Israel Iran Conflict Highlights: Trump rejects Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Khamenei, says Israel-Iran may need to ‘fight it out’

Israel’s envoy Reuven Azar, speaking to a news channel following the Israeli strikes on Iran, said: “Iran acquiring nuclear weapons poses an existential threat to Israel, as it is a country that has repeatedly vowed to destroy the Jewish state. The latest strikes were carried out only after we received specific intelligence indicating that Iran was actively assembling a nuclear weapon. Additionally, Iran is amassing thousands of ballistic missiles, further escalating the threat.”

Azar added that Israel does not require direct involvement from the United States in its military operations against Iran.

Qatar Airways has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Iraq and Iran due to regional airspace closures and escalating tensions following Israel’s military strikes on Iranian targets.

Israel’s military said 200 fighter jets have been deployed in ongoing strikes on Iran, hitting over 100 targets. IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin stated that more than 330 munitions have been dropped in a “precise and synchronised operation.”

Air raid sirens sound over Jordan’s capital, Amman, as Iranian drone attack targets Israel.

Jordan intercepted several missiles and drones that entered its airspace on Friday morning, the state news agency reported. The interceptions come amid heightened regional tensions following Israeli strikes on Iran. Jordan had earlier closed its airspace as a precautionary measure.

Israel’s military has begun intercepting Iranian drones outside its territory, an IDF official told CNN on Friday. This marks the first phase of Iran’s retaliation following Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin confirmed that over 100 Iranian UAVs have been launched toward Israel, prompting immediate defensive measures to neutralise the aerial threat before it reaches Israeli airspace.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant was not targeted in Israel’s recent airstrikes, citing information from Iranian authorities.

Bushehr is Iran’s first nuclear energy facility. The IAEA also reported no rise in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, Iran’s main uranium enrichment center, despite confirmed strikes. Located 150 miles south of Tehran, Natanz plays a key role in Iran’s advanced nuclear program.

As per reports, it houses centrifuge development and assembly units. Satellite images and videos from the ground showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the area following the attacks.

Israeli military says Iran has launched over 100 drones at Israel in past few hours.

Six Iranian nuclear scientists were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes, Iranian state media reported. Israel has said the attack was carried out to curb Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that Israel’s strikes on Iran are concerning and that all parties need to step back and reduce tensions.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, including reports of attacks on nuclear sites amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Urging restraint, the MEA called on both sides to avoid any escalatory steps and emphasised the importance of de-escalation to ensure regional peace and stability. “Existing channels of dialogue, diplomacy should be utilised to work towards de-escalation,” added MEA.

Jordan closes airspace to all flights after Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran’s former national security chief, Ali Shamkhani, has been killed in Israeli airstrikes, Iranian state media confirmed on Friday.

IRINN reported, “The assassination of Ali Shamkhani was also confirmed.” Shamkhani, a prominent political and military figure, served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council for nearly a decade and was a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Civilian airspace cleared after Israel’s Operation Rising Lion against Iran.

Iranian state television, as quoted by the Associated Press, has confirmed that General Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, was killed in the Israeli strike.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday moved to distance the United States from Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The strikes, launched by Israel to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, come just ahead of a planned sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks.

Rubio says US not involved in strikes

Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio emphasised that the attacks were conducted unilaterally by Israel. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio stated, noting that Israel had informed Washington in advance.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.

His post on X reads, “Last night, Israel launched a targeted operation to neutralize an immediate and existential threat to our people. The international community has seen how over the last decades, the Iranian regime—at the helm of a global terror empire—has continued to radicalize and destabilize the region with its proxies, while working relentlessly to advance its military nuclear capabilities, and expand its ballistic missile arsenal.”

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear bomb and expressed hope for a return to negotiations, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see.” Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin shared his remarks in a post on X, also quoting him as saying, “There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”

(Reuters)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog affirmed Israel’s inherent right and solemn duty to defend itself, stating it will always act with determination and clarity in the face of any threat.

Amid its recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the killing of IRGC Chief Gen Hossein Salami, Israel is bracing for imminent retaliation. Two senior Israeli officials have warned that Iran could respond within hours, potentially launching hundreds of ballistic missiles. The Israeli military remains on high alert, with emergency protocols activated nationwide as tensions in the region escalate to dangerous levels following Operation Rising Lion.

Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, a US official confirmed that planned talks between American and Iranian envoys will still proceed on Sunday. Despite the conflict, diplomatic efforts remain underway to de-escalate the situation.

Oil prices soared over 9% on Friday after Israel’s strike on Iran, sparking fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude rose to $75.65 per barrel, while WTI touched $74.47.

Air India issues advisory. Due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace, Air India has diverted or recalled several international flights to ensure passenger safety. Affected routes include London, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Vancouver, with flights redirected to Vienna, Jeddah, Sharjah, Frankfurt, and Milan. Several outbound flights have returned to Delhi or Mumbai.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has issued a passenger advisory stating that while operations at Delhi Airport are running smoothly, some flight schedules have been impacted due to evolving airspace conditions over Iran, Iraq, and the surrounding region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel following Friday’s airstrikes that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and killed several top commanders. Condemning the assault as a “bloody crime,” Khamenei warned that Israel has “prepared a bitter fate” for itself. The remarks come amid surging tensions following Operation Rising Lion launched by the Israeli military.

Commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Hossein Salami killed by the Israeli attack, according to Iranian state media.

Welcome to our LIVE coverage of escalating tensions in the Middle East, as Israel launches strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Explosions have been reported across Tehran—stay tuned for real-time updates.