Loud blasts heard across Iranian capital: AFP
Key updates-
- New wave of Iranian missiles target Israel
- Israeli military says it killed Iran's wartime chief of staff
- G7 expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability
- US President Donald Trump leaves G7 summit early
- Trump urges evacuation of Tehran
- Trump says he wants Iran to give up entirely on nukes
- China accuses Trump of 'pouring oil' on Iran, Israel conflict
Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Here are the real-time updates -
12:20am
Loud blasts heard across Iranian capital: AFP
Loud blasts were heard Tuesday across Tehran, AFP journalists reported, as intense fighting raged between Iran and Israel for the fifth consecutive day.
The blasts were heard in north, west and central Tehran, according to the journalists. It was not immediately clear whether the blasts were the result of incoming Israeli strikes or Iranian air defence fire.
AFP
12:10am
Trump says won't kill Iran's Khamenei 'for now' as Israel presses campaign
President Donald Trump said the United States would not kill Iran's supreme leader "for now" and appeared to demand Tehran's surrender, as US ally Israel traded fire with its arch foe for a fifth day on Tuesday.
The comments marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's rhetoric against Iran and its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fuelling questions as to whether Washington would join Israel's attacks after insisting it had no hand in the campaign.
Israeli warplanes targeted drone and missile sites with at least two waves of strikes in western Iran on Tuesday, the military said.
It also said it had killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran", just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel's initial surprise attack.
The attacks drew retaliatory fire from the Islamic republic, with explosions heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and air raid sirens sounding around Dimona, a southern town home to a nuclear power plant. There were no immediate reports of hits.
AFP
10:45pm
Israel launches 'massive cyber war' against Iran's digital infrastructure, Iranian media report
Israel has launched a "massive cyber war" against Iran's digital infrastructure, Iranian media quoted the country's cybersecurity command on Tuesday as saying.
Many of the attacks were successfully repelled, the command added.
Reuters
10:30pm
Trump says US won't kill Iran's supreme leader, 'at least not for now'
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the US knew exactly where Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was "hiding", that he was an easy target but would not be killed, at least for now.
"We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin," Trump said.
Reuters
10:10pm
Trump says 'we' have control of Iran's skies
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that "we" have control of the skies over Iran as questions grew over whether the United States will join Israel's strikes against the Islamic republic.
"We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran," Trump said on Truth Social, hailing the use of US-made weaponry although without explicitly mentioning Israel. "Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA."
AFP
[09:44]
Iran announces new wave of attacks on Israel: state TV
Iran launched a new wave of attacks targeting Israel on Tuesday, state TV reported, as fighting between the longtime foes raged for a fifth straight day.
"The tenth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 against the occupied territories (Israel) has begun," state TV said, with the Tasnim news agency reporting that the new barrage consisted of "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
AFP
[09:28]
Iran media report widespread internet disruption
ranian media reported widespread internet disruption on Tuesday as Israel and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day.
"Internet users in several provinces are reporting widespread internet disruption," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported. Other media carried similar reports.
It was not immediately clear what caused the disruption. Iran has imposed internet restrictions since Israel launched its unprecedented aerial campaign against Iranian military and nuclear facilities on Friday.
AFP
[09:24]
Trump may take 'further action' against Iran nuclear program: VP Vance
AFP
[08:44]
Israel lifts air raid warnings, says intercepted 'most' Iran missiles
AFP
[08:30]
Air raid sirens in Tel Aviv, north Israel after missile warning
Air raid sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv area and parts of northern Israel on Tuesday, the military said, after warning of a fresh salvo of incoming missiles fired from Iran.
"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the state of Israel," a statement from the military said, with residents of the Tel Aviv area and parts of the north urged to seek shelter.
AFP
[08:22]
Iran media reports explosions in central city of Isfahan
Iranian media said several blasts were heard on Tuesday in the central city of Isfahan, which hosts multiple nuclear facilities, as Israel kept up its strikes for a fifth day.
"Several explosions were heard in the east and north of Isfahan and air defences were activated against the hostile targets," the Mehr news agency reported.
AFP
[08:17]
Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel
Reuters
[08:10]
German chancellor Merz: Israel's attacks have weakened Iran, don't expect tehran rulers to return to prior strength
Reuters
[07:50]
Several explosions heard in east, north of iran's isfahan -semi-official mehr news agency
Reuters
[07:24]
Qatar says monitoring radiation as Israel hits Iran nuclear sites
Qatar has been monitoring radiation levels in the Gulf as Israeli air strikes pound Iranian nuclear facilities, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We are monitoring this on a daily basis," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a news conference.
"We have nothing to be concerned about right now, but obviously prolonged escalation will have unpredictable consequences."
AFP
[06:35]
Iran's underground Natanz site hit during Israel strikes: UN nuclear watchdog
There appear to have been "direct impacts" on the underground part of Iran's Natanz nuclear site during Israel's attacks, the UN's atomic watchdog said on Tuesday.
"Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz," the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, formerly Twitter.
AFP
[06:22]
Jordan king says Israel's Iran attacks threaten region and beyond
Jordan's King Abdullah II warned in an address to the European Parliament on Tuesday that Israel's "attacks" on Iran threatened to dangerously escalate tensions in the "region and beyond".
Speaking as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day, Abdullah said that "with Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end".
"And that, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere," he told lawmakers in Strasbourg.
AFP
[06:18]
Qatar says its output at gas field shared with Iran is steady, following Israeli strike
Qatar said on Tuesday its gas production at the South Pars field is steady and supply is proceeding normally, after the world's largest gas field was struck by Israel on Saturday, prompting Iran to partially suspend its production.
Qatar, the world's third biggest liquefied natural gas exporter after the US and Australia, shares the South Pars gas field with Iran.
Iran partially suspended production at the field after an Israeli strike caused a fire on Saturday.
"So far, gas supplies are proceeding normally. However, the ill-advised targeting raises concerns for everyone regarding gas supplies," Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said.
"This is a reckless move... The companies operating in the fields are international, and there is a global presence, especially in the North Field," he said during a weekly press briefing in Doha.
The South Pars field is located offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province and is responsible for the bulk of gas production in Iran, the world's third largest gas producer after the United States and Russia.
Reuters
[06:10]
Iran accuses G7 of siding with Israel with de-escalation call
Iran accused the Group of Seven nations on Tuesday of siding with Israel in its call for "de-escalation" in their intensifying conflict, now in its fifth day.
"The G7 must give up its one-sided rhetoric and tackle the real source of the escalation -- Israel's aggression," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.
"Israel has launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran... in violation of... the UN Charter," the spokesman said.
"Hundreds of innocent people have been killed, our public and state facilities and people's homes are brutally demolished.
"Iran is defending itself against a cruel aggression. Does Iran really have any other choice?" he asked.
AFP
[05:58]
Fire erupts at strike-damaged Iran state TV building, broadcaster says
A fire broke out on Tuesday at the headquarters of Iranian state television in Tehran, the broadcaster said, a day after an Israeli strike severely damaged one of the buildings and killed three people.
"The smoke seen in the Iranian radio and television building is due to a fire that reignited due to the wind," the broadcaster said. An AFP journalist nearby saw a plume of white smoke.
AFP
[05:52]
China's Xi 'deeply worried' about Israel's military action against Iran: state media
China's President Xi Jinping said Tuesday he was "deeply worried" by Israel's military action against Iran, Chinese state media reported.
"Israel launching military action against Iran has caused a sudden escalation in tension in the Middle East, China is deeply worried about this," he said during a meeting with the Uzbek president in Kazakstan, Xinhua reported.
"We oppose any act that infringes upon the sovereignty security and territorial integrity of other countries."
AFP
[05:20]
Two loud explosions heard in Iran capital
Two loud explosions were heard from central and north Tehran on Tuesday, AFP correspondents reported, as the Iranian capital came under Israeli bombardment for a fifth straight day.
There was no immediate word on the cause or precise whereabouts of the twin blasts, which came after the Israeli military struck state television headquarters on Monday, causing significant damage and killing at least three people, the broadcaster said.
AFP
[05:00]
Israel warns Iran's Khamenei he risks fate like Saddam's
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday he could suffer a fate "similar to" Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was toppled and later executed.
Katz warned Khamenei risked "a fate similar to Saddam Hussein" during a meeting with Israeli military and security service commanders, according to a statement from his office.
"I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launch missiles toward Israeli civilians," Katz was quoted as saying.
"He should remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country to Iran who took the same path against Israel."
Saddam was toppled in the US-led invasion of 2003 and later captured and executed. His administration fired missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf war and was accused of running a covert nuclear weapons programme.
AFP
[04:56]
Iran has so far fired 400 ballistic missiles and 100s of uavs towards israel, israeli military official says
Reuters
[04:54]
At least 10 iranian scientists essential to nuclear programme have been killed, israeli military official says
Reuters
[04:52]
Russia says Israel 'reluctant' to accept outside mediation over Iran conflict
Russia said Tuesday it was ready to act as a peace broker between Israel and Iran, but that Israel was showing reluctance to accept outside mediation.
"At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
AFP
[04:50]
Isreali military official says Iranian military leadership is "on the run"
Reuters
[04:47]
Israel 'attacks' on Iran a threat to Middle East 'and beyond': Jordan king
Jordan's King Abdullah II warned in an address to the European Parliament Tuesday that Israel's "attacks" on Iran threatened "a dangerous escalation of tensions in my region and beyond."
"With Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end," Abdullah told lawmakers. "And that, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere."
AFP
[03:47]
Iran Guards say hit Israel's spy agency in Tel Aviv
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they struck a centre of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, amid an escalating air war between the two foes.
In a statement aired on state television, the Guards said they "struck the military intelligence centre of the Zionist regime's army, Aman, and the Zionist regime's terrorist operations planning centre, the Mossad, in Tel Aviv", adding it was "currently on fire".
AFP
[03:40]
Cyberattack hits state-owned bank in Iran: local media
A cyberattack on Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, a news agency reported, amid an escalating air war between the Islamic republic and its arch-enemy Israel.
"A cyberattack targeted the infrastructure of Sepah Bank, causing disruptions to the institution's online services," said the Fars news agency, adding the issue was expected to be resolved within the next few hours.
AFP
[03:33]
Trump says looking for 'real end, not a ceasefire' to Israel-Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was aiming for a "real end" to the conflict between arch-rivals Israel and Iran, and not just a ceasefire.
"I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," Trump told reporters on board Air Force One before arriving back in the United States from a G7 summit in Canada.
The president said he was looking for "an end, a real end, not a ceasefire," adding that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran.
AFP
[02:55]
Over 600 foreigners flee Iran into Azerbaijan: Baku official
More than 600 foreign nationals have crossed from Iran into neighbouring Azerbaijan since Israel began striking the country last Friday, a government official in Baku said.
"Since the start of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, more than 600 citizens of 17 countries have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan," the government source told AFP on Tuesday.
"Evacuees are transported from the border to Baku International Airport and flown to their home countries on international flights."
AFP
[02:45]
Spanish foreign minister calls for weapons embargo on Israel
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called on Tuesday for a weapons embargo on Israel while the war in Gaza lasts and urged the resumption of talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
"We are the largest trade partner of Israel in the world, the European Union," he said on Bloomberg TV. "We must impose, for our European partners, an arms embargo, not to sell weapons to Israel as long as this war continues."
He said he wanted the EU to act as it did after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to try to achieve peace.
The minister regretted there were no signs of de-escalation between Israel and Iran and called for a resumption of dialogue with Iran on its nuclear programme.
Reuters
[02:35]
Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic
Flights carrying evacuees from Israel have arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic amid the war between Iran and Israel, authorities said on Tuesday, making these countries among the first to get their citizens out of the Middle East.
Slovak authorities said that the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia.
"Our partners are contacting us and we are preparing another flight on Tuesday, which should include citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as citizens of the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Latvia, and France," Blanar said.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Slovakia had helped evacuate seven Hungarians.
Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said that a flight with 66 people evacuated from Israel had landed near Prague.
Poland said on Monday that it was organising the evacuation of around 200 of its citizens from Israel via Jordan.
Reuters
[02:30]
Thailand to prepare planes to evacuate nationals from Israel, Iran: govt spokesman
The Thai government has ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran, a spokesman said Tuesday, as the two sides exchanged missile fire for a fifth day.
There are an estimated 40,000 Thais currently living in Israel, most working on farms under a government labour scheme, and around 300 nationals living in Iran.
"We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare planes to bring them home from Israel and Iran," government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
AFP
[02:25]
China accuses Trump of 'pouring oil' on Iran, Israel conflict
China on Tuesday accused President Donald Trump of "pouring oil" on the mounting conflict between Iran and Israel, after the US leader warned Tehran residents to "immediately evacuate".
Following decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign last week against targets across Iran, saying it aimed to prevent its arch-foe from acquiring atomic weapons -- an ambition Tehran denies.
The sudden flare-up in hostilities has sparked fears of a wider conflict, with Trump urging Iran back to the negotiating table after Israel's attacks derailed ongoing nuclear talks.
Trump also issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"
AFP
[01:40]
Japan govt spokesperson: looking into evacuating Japanese nationals as Israel-Iran conflict intensifies
The Japanese government is looking into "various options" to evacuate Japanese nationals from areas affected by ongoing military conflicts between Israel and Iran, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters on Tuesday.
Reuters
[01:30]
Trump says he wants Iran to give up entirely on nukes, according to CBS News
US President Donald Trump said he wanted a "real end" to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran "giving up entirely" on nuclear weapons, according to comments that were posted by a CBS News reporter on social media platform X.
Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday.
Reuters
[01:25]
Bangladesh embassy in Tehran considers relocation amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Bangladesh Embassy in Tehran is considering relocation of its operations due to security concerns amid the ongoing Israel- Iran conflict, an official from the Bangladesh embassy in Iran said.
The current embassy site is located within a one-kilometre radius of several key Iranian establishments, raising the perceived threat level.
[12:35]
'Missiles lit up sky': Biman pilot recalls mid-air scare amid Israel-Iran conflict
It was 2:15am when a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, bound for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The sky was calm, the weather was favourable. In command of the cockpit was Capt Enamul Haque, chief of flight safety at Biman, with his co-pilot, Rafsan Riyad, beside him.
[12:15]
Israeli military says it killed Iran's wartime chief of staff
The Israeli military said Tuesday it killed Iran's top military commander, Ali Shadmani, in an overnight strike, calling him the closest figure to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement, the military said following "a sudden opportunity overnight, the (Israeli air force) struck a staffed command centre in the heart of Tehran and eliminated Ali Shadmani, the war-time Chief of Staff, the most senior military commander, and the closest figure to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei".
The Israeli military said Shadmani had commanded both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian armed forces.
Shadmani was appointed to the post after Israel assassinated the former head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholamali Rashid earlier in the week.
AFP
[11:55]
Explosions near Tel Aviv, sirens blare across Israel: Reports
There have been explosions in central Israel and reports of damage to a building in the coastal city of Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.
The Times of Israel is meanwhile reporting "echoes of large explosions" in the Jerusalem area and says sirens are being sounded across the country.
Iran's Mehr news agency says thick smoke has been observed in the northwestern city of Tabriz following an explosion at about 8:45am local time (05:15 GMT).
The Israeli military has issued a new update, saying it is "possible to exit the protected area in several areas of the country".
Rescue forces have been sent to places where reports of falling missiles have been received, it adds.
Al Jazeera, BBC
[11:25]
Trump says early G7 exit has 'nothing to do' with an Israel-Iran ceasefire, 'mistakenly' described by Macron
US President Donald Trump said his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday had "nothing to do" with working on ceasefire between Israel and Iran, adding France's leader, Emmanuel Macron, was "wrong" in how he described the exit.
AFP
[11:20]
Three died in Israel strike on Iran state TV, broadcaster says
Israel's strikes on the headquarters of Iran's state television in Tehran killed three people, the broadcaster said on Tuesday, a day after the attack.
"Three of the TV station's employees were killed and others were wounded in the Israeli attack" on Monday, the channel announced, without specifying the number of people hospitalised.
AFP
[11:15]
Israel says conducted 'extensive strikes' in Iran's west
Israel's military said Tuesday it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran overnight, as the arch-foes traded fire for a fifth straight day.
"During the strikes, dozens of surface-to-surface missile storage and launch infrastructure were struck," the military said in a statement.
"In addition, surface-to-air missile launchers and UAV storage sites were struck in western Iran," it added.
The statement included footage which the army said showed the moments surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile launchers were hit.
One clip appeared to show a strike on a surface-to-air launcher holding three missiles.
Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented series of aerial raids targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
After a new wave of Israeli strikes on Iran's capital -- including a dramatic attack on a state TV building -- both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight, with Israel's army briefly urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles.
AFP
[11:10]
Britain, France, Germany call on Iran to hold nuclear talks 'as soon as possible': French diplomatic source
AFP
[10:15]
Trump flies out of G7 summit early over Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump left a G7 summit in Canada a day early on Monday, heading back to the White House as Israel and Iran traded missile fire for a fifth straight day.
Trump's helicopter lifted off from the summit venue in the Canadian Rockies to take him to his plane, shortly after he warned residents to evacuate the Iranian capital Tehran.
AFP
[09:45]
US Embassy in Jerusalem says it's 'not in a position' to evacuate Americans in Israel. The US Embassy in Jerusalem has asked US government employees to "continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice".
Reuters
[09:40]
G7 statement expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability
The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, in a statement issued late on Monday that called for peace and stability in the region.
The air war between Iran and Israel - which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes - has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023.
Reuters
[09:29]
G7 leaders including Trump urge 'de-escalation' on Iran
G7 leaders attending a summit in Canada on Monday issued a joint statement calling for "de-escalation" on Iran, while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself in the escalating Middle East crisis.
"We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself," the statement said. "We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
"We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza."
AFP
[09:17]
Israel's Haifa-based Bazan group says all refinery facilities shut down after Iranian attack
Israel's Haifa-based Bazan Group said all refinery facilities have been shut down after a power station used to produce steam and electricity were significantly damaged in an attack by Iran, according to a regulatory filing on Monday.
The group said the Iranian attack resulted in the death of three company employees.
[09:12]
South Korea widens travel warning for Iran advising nationals to leave the country
South Korea's foreign ministry on Tuesday expanded a travel warning for Iran, urging its nationals to leave the country immediately.
The warning advises South Korean nationals in all regions of Iran to leave the country as soon as possible.
Reuters
[08:59]
Trump team proposes Iran talks this week on nuclear deal, ceasefire, Axios reports
The U.S. is discussing with Iran the possibility of a meeting this week between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss a nuclear deal and an end to the war between Israel and Iran, Axios reported on Monday citing four sources briefed on the issue.
Reuters couldn't immediately verify details of the Axios report.
[08:44]
Fitch says Israel's current credit rating level can absorb impact of Israel-Iran conflict
Fitch Ratings said on Monday that a spillover from the Israel-Iran conflict appears to be within a range that can be absorbed by Israel's 'A'/Negative rating level.
Fitch also said that it expects the risk premium in oil prices arising from the conflict to be contained within the $5-$10 range and that it does not expect the conflict to persist for more than a few weeks.
Reuters
[08:27]
US forces still in 'defensive posture' in Mideast: White House
The White House insisted Monday evening that US forces remained in a "defensive" posture in the Middle East, despite a military buildup over the Israel-Iran war and a shock warning from President Donald Trump to evacuate Tehran.
Trump's brief warning on social media, without further details, raised speculation that the United States may be readying to join Israel in attacking Iran.
[08:21]
Pentagon chief says Trump still aiming for deal with Iran
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News on Monday that President Donald Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran even as hostilities have escalated between U.S. ally Israel and Tehran, while a White House aide said separately that Washington was not attacking Iran.
"Of course," Hegseth said on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime" show when asked if Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.
"We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that's what happens here," Hegseth said.
Reuters
[07:53]
Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters fifth day
Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
Trump was due to leave the Group of Seven summit in Canada later on Monday, a day early, due to the Middle East situation, the White House said. Fox News reported he would convene his National Security Council.
"Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump's early departure from the G7 was positive, given the immediate objective was to get Israel and Iran to agree to a ceasefire that the U.S. had proposed.
"There is an offer that has been made, especially to have a ceasefire and to initiate broader discussions. And I think this is a very good thing," Macron told reporters. "So now we need to see what the stakeholders will do."
Reuters
[03:47]
Revolutionary Guards say Iran to strike Israel 'without interruption until dawn'
Iran will strike Israel "without interruption until dawn" overnight from Monday to Tuesday, its Revolutionary Guards announced.
"The ninth wave of combined drone and missile attacks has begun and will continue without interruption until dawn," said the Guards' spokesman, Ali Mohammad Naini, according to the official IRNA news agency.
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