As Israel and Iran continued an intense exchange of missiles for a third day, Israel’s National Emergency Service reported on Sunday night that at least four people were injured in Haifa following Iranian missile strikes, Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported.
Israel launched an air offensive against Iran on Friday, killing commanders and scientists and bombing nuclear sites in a stated bid to stop Tehran building an atomic weapon, which the latter has consistently denied, saying its uranium enrichment programme is for civilian purposes.
What we know so far:
Trump insists Israel and Iran should ‘make a deal’
Production suspended after Israel hits Iran’s South Pars gas field
At least 13 killed, over 380 injured in Israel as Tehran responds with another missile barrage
Germany, France, UK offer talks over nuclear programme
British minister signals possible support for Israel; Iran denies asking Cyprus to convey messages to Israel
3 drones reportedly aimed at US base in Iraq shot down as Trump warns against attacks on US
Situation ‘under control’ after oil depot hit; other refineries ‘functioning’
Reuters also reported projectiles landing in Haifa with explosions reported on impact, along with explosions reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The Israeli army has issued a statement saying its air force is working to “intercept and strike wherever necessary” after missiles were launched from Iran a short while ago.
“The defence is not airtight, and therefore, it is imperative to continue following the instructions of the Home Front Command,” it said in a post on X.
Israel’s El Al Airlines announced on Sunday night that it suspended all flights until at least June 19, with additional cancellations to many European cities extending to June 23.
The Israeli flag carrier had earlier suspended all flights until June 17, with Israel’s airspace still closed.
“Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel,” El Al said.
Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump called on the two foes to “make a deal”.
“Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Earlier this month, Trump had offered to work on the Kashmir issue after he brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear powers following their most intense military confrontation in decades.
In his social media post, Trump said that Iran and Israel will have peace “soon”, adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal.
“We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran,” Trump said.
Following Friday’s strikes, Trump urged Iran to “make a deal”, warning that there will be more “death and destruction” after Israel launched the deadly strikes.
While speaking to ABC, Trump said “it’s possible [the US] could get involved” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, adding that the US is “not at this moment involved” in the conflict.
He also said he would be “open” to Russian President Vladimir Putin being a mediator. “He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,” Trump told ABC.
Later on Sunday, Iranian media reported explosions in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
“Two locations in Mashhad suffered explosions and fires,” Fars news agency reported, adding that “air defences were activated in the area”.
The Tasnim news agency said that blasts were heard near the city’s Shahid Hasheminejad Airport.
“No damage has been reported to the airport buildings or runway,” it added.
Mashhad is home to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest site in Iran for Shia Muslims.
Israel’s military said its air force struck Mashhad airport. It added it was “the longest-range strike conducted since the beginning” of its attack on Iran, which began on Friday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Trump in a phone call today that Ankara was ready to act as a facilitator to resolve the nuclear dispute which led to the conflict breaking out.
In a statement from his office, Erdogan welcomed Trump’s latest statement on a possible peace between Iran and Israel and urged his US counterpart to take action immediately to prevent a disaster “that could set the region on fire”.
Meanwhile, the US’ virtual embassy in Tehran issued a travel advisory urging Americans to not travel to Iran under any circumstances and recommending that US nations in Iran either depart immediately or shelter in place for extended periods.
“US citizens in Iran face serious, increasing dangers due to rising regional tensions,” the advisory warned. “The US government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for United States interests in Iran.”
The embassy informed that American nationals can cross into Armenia by land through the Agarak border crossing, which is open. It added that according to the Turkish government, border crossings at Gurbulak, Kapikoy and Esendere are open, but noted that the Iranian government may restrict movement by non-Turkish nationals.
The advisory added that Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed, but US nationals may be able to enter via the Astara border crossing on June 15 with special authorisation.
“US citizens need approval from the Government of Azerbaijan before going to the border. US Embassy Baku must facilitate this,” it read. “US citizens that plan to request entry into Azerbaijan should send personal details (name, date of birth, passport information) and a photograph of their passport biodata page to the US Embassy Baku American Citizens Services Unit at BakuACS@state.gov.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s armed forces told residents of Israel to leave the vicinity of “vital areas” for their safety, in a video statement broadcast by state TV on Sunday evening around the time that Iran sent a new barrage of missiles towards Israel.
“We have a data bank of vital and critical areas in occupied territories (Israel) and call upon you not to let the brutal regime use you as human shields. Do not stay or travel near these critical areas,” an armed forces spokesperson said.
Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran’s supreme leader: US officials
Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two US officials told Reuters today.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” said one of the sources, a senior US administration official.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said top US officials have been in constant communications with Israeli officials in the days since Israel launched its attack on Friday. They said that the Israelis reported they had an opportunity to kill Khamenei, but Trump waved them off of the plan.
The officials would not say whether Trump himself delivered the message, but he has been in frequent communications with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When asked about Reuters’ report, Netanyahu, in an interview on Fox News programme ‘Special Report With Bret Baier’ on Sunday said: “There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that.
“But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do, we’ll do what we need to do. And I think the United States knows what is good for the United States,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli PM also said regime change in Iran could be a result of Israel’s military attacks.
Netanyahu said that Iran would pay “a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children” during a visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building in the coastal city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv.
Earlier today, the Israeli army called on citizens to take shelter after detecting new missile launches from Iran toward Israel. However, Israel soon eased the air raid warning and said citizens could “leave protected spaces in all areas across the country.”
Two missile-like projectiles hit two locations in central Tehran, leading to explosions, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, saying the blast occurred near the central Valiasr Square.
Iranian media said an Israeli strike hit the Tehran police headquarters in the city centre.
“The Greater Tehran Police Command was hit by one of the enemy’s drones,” ISNA news agency reported, citing a police statement. It added that the attack caused “minor damage” and injured “a number” of police personnel.
