Iran-Israel Conflict Highlights: Iran launched a fresh wave of missile attacks on Israel Sunday evening, with explosions reported in the coastal city of Haifa. The strike marks a dramatic escalation in hostilities that have gripped the region since Friday, prompting widespread international calls for restraint and de-escalation. In response, the Israeli military confirmed it had begun another series of targeted strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.
As the conflict deepens, a CNN report citing two US officials claimed that Israel had proposed an assassination plot targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But, the plan was reportedly rejected by US President Donald Trump. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his spokesperson denied the existence of any such plan.
Death toll: Iranian authorities report at least 224 fatalities, while Israel has confirmed 14 deaths. In Tehran, scenes of panic unfolded as thousands attempted to flee the capital amid ongoing air raid sirens and missile alerts. Iran’s Ministry of Health stated that 1,277 people have been hospitalised since the initial Israeli strikes began on Friday.
What did the US say? Amid the escalating violence, US President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agree that the hostilities must end immediately. Despite this rare moment of consensus between Washington and Moscow, diplomatic efforts have suffered a setback. A crucial round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, previously scheduled for Sunday in Oman, has been officially canceled.
Trump on Friday said that he has worked hard to prevent bloodshed. “We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran from humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out,” he said.
Trump has consistently maintained that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Why did Israel attack Iran? The attack came after tensions between Iran and the international community escalated sharply after Tehran announced the activation of a third nuclear enrichment facility. The announcement came just hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued its first formal censure against Iran in two decades, criticising its failure to meet nuclear non-proliferation commitments.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attack was on “the heart of Iran’s ballistic missiles program.” He asserted strikes would continue “for as long as it takes to remove this threat.” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasised the urgency of the operation, saying, “We had reached the point of no return. Freedom is granted to those willing to fight for it.”
Israel Iran Conflict Highlights: Stay up to date with all the latest updates and breaking news from the region as middle east heads into a dangerous nuclear warfare.
Death toll increase to 5 in Iranian missile strike, says report
As per latest update by Times of Israel, five members of the Khatib family have been killed during a missile strike in Haifa, after Iran attacks northern Israel.
Rocket and sharpnel debris found by Israeli police in Tel Aviv
Israeli authorities have stated that rockets and fragments have landed in a residential area near Tel Aviv. The strike has caused damage to the property, but no injuries have been reported till now, as per Reuters.
In retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on civilian and energy sites in Tehran, Iran has launched missiles hitting several locations in Israel, including the port city of Haifa, as per Alzazeera.
Israeli Military Vows to Keep Striking Iranian Missile Sites
Israel’s military spokesperson announced that operations targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure will persist amid rising tensions. “We will continue to attack and destroy Iranian surface-to-surface missile sites,” the spokesperson said, signaling that Israel remains committed to dismantling Tehran’s long-range strike capabilities following Iran’s recent missile retaliation.
Reuters
US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Muscat Cancelled!
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed on Saturday that the latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, will not take place. Oman had been serving as a key mediator in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Albusaidi’s announcement came just a day after Israel launched a massive air offensive on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and killing senior scientists and military commanders in what it described as a move to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Reuters
Israel Vows More Strikes After Iran’s Missile Retaliation Kills Three
Israel on Saturday warned it is prepared to launch further attacks on Iran following Tehran’s overnight retaliation, which killed three people and injured dozens inside Israel. The missile and drone barrage came in response to Israel’s sweeping strikes Friday on Iranian nuclear and military targets.
Israeli officials said the strikes killed nine senior nuclear scientists and experts, along with several top generals. Iran’s U.N. ambassador reported 78 deaths and over 320 wounded in the attacks.
As the confrontation intensifies, hopes for diplomacy have unraveled. Oman’s foreign minister confirmed that a scheduled sixth round of indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks will no longer take place following Israel’s latest actions.
US Was Not Caught Off Guard by Israel-Iran Escalation, Says Defense Secretary
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that Washington was not surprised by Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and senior military leaders, nor by the resulting escalation, according to a report by CNN.
“I wouldn’t say we were really surprised by any dynamic of the back and forth. That’s been ongoing, but we’re monitoring it closely,” Hegseth said.
He emphasized that the US is fully prepared to defend its personnel and interests in the Middle East.
“We are robustly postured to ensure that our people – our bases, our interests – are safe,” he added. “We’ve got significant assets in the region, and we will keep Americans safe.”
Israeli Hospitals Move Patients Underground Amid Fears of More Iranian Strikes: Report
Medical teams at Sheba Medical Facility, near Tel Aviv, have begun relocating patients to fortified underground areas as Israel braces for further Iranian missile strikes, according to a report by CNN.
Video footage showed patients being moved alongside essential equipment and medical supplies. The hospital confirmed it had treated dozens of people injured in Iran’s overnight retaliation, many with shrapnel wounds.
Hospitals nationwide are taking similar steps to shield vulnerable patients, following Iran’s large-scale counterstrike launched in response to Israel’s deadly assault on key Iranian nuclear and military sites Friday, which killed several top commanders.
Elon Musk Activates Starlink for Iran Amid Internet Blackouts
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed the activation of Starlink satellite internet services for Iran, offering a potential lifeline for connectivity as the country grapples with severe internet restrictions amid ongoing unrest.
The Iranian government imposed widespread online curbs following a series of Israeli strikes targeting its military infrastructure. On Friday, Iran’s communications ministry acknowledged the restrictions, stating they were “temporary” and would be lifted once the situation stabilizes.
The move by Musk comes as protests intensify and access to social media and independent information remains tightly controlled across the country.
Read More: Elon Musk’s Starlink provides internet to Iranians after country cuts off access amid war
Islamabad has voiced full support for Iran in the wake of Israeli attacks, with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calling for “Muslim unity against Israel” during an address in the national assembly.
“We stand with Iran and will support them at every international forum to protect their interests,” Asif said. He warned that Israel’s targeting of Iran, Yemen, and Palestine is a threat to all Muslim nations, urging them to “immediately cut ties with Israel” and calling for an urgent session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to draft a collective response.
Asif also reaffirmed Islamabad’s close ties with Tehran, saying Pakistan “stands by Iran in this difficult time.” Echoing the sentiment, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the Israeli strikes as “a brazen violation of Iran’s sovereignty.” The two countries share a 750-kilometre border along southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran.
‘Nuclear Talks with US is Unjustifiable,’ Says Iran’s Top Diplomat
Iran’s top diplomat has declared that continuing nuclear negotiations with the United States is “unjustifiable” as long as Israeli attacks persist.
Calling the Israeli military actions “barbaric,” the foreign minister said ongoing aggression makes diplomatic engagement impossible, signaling a potential freeze in US-Iran nuclear dialogue amid the escalating conflict.
Reuters
US Intel: Iran Not Building Nuclear Weapons, Says DNI Tulsi Gabbard
Despite escalating regional tensions, US intelligence assessed as recently as March that Iran is not currently pursuing a nuclear weapon.
“The Intelligence Community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on March 25, 2025. She added that the IC is closely monitoring “if Tehran decides to reauthorise its nuclear weapons program.”
‘Unite for Freedom’: Netanyahu Urges Iranians to Rise Against Regime
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the Iranian people to rise up against what he called an “evil and oppressive regime,” appealing for unity in their fight for freedom.
In a televised address on Saturday, Netanyahu said Israel’s ongoing offensive, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, aims to eliminate the nuclear and missile threats posed by Iran. “Tonight I wish to speak to you, the proud people of Iran,” he said. “We’re in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history. The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for nearly 50 years, threatens to destroy my country, the State of Israel.”
ANI
Three Iranian Nuclear Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes: Report
At least three Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the latest wave of Israeli attacks, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday. The strikes, part of Israel’s intensified response to recent missile threats, targeted key sites linked to Iran’s nuclear and military programs.
Reuters
‘Tehran Will Burn’: Israel Issues Fiery Warning
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday warned that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues its missile attacks, following a deadly escalation that killed at least three people and wounded dozens.
Speaking after a high-level military briefing, Katz said Iran would face a “heavy price” for harming Israeli citizens. “If (Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front — Tehran will burn,” he declared.
The statement came after Israel launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. Iranian state TV reported that air defense systems were active in Khorramabad, Kermanshah, and Tabriz, indicating possible fresh Israeli attacks.
AP
Iran-Israel war: Iran threatens US, UK, France over interference in strikes on Israel
Iran has warned the US, UK, and France that their military bases and naval assets in the region will be targeted if they intervene to stop Iranian strikes on Israel.
Iran-Israel war: Two top Iranian military officials killed in Israeli strikes
Iranian state media reports that two deputy commanders from the Iranian Armed Forces General staff were killed in Israeli attacks.
Amid war with Israel, Iran has warned that the conflict will spread to US bases in the region, reports Fars News citing senior military officials.
(REUTERS)
Iran-Israel war: Air India reroutes flights amid middle east airspace closure
Air India has announced that due to the evolving situation in Iran and the wider Middle East region, several of its flights are now operating on alternative extended routes. This operational shift follows the closure of key airspace in the region.
In a statement, the airline said, “We are doing our best to minimise any inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure.” Air India reiterated that the safety of its customers and crew remains the highest priority.
Passengers are advised to stay updated through official channels as schedules may be impacted by longer flight paths.
Iran-Israel war: India issues emergency contact numbers for Indians in Iran
Amid Israel-Iran conflict, India has released emergency contact details of the Iran embassy. Here’re the numbers: +98 9128109115; +98 9128109109.
Iran-Israel war: Israeli military intercepts multiple drones launched by Iran
The Israeli military confirmed it intercepted several drones launched into its territory on Thursday. The incident comes amid escalating hostilities with Iran.
Iran-Israel war: After commanders killed in Israeli strike, Khamenei appoints Hatami to lead Iran’s army
Following Israel’s deadly strike that killed top Iranian military leaders, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has announced key changes in the country’s military leadership.
According to state-run IRNA, Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed as the new Chief Commander of the Army. Hatami, a former Defence Minister (2013–2021), was praised for his “dedication, competence, and experience” and was tasked with bringing a “transformative and revolutionary approach.”
Khamenei also expressed gratitude to outgoing Chief Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi for his “sincere and valuable efforts” during his tenure, signalling a strategic shift in military command.
Iran-Israel war: Iran says it shot down, repelled Israeli drones near Salmas border
Iranian state media reports that Iranian forces shot down and repelled multiple Israeli drones near the northwestern Salmas border.
Iran-Israel war: Iran launches new missile barrage towards Israel, state media reports
Iranian state media reports a fresh missile barrage launched towards Israeli targets amid escalating regional tensions. No immediate confirmation from Israel yet.
Iran-Israel war: Jordan reopens its airspace today
Jordan reopened its airspace at 7.30 a.m. (0530 GMT), the civil aviation commission said, a day after it suspended flights amid Iran-Israel tensions.
Iran-Israel war: IndiGo warns of flight delays as airspace over Iran remains restricted
Airspace over Iran and surrounding areas, continue to be unavailable. Certain flight paths may need adjustments, leading to extended travel durations or delays, says IndiGo.
Iran-Israel war: Israel confirms ongoing airstrikes on Iranian targets
The Israeli military confirmed its air force is continuing to strike targets inside Iranian territory, escalating regional tensions amid growing fears of wider conflict. No immediate details on casualties were released.
Iran-Israel war: 2 killed in Iranian missile strike central Israel, 19 injured
Israel’s paramedic service says two people were killed when missile hit central Israel, 19 injured.
Iran-Israel war: Iran rules out nuclear talks after Israeli strikes, blames US for backing attack
Iran declared on Friday that any dialogue with the United States over its nuclear program is now “meaningless” following Israel’s largest-ever military strike on Iranian territory.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of enabling the assault, saying the US cannot talk peace while backing aggression. “The Zionist regime could not have attacked without America’s green light,” he said, adding that Israel had derailed diplomatic efforts.
The US denied complicity at the UN and urged Tehran to return to negotiations. However, the upcoming sixth round of nuclear talks in Muscat, scheduled for Sunday, now appears uncertain amid the escalating crisis.
Iran-Israel war: China slams Israel at UN, urges end to “risky” military actions against Iran
China has condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iran, calling them a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty” and warning of dangerous consequences.
Speaking at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, China’s permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, expressed “deep concern” over the escalation.
He urged Israel to “stop all risky military actions,” emphasising that further conflict would not serve the interests of any party involved.