Israel-Iran Highlights: ‘Iran isnt the nation that surrenders’, Trump’s ceasefire post ‘completely false’ says Tehran news agency

Shipping data from the MarineTraffic platform indicates that three empty oil and chemical tankers diverted away from the Strait of Hormuz and changed course amid growing uncertainty in the region. Meanwhile Japan’s Nippon Yusen and Mitsui OSK Lines said on Monday that they had instructed their vessels to minimise the time spent in the Gulf as they continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

The Marie C and Red Ruby, which were in ballast rather than carrying cargo and previously sailing towards the Strait, dropped anchor near Fujairah off the United Arab Emirates coast. The Kohzan Maru was sailing in the Gulf of Oman close to Omani waters.

Iran’s deputy minister of foreign affairs for education and research told Al Jazeera on Monday that his country was within its rights to respond to the US strikes as it saw fit.

“Iran will decide on how, when and at which level to respond to [the] Americans,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

He did not rule out the possibility of Iranian strikes against US military bases in the region.

The US Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to ‘shelter in place’ until further notice. The message noted the recommendation was “out of an abundance of caution” and offered no further information.

“The Iranian regime had a clock counting down to Israel’s destruction in the heart of Tehran. The IDF just destroyed it. We’re still here. The clock isn’t,” the Israeli Defence Force wrote on X.

‘We have offered our mediation efforts. We have stated our position. This is one form of support for Iran. But going forward, everything will depend on Iran’s needs,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

According to the latest statement released by the International Atomic Energy Agency, there appears to be ” extensive additional damage at the sprawling Esfahan site” following the US airstrikes. The area had also been struck repeatedly by Israel since clashes began earlier this month. The IAEA had previously assessed that several buildings at the Esfahan complex were damaged, some of which may have contained nuclear material.

“The latest attacks early this morning damaged other buildings in Esfahan. In addition, we have established that entrances to underground tunnels at the site were impacted,” Director General Grossi said.

“Earlier today, the IDF struck routes in order to obstruct access to the Fordow enrichment site,” the Israeli Defense Force wrote on X.

Oil prices rose on Monday in a volatile session following the United States’ weekend move to join Israel in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, as investors weigh the potential risks of oil supply disruptions as a result of the escalating conflict. Brent crude futures were up 78 cents, or 1.01%, to $77.79 a barrel as of 1000 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 76 cents, or 1.03%, to $74.60.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp has announced the first launch of the Khyber (Qadr H) “multiple-warhead ballistic missile” during its latest attack against Israel. Local media cited officials to claim that “strategic targets” were hit across the “occupied territories from the north to the south and the centre of the Zionist regime”.

“In this operation, the Khyber [Qadr H] multiple-warhead ballistic missile was used for the first time, using new and surprising tactics to strike more accurately, more destructively and more effectively,” IRNA news agency quoted the Guard’s public relations department as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran’s foreign minister on Monday there was no justification for the U.S. bombing of his country and that Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people.

Putin hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow two days after US President Donald Trump sent U.S. bomber planes to strike Iran’s three main nuclear sites.

“The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification. For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people,” Putin told Araqchi in televised comments.

“I am very glad that you are in Moscow today, this will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation.”

Aggression against Iran was groundless,’ says Putin as Israel strikes Fordow nuclear facility again

The Shahid Beheshti University public relations team confirmed on Monday that no attack had taken place at the university despite earlier reports.

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong said parties should restrain the “impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire”. State broadcaster CCTV quoted him as saying that parties, especially Israel, “should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war”. Iran was hurt “but the United States’ credibility was also damaged – both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations,” Fu added.

“The IDF struck 6 regime airports across western, central, and eastern Iran, destroying runways, underground hangars, refueling aircraft, F-14, F-5 and AH-1 aircraft. The destroyed aircraft were meant to stop Israeli Air Force jets. The IAF impaired takeoff capabilities from these airports, as well as the Iranian military’s ability to operate its air force from them,” the Israeli Defence Force wrote on X.

China said the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities had damaged Washington’s credibility and warned the situation “may go out of control” following a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday. The country’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong said parties should restrain the “impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire,” according to the state broadcaster CCTV.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned on Monday that the underground damage at Fordow is expected to be “very significant” following the US strikes. The exact extent of damage to the Fordow uranium enrichment facility – built deep inside a mountain in central Iran – was not immediately possible to assess, given its underground location and the penetrating nature of the bombs used.

“Craters are now visible at the Fordow site… indicating the use of ground-penetrating munitions…No one, including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordow…because of the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges”, he said during an emergency meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors

According to reports, massive Israeli air strikes targeted Tehran on Monday afternoon. The state television live feed was cut for several minutes, and it was confirmed that a technical building supporting live broadcasts for several channels was hit. The bombs also struck the entrance of the Evin Prison and a building of the Red Crescent Society. The prestigious Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran was also targeted.

Local media reports said Israel had attacked the underground facility at Fordow again on Monday afternoon. According to officials, massive Israeli strikes also targeted Tehran and nearby Karaj around noon — with visuals showing large plumes of smoke rising from various areas across the capital.

“It’s up to people of affected country to determine fate of their leadership, not a third country,” local media reports quoted the Kremlin as saying in response to Trump’s recent comments about a regime change.

The Kremlin has said that it was not “informed in detail” by the US ahead of the strikes against nuclear sites in Iran. The Russian administration, however, noted that communication channels with the US remained open and a Trump-Putin call could be organised quickly if necessary.

The US dollar firmed on Monday as nervy investors sought safety, although the restrained moves suggest markets were waiting for Iran’s response to US attacks on its nuclear sites that have exacerbated conflict in the Middle East.

Iran said on Monday that the US attack on its nuclear sites expanded the range of legitimate targets for its armed forces and called U.S. President Donald Trump a “gambler” for joining Israel’s military campaign against the Islamic Republic.

The major moves were in the oil market, with crude prices hitting a five-month high, before dipping to trade lower on the day.

The dollar firmed 1% against the yen and was last at 147.450 , at its highest level since May 15.

Bank of America strategists said dollar/yen can reprice higher if oil prices remain elevated, noting Japan imports almost all of its petroleum, more than 90% of which comes from the Middle East, while the US is largely energy-independent.

The euro fared better, just 0.2% lower at $1.14965 and unchanged after Euro area flash PMIs showed the region’s economy flatlined for a second month in June.

(via Reuters)

IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Monday that Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Fordo likely suffered “very heavy damage” following a US airstrike over the weekend that reportedly used advanced bunker-buster bombs.

Speaking in Vienna, Grossi described the destructive potential of the strike. “Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” he stated.

However, he also acknowledged the current lack of a full assessment. “At this time, no one, including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordo,” Grossi said.

The Fordo facility, buried deep beneath a mountain near the city of Qom, is a key site in Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Watch Video: Israeli strike on the Iranian Red Crescent headquarters in Karaj.

Israel’s strike on Red Crescent HQ a major escalation. The Israeli strike on the Iranian Red Crescent headquarters in Karaj is being seen as a significant escalation, considering the building houses Red Cross and other humanitarian infrastructure near Iran’s capital. Hitting a non-military target risks drawing stronger Iranian retaliation and international condemnation

Iran’s Fars News reports Israeli missiles struck Karaj, escalating tensions and prompting heightened alerts across the surrounding region.

Reuters reports hearing loud thuds once more in Jerusalem, raising concerns amid ongoing regional tensions and alerts.

Israeli military reports sirens heard across multiple areas after detecting Iranian-launched missiles, urging citizens to stay in protected spaces.

EU foreign policy chief says Iran shutting the Strait of Hormuz would be extremely dangerous and harmful to all parties involved.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei expects Russia to act in accordance with their strategic partnership and strengthen mutual cooperation.