Netanyahu says Trump informed ahead of attacks on Iran

Talking to Fox News, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he informed US President Donald Trump ahead of launching the military campaign on Iran.

He described the cooperation with the current US administration as “unprecedented”, adding that the Israeli intelligence shares “every bit of information” with Washington.

Netanyahu added that regime change in Iran could be a result of Israel’s military attacks. “The issue here is not de-escalation, the issue here is not ceasefire, the issue here is stopping [Iran],” he said, describing the country as a “mortal threat” for Israel as well as Gulf states, the US and Europe.

‘Israel looking for greater US military involvement in Iran’

Meron Rapoport, editor of Israeli news outlet Local Call, says, “It is important for Netanyahu, when he speaks to the international media, to present himself as the leader who is saving the Western world from the evilness of Iran”.

Rapoport was commenting after the Israeli PM’s interview with Fox News from an undisclosed location.

Rapoport added that Netanyahu was not looking for Trump “to bring peace, but more war” through US military involvement. “Some Iranian nuclear facilities are deep in the ground and only the US [can hit them], and I think this is what Netanyahu is looking for,” he said.

Israelis shocked by number of missile hits despite defence systems

Meron Rapoport, editor of Israeli news site The Local Call, said the Israeli public was taken aback by the number of Iranian missiles that breached the country’s advanced defence systems.

“Although the military is trying to portray this as expected, Israelis are quite surprised that so many missiles did hit targets in Israel and that the damage is so huge,” Rapoport told Al Jazeera.

He added that the strikes also succeeded in hitting some strategic targets and that some incidents have likely not been disclosed to the public. “We don’t know about everything because the censorship is quite hard – and if we do know it, we’re not allowed to say it,” he said.

Rapoport added that he sees a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme as the only possible way out of the conflict. “Iran will not surrender, a regime change will not happen in the near future, and Israel, of course, will not surrender – so I don’t see any other way out other than a deal between Iran and the US,” he said.

US embassy in Iraq warns of potential attacks on sites frequented by Americans

The diplomatic mission in Baghdad has issued a statement saying it is aware of an increased potential for violence targeting US-owned businesses and locations frequented by US citizens, as Israel and Iran continue to exchange attacks.

“We urge all US citizens in Iraq to avoid locations frequented by foreigners and any large gatherings or crowds,” the embassy said.

It comes as Iraqi activists have called for a protest this evening near Baghdad’s Green Zone – where the embassy is located – to demand its shutdown and the departure of its staff from the country.

G7 to seek agreement on key points to solve Israel-Iran conflict

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) meeting could reach an agreement on four key points to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Speaking as he prepared to fly to Canada for the summit, Merz said the four points were:

That's more a declaration of war than trying to de-escalate the situation. 

Conflict escalating as Iran issues stark warning to Israel

It seems escalation is the name of the game after several rounds of back and forth. Iran is now starting new retaliatory actions against Israeli territory.

Prior to initiating this latest round of attacks, the spokesperson of the armed forces told Israelis that they have to leave because the land will be “inhabitable” in the near future.

This is a very strong message of warning. He also said that staying in shelters won’t bring security.

People across the country are angry, this is the biggest wave of attacks since the Iran-Iraq War in 1988.

Military chief says Israel will ‘intensify’ operations in Iran

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has issued a statement vowing to increase attacks on Iran, as part of a “historic and unprecedented operation aimed at delivering a significant blow to an existential threat”.

“We will continue to intensify our operations and, in doing so, strengthen our security for years to come,” Zamir said. “We knew there would be a price, and it underscores why we acted now, before it became too late.”

What are Netanyahu’s aims in the war on Iran?

Yossi Mekelberg, a consulting fellow at Chatham House, said that Netanyahu is pursuing several aims in Israel’s military operation in Iran.

The stated aim is to target Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reduce its regional influence. While Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar earlier denied that regime change is not one of the objectives, “obviously Israel would like to see [that]”, Mekelberg said, adding that this was a “rather unrealistic” outcome.

The current conflict is also helping Netanyahu delay his corruption trial indefinitely.

“In the last few weeks, he gave evidence in his corruption trial and it was cross-examined by the prosecution,” the analyst said. However, Iran’s attacks mean the proceedings are now going to be postponed “for a long time”.

Iran’s foreign minister says US opposed UNSC emergency session

Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said Iran requested an emergency session at the UN Security Council but that the request was turned down due to ‘interference’ by the US.

Tehran also requested an urgent meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

“We hope this session produces a resolution or at least a strong statement,” Aragchi told reporters.

The official also criticised the stance taken by the US and some European countries in favour of Israel.

“It is both astonishing and deeply regrettable that, even in the face of a blatant military strike on nuclear facilities – which are protected under international law – these countries failed to condemn the attack. Some even used language that implicitly legitimises it,” he said.

“Western backing of Israel only reinforces our conviction that we can count on no one but ourselves and our armed forces.”

Iran slams Israeli ‘surgical strikes’ as propaganda, says women and children killed

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has accused Israel of spreading propaganda about its military operations, calling claims of “surgical strikes” with no civilian harm a blatant lie.

“In just three recent strikes in Tehran, 73 women and children were killed,” Baqaei said on X, adding that in one location – the Chamran residential complex – 20 children were killed, with 10 more still trapped under the rubble some 48 hours later.

“Targeting families, kids and women… That’s the routine barbarity,” he added.

Main events on June 15th

• Israel has renewed its attacks on Iran, striking the capital Tehran as well as other areas across the country for a third consecutive day.
• Israeli strikes have killed 224 people so far, according to Iran’s Health Ministry. Among them is the head of IRGC’s intelligence organisation Mohammed Kazemi, and two other generals.
• At least eight people have sustained wounds in Iranian strikes on Israel, including Haifa in the north, the country’s National Emergency Service said.
• The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has announced a complete closure of airspace and airports.
• Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has pledged to increase attacks on Iran, as part of a “historic and unprecedented operation aimed at delivering a significant blow to an existential threat”.
• President Trump said US “not at this moment involved” in the conflict between Iran and Israel after he wrote in a social media post that the warring countries will have peace “soon”.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada could yield an agreement on four key points, including the need to create space for diplomacy to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Israeli attack kills 8 in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp

At least eight people have been killed by an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Palestinian agency Wafa reported that the attack on the residential building also wounded several people.

Aid seekers among dozens said killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Israeli strikes in Gaza reportedly killed at least 51 Palestinians on Sunday, mostly near aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation which is backed by Israel and the US. The Israeli military said they fired warning shots at threats but denied targeting aid seekers. 

Chris Hedges: The Last Days of Gaza

The genocide is almost complete. When it is concluded it will not only have decimated the Palestinians, but will have exposed the moral bankruptcy of Western civilization.

China Confronts Israel Over Iran Strikes

Global March to Gaza activists attacked, detained and deported in Egypt

Activists who attempted to join the global march to Gaza from Egypt speak to MEE after being stopped by Egyptian authorities. They recount being violently beaten and attacked by plainclothes thugs in Ismailia, before being detained and deported by Egyptian police.

Amidst pounding by Iran, Netanyahu seeks help from US, Trump rejects plea

In a significant development, Iran’s warning for reprisals has made Donald Trump so worried that he was quick to reject Benjamin Netanyahu’s plea for help against Tehran. Rifat Jawaid explains how Iran’s latest retaliatory attacks have busted the myth of the US-provided air defence system as Tehran overwhelmed Israeli cities with hypersonic missiles and drones.

Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Khamenei, reports say

US President Donald Trump rejected an Israeli plan to kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, multiple media outlets have reported.

Israeli officials informed the Trump administration that they had an opportunity to assassinate Khamenei in recent days, but the US president blocked the plan, the Reuters news agency reported, citing two unnamed US officials.

Reuters quoted an unnamed Trump administration official as saying that officials were “not even talking about going after the political leadership” until such time as Iran had killed an American citizen.

Multiple other outlets, including CNN, the Associated Press, CBS News and NBC News, confirmed the plan and Trump’s opposition to the proposal.


Israel not seeking regime change in Iran, foreign minister says

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has denied that Israel is seeking regime change in Iran.

Asked in an interview with CNN whether Khamenei is a potential target of Israeli’s military offensive, Saar said his government is not aiming to topple the Iranian leadership.

“The Security Cabinet had decided on the objectives – it was not one of the objectives. This is for the Iranian people to decide. We, Israel, do not see the Iranian people as our enemies. We had great relations with Iran until 1979, until the Islamic revolution… when a very barbaric regime came to power. These are the people that chant, ‘Death to America, death to Israel,'” Sa’ar said.

Multiple media outlets have reported that Israel presented a plan to kill Khamenei to the US, but Trump rejected the proposal.

And why did that regime come to power... 1953 Coup by the CIA to protect British oil interests, to install shah Pahlavi whose autocratic rule led to the Islamic revolution in 1979. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/31/690363402/how-the-cia-overthrew-irans-democracy-in-four-days

Trump says ‘it’s time for a deal’ between Israel and Iran

The US president has said he hopes Israel and Iran can broker a ceasefire, but also said that sometimes, countries have to fight it out first.

Talking to reporters as he left for the G7 summit in Canada, Trump said the US would continue to support Israel but declined to say if he had asked the US ally to pause strikes on Iran.

“I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it’s time for a deal,” he said. “Sometimes, they have to fight it out. But we are going to see what happens. I think there’s a good chance there will be a deal.”

Sounds like there won't be a deal... 

Iran says will retaliate as Israeli attacks on Tehran continue

Escalation is the name of the game on the ground as the confrontation between Iran and Israel ramps up.

Tonight, we heard from Iran that they struck Israeli territories as a part of their retaliation. They are saying that they are going to continue as long as the Israeli attacks on Iran also continue.

Here in Tehran, we are also hearing the activation of the air defence system throughout the day, and sounds of the interception of incoming missiles and drones.

In downtown Tehran, we learned of at least two strikes near the capital’s main streets of Vali Asr and Taleghani. We have also heard of another strike north of the city. In the south of Tehran, a fuel depot was also hit, and we saw thick smoke rising in the sky until the late hours of Sunday.

Also, we hear from the Iranians that they have not used their full capabilities. And last but not least, we hear from the Iranian military officials that they have been prepared for years of prolonged confrontation.

The reality on the ground right now is showing an escalation and further conflict, confrontation between two sides, but how the future could unfold is something for which we have to wait and see what comes next.

Israel has killed ‘many children’, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Israel of killing “many” children in its strikes on the country.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that Israeli forces had also targeted Hakim Children’s Hospital in Tehran after Iranian media reports of a strike on the perimeter of the medical facility.

“They’re ‘killing children as a hobby,’ as admitted once by Yair Golan, the former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army,” Baqaei said on X, referring to the Israeli opposition leader’s controversial comments last month in which he said that a “sane” country did not kill children “as a hobby”.

Baqaei’s remarks come after he earlier described Israeli claims that its strikes were being carried out with “surgical accuracy” as propaganda.

Iran launches new wave of strikes against Israel

The Israeli military says Iran is firing missiles at Israel and is activating air raid sirens in several areas of the country. “At this time, the Air Force is working to intercept and attack wherever necessary to eliminate the threat,” it said in a post on X.

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency also reported that the Iranian military has launched a new wave of attacks against Israel.


_{Firefighters and rescue personnel work at an impact site following missile attacks from Iran on Israel, in Haifa, Israel, June 15}

Casualties reported amid explosions over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem

Live footage from Israel shows explosions in the night sky over the city of Tel Aviv as the Israeli Iron Dome system intercepts a barrage of missiles fired from Iran. There were reports of explosions over the city of Jerusalem too, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Kan Israeli public broadcaster is, meanwhile, reporting casualties from the latest strikes from Iran, without providing details.

Kan quoted the military as saying that it also detected strikes coming from Yemen.

Iranian missile hits central Israel: Report

Israel’s Ynet News is reporting a direct hit from an Israeli missile on a building in Petah Tikva in central Israel.

The outlet said the strike caused a fire at the site. Medics in the central area have transferred 12 people with injuries to hospital. The injuries were mild to moderate, it reported.

Medics are continuing to operate in the Tel Aviv area, it added.

At least four sites hit in central Israel: Report

Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, is reporting that at least four areas were hit in the latest Iranian attacks on central Israel. It said that at least one person was seriously wounded in central Israel.

Earlier, Israel’s Ynet News reported that 12 people were wounded in central Israel and that all of them had moderate or mild injuries. It also reported that there had been a fire in the city of Petah Tikva.

Dozens wounded in Israel after Iranian strikes, ambulance service says

Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) service says that 29 wounded people have been evacuated following Iran’s latest attacks, three of whom are in moderate condition. It said that 26 of the victims had minor injuries.

“Search and location operations are still continuing vigorously at all the scenes for casualties,” the emergency service said in an X post written in Hebrew.

Fires seen at Haifa power plant after Iranian attack

The Ynet News outlet says the three people who were killed in Petah Tikvah in central Israel were all in their 70s. They were a man and two women. The outlet says search and rescue efforts are continuing at the scene.

The Times of Israel is reporting that the building struck in Petah Tikvah was a 20-storey structure and that its fourth and fifth floors were badly damaged.

Europe’s von der Leyen speaks with Netanyahu

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that a “negotiated solution” is needed in the Israel-Iran crisis, while stopping short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Speaking at a media briefing, von der Leyen relayed details of a phone call she held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

“Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, without any question,” von der Leyen said. “Of course, I think a negotiated solution is, in the long term, the best solution.

Earlier, von der Leyen said she had reiterated the bloc’s “commitment to peace, stability, and diplomatic efforts leading to de-escalation”, and “underlined that Israel has the right to defend itself”, in the call.

“Iran is the main source of regional instability. Europe has always been clear: Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon. There is an urgent need for a negotiated solution,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.

“We have consistently voiced strong concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs – the same missiles indiscriminately hitting cities not only in Israel, but also in Ukraine.”

This starts to sound a lot like Putin's, "Ukraine should not be part of Nato, without a question". This attack on Iran is not about nuclear weapons. Europe is just as complicit as the US.

Israel torpedoed the negotiations, yet US and Europe can't get past "Israel has the right to defend itself". This is not self defense. We're not living in a Minority Report world either. Bombing a country for what they might possibly be able to due in the future is nothing but showing your own bias and paranoia. 

And for missiles shipped from Iran to Russia, get of your arse and block those shipments. Bombing Iran isn't going to stop that, it will only drive Iran and Russia closer. And do the same to block the US and European shipments to Israel that kill more children daily in Gaza.

Israelis support attacks on Iran, but do not trust Netanyahu

We’ve been speaking to Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg on the Israeli public sentiment regarding the ongoing attacks on Iran. He said that Israelis have long regarded Iran as “the number one enemy” for its role in funding, aiding and abetting Hamas and Hezbollah.

So the general support for Israel’s war against Tehran is “quite large”, he said.

“On the other hand, there isn’t a lot of trust when it comes to the Netanyahu government. Netanyahu is beleaguered both by personal and political trouble.”

Goldberg added that “there is no visible endgame” when it comes to Israel’s war against Iran, noting that even though the public does not trust Netanyahu, they trust the military to carry out the ongoing operation.