US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 16 coverage

Iran’s police chief, Ahmadreza Radan, announced that 500 people have been detained on accusations of sharing intelligence with enemies. According to Radan, half of the cases involved serious incidents, including supplying information for attacks or sending footage of strike locations.

Semi-official media reported multiple regional arrests on Sunday. In northwestern Iran, 20 people were detained for allegedly sending details on military and security sites to Israel. In northeastern provinces, 10 people were arrested, some accused of collecting information on sensitive locations and economic infrastructure.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement affirming that member states have the right to defend themselves against hostile actions, specifically citing threats from Iran.

Officials emphasized that security in the Gulf is directly tied to the safety of the UK and broader international stability.

The statement also welcomed the UK’s decision to bolster defense capabilities in the region, highlighting ongoing cooperation to address regional threats and enhance deterrence.

The ‘Israeli’ military announced that it attacked 200 targets in Iran over 24 hours, hitting a combination of defense systems, command headquarters, and weapons production sites.

Qatar Ministry of Defence said Sunday that the country’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iran that were targeting Qatari territory.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said the armed forces successfully neutralized the drones before they reached their intended targets.

Saudi authorities announced that their air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Eastern Province.

The government confirmed the operation on X, emphasizing that there were no injuries or damage from the incident.

A drone strike struck Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, a facility hosting American and Italian personnel, Italian military officials confirmed.

Chief of the Defence General Staff Luciano Portolano said the drone hit a shelter used by the Italian Task Force Air, destroying a remotely piloted aircraft stationed at the base. “At the time of the attack, all personnel were safe and uninjured,” the statement said.

Amid viral rumors claiming that 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had died, he posted a video on his Twitter account showing him at a coffee shop, dismissing the reports and addressing his supporters.

In the video, Netanyahu joked about his need for coffee before turning to matters of state.

“I am dying for my people and how they behave – fantastic!” he said, emphasizing his ongoing attacks. He referenced sensitive military work in Iran and Lebanon without providing details and encouraged listeners to follow official guidance closely.

Netanyahu’s appearance comes after social media circulated unverified claims about his death, prompting widespread attention and speculation. 

The Italian military reported that Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts Italian and American forces, was targeted by a drone attack on Sunday.

General Luciano Portolano, head of Italy’s Joint Defense Staff, said the strike destroyed a shelter containing an Italian Air Task Force drone.

No injuries were reported.

Iran FM sees no reason for talks after Trump says it wants a deal.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview published on Sunday that the war pitting his country against the United States and ‘Israel’ will only end when Tehran can be certain it will not be restarted.

"This war will end when we are certain it will not be repeated and that reparations will be paid. We experienced this last year: Israel attacked, then the United States... they regrouped and attacked us again," Araghchi told Arabic-language news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, referring to Iran's war with ‘Israel’ and the US in June 2025.

CCTV footage released by the ‘Israeli’ police shows the moment of a missile attack on the Tel Aviv area, carried out using cluster munitions, according to authorities.

• The asylum requests followed fears of reprisals after the team refused to sing Iran’s national anthem, prompting international concern for the players’ safety.

Two Iranian female footballers and a member of their support staff have withdrawn asylum requests in Australia, officials confirmed, ending a high-profile standoff that raised international safety concerns. The three had initially sought asylum after the team refused to sing Iran’s national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup, sparking fears of reprisals at home.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the trio “gave up on their asylum application in Australia and are currently heading to Malaysia,” posting photos of the women allegedly boarding a plane. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the news, stating that the players decided to join the rest of the team on their return journey to Iran after being offered repeated chances to review their options.

The asylum bids drew global attention after the Iranian players were labeled “traitors” by IRIB following their anthem protest. FIFPRO, the global organization representing professional footballers, had called on FIFA and the AFC to ensure the players’ safety amid reports they were being monitored by Iranian officials in Australia.

Earlier this week, five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, had sought asylum in Australia, with a sixth player and a staff member doing the same before the rest of the team left Sydney. One player, Mohadese Zolfigol, withdrew her claim earlier and reunited with teammates in Kuala Lumpur before the group’s planned return to Tehran.

Iran’s football governing body has accused Australia of coercing the players to abandon their homeland, framing the withdrawals as a resolution to the tense situation.

Emergency services attend the scene of an Iranian missile strike in the centre of Tel Aviv, where multiple vehicles were destroyed.

‘Israel’ has been targeted daily by Iranian ballistic missile fire, with 12 people having been killed by missiles or falling debris, according to a tally of ‘Israeli’ figures.

US warplanes take off from RAF Fairford, a British airbase in Southern England, as the UK government says it is vital to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Saar tells reporters that no direct talks were planned with Lebanon to end the war, a day after a Lebanese official said Beirut was preparing a delegation to negotiate with ‘Israel’.

Jordanian authorities sound sirens signaling the end of the alert period.

Sirens sound in Jordan signaling danger amid regional tensions.

Iran's army said on Sunday it had targeted a police unit and a satellite communications centre in ‘Israel’ with drone strikes.

In a statement, carried by the official IRNA news agency, the army said "it has targeted the security centres and police headquarters of the Zionist terrorist regime, including the regime's special police unit called 'Lahav 433' and the 'Gilat Defence' satellite communications centre with powerful drone attacks".

Bahrain’s army said Sunday that its air defense systems successfully intercepted multiple waves of Iranian attacks over the almost 16 days of war so far.

The statement said that since the start of Iranian attacks, Bahraini forces have destroyed 125 ballistic missiles, and 211 suicide drones.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged other countries on Sunday to refrain from any action that could widen the scope of the war with ‘Israel’ and the United States.

In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Araghchi called on other countries to "refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict", according to an Iranian foreign ministry statement.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump called for other nations' warships to help protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been virtually blocked by the threat of Iranian attacks.

Security camera recording of missile debris landing in the city of Ramtha in north Jordan.

The footage came after sirens were activated multiple times on Sunday morning in Jordan; due to rising military activity amid the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran.

All-clear sirens activated in Jordan as tension eases

Emergency sirens activated in Jordan

Images of the Patriot Missile Defense Systems at a US army base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. South Korea, a US security ally, hosts around 28,500 American troops and air defence assets, including Patriot missile interceptors, to deter the nuclear-armed North.

Seoul and Washington have been in talks on possibly relocating weapons, as the war in Iran intensifies.

People inspect damage to properties after an overnight drone strike in Iraqi Kurdistan's Erbil. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fars News Agency that Tehran is prepared to form a joint investigation committee with countries in the region regarding the targets hit in the recent retaliatory operations after the US and ‘Israel’ launched a war against Iran.

Araghchi said that Iran's attacks are aimed solely at US bases and interests in the region.

He claimed that the United States has developed drones similar to Iran’s and is using them to strike sites in Arab countries.

Iranian media reported explosions and military aircraft over the central city of Isfahan on Sunday.

Shortly afterwards, ‘Israel's’ military said it began a broad wave of strikes on western Iran on Sunday, more than two weeks into the US-‘Israeli’ war against the Islamic republic.

"A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran," the army said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that its air force successfully intercepted and destroyed 10 explosive drones targeting what they said were viral sites in the capital, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Sunday that it used 10 “Fattah” hypersonic missiles during what it said was the 53rd wave of attack against ‘Israel’.

The guards said this is the first time such a number of Fattah missiles was used in a volley.

In a statement, the force said the missiles were launched simultaneously with volleys of “Qadr” missiles and a swarm of suicide drones, targeting “vital sites” belonging to ‘Israel’.

Jordan’s all-clear sirens ring out to signal end of danger

Sirens activated again in Jordan amid danger

First responders at the site of impact where white smoke billows over a road between two buildings in Holon, ‘Israel’ following a barrage of missiles from Iran.

Sirens activated in Jordan amid danger

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Sunday that it carried out the 53rd wave of its “Operation True Promise IV”, as the war started by ‘Israel’ and the United States against the Islamic Republic enters its third week.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to target ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the war with ‘Israel’ and the United States continues.

"If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force," said the Guards on their website Sepah News.

A new synchronized missile attack was reportedly launched from Iran and Lebanon toward ‘Israel’, according to Fars News Agency.

Sirens blare in Jordan signaling the end of the warning period.

Sirens blare in Jordan amid ongoing regional tensions.

Sirens blare in Jordan signaling the end of the warning period.

Sirens blare in Jordan amid ongoing regional tensions.

Channel 12 reported that a suspected fragment from a missile intercepted over a moshav in central ‘Israel’ may have fallen to the ground.

Sirens blare in Jordan signaling the end of the warning period.

Sirens blare in Jordan amid ongoing regional tensions.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced it carried out a major wave of attacks targeting both 'Israel' and American military installations in the region.

According to a statement, the 52-site operation included strikes on industrial areas and US bases, specifically Erbil in Iraq, Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, and Arifjan in Kuwait. The Guard employed a combination of missiles and drones for the operation.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was notably absent from today’s high-level ministerial and security cabinet meeting, marking the first time he has missed such a session since the outbreak of the "Second Iran War".

The meeting, led by senior military and cabinet officials, took place amid a massive regional escalation following the targeted strikes on Iranian leadership and the subsequent retaliatory missile barrages.

Netanyahu’s sudden and unexplained absence has sparked intense speculation across 'Israel' regarding his health, safety, or potential strategic maneuvers behind the scenes.

Hezbollah said it targeted a gathering of ‘Israeli’ soldiers with rockets north of the settlement of Kfar Yuval, near the border area.

In a statement, the group said the strike was aimed at troops positioned at the Al-Ajal Hill site, describing the target as a concentration of soldiers from the ‘Israeli’ army.

Three rockets were fired toward the city of Metula in northern ‘Israel’, Israeli Channel 12 reported.

Ben Gurion Airport has been closed after five massive explosions were reported across the city, prompting heightened security measures.

Five massive explosions were heard across Tel Aviv, shaking buildings and sparking panic among residents.

The Home Front Command of ‘Israel’ reported that air raid sirens sounded in the Avivim area of the Upper Galilee in northern ‘Israel’.

‘Israel’ has warned the United States that it is experiencing a severe shortage of ballistic missile defense systems, according to the US news platform Semafor, citing informed American officials. The warning comes amid ongoing conflict with Iran and Lebanon.

'Israeli' media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, referencing Semafor, noted that the shortage had been anticipated, and stressed that the United States is not facing similar shortages, maintaining sufficient interceptors to protect its military bases and personnel in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told MS Now that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international shipping but is closed only to tankers and vessels of countries attacking Iran.

Araghchi emphasized that strategic partnerships with Russia and China continue, including military cooperation. He added that Iran’s system has operated efficiently after the martyrdom of its top commander, and that all remains under control.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters issued a statement to neighboring countries and Muslim populations, claiming that its adversaries, the United States and 'Israel', have “copied Iranian Shahed 136 drones” and are using them to “carry out unauthorized attacks”.

The headquarters said the goal of these actions is “to cast doubt on Iran, falsely blame it for attacks, and sow discord with neighboring states”, while attempting to “misrepresent Iran’s defensive and lawful military operations.”

Iran reiterated that it “only targets US and Israeli assets” and takes responsibility for any operations it conducts.

Recent attacks in Turkey, Kuwait, and Iraq were cited as examples of strikes that “were falsely attributed to Iranian forces.”

The statement stressed that “intelligent responses by regional officials will neutralize these deceptive campaigns before they escalate.”

Abu Dhabi authorities said they have contained a fire that broke out at an oil facility in the Ruwais area after it was targeted by a drone, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

‘Israel’ has informed the United States that it is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by the US news website Semafor.

The outlet cited unnamed US officials familiar with the matter, saying the warning was conveyed to Washington earlier this week as missile exchanges between Iran and ‘Israel’ continue.

According to the report, US officials had been aware for months that ‘Israel’ faced limited interceptor capacity as the confrontation risked expanding.

Bahrain’s Defense Force says the country’s air defenses have intercepted and destroyed 125 missiles and 203 drones that targeted the kingdom since the start of the ongoing attacks in the region.

In a statement carried by state media, the Bahrain Defense Force said its air defense units successfully responded to repeated aerial threats, preventing the projectiles from reaching their intended targets.