LIVE UPDATES | Iran, “Israel” trade blows as air war rages between arch-foes
LIVE UPDATES | Iran, “Israel” trade blows as air war rages between arch-foes
“Israel” and Iran continue exchanging fire since the former started its attack early Friday Morning.
US President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit and warned Tehran residents to "immediately evacuate" amid rising fears of a wider conflict.
Despite mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the missile blitz that began Friday, when “Israel” launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the US was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left Southeast Asia Monday, scrapping a planned Vietnam stop, amid reports it was heading to the region.
A White House spokesman said US forces remained in a defensive posture.
The US leader Trump has repeatedly declined to say whether the United States would support “Israeli” military action and has insisted Washington was not involved in the initial strikes.
US at war? Troops get steak and lobster
US troops being served steak and lobster has sparked speculation, some say it’s just a nice meal when budgets allow, while others believe it signals an imminent mission.
This idea ties into the viral "Pentagon Pizza Meter" theory, which claims that sudden spikes in late-night pizza orders near the Pentagon may hint at urgent war planning or military operations.
Though unconfirmed, the theory, rooted in patterns noticed since the Gulf War, has become a meme online, blending humor and curiosity about the signals that might reveal what’s happening behind closed doors in US defense circles.
IRGC names new head of intelligence
Fars News Agency reported that the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has appointed Brigadier General Majid Khademi as the new head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization.
Haifa mayor calls for immediate evacuation of Bazan refineries after Iranian strike
The mayor of Haifa called Thursday for the immediate evacuation of the Bazan oil refineries following the Iranian strike.
He urged that the facilities not be restored, claiming they pose a major energy and security risk rather than serving as a reliable energy asset for the entity.
Hezbollah chief says group will “act as we see fit” in Iran-“Israel” war
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Thursday that the group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between its main backer Iran and “Israel”.
In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression".
This comes after the US special envoy for Syria warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war.
Fires near Tamra in occupied Palestine caused by Iranian missiles
Iran reportedly demands evacuation of Channel 14 office
Hebrew media outlet Israel Hayom reported that Iranian authorities have called for the evacuation of Channel 14’s office.
Trump to decide on Iran strike within two weeks: White House
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that US President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether to launch a military strike against Iran, as tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv continue to escalate.
Leavitt emphasized that while military options remain on the table, diplomacy is still a possibility. “There is a significant chance that negotiations with Iran may take place soon — though they may or may not happen,” she said. “President Trump is committed to a diplomatic resolution but will not hesitate to use force if necessary.”
She noted that Trump has made extensive efforts to find a peaceful solution, stating, “The president has given diplomacy every chance and has worked hard to reach a solution with Iran.”
Reiterating the administration’s stance, Leavitt added: “President Trump is a leader of peace through strength, and he is not afraid to use that strength.” She also warned that Iran is now “closer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapon,” something the US and the world “cannot allow.”
Commenting on ongoing diplomatic efforts, Leavitt said that Iran has shown interest in coming to the White House and that the proposal put forward by special envoy Steve Witkoff was both realistic and acceptable.
She underlined that “Trump remains committed to diplomacy” but that “no one should be surprised by his position on Iran.” According to the White House, “Iran has everything it needs to build a nuclear weapon, which would pose a threat to the US and the entire world.”
Asked about potential international involvement, Leavitt said there are currently “no signs that China will intervene militarily in support of Iran.”
Separately, a senior US official told Al Jazeera that any decision regarding Iran will also weigh the risks to American forces and civilians in the Middle East.
Leavitt concluded by stating that the Trump administration is “ready and prepared to defend American interests anywhere.”
VIDEO: Netanyahu: "No one in Iran has immunity"
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday that regime change in Iran is not a goal in itself but could be a natural consequence of strikes targeting key figures within the Iranian leadership.
In press remarks, Netanyahu said, “The issue of regime change or collapse in Iran is an internal matter for the Iranian people alone, and there is no alternative to that.” However, he stressed that targeting Iranian leadership has a clear impact on the structure of the system.
When asked whether Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could be a target, Netanyahu responded, “My instructions are clear: no one in Iran has immunity.”
Iranian missiles in the skies over Palestine
Iranian sources: Air defenses activated over Tehran
Iranian sources reported that air defense systems have been activated over Tehran.
Trump’s national security team arrives at White House for Situation Room meeting
US President Donald Trump’s national security team gathered at the White House on Thursday for a classified meeting in the Situation Room, amid ongoing regional tensions and escalating global security concerns.
Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were all seen arriving at the West Wing ahead of the 11:30 AM ET briefing. Witkoff was spotted outside the West Wing speaking on the phone before entering, while other members may have used alternate entrances.
While the meeting was officially listed as an “intelligence briefing,” its location in the Situation Room indicated a level of urgency and sensitivity beyond the routine daily intelligence updates typically held in the Oval Office.
Thursday’s session marks the third consecutive day that President Trump has convened his security team in the Situation Room, a signal that high-level deliberations are ongoing regarding recent international developments.
Drone crashes in Saydour, west of Irbid, Jordan
Footage of drone crash in Azraq, Jordan
Netanyahu vows to 'remove' Iran nuclear, ballistic missile threat
Iranian media: Air defenses activated in central Tehran
Iranian media outlets reported that air defense systems were activated in central Tehran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard downs Israeli Heron “Eitan” drone over western region
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday that it had successfully shot down an 'Israeli' drone of the Heron “Eitan” model over the western part of Iran.
'Israeli' army says Iran used multi-warhead missile, posing new challenge to air defenses
The 'Israeli' military announced Thursday that Iran used a multi-warhead missile in a recent strike, describing it as a new and complex threat to the country’s defense systems.
According to 'Israeli' Army Radio, citing two security sources, the Iranian missile that targeted the Gush Dan area was composed of several smaller sub-missiles.
Upon impact, the missile fragmented and struck multiple locations across the region.
Newly released footage shows ‘Israeli’ strike on alleged inactive Iranian nuclear reactor
“Hospital damage was superficial; we struck military targets only": Iran’s Foreign Minister
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iranian armed forces successfully struck an 'Israeli' Military Command, Control, and Intelligence headquarters along with another vital target earlier today.
Earlier today, our powerful Armed Forces accurately eliminated an Israeli Military Command, Control & Intelligence HQ and another vital target.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 19, 2025
The blast wave caused superficial damage to a small section of the nearby, and largely evacuated, Soroka Military Hospital. The… pic.twitter.com/39tOeRtgYG
He stated that the resulting blast caused only superficial damage to a small, largely evacuated part of the nearby Soroka Military Hospital, which primarily treats Israeli soldiers involved in the conflict in Gaza, where 'Israel' has reportedly destroyed or damaged 94 percent of Palestinian hospitals.
Araghchi condemned Israel as the initiator of the ongoing violence, accusing it of targeting hospitals and civilians, and noted that hundreds of innocent Iranians have been killed since 'Israel' launched what he called an “illegal war” against Iran last week.
He called on 'Israelis' to comply with Iranian evacuation orders before strikes and to avoid military and intelligence sites, warning that Iran’s armed forces will continue to target those responsible until they end their aggression.
Fires break out in northern occupied territories following Iranian rocket attacks
Several fires have erupted across northern areas of the occupied territories after a series of rocket strikes launched by Iran, local sources reported.
