Roaring Conflict Ticker +++ 10:06 Be'er Sheva “Jittery and Uneasy”
Be'er Sheva Population in State of "Considerable Alarm"
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy LinkTensions in Beer Sheva soar as an Iranian rocket pierces a residential neighborhood near the already stricken Soroka hospital. Our correspondent Sarah Silver reports on the fallout, Israelis' jangled nerves, and Netanyahu's complicated gambit.
Politics & Iran Unrest Population in Be'er Sheva “Jittery and Uneasy” 09:31 Israeli Air Force Eliminates Iranian Rocketeer Locations Israel has mounted strikes on Iranian rocket facilities, successfully neutralizing a number of compounds. These sit at the heart of Tehran and Isfahan, posing a threat to Israeli air force planes, the military revealed. With these strikes, the air force aims to expand its freedom to maneuver in Iran's sky. "Fighter jets and other Israeli air force units continue to operate unobstructed in Iranian skies, attacking military targets of the Iranian regime in western and central Iran," the military claimed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the air force as "unrivaled" over Tehran.
09:03 Fritz: "Trump Faces a Tough Decision" A potential U.S. entry into the Middle Eastern conflict hinges, in part, on the halting of Iranian uranium enrichment, even for civilian purposes. According to our correspondent Gordian Fritz, achieving this within Trump's two-week timeframe could be "unattainable."
Politics & Drive for Iranian Disarmament: Unattainable Deadline for Trump? 08:51 IAEA: Exposed Damage at Iranian Arak Reactor The International Atomic Energy Agency reports the Iranian heavy water reactor Khondab (previously Arak) has sustained damage from Israeli attacks. The extent of the damage was not initially evident, the IAEA reported last Tuesday. However, it has since been confirmed that "critical structures" were compromised - including a distillation system. The Israeli military verified the attack in Arak on Thursday, declaring the dismantling of an atomic reactor.
08:31 Israel Casts Dark Warning to Hezbollah Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian Lebanese militia, that should they attack Israel to support Iran, the Hezbollah will cease to exist. The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" references a tweet from Katz. Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem had asserted on Thursday that Hezbollah will maintain a neutral position, ready to act as they see fit. Katz responded, "I advise the Lebanese authorities to be cautious and understand that Israel has lost patience with terrorists that threaten it."
08:07 German Politician Calls for Sanctions Against Israeli Officials The German government has thus far refused to consider EU sanctions against Israel. However, CDU MEP Michael Gahler, the foreign policy spokesperson for the EPP group in the Security and Defense Committee, breaks ranks. He advocates sanctions against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Intelligence Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. "Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have repeatedly demonstrated themselves through extreme rhetoric, not only concerning the future of Gaza, they actively support the radical settler movement in the West Bank and also oppose a two-state solution," Gahler stated to "Der Spiegel." Specifically, these two ministers "do not serve Israel's long-term interests with this stance". Imposition of travel restrictions or asset freezes is possible.
07:42 Chief of Staff Frei: US Entry Unresolved According to Chief of Staff Thorsten Frei's estimation, America's involvement remains unclear. Although various indications emerge, Frei stresses on ARD that it remains speculation how the U.S. will act. Frei emphasized the significance of diplomacy ahead of the upcoming Iran negotiations, including those led by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Geneva. "It is remarkably crucial to take up any conversation thread that exists."
07:20 Israel Registers Rocket Attack Hitting Beersheba A morning Iranian rocket barrage on Israel finds Beersheba, South Israel's city, under attack. At least one rocket struck near residential areas, office complexes, and industrial zones, the military informs. At least one residential structure lost a portion of its facade. Medical personnel claim at least six people sustained minor injuries. The Israeli channel Kan broadcasts footage of burning vehicles, significant smoke, and shattered windows on residential structures. CNN reports of blazes close to office buildings, even a Microsoft outpost. Beersheba, previously hit by multiple Iranian attacks, has been targeted once more.
Politics Injuries and Devastation in Be'er Sheva: Rocket Impact on Residential Building 07:16 Israel Strikes Iranian 'Nuclear Weapons Project' Research Center The Israeli air force has again struck dozens of targets in Iran, according to their own account. More than 60 combat aircraft simultaneously attacked military compounds manufacturing rockets, along with the headquarters of a research institute for Iran's "nuclear weapons ambitions," the military reports. In the Tehran area, several industrial facilities manufacturing rockets experienced hits. This location served as a central industrial hub for the Iranian Ministry of Defense. Additionally, were targeted a facility producing a crucial component of Iran's nuclear weapons program.
07:11 Wadephul on Preventing Escalation - Israel Can Count on Germany
According to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, the imminent meeting on his agenda with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi is taking place under dire circumstances. "The situation is extraordinarily tense; it is hardly possible to predict the near future," the CDU politician told "Der Spiegel." "Hoping is not part of diplomacy, talks are," said Wadephul. "I aim to prevent escalation." Wadephul along with counterparts from France and the UK will meet Araghchi in Geneva. Asked whether the German government would intervene should Iranian aggression against Israel persist and the loss of life continues, Wadephul answered, "I caution Tehran against violating international agreements and widening the conflict. However, it cannot be ruled out entirely. Israel can always rely on Germany."
06:49 Laschet Praises Merz's "Blunt Talk" CDU foreign policy expert Armin Laschet defends Chancellor Friedrich Merz against criticism of his "dirty work" comment. "I must give him credit – if he speaks more candidly and possibly inducts a change in course, that's good," Laschet said on Thursday evening in the ZDF show "Maybrit Illner." "He uses a different language than Olaf Scholz," Laschet commended, looking at the previous SPD Chancellor. Merz is "clearer" in his explanations, Laschet concluded. "Thus, I assume that what he intended to say is correct." Merz had lauded Israel's military operation against Iran. "It's the dirty work Israel is doing on our behalf," the Chancellor explained.
Politics
Middle East Talk Insider: Iran Seeks Aid, But Aid Will Not Come
06:36 London Holds Hope for Diplomatic Resolution Spite the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel, the British Foreign Secretary continues to see a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute with Iran as possible. "During my discussions with the U.S. Secretary of State, we talked about how Iran must reach an agreement to avoid escalation of the conflict," Lammy said, according to a statement from the British embassy in Washington following discussions with his American counterpart Marco Rubio and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. There remains "a window of two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution." Britain and the U.S. are "decided upon ensuring that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon."
Politics
U.S. Intervention in the Iran-Israel War: Trump's Decision in Two Weeks
06:11 Explosion at Norwegian Ambassador's Residence in Israel In Tel Aviv, the residence of the Norwegian ambassador was targeted with a grenade explosion. "An explosion occurred last night in front of the Norwegian embassy in Tel Aviv," explained the department head of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry's Communications Department, Tuva Bogsnes. The grenade was lobbed into the embassy's courtyard. No embassy staff were harmed, with Israeli police on-site during the incident. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared on the online service X that he had been in touch with the Norwegian ambassador to Israel, Per Egil Selvaag. Selvaag's residence endured an attack from shrapnel grenades, he added. "I sternly condemn this grave and dangerous act."
05:43 New Iranian Attack Wave on Israel - Air Raid Sirens Sound in the South Air raid sirens have been triggered again in southern Israel amid more Iranian airstrikes, the Israeli military reports this morning. "Sirens are heard in several regions of Israel after rockets were detected launched from Iran toward Israel," the Israeli army stated. They are working to repel intercept these rockets.
04:50 Israeli Air Defense Thwarts Repeated Iranian Drone Attacks The Israeli air defense has successfully thwarted repeated drone attacks from Iran overnight, the Israeli military relayed on Telegram. Three drones were knocked down one after another, in the Dead Sea region, the army shared. Warning sirens had sounded earlier.
03:56 Israeli President Herzog Backs Netanyahu Israeli President Isaac Herzog defends Israel's actions and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "The entire Israeli government is behind the government on this decision, and I endorse it wholeheartedly," Herzog told Bild. Israel recognizes that Iran has reached the threshold and was nearly on the brink of a nuclear bomb, with Tehran enriching uranium to 60 percent. "This is not an attempt at nuclear development," Herzog asserted. Israel is now dismantling this danger before it ignites.
02:47 Pro-Iranian Hezbollah Vows "Appropriate Response" The pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia declares that it will act "as it deems fit" in counter to the war between Iran and Israel, per its chief Naim Kassem. Hezbollah maintains a neutral stance in the conflict between the two foes; nevertheless, U.S. special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, had cautioned Hezbollah against intervening in the war between its primary backer and Israel. "In the name of President Trump," Barrack, who is also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, said during his first visit to Lebanon, "such an act would be a catastrophic decision."
01:50 New Intelligence Chief Appointed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Iran appoints radical commander Brigadier General Majid Kadami as the new head of the intelligence department of the Revolutionary Guards, replacing Mohammad Kasemi, who was killed along with two intelligence officers, Hassan Mohaghegh and Mohsen Bagheri, in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday. Kadami, once part of the Quds Force and influential in Hezbollah's military operations in Syria and Iraq, is likely to take a more aggressive stance in the conflict with Israel.
00:44 Iran's Military Claims Secured Highly Enriched Uranium An Iranian military commander asserts that the highly enriched uranium Iran moved before the Israeli attack is now in their safekeeping. "We have relocated all the materials," asserted former commander and Major General Mohsen Rezai in a television interview. "All the materials are now in our control." Additionally, "The scientists are in our custody," he stressed. "Thirdly: The facilities where we produced nuclear metalwork pieces still exist." According to Rezai's account, Iran's leadership had anticipated war in March 2025.
23:24 US Clears Out Qatar Airbase: 40 Military Jets Evacuated In the face of debates regarding potential American involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. has evacuated an airbase in Qatar over the past two weeks, according to satellite imagery. Little over 40 military aircraft have been withdrawn from the Al-Udeid base between June 5 and June 19, as shown through an analysis of satellite images from Planet Labs PBC. Only three transport planes remained behind.
22:12 Satellite Image Verifies Damage at Iranian Chondab Reactor High-resolution satellite images confirm significant damage to the concreted structure of the Iranian Chondab reactor following Israeli air strikes. The impact marks on the reactor dome are evident due to the satellite imagery taken a few hours before and after the attack. Cleverly, buildings close to the reactor remained unscathed. According to Israeli sources, facilities for the production of heavy water were also targeted in Chondab, in addition to the reactor.
21:47 Israeli President Praises Merz's "Blunt Talk" Israeli President Isaac Herzog applauds German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: "I salute Friedrich Merz for his moral clarity and forthrightness, for he speaks the truth," Herzog expressed to Bild newspaper. Herzog's commendation appears to be in response to Merz's assertion that Israel is doing the "dirty work" concerning the West with its military strikes against Iran.
Early StartSPD Politician Condemns Merz's "Dirty Work" Remark: Avoid Scale-Weighing Follow all previous developments here*.
Source: ntv.de, gut/gho/mau/dpa/rts/AFP/DJ
- Politics & peace and security: Tensions in Beer Sheva escalate as Israel continues its attacks on Iranian rocket facilities, leading to a complex geopolitical landscape.
- war-and-conflicts & politics: As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, global leaders face tough decisions regarding potential intervention, while Israel's air force asserts its unrivaled dominance over Iranian skies.
