed “Rising Lion” — saying, “Every delay of the Iranian nuclear threat, every Iranian missile intercepted, every drone neutralized, helps to defend and protect innocent lives, not only in Israel but across the region and beyond.”

Herzog adds that Iran’s “empire of evil proxies, who carried out the October 7 massacre, still hold 53 innocent hostages in Gaza under brutal conditions. We demand their immediate release.”

“This is a struggle for the safety of the Middle East and the world. This is a battle for a more peaceful future in the Middle East. This is a battle for the values of the free world. Iran must not have nuclear capabilities,” he says.

Macron holds call with Netanyahu after Iran attack — Elysee Palace

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel launched a military attack on Iran, the French presidential palace says, without giving further details.

Leaders of UK, France, Germany urge de-escalation of Middle East conflict

Leaders of Britain, France and Germany call for all sides to refrain from further escalation after Israeli strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office says.

Starmer held a call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the situation, Starmer’s office says in a statement.

“The leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilize the region,” the statement says.

French-Saudi confab on advancing two-state solution postponed after Israeli attack on Iran — sources

A United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at forging a roadmap towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed after Israel launched a military attack on Iran, two sources tell Reuters.

A Western diplomatic source in Riyadh says that the Saudi-French conference will be postponed partially due to the attacks on Iran. A second source familiar says some delegations from the Middle East would not or could not come due to developments.

The French embassy in Tel Aviv does not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Iran FM says Tehran ‘expects’ EU to condemn Israeli attack

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that the Iranian people expected the European Union and the broader international community to condemn Israel’s “criminal attack” earlier in the day.

“The government and people of Iran expect the international community, especially the European Union, to condemn this criminal attack,” Araghchi tells his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in a phone call, according to a statement from his office.

IAEA to convene extraordinary board meeting on Monday following Israel attack

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will next week convene an extraordinary meeting of its board of governors at the request of Iran following Israeli strikes on the country, diplomats tell AFP.

The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Monday at the IAEA’s Vienna headquarters, two diplomats say.

Iran FM decries Israel’s ‘illegal and cowardly’ attack

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemns Israel’s “cowardly” attack on his country, in a phone call with his Kuwaiti counterpart.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, with full determination, will take action to defend its sovereignty, people and national security, and will respond decisively to the Zionist regime’s illegal and cowardly aggression,” Araghchi told Kuwait’s Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, according to a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry.

IDF says it struck additional ballistic missiles and launchers in Iran today

The Israeli Air Force struck additional ballistic missiles and launchers in Iran today, the IDF says, publishing footage of the strikes.

The military says its strikes in Iran continue.

Earlier, the IDF said a series of airstrikes in Iran destroyed dozens of ballistic missile launchers and weapon depots where the missiles were stored.

UN envoy: Israel launched Iran strike after intelligence showed Tehran advancing plans to destroy Israel and US

Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon addresses the United Nations Security Council, March 21, 2025. (Richard Drew/AP)

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, says in an interview on Fox News that Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear and military sites after receiving intelligence that Tehran was “moving forward” with plans to “destroy” both Israel and the United States.

Asked about what intelligence Israel received that prompted its attack last night, Danon says that “for years,” Israel was aware of threats from Iran “to destroy Israel, to destroy the United States,” but that Israel had “gathered intelligence that they [Iran] are actually moving forward” to execute such plans by pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

In addition to trying to develop a nuclear weapon, Iran was attempting to reach the same ballistic missile capabilities, in terms of number of missiles, as the US and Russia, as well as use its proxies in the Middle East to pursue its goal of destroying Israel, says Danon.

Through its proxies, Iran planned to “initiate another attack like October 7,” he adds.

“Once we gathered the information about that, we decided not to wait. We believed their intentions,” says the envoy.

“We expect very intense days ahead of us,” he continues, “but we took that risk because we realized the option to wait for Iran to actually assemble the nuclear capability on the ballistic missiles — we can not wait for that.”

“It’s going to be a long operation…we are determined to finish the job,” he says.

Hostage’s mother posts last birthday text she received from her son, in 2023

Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest, speaks during a rally in Tel Aviv, on March 8, 2025, calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Anat Angrest, the mother of Hamas-held hostage Matan Angrest, marks her 50th birthday today and shares a text conversation with her captive son from two years ago.

“Every year you wrote to me, then you called,” she writes in a post on X. “Since the morning, I’ve been looking back at our conversations, just to feel you. I wish I could receive even a shred of information about how you are doing.”

“Don’t give up, hold out a little bit longer, and you’ll be with us,” Angrest’s mother continues.

She shares a screenshot of a text conversation with her son from two years ago, in which he wishes her a happy birthday.

“Happy birthday, Mom, I love you more than anything in the world. May you always be healthy and happy, you’re the best,” his message reads.

Outside the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a lone protester demonstrates for a hostage deal with a picture of Angrest. He holds a sign in his other hand that reads: “Agreements save lives, wars save politicians.”

Earlier this week, Angrest’s family allowed media outlets to air footage of the 22-year-old soldier being kidnapped, in order to raise pressure on the government to sign a deal for his release.

There are 55 hostages still in the Gaza Strip. Angrest is among the 20 thought to still be alive in Hamas captivity.

He is said to be in a dire medical state, with severe injuries to his hands, after he was tortured by Hamas with car batteries and electric paddles until losing consciousness, according to a Channel 12 report.

IDF reissues evacuation warnings for large areas of Gaza

The IDF reiterates its evacuation warning for large areas of the Gaza Strip.

“The IDF continues to operate with great force against terror organizations. The areas marked in red on the map are considered dangerous combat zones,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee says on X.

The military has said it aims to capture 75% of the Strip’s territory during an ongoing offensive against Hamas.

‘There are no people’: With Pride parade scrapped amid Iran tensions, Tel Aviv appears a shadow of itself

A municipal worker takes down flags at what woupd have been the site of the central party of Tel Aviv's Pride parade, in Charles Clore park along the beach, June 13, 2025. (Noam Lehmann/The Times of Israel)

Birds chirp and waves gush throughout the breezy bike ride down Tel Aviv’s beach — a far cry from the human masses and thumping beats expected at the Pride parade, which was canceled due to Israel’s attack in Iran.

Municipal workers sweat as they dismantle unused stages that were set up along the parade’s path. A fisherman sits in silence on the rocks behind a stage at Charles Clore park, which would have at that this hour boasted some of Israel’s biggest stars.

Several dozen people have taken advantage of the unexpected serenity to sunbathe, smoke and play soccer on the sand.

Stores on Tel Aviv’s usually bustling Dizengoff Street stand closed amid tensions with Iran, June 13, 2025. (Noam Lehmann/The Times of Israel)

Others flock to the few eateries and flower shops that decided to open for business. Most shops, especially clothing, jewelry and bookstores, appear shuttered.

Supermarkets, however, were packed, as Israelis sought to store up on basic necessities in case of a long stint in safe rooms.

The Carrefour supermarket chain opened at 6 a.m. today — an hour earlier than usual — and saw four times the number of usual customers, the retailer said, adding that it had called in extra staff and saw a spike in sales of bottled water and hygiene products.

Meanwhile, commerce at the open-air Carmel market, near the Tel Aviv beach, falls far short of its usual traffic on a Friday, even without the Pride parade.

“There are no people,” says Victor, who owns a flower shop at the entrance to the open-air Carmel market, not far from the route of the parade.

Israelis enjoy the unexpected serenity at a beach near where the Tel Aviv Pride parade was supposed to pass, June 13, 2025. (Noam Lehmann/The Times of Israel)

Because of the parade, he brought double the usual stock of flowers to sell, says Victor, chuckling at the irony.

Victor has access to a safe room at his place of business. Asked if he had thought to stay closed today, he says: “Not for a minute. I’m self-employed, I have no choice.”

The tense security situation does not appear to have sparked panic on the streets. Pedestrians can be seen walking slowly back from the beach, stopping for a cold drink and a bite to eat where possible. Some sit and chat on picnic tables outside shuttered kiosks.

Racquel, a tourist from Chile who arrived in Yel Aviv yesterday after a few days in Jerusalem, seems unperturbed. “We knew we were coming to Israel and that there would be problems,” she says.

Diaspora minister calls on Belgium Jews to flee, claiming Brussels can’t protect them from ‘Islamist mobs’

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli seen after a court hearing in Lod of the Shin Bet official arrested in suspicion of leaking classified information, April 15, 2025. (Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli “highly recommends” that “the Jewish community in Belgium” leave the country, declaring that it “has been seized by Islamist mobs chanting for Hamas and Hezbollah.”

“Re-enactments of October 7 horrors and open death threats to Jewish leaders go unanswered. Hezbollah operatives operate in the country with complete impunity,” Chikli tweets. “Belgium has surrendered!”

“I highly recommend the Jewish community in Belgium to leave — this country has lost its sovereignty and can no longer protect its Jews,” he claims.

Iran media says 8 killed in Israeli strike on northwest

Israeli strikes killed at least eight people and wounded 12 others in Iran’s northwestern Tabriz city and its surroundings, the provincial governor tells Iranian news agency ISNA.

“At least eight people… were killed following the attacks of the Zionist regime,” says Majid Farshi, governor of East Azerbaijan province, of which Tabriz is the capital.

Erdogan slams Israel’s ‘banditry’ after Iran strikes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warns that Israel was seeking to drag the world into “disaster” after strikes on Iran, urging the international community to stop what he called Israel’s “banditry.”

A vocal critic of Israel and a fervent advocate of the Palestinian cause, Erdogan accuses Israel of carrying “its strategy of drowning our region, especially Gaza, in blood, tears and instability to a very dangerous stage” after a wave of airstrikes on Iran.

“Israel’s attacks on our neighbor Iran are a clear provocation that disregards international law,” he says.

“The international community must put an end to Israeli banditry that targets global and regional stability,” says Erdogan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government “is trying to drag our region and the entire world into disaster with its reckless, aggressive and lawless actions,” he adds.

Italy calls on Iran, Israel to ‘return to negotiation’

Italy’s foreign minister calls on his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to come back to the negotiating table after Israeli airstrikes hit military and nuclear facilities in Iran.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke on the phone Friday with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi after earlier speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the Italian ministry says in a statement.

During the conversation with Araghchi, “Tajani called on Iran to avoid a military escalation in the conflict with Israel, a dynamic that would be extremely dangerous for the entire region,” the ministry says.

“We need to return to negotiation and diplomacy as soon as possible,” Tajani told his Iranian counterpart, saying it was the same message he gave Sa’ar earlier Friday, according to the statement.

Earlier Friday, Tajani also spoke with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, and the foreign minister of Oman, Badr al-Busaidi.

Iraq accuses Israel of using its airspace to attack Iran

Iraq files a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over Israel’s “violation of Iraqi airspace” in a major attack on Iran, Baghdad’s foreign ministry says.

“These practices constitute a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” the ministry says, calling on “the Security Council to assume its responsibilities” and act to “prevent the recurrence of such violations.”

Loud blast heard near airbase in west Iran — state media

A loud blast was heard moments ago near a military airbase in Iran’s western Hamedan province, state media reports, following a major Israeli attack on the country.

“A few hours ago, a loud blast was heard near Hamedan,” more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the capital Tehran, the IRNA state news agency says, adding that “it was heard near the Nojeh airbase.”

IDF releases footage of fighter jets and navy boats shooting down drones from Iran

Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli Air Force fighter jets and Israeli Navy missile boats shooting down drones launched from Iran earlier today.

Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli Air Force fighter jets and Israeli Navy missile boats shooting down drones launched from Iran earlier today. pic.twitter.com/At1pYzb4Rp

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Report: Israel successfully deceived top Iran air force commanders into convening ahead of strike

A senior Israeli security official told Fox News that Israel successfully deceived top commanders of Iran’s air force into gathering ahead of a targeted strike on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps underground command center — an attack Defense Minister Israel Katz said eliminated most of the IRGC’s air force leadership.

“We carried out specific activities to help us learn more about them, and then used that information to influence their behavior,” the official said. “We knew this would lead them to meet, but more importantly, we knew how to keep them there.”

According to the official, the strike was even more effective than expected, with Israeli forces also taking out air defense systems and ballistic missiles believed to be intended for use against Israel.

Firefighters working to extinguish Golan blaze caused by debris from Iranian drone interception

Firefighters extinguish blazes in the Golan Heights caused by debris from downed Iranian drones on June 13, 2025. (Fire and Rescue Service)

Firefighters are working to extinguish a fire that broke out in the Golan Heights following the IDF’s interception of Iranian drones in the region.

The blazes were caused by the debris from the pair of downed drones, the Fire and Rescue Service says.

Yair Elkayam, the fire service’s Northern District chief, says firefighters have been “deployed throughout the region with a high level of readiness” alongside reinforcements.

Trump says US was read in on Israel’s attack on Iran: ‘It wasn’t a heads-up. It was, we know what’s going on’

US President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP)

US President Donald Trump says he and his aides were read in on Israel’s plans to attack Iran.

Asked whether Israel gave the US a heads-up on its attack, Trump tells The Wall Street Journal, “Heads-up? It wasn’t a heads-up. It was, we know what’s going on.”

Trump says he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and will hold another call with him on Friday.

He calls Israel’s attack on Iran “a very successful attack, to put it mildly.”

“I told the other side, I said, you have 60 days to make the deal. On the 61st day, they attacked. Today is 61 actually, and it was a very successful attack,” Trump tells WSJ.

“They should have made a deal and they still can make a deal while they have something left — they still can,” he adds.

Asked what effect the Israeli attack might have on the economy, Trump responds, “I think ultimately, it would be great for the market because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. It will be great for the market — should be the greatest thing ever for the market. Iran won’t have a nuclear weapon that was a great threat to humanity.”

Iran confirms Israel killed Guards aerospace commander

Screen capture from video of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, July 1, 2024. (X. Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirms that its aerospace commander had been killed with fellow officers in an Israeli air strike on their command center on Friday.

“Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps aerospace force Major General Amirali Hajizadeh… along with a group of brave and dedicated fighters of this force, were martyred” in an Israeli attack on their command center, the Guards said in a statement.

OPEC sees no need for unnecessary measures in oil market

OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais says that the escalation between Israel and Iran does not justify any immediate changes to oil supply, as current conditions remain stable.

IDF says it shot down Iran drone that triggered Golan sirens

Sirens that sounded in the Golan Heights a short while ago were triggered by a drone launched at Israel from Iran.

According to the IDF, the drone was shot down by the Israeli Air Force.

Earlier, three drones from Iran were shot down over the Red Sea area by an Israeli Navy Sa’ar 6-class corvette. It is the same vessel that struck in Yemen earlier this week, the IDF says.

Turkish Airlines cancels flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan until Monday, transport minister says

Turkish Airlines and other Turkish operators have cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan until Monday after Israel’s attack on Iran, Turkey’s transport minister says in a statement.

UN Security Council to meet Friday to discuss Israeli attack on Iran

The United Nations Security Council will meet later on Friday over Israel’s strikes on Iran, diplomats say, at the request of Tehran.

GHF says it distributed over 35K aid boxes today before IDF ordered halt to operations

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says it is prepared to continue delivering food to Palestinians through its aid mechanism in the Gaza Strip amid escalated security tensions following Israel’s overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

“The last 24 hours in Israel and the Middle East have tested the resolve and challenged emergency food delivery to the Palestinians in Gaza, but the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is prepared,” writes GHF in an operational update.

Following reports of the Iran attack this morning, the foundation says it “was successful in quickly delivering” 35,520 boxes of aid to Gazans. “We had additional trucks ready to unload and deliver, but we were ordered to stand down. We have asked the IDF to facilitate the ongoing delivery of aid as soon as possible,” reads the update.

The US- and Israeli-backed foundation says each box contains meals for 5.5 people for 3.5 days.

GHF says it hopes “that a resolution to current international events unfolds soon and we can start up food delivery again.”

“We wish to express our thanks to the US people and President Trump for their support during this extremely complex and high-risk operation,” the statement adds.

The update does not include further information on the status of local GHF workers, whom the group alleged were attacked by Hamas on Wednesday night, killing eight and injuring 21, and who the group said were transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis yesterday.

IDF says two combat engineering soldiers seriously wounded in north Gaza fighting

Two soldiers of the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion were seriously wounded earlier today during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, the military says.

According to the IDF, the soldiers were injured during a gun battle with terror operatives.

They were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families were notified.

Netanyahu’s office says he’ll be speaking with Trump and Putin today amid Iran strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with US President Donald Trump today, says his office, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The conversation with Trump will take place before 6 p.m., an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Earlier today, Netanyahu spoke with German Chancellor Freidrich Merz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The leaders revealed understanding about Israel’s defense needs against the Iranian threats of destruction,” says the PMO. “The Prime Minister said that he would continue to be in contact with them in the coming days.”

Smotrich says Finance Ministry ready to address economic fallout of Israeli attack on Iran

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel is prepared to address the economic aspects of the campaign against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs that was launched early Friday morning.

Smotrich says the Finance Ministry is “fully prepared to support the war effort both at the front and at home, ensuring maximum continuity of the economy and financial systems.”

Following an emergency meeting of senior officials earlier today, the Finance Ministry says it will continue to “manage the government’s financial operations in an orderly fashion, including payments to suppliers, salaries for public sector employees and the full servicing of government obligations — both domestically and in international markets.”

The Israel Tax Authority continues to operate as usual at border crossings, seaports and airports, in accordance with operational guidelines and activity levels, the ministry says.

“The Israeli economy is strong and capable of successfully withstanding the current wartime situation,” says Accountant General Yali Rothenberg.

At the same time, the Finance Ministry remarks that “it is still too early to fully assess the economic impact of the ongoing events,” adding that it has proactively prepared for various scenarios, including the possibility of an escalation with Iran.

“Our professional economic assessments indicate that the impact is expected to be temporary and within a range that the Israeli economy is well-positioned to handle,” it says.

Separately, the Bank of Israel states that it is “fully prepared and ready in all domains under its responsibility, including the proper functioning of financial markets, the banking system and payment systems.”

The central bank “owns all necessary tools to support business continuity for the Israeli economy.”

IDF: We destroyed dozens of missile launchers in last several hours of airstrikes in Iran

The IDF announces that it has completed a series of airstrikes targeting the Iranian regime’s surface-to-surface missile infrastructure.

According to the IDF, Israeli fighter jets destroyed dozens of missile launchers, storage facilities and additional military sites in recent hours, including a concealed launch system hidden inside shipping containers in western Iran.

The military says the operation was based on precise intelligence and aimed at neutralizing a major threat, citing the hundreds of missiles launched by Iran at Israel throughout the war.

The IDF warns that Iran’s missile arsenal includes weapons with ranges of thousands of kilometers, posing a danger “to the region and the entire world.”

IDF says it made Red Sea interception of several drones believed to be from Iran

The IDF says several drones, believed to have originated from Iran, were intercepted over the Red Sea a short while ago.

Further details are still under investigation.

Merz, Macron and Starmer hold call to discuss Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran’s response

France's President Emmanuel Macron (R), Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (C) arrive at Kyiv railway station, ahead of a gathering of European leaders in the Ukranian capital, on May 10, 2025. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have spoken on the phone to discuss Israel’s strikes on Iran, a German government spokesperson says.

“They discussed today’s Israeli strikes against the Iranian nuclear program and Iran’s military response and agreed to remain in close contact,” the spokesperson adds.

Footage apparently shows Israeli jet refueling mid-air on way back from Iran

Footage circulating online appears to show an Israeli Boeing 707 tanker refueling an Israeli F-16 fighter jet mid-air over Syria’s Deir Ezzor province, reportedly during the return leg of the IDF’s strike on Iran.

MUST WATCH ????????

An Israeli F-16i fighter jet was refueled mid-air by an Israeli Boeing 707 Re’em tanker over Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province while returning from a strike on Iran. pic.twitter.com/6uMfXhPzTM

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025

Reports of large explosion in Iran’s Hamedan

Iranian media reports strikes in Hamedan in northwest Iran, causing at least one large explosion.

The city is home to an Iranian airbase, although it is unclear what may have been targeted.

Macron: France reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself, condemns Iran nuclear program

France's President Emmanuel Macron gives the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on May 30, 2025. (Ludovic Marin/AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron says that France has repeatedly condemned the Iranian nuclear program and reaffirms Israel’s right to protect itself, after the IDF launched widespread strikes on Iran and Tehran vowed to retaliate.

Writing in a post on social media platform X, Macron says France has “repeatedly condemned Iran’s ongoing nuclear program and has taken all appropriate diplomatic measures in response.”

“France reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure its security,” he writes. “To avoid jeopardizing the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate.”

He says he has spoken with several world leaders, including Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, and US President Donald Trump.

IDF says it intercepted several drones on Syrian border before they crossed into Israel

The IDF says it successfully intercepted several drones on the Syrian border.

According to the military, all of the unmanned aerial vehicles were downed before crossing into Israeli territory.

Further details are still under investigation.

Iranian president says Israel will ‘regret its foolish act’

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to navy officials, in Tehran, Iran, May 17, 2025. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

President Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran will make Israel “regret” its strikes on nuclear and military targets.

“The Iranian nation and the country’s officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act,” Pezeshkian says in a video statement aired on state TV.

Germany ‘strongly condemns’ Iran’s ‘indiscriminate’ drone attack on Israel

This handout picture released by the official Telegram account of Syria's Daraa province apparently shows the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel after it fell in the southwestern Syrian province on June 13, 2025 (Daraa Province Telegram Account / AFP)

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says Berlin “strongly condemn[s]” Iran’s “indiscriminate” drone attack on Israel in response to the Israeli strikes on its nuclear and military facilities.

“We strongly condemn the indiscriminate Iranian attack on Israeli territory. Iran’s nuclear program violates the Non-Proliferation Treaty and poses a threat to the entire region – especially to Israel,” Wadephul says on X in a post from the German Foreign Ministry.

“The situation in the Middle East has escalated dramatically” and is “more than alarming,” says the top German diplomat, adding that “Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.”

“At the same time,” he continues, “we call on all parties to avoid further escalation. Germany remains committed to diplomacy – together with our partners in Europe and the United States.”

Trump says he gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum: ‘Today is day 61… Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!’

US President Donald Trump listens during an event to sign a bill blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, in the East Room of the White House, June 12, 2025. (AP/Alex Brandon)

US President Donald Trump says he had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum on a nuclear deal before Israel’s strikes, adding Tehran now has a second chance.

“Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.’ They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” Trump says in a post on Truth Social.

Trump hails ‘excellent’ Israeli strikes on Iran: ‘And there’s more to come. A lot more’

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington on June 12, 2025. (Saul Loeb/AFP)

US President Donald Trump says the Israeli strikes on nuclear and military targets in Iran have been “excellent” and warns there is much more to come, in a phone interview with ABC News.

“I think it’s been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn’t take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come. A lot more,” Trump is quoted as saying by the outlet.

ABC News says that when the US president was asked whether there was American participation in the strikes, he said: “I don’t want to comment on that.”

Foreign Ministry says embassies closed, urges Israelis abroad to register their locations

The Foreign Ministry issues further instructions to Israelis and Israeli embassies around the world in light of the military strikes against Iran.

“Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided,” says the ministry in a statement.

The ministry also advises all Israelis abroad to fill out a survey to update the ministry on their location and situation.

A similar form was provided by the ministry following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack to coordinate the return of reservists, and organize rescue flights if necessary.

IDF deploys new division to Jordan Valley

The IDF’s new 96th Division is preparing to take responsibility for the Jordan Valley area, following a fresh assessment, the military says.

The division, also known as the eastern division or Gilad Division, was initially supposed to be deployed on August 1.

Following a new assessment of the situation and efforts to strengthen defenses on the Jordan border, the IDF says the new division, led by Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, is readying to take control of the area currently handled by the Jordan Valley Regional Brigade.

The Jordan Valley Regional Brigade will operate under the division, along with a reservist infantry brigade that has received emergency call-up orders.

The division eventually is set to operate from the Israel-Jordan-Syria tri-border area in the north down to the Ramon Airport in southern Israel.

IDF says air force continuing to strike Iran: ‘The operation is only beginning’

The Israeli Air Force is continuing to strike Iran, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says in a press conference.

“At this hour, the IDF is continuing the attack plan, [to achieve] the goals of the operation, alongside strong defense of Israel,” he says.

Asked how many days of ballistic missile fire from Iran Israel expects, Defrin says “the operation is only beginning,” adding that the military is following Iran’s plans and “is preparing for a response from Iran.”

Meanwhile, satellite imagery apparently shows significant damage at the Natanz nuclear facility.

Overnight Israeli strikes reportedly hit key Iranian sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility.

June 13, 2025 satellite imagery from @AirbusDefence shows significant damage. pic.twitter.com/uIZ7GKaUy0

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Qatar condemns Israeli strikes in meeting with Iran envoy

In a meeting between Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi and the Iranian ambassador to Qatar, Ali Salehabadi, Doha reiterates its condemnation of Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Qatari foreign ministry writes on X.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meets Iranian Ambassador#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/CrcL8xSTuk

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 13, 2025

The two addressed “the latest developments in the region” and ways to enhance “aspects of bilateral cooperation,” according to the ministry.

Before the meeting, Qatar issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s overnight strikes on the Islamic Republic, calling it “a dangerous escalation” and “a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, as well as a clear breach of international law.”

Qatar urged the international community to “act swiftly to halt these Israeli violations.”

Leaders of France, UK, Germany hold talks on Iran

The leaders of France, Britain and Germany are currently holding a phone call about the situation in Iran, a German government spokesperson says.

At least 20 top Iranian commanders killed; Iran claims only cosmetic damage at Natanz

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were killed in Israel’s strikes on Iran on Friday, two regional sources tell Reuters.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state TV reports a fresh Israeli attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, and a fire at the Tabriz airport.

Despite Israel claiming it caused significant damage to Natanz, including destroying an underground centrifuge facility, Iran claims most of the damage at the enrichment plant is only “surface level.”

Defending strikes, Sa’ar tells EU foreign czar Iran threatened Europe as well

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has held talks with his French and European Union counterparts about Israel’s strikes on Iran, his office says.

Sa’ar told EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas over the phone that the strikes on Iran were targeting both its nuclear program and its long-range missile project, saying Tehran is close to “becoming the number one missile manufacturer in the world,” and that this increases the threat of Iran’s “plan of elimination against Israel.”

He adds that the Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities “also endanger Europe,” as he says he understood from conversations with European leaders.

In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Sa’ar emphasizes that Israel’s military actions will continue with the goal of “removing the existential threats to Israel,” and thanks Barrot for affirming Israel’s right to defend itself in an earlier statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron convened his security council this morning to discuss the security situation in the Middle East.

Barrot says he also held talks with the Saudi foreign minister over Israel’s attack on Iran.

Ben Gurion Airport closed ‘until further notice’; airlines start to issue cancellation notices

Notice to the public on the Ben Gurion Airport website, June 13, 2025. (Screenshot)

With Ben Gurion Airport closed to arrivals and departures until further notice, after Israel launched a major offensive against Iran and its nuclear program overnight, individual airlines are starting to issue notices of cancellation.

Channel 12 is reporting that the airport is expected to stay closed for the next 3-4 days, but this is not confirmed. A spokesman for the Airports Authority tells The Times of Israel that no official statement or estimate has been issued.

Following “assessments of the situation,” the Lufthansa Group – which includes the airlines Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings – says it is updating its flight schedule in the Middle East, and halting services to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport through July 31.

Due to “operational reasons,” it adds, the group is halting SWISS flights to and from Tel Aviv until the end of the summer season, and through October 25.

The group says it “regrets the inconvenience caused to its customers as a result of the situation.”

The Air France-KLM group says it is forced to cancel flights to and from the country until further notice, “due to the security situation in Israel and the closure of airspace.”

“We are constantly monitoring developments and will update accordingly as soon as it is possible to resume operations,” it says in a statement. Passengers can contact customer service to change flight dates or receive a refund in accordance with the company’s policy.

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air informs passengers about flight cancellations and disruptions, citing “ongoing regional developments.”

IDF confirms IRGC air force chief, top echelon killed in Israeli strike

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei awards Revolutionary Guard aerospace division commander Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh with a medal of honor in a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Oct. 6, 2024. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

The commander of the IRGC air force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Iran overnight, the IDF announces.

According to the military, the top brass of the IRGC Aerospace Force was killed alongside him as they met in an underground command center to prepare to attack Israel.

The command center was struck by fighter jets, the IDF says.

Among the senior officials killed were the commanders of the IRGC’s drone unit and air defense unit, the military says.

The IRGC air force was responsible for Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in April and October last year.

The IDF says the officials also led the 2019 drone attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

“Hajizadeh publicly pledged allegiance to the idea of destroying Israel on multiple occasions in recent years and played a central role in formulating the plan to destroy Israel,” the army adds.

Macron convenes security council in Paris following strikes on Iran

Following Israel’s overnight strikes against Iran’s nuclear program, French President Emmanuel Macron is convening a meeting of his Defense and National Security Council to discuss the situation in the Middle East, according to the French Presidency.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls the fresh outbreak of violence in the Middle East “deeply alarming.”

“Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation. A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region’s stability and global security,” she says in a post on the Bluesky social media platform.

Hezbollah official says it will stay out of Israel-Iran fight

A Hezbollah official tells Reuters that the Iranian proxy group based in Lebanon will not unilaterally launch an attack on Israel in support of Tehran.

“Hezbollah will not initiate its own attack on Israel in retaliation for Israel’s strikes,” the official says.

Meanwhile, a Hezbollah statement condemns the Israeli attack on Iran, calling it a dangerous escalation by an enemy that understands only the language of “killing, fire, and destruction.”

The statement makes no mention of whether Hezbollah intends to respond to the strike.

‘I gave Iran chance after chance’: Trump tells Tehran to make a deal or face ‘even more brutal’ attacks

A composite image shows US President Donald Trump, left, addressing a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025, and a handout of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attending a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

US President Donald Trump says Iran must make a deal now over its nuclear program or face even more destructive and deadly military action.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump says on his Truth Social platform. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.”

He says Iranians refused to agree to a deal, despite his many warnings of military actions that “would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told.”

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” he writes.

The president does not indicate whether the US will join the military action, but says he will continue to arm Israel with weapons to use against Iran.

“Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it,” he writes.

BREAKING: PRESIDENT TRUMP ON IRAN:

I gave Iran many chances to make a deal. I warned them strongly to “just do it,” but they failed. I said it would be worse than anything they expected.

The U.S. makes the best, most lethal weapons—Israel has many, and more are coming.

Some… pic.twitter.com/eGnCMqQ9lX

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 13, 2025

Israel says jets still working to shoot down drones

The Israeli Air Force says it is continuing to operate in the skies of the Middle East to shoot down drones launched at Israel from Iran.

The IDF issues footage showing fighter jets taking off to shoot down the drones.

חיל האוויר ממשיך לפעול ליירוט כלי טיס בלתי מאוישים ששוגרו מאיראן לעבר מדינת ישראל pic.twitter.com/WLLUaUAtTb

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Earlier, the IDF said it had “control over the situation” after Iran launched at least 100 drones at Israel. Not all of the drones have been shot down.

Khamenei taps replacements for slain army chief, IRGC head

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has replaced two top military commanders killed in a wave of Israeli strikes on Friday.

State TV says he tapped Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new head of the armed forces, replacing Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. Mousavi was previously the top army commander.

Khamenei also chooses Mohammad Pakpour to lead the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, replacing Gen. Hossein Salami.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the country’s theocracy.

Mossad airs video of extraordinary covert action from inside Iran

The Mossad spy agency reveals rare footage showing its actions against Iranian air defenses and ballistic missile launchers in Iran this morning, including a video appearing to show two covert agents launching missiles from inside the country.

According to an Israeli official, the Mossad built a secret explosive drone base inside Iran for this morning’s operation.

The drones were used to strike ballistic missile launchers at a base near Tehran, preventing Iran from firing projectiles at Israel as this morning’s strikes began.

Additionally, vehicles carrying weapons systems were smuggled into Iran. These systems took out Iran’s air defenses and gave Israeli planes air supremacy and freedom of action over Iran.

A third covert effort involved Mossad commandos deploying precision missiles near anti-aircraft sites in central Iran.

Footage released by the Mossad shows strikes carried out by commandos of the spy agency on Iranian air defenses in Iran, early July 13, 2025. (Mossad)

Iran reports fresh explosions in Tabriz; adviser to Khamenei said injured in early strikes

Reports in Iran indicate that Israel has renewed its strikes on the country.

Iran’s Fars news reports strikes in Tabriz, apparently near the city’s airport.

“A few minutes ago, new explosions were heard in East Azerbaijan,” state television says.

The Tasnim news agency says an earlier wave of strikes had hit 10 sites in the province, killing at least three people.

State television also reports that a senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was wounded during Israel’s overnight attack.

“Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to the supreme leader… was injured in today’s attack by the Zionist regime,” it says.

Chief rabbis indicate public should avoid synagogues in line with rules as Shas calls for prayer, study

The Chief Rabbis of Israel Kalman Ber and David Yosef urge the Israeli public to adhere to the IDF Home Front Command instructions and avoid indoor or outdoor gatherings, in a statement that practically implies a request not to pray in synagogues on Shabbat.

“The public is obligated to observe and comply with the Home Front Command’s instructions in every location,” the statement reads.

“Gatherings should not be held in open areas or in buildings,” it added, in bold.

In the first hours of the morning, as Israel carried out strikes in Iran, the Home Front Command prohibited all educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, with the exception of essential sectors until Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m.

The chief rabbis also invite the public to increase their prayers and to recite Psalms 20, 121, 131.

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party’s ruling Council of Torah Sages, which is closely linked to Yosef, also calls on the public to pray for God to have mercy on the Jewish people and grant success to the security forces so that they “may succeed in their mission and return home to a good life and peace.”

In a statement released via a party spokesman, the rabbinic body also calls for repentance and instructs yeshiva students to increase their Torah study in order to ensure victory.

“Every person should strengthen his heart and the hearts of his household with confidence in the Creator of the World, who is the one who fights the wars of Israel, and the Lord will not abandon his people and his inheritance,” the council says, without noting whether synagogue attendance should be avoided.

Leading members of the council, including former sephardic chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, have repeatedly argued that Torah study provides Israel with divine protection — while also insisting that no members of the Haredi community, even those not learning in full-time yeshiva, should be conscripted.

In March, Yitzhak Yosef claimed that Hamas and Hezbollah missiles fired at Israel since October 7 would have killed and wounded many more people if there had not been large numbers of ultra-Orthodox men engaged in full-time Talmud study.

“What would have happened if there had been no yeshiva students? What would have happened if there had been no Torah? How many would have been killed and injured,” he asked. “God protects us in the merit of those who learn Torah.”

IDF says strike on Natanz hit underground centrifuge hall, critical infrastructure

The IDF details its overnight strike on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, which a defense official said earlier had suffered significant damage.

According to the military, Israeli Air Force strikes destroyed the underground section of the site, which housed “a multi-level enrichment hall housing centrifuges, electrical rooms, and other supporting infrastructure.”

The strikes also destroyed “critical infrastructure enabling the site’s continued operation and advancement of the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project.”

Natanz is Iran’s largest uranium enrichment site, which the IDF says has been “working toward the development of nuclear weapons” for years, and “contains the infrastructure required for enrichment to a military-grade level.”

Kremlin condemns escalation of tensions after attack on Iran

Russia says it condemns the sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, expressing concern after Israeli strikes on Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.

“Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions,” he says.

Strike on underground meeting kills most of IRGC air force brass in fell swoop — Katz

A handout picture made available by the Iranian IRGC office on January 11, 2025, shows Hossein Salami (L), head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard's airforce, touring an underground missile base in an undisclosed location in Iran. Iranian state TV on January 10 showed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps touring an underground missile base used in an attack against Israel, hours after fighters marched through Tehran. (IRGC website/AFP)

Most of the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps air force was eliminated in a strike, Defense Minister Israel Katz says, attributing the information to a military assessment.

The top brass of the IRGC’s air command had convened at an underground command center when the strike was carried out, according to a statement issued by Katz’s office.

Germany’s Merz backs Israeli right to hit Iran, ups protection at Jewish sites

Friedrich Merz delivers his first speech as German chancellor in the parliament in Berlin, Germany, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirms Israel’s “right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens,” in a statement on the Israeli attacks on Iran.

He says he spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this morning, who updated him on Israel’s Iran operation and its objectives.

Merz convened his security cabinet after the conversation, and says Germany will increase protection of Israeli assets and Jewish sites.

The chancellor calls on both sides to refrain from further escalation, but does not criticize Israel, and stresses Germany’s longstanding concern over Iran’s advanced nuclear weapons program.

“Just yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency, in a resolution introduced by Germany together with France and the United Kingdom, reiterated that Iran continues to fail to fulfill its obligations to disclose its work on enriching nuclear-capable material. Iran has subsequently threatened to further accelerate uranium enrichment. This nuclear program violates the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and poses a serious threat to the entire region, especially to the State of Israel,” he says.

Beirut reportedly warns Hezbollah against joining Iranian response to Israel

Lebanon’s government informed the Hezbollah terror group that it would not tolerate the Iranian proxy joining in Tehran’s response against Israel following the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Saudi news outlet al-Arabiya reports.

“The time when the organization bypassed the state in deciding to go to war is over,” the group was told, according to the report.

The report adds that Lebanese authorities also warned Hezbollah that it would bear responsibility for dragging the country into war.

Air force shows footage of strikes on ballistic missiles aimed at Israel

The Israeli Air Force bombed Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Israel in its strikes in Iran earlier today, the military says, publishing footage of the strike.

It also publishes a video of strikes on other weaponry in Iran.

The Israeli Air Force bombed Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Israel in its strikes in Iran earlier today, the military says, publishing footage of the strike.

It also publishes a video of strikes on other weaponry in Iran. pic.twitter.com/q5KXxuScbC

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

IDF says it has ‘control over the situation’ after Iran launched at least 100 drones at Israel

An Iranian drone, apparently en route to Israel, is seen over Iraq on June 13, 2025 (Screen grab used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

The IDF says it has “control over the situation” after Iran launched at least 100 drones at Israel.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets have been shooting down the drones outside Israel’s borders, and so far, none have reached the country.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command issued an update telling civilians that they no longer need to remain close to bomb shelters; however, restrictions on gatherings remain in place.

While the IDF says it has control over the drone attack, it has not yet confirmed shooting all of them down.

The Home Front Command will issue further updates should additional threats be heading toward Israel from Iran.

Additionally, the IDF says the Home Front Command’s decision to sound sirens nationwide at 3 a.m. was based on the assessment that Iran would immediately respond to Israel’s strikes, which ultimately did not happen.

Czech Republic: Israeli strikes on Iran a ‘reasonable reaction’ to Tehran’s nuclear program, terror support

Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky addresses media during a final press conference as part of the meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Foreign Affairs at NATO's headquarters in Brussels on April 4, 2025 (NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

The Czech foreign minister says that Israeli strikes on Iran were a reasonable response given Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and support for groups seeking to destroy Israel.

The Czech Republic, an EU and NATO member of 10.9 million people, is a staunch supporter of Israel despite mounting criticism from western allies over its actions in Gaza amid the war sparked by the Tehran-backed Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught.

Iran “is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb,” Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky tells reporters in Prague.

“And I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb,” he adds.

“I have a great deal of understanding for, let’s say, military action aimed at preventing the production of a nuclear bomb in the region,” he says.

“Iran has long failed to fulfill its obligations to the international community, is building up its nuclear program and, at the same time, uses rhetoric aimed at destroying the state of Israel,” he adds.

Deportation of final 3 Gaza boat activists paused with closure of Israeli airspace, rights group says

Activists aboard the Madleen holding their hands up in a screenshot from video taken on June 9, 2025. (screen capture: Al Jazeera/YouTube)

The deportation of three activists from the Madleen boat which tried to break Israel’s blockade against Gaza earlier this week is delayed following Israel’s attack on Iran and the closing of Israel’s airspace, the Adalah civil rights organization says.

The three activists Marco van Rennes of The Netherlands, Pascal Maurieras of France, and Yanis Mhamdi also of France, will remain in custody at Givon Prison in Ramle under the Israel Prison Service (IPS) for the time being.

Adalah says its lawyers are working to arrange visits to the activists.

Four activists were deported on Tuesday after they waived their rights to challenge their detention before a judge, while another five activists where deported yesterday after the Detention Review Tribunal court rejected their claims.

The remaining three were scheduled to leave on flights today but can no longer do so after all flights were cancelled due to the conflict with Iran.

France ‘closely monitoring developments’ after Israeli strikes on Iran, says foreign minister

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot conducts a press conference during the G20 Foreign Minister Meeting at the Nasrec Expo Center in Johannesburg on February 21, 2025 (Phill Magakoe / AFP)

France is keeping close watch on the escalating security situation in the region following Israel’s strikes against Iran, says French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in a French-language post on X.

“France is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, in close coordination with its partners. We call on all parties to act with restraint and to avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability,” writes Barrot.

“The security of our citizens and the protection of our interests in the region are at the top of our priorities,“ he continues, adding that France has “repeatedly expressed our deep concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”

“We reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself against any attack,” says Barrot.

“It is essential to activate all diplomatic channels to help de-escalate tensions. France is fully committed to contributing to this effort,” concludes the minister.

Sa’ar speaks with German, Italian counterparts about strikes on Iran

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar holds a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, May 22, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar speaks with his German and Italian counterparts about the strikes on nuclear and military targets in Iran.

“We made this decision at the last possible minute, after all other avenues had been exhausted,” he tells Germany’s Johann Wadephul, according to Sa’ar’s office. “The whole world saw and understood that the Iranians were not ready to stop and we had to stop them. The latest IAEA report illustrated the serious Iranian violations. We know that challenging days lie ahead, but we have no other choice.”

He also speaks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani about the Gaza war.

Sa’ar tells Tajani that “Israel is also interested in reaching a hostage deal — something Hamas has so far rejected.”

Israeli defense officials believe Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility significantly damaged in airstrikes

This image grab taken from footage broadcast by Iran's IRINN news on June 13, 2025 shows what the television described as smoke billowing from explosions in Natanz after Israel announced it had carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites (IRINN / AFP)

Israeli defense officials believe that Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility was significantly damaged in the airstrikes earlier today.

Footage circulating online earlier showed heavy strikes at the site.

Footage shared on social media shows the Israeli strikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility earlier today. pic.twitter.com/yBcUxs23As

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

IDF Home Front Command says civilians no longer need to remain close to bomb shelters

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians no longer need to remain close to bomb shelters.

At around 3:45 a.m., Israeli civilians were instructed to remain close to bomb shelters until further notice.

Mossad set up drone base in Iran; UAVs were activated overnight to strike surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel

Israel spent years preparing for the operation against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, a security official tells The Times of Israel, including building a drone base inside Iran and smuggling precision weapons systems and commandos into the country.

The effort hinged on tight joint planning between the IDF and the Mossad intelligence agency.

According to the official, Mossad agents set up a drone base on Iranian soil near Tehran. The drones were activated overnight, striking surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel.

In addition, vehicles carrying weapons systems were smuggled into Iran.

These systems took out Iran’s air defenses and gave Israeli planes air supremacy and freedom of action over Iran.

The third covert effort was Mossad commandos deploying precision missiles near anti-aircraft sites in central Iran.

The operations relied on “groundbreaking thinking, bold planning and surgical operation of advanced technologies, special forces and agents operating in the heart of Iran while totally evading the eyes of local intelligence,” says the official.

El Al and Arkia announce planes being moved out of Israel ahead of expected Iran attack

An El Al flight takes off at Ben Gurion Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, August 25, 2024. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia join Israir in announcing they are moving their planes out of the country, hours after Israel launched widespread strikes against Iran and braced for retaliation.

The planes were flown without passengers, says a spokesperson for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, which on Friday closed until further notice.

Israir says it is evacuating and relocating its aircraft from the airport, adding this was part of a contingency plan developed over the past few days.

El Al says it is moving aircraft out of Israel “to our destinations” and Arkia declines to say where they were moving.

Flight tracking data show a number of planes leaving Tel Aviv.

A number of Israir flights went to Cyprus and several El Al aircraft were flown to airports in Europe, Flightradar24 data shows.

Fighter jets completed an ‘extensive blow’ against air defenses in western Iran, IDF says

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet departs for strikes in Iran, early June 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

Israeli Air Force fighter jets completed an “extensive blow” against Iran’s air defenses in the west of the country, the military says.

As part of the strike, the IDF says dozens of radars and air defense missile launchers were destroyed.

The military says the strikes “improve the freedom of action in the air” for IAF aircraft.

Footage is released by the IDF from one of the strikes.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets completed an "extensive blow" against Iran's air defenses in the west of the country, the military says.

As part of the strike, the IDF says dozens of radars and air defense missile launchers were destroyed.

The military says the strikes "improve… pic.twitter.com/batNb5QVrj

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Iran armed forces: ‘No limits’ in Tehran’s response to Israeli strikes

Iran’s armed forces say there are “no limits” on their response to Israel after its strikes on nuclear and military targets, including in the capital Tehran.

“Now that the terrorist regime occupying Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has crossed all red lines… [there are] no limits in responding to this crime,” the armed forces general staff says in a statement.

IDF intelligence chief: Israel entering an ‘existential’ battle against Iran

Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder speaks to troops at a command center, early June 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

The chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder says Israel is entering an “existential” battle against Iran.

“As you know, we are entering a campaign that is nothing less than existential, against an enemy that seeks to destroy us,” Binder says to soldiers in a command center this morning.

“You’ve heard this yourselves more than once: they are working to develop nuclear capabilities, rapidly advancing in that development, and building up conventional weaponry in very, very large quantities,” he says.

“This is what we aim to degrade, to disrupt, and to remove that threat,” Binder says.

“The Intelligence Directorate has worked extremely hard, both to provide early warning about the nuclear progress and the quantities of missiles, and the directorate is ready for this mission,” he continues.

Binder says the directorate is “at a very high level of alert,” adding that it is entering the campaign against Iran with a “very strong starting position.”

Report: UK not planning to help protect Israel as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear, military targets

Britain does not plan to help protect Israel as Iran retaliates against overnight Israeli strikes, the defense editor of the Times newspaper says on X, without citing sources.

“UK defense sources say there aren’t any UK plans to help protect Israel. Clearly this could change throughout the course of the day,” writes Larisa Brown.

In October 2024, when Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refueling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

Britain was not involved in Israel’s strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets overnight and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged both sides to use restraint and return to diplomacy.

Britain’s foreign office and Defense Ministry do not immediately respond to a request for comment on any potential British involvement in protecting Israel. There is no comment from the British embassy in Israel.

IAEA head: Iran says Fordo, Isfahan nuclear sites have not been hit in Israeli strikes

A satellite image from September 15, 2017, of the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran. (Google Earth)

Iranian authorities say that nuclear sites at Fordo and Isfahan have not been hit in Israeli strikes, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says.

“Further contacts with Iranian authorities confirm that the Isfahan nuclear site has not been impacted,” the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, writes on X, adding that “as of now, the Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant has not been impacted.”

Sirens in Jordan’s capital Amman amid Iranian drone attack on Israel; Jordan says it intercepted a number of UAVs

Sirens are sounding in the Jordanian capital Amman amid an Iranian drone attack on Israel.

Jordan’s state media says it intercepted a number of drones that entered the country’s airspace.

Head of Israel’s manufacturers association: Essential industries will operate continuously

The head of Israel’s manufacturers association says essential industries will operate continuously to ensure that the needs of the economy in terms of production and supply, particularly to retail chains, are met.

Following the escalation in the security situation, the president of the Israel Manufacturers Association, Dr. Ron Tomer, states that the industry will do everything in its power to prevent shortages of food, medicines, or any other essential product and will ensure that shelves remain filled.

“The Home Front Command’s guidelines must be followed, and there is no need to storm the shelves,” says Tomer. “The hoarding of products can lead to a shortage.”

“The industry will operate even under fire so that supplies will be available to the public throughout the country at any given moment,” he adds.

Israir says it has begun evacuating its aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport

An Israir flight takes off from Ben Gurion International Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, August 25, 2024. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Israeli airline Israir says it is evacuating and relocating its aircraft from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, adding this is part of a contingency plan developed over the past few days.

The announcement comes as Israel braces for Tehran’s response to Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military strikes.

Air force jets begin shooting down drones launched from Iran, outside Israel’s borders

An Iranian drone, apparently en route to Israel, is seen over Iraq on June 13, 2025 (Screen grab used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Israeli Air Force fighter jets have begun to shoot down the drones launched at Israel from Iran earlier this morning.

The drones are being intercepted outside of Israel’s borders, a military official says.

Those that are not intercepted early are expected to reach Israel within an hour or so.

Health Ministry, IDF instruct all hospitals to move medical services to protected areas

The Health Ministry and the Home Front Command instruct all hospitals to move their services to protected areas and underground facilities.

The ministry asks the public to avoid coming to hospitals in non-urgent cases.

Medical centers and health clinics say they have cancelled all non-urgent medical care.

Iranian drones may begin to reach Israel within 1-2 hours if not intercepted en route

An Iranian drone, apparently en route to Israel, is seen over Iraq on June 13, 2025 (Screen grab used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Drones launched by Iran are expected to reach Israel in the coming hours.

The IDF said earlier that over 100 drones were launched from Iran toward Israel, and the Israeli Air Force was working to intercept them.

Such drones generally take up to seven hours to reach Israel from Iran.

Several drones were spotted over Iraq an hour ago, meaning they are likely to arrive at Israel within the next couple of hours, if they are not shot down earlier by the IAF.

US Embassy in Israel instructs employees, family members to shelter in place until further notice

The US Embassy in Israel instructs all employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.

Yesterday, it told employees not to venture beyond Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba.

IDF says it believes additional senior Iranian officials killed in strikes

(L) Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri near Tehran, Iran, Sept. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (C) Head of Iranian revolutionary guard corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami in Tehran on May 15, 2025. (AFP) and (R) head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholam Ali Rashid (Tasnim News)

The Israeli military says it believes there are additional senior Iranian officials killed in this morning’s strikes in Iran.

Earlier, the IDF confirmed that it killed Iran’s military commander, Mohammad Bagheri; IRGC chief Hossein Salami; and head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholam Ali Rashid.

Jordan closes airspace amid Israeli strikes on Iran

Jordan’s aviation authority announces the closure of its airspace and grounds all flights after Israel carried out strikes on nuclear and military targets in Iran.

“The kingdom’s airspace is temporarily closed, and air traffic suspended for all aircraft — incoming, outgoing and in transit, as a precaution against any risks resulting from the regional escalation,” the authority says in a statement.

The Israel Defense Forces has said Iran has launched over 100 drones at Israel in the past hours.

National Security Council warns Israelis abroad to take enhanced precautions

The National Security Council warns Israelis abroad to take enhanced precautions in light of Israel’s operation against Iran.

Terrorists may try to target Israelis and Jews around the world in an act of revenge, says the NSC in a statement.

Israelis abroad are asked to avoid displaying Jewish and Israeli symbols, posting their whereabouts on social media, and attending large-scale events connected to Israel or Judaism.

Tel Aviv confirms today’s Pride parade canceled

Participants at the annual Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, on June 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

The Tel Aviv Municipality confirms that the Pride parade set to take place today has been canceled after Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, with Tehran expected to respond in the coming hours.

The march, the largest such event in the Middle East, had been expected to draw thousands to the famously open city, including guest of honor Caitlyn Jenner.

It was to have been Tel Aviv’s first Pride parade since before October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel killing some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages, sparking the war in Gaza.

Caitlyn Jenner holds a press conference in Tel Aviv, ahead of the upcoming annual Pride parade, on June 11, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

IDF releases footage, images showing Israeli Air Force fighter jets heading out for Iran strikes

Israeli Air Force fighter jets depart for strikes in Iran, early June 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)