Israel launches strikes on Tehran-based locations.
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01:13 Iran Fires Back with Second Wave of Attacks
Mere minutes after the initial Iranian attacks on Israel, a second wave of barrages has struck the Jewish state. Reports indicate that a rocket has struck a parking lot in the country's interior, sparking a fire. So far, there have been no reported injuries. Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that these attacks targeted air force bases from which attacks on Iran were launched and vowed that the attacks would continue without interruption, threatening multiple forms of attack.[1]
00:22 Israeli Air Defense Engages Iranian Drones
It appears Iran has launched another drone attack on Israel. Air raid sirens have been activated in several regions across the country, and the Israeli military reports that drones from Iran have been detected approaching Israel's borders. Residents in the affected areas have been instructed to leave their safe spaces temporarily.[1]
23:42 Moscow Disapproves, Warns of Nuclear Catastrophe
Russia has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran as illegal. Moscow believes that a diplomatic solution is the only way to address the Iranian nuclear issue. The attacks are seen as an unacceptable threat to international security and a step toward a potential nuclear catastrophe, with consequences felt around the globe, including in Israel itself. Russia has previously made threats to use nuclear weapons during the Ukraine conflict.[2]
23:18 Iranian Cyber Police Ease Internet Restrictions
For a brief moment, it seemed as if access to foreign media in Iran might be restricted. However, a spokesperson for the Iranian police unit for cybercrimes announced that the internet would soon be functioning normally again and that there would be no blockade of foreign websites. It was reported that various media outlets had previously cited experts and internet activists who had warned that free internet access might be shut down.[3]
22:38 Israeli Doctors Returned from Abroad
Approximately 100 Israeli doctors and medical staff who were abroad have returned to Israel by ship, docking in the port of Haifa. The professionals were unable to return due to the closure of airspace. Among them were 22 members of the medical leadership staff of Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, who had been in Germany for training. The Israeli Health Ministry has identified around 390 medical professionals who need to be quickly returned to ensure they are available in the event of attacks.[1]
22:04 Macron Warns Against Military Coup in Iran
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his concerns about overthrowing the Iranian government through a military coup, stating that it would be a grave mistake. He believes that the best course of action is to resume negotiations with Iran and believes President Trump is maneuvering to place increased pressure on the Islamic Republic.[1]
21:57 White House Meeting Concludes
The meeting between US President Trump and his National Security Council has come to an end, according to US broadcaster CNN, citing White House officials. The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, remains under wraps, and details about the discussion have yet to be revealed.[1]
21:32 Trump Moves to Situation Room
US President Trump has convened his national security team in the Situation Room, a heavily secured command center of the US government headquarters in Washington. President Trump made the move to gather insights andwork with his top advisors on the evolving conflict.[1]
21:10 Video: Iron Beam - Israel's Laser Defense System
Israel may have a secret weapon up its sleeve - a high-energy laser defense system known as Iron Beam. Footage released by the Israeli military suggests that this cutting-edge defense system could play a significant role in protecting against incoming threats.[1]
Politics Israel Pushes Back Iranian Rocket Units
The Israeli Air Force has successfully pushed forward Iranian rocket units further eastward from western Iran. The Israeli army continues to target rocket depots in the area, with around 60 combat jets having attacked rocket launch sites in the past few hours.[1]
20:37 German Government Offers Evacuation Flight
The German government is offering a second evacuation flight for German citizens in Israel via Jordan on Thursday. A first special flight via Amman airport offers a return option for up to 180 people to Germany today.[1]
20:19 Iranian Army Chief Urges Residents to Evacuate
The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Army has urged residents of the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate, stating that "retaliatory operations will be carried out soon." Particular attention is being paid to residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to leave their areas to save their lives. Previous attacks on Israel were merely for "deterrence," he added.[1]
19:47 US National Security Council to Meet Today
The US National Security Council will convene today to address the conflict between Israel and Iran. The meeting will likely provide more insight into the Trump administration's stance on the escalating crisis.[1]
19:30 State Broadcaster's Headquarters on Fire Again
A day after an Israeli attack on the headquarters of Iran's state broadcaster, a fire has broken out at the site again. The Iranian state broadcaster attributes the fire to a persistent smoldering from the previous day's attack. An AFP news agency reporter witnessed a white smoke cloud nearby.[1]
19:07 "Beeper Operation": Iran Restricts Internet Access
There is a potential internet restriction looming in Iran. Reports suggest that free internet access might be significantly limited in the coming hours, with access to foreign websites being severely restricted. Meanwhile, the Cyber Security Command has announced a ban on all electronic devices connected to communication networks for officials, including smartphones, smartwatches, and laptops. Public use is also advised to be minimized.[1]
18:35 Trump Challenges Iran to a Fight
In a bold move, US President Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender." He also claims that Tehran has lost control of Iranian airspace and that the US knows the location of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Trump also assured that Khamenei is safe for the time being, citing diplomatic reasons for not attacking him immediately.[1]
18:17 Wiegold: US Bunker-Buster Bomb Would Be "Gamechanger"
Military expert Thomas Wiegold believes that Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities would require international assistance, particularly the use of the US bunker-busting bomb GBU-57, to be destroyed.[1]
17:43 Vance: Trump "Could Decide to Take Action"
US Vice President JD Vance does not rule out the possibility of US military intervention in Iran. President Trump "could decide to take action" to end Iran's nuclear enrichment militarily, according to Vance.[1]
17:25 Israel to Repatriate Stranded Citizens
Starting Wednesday, the first Israelis stranded abroad due to the conflict with Iran will be flown back home. The repatriation effort will begin with rescue flights from several destinations, including Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris.[1]
16:57 Merz Praises Israel for its "Dirty Work"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Israel for its attack on Iran, seeing it as a service to Western allies. He admitted that the Israeli Armed Forces' actions were "the dirty work that Israel is doing for us all."[1]
16:34 Fischer: Mullah Regime Under Pressure
Political scientist Klemens Fischer believes that tensions in the Middle East are escalating and are being discussed at the G7 summit. He states that the Iranian mullah regime is the one that needs to act to resolve the crisis.[1]
Enrichment Data: Iran's Countermeasures and Strategy
In response to the escalating conflict and the targeted attacks on its nuclear facilities, Iran is reportedly utilizing several countermeasures and strategies to defend itself.
- Deployment of air defense systems: Iran has increased its deployment of air defense systems to protect its borders and key facilities[4]. These systems are aimed at deterring incoming missiles and drones launched by Israel.
- Camouflaging and dispersing nuclear facilities: To avoid detection and targeting, Iran has begun dispersing its nuclear facilities and camouflaging them to make them difficult to locate[4].
- Limitations on international inspections: Iran has imposed limitations on international inspections of its nuclear sites, demanding greater control over the process to protect sensitive information[4].
- Threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz: Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for oil exports, in retaliation for any attacks on its territory[1]. This move could have severe consequences for global oil markets and economies, further increasing regional tensions.
- Collaboration with non-state actors: Iran has been rumored to collaborate with non-state actors in the region, such as Hezbollah, to retaliate against Israel[4]. This strategy seeks to escalate the conflict and pressure Israel through indirect means.
- Building up nuclear capabilities: Despite international sanctions, Iran is known to have continued its nuclear program. It has made significant progress in enriching uranium, with a sufficient amount for one nuclear weapon, according to some estimates[4].
Sources:
- ntv.de
- ino/dpa/AFP/rts
- Shargh
- Reuters
You can also find updates on our Twitter page, @MiddleEastLive.
Glossary of terms used in the article:
- Dispersing nuclear facilities: A military strategy in which nuclear facilities are spread across different locations to prevent a single strike from destroying multiple facilities.
- Cyber Squadron: A cyber warfare unit within the Revolutionary Guards of Iran responsible for cyberattacks and offensive hacking operations.
- Badr Organization: A militia group affiliated with Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and militant group, and supported by Iran.
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
- High-explosive laser: A laser weapon that uses a high-intensity beam of light to create an intense plasma pulse, which generates a shockwave capable of destroying targets.
- Strait of Hormuz: A narrow canal between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is a vital chokepoint for the international oil trade, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passing through it.
- Tehran Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA): A diplomatic agreement reached between Iran and several world powers, including the US, in 2015 aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
- The Commission, in its efforts to improve the quality of information provided, has also shed light on the political implications of the Middle East conflict, discussing initiatives taken by Israel to push back Iranian rocket units.
- The General News section has reported on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, including politics, as Iran has responded to Israeli strikes with a second wave of attacks, and the US National Security Council has convened to discuss the conflict.
