Israel-Iran Highlights: Explosions rock Iranian cities of Bushehr and Yazd; cause unclear
Highlights: Catch all live developments in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict here
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This is an historic moment for the United States of America, Israel, and the world: Trump said | Photo: Shutterstock.com
Israel-Iran conflict Highlights: Loud explosions were heard on Sunday afternoon in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr, according to reports from three semiofficial Iranian news outlets. The reason behind the blasts remains unknown at this time. Israel says it hit the aircraft at Iran's Dezful airport. The F-5s are part of Iran's aging fleet of fighter jets from the era of the shah. Israel released black-and-white footage showing one of the aircraft being destroyed. Israel previously hit F-14 Tomcats flown by the Iranian military in the war. However, it isn't clear if these aircraft were airworthy as many have been grounded over the years due to a lack of parts.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by the US strike on Iran early Sunday, calling for peace and warning against further escalation in the turbulent region. “I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.” He urged all UN member states to de-escalate, under their obligations to the UN charter and international law. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy,” he wrote. President Donald Trump described US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan as a “spectacular military success” and added that the sites were “completely and totally obliterated” in an address from the White House on Saturday evening. Trump warned Iran that the US could go after additional targets if Iran does not make peace. Earlier, in a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the mission had concluded with all US aircraft safely exiting Iranian airspace after delivering a full payload on Fordow — the most heavily fortified of the sites.
“We have successfully struck three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All aircraft have now left Iranian airspace and are en route home,” Trump said. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow, the primary target. Every one of our brave pilots is safe. No other military in the world could have achieved this. Now is the time for peace.”
He praised US forces, calling them “great American warriors,” and ended the message with a call for global calm following the operation.
President Trump also announced he will address the nation at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday from the White House, following what he described as a “very successful military operation” against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“This is an historic moment for the United States of America, Israel, and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. He added, “I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House.”
10:23 PM
UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire
The UN Security Council will meet Sunday to discuss U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote.
10:01 PM
Vance says Iran renewed chance to pursue 'path of peace' after US attack
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that America does not seek war with Iran in the aftermath of a surprise attack overnight on three of that country's nuclear sites while Vice President JD Vance said the strikes have given Tehran a renewed chance of negotiating with Washington.
The mission, called Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference.
9:17 PM
Iran launches more than 40 missiles toward Israel, 23 people injured
Hours after the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites, Iran launched more than 40 missiles toward Israel on Sunday, wounding 23 people and destroying apartment buildings and homes in three cities. At an impact site in Tel Aviv, the blast had sheared off the face of a multistory residential building and damaged several others including a nursing home in a radius of hundreds of metres. But few people were wounded, as many residents had been evacuated and others made it to bomb shelters.
8:17 PM
UN Security Council to meet Sunday over US strikes on Iran
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet later on Sunday, diplomats said, after the United States joined Israel's assault on Iran and hit the country's main nuclear sites overnight in strikes with massive bunker-busting bombs. Iran requested the meeting, calling on the 15-member body "to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms."
8:04 PM
US not seeking war with Iran after striking three nuclear sites: Pentagon
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that America does not seek war with Iran in the aftermath of a surprise attack overnight on three of that country's nuclear sites.
The mission, called Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference.
7:56 PM
Blasts reported in Iran’s Bushehr and Yazd amid rising tensions
Bushehr hosts Iran’s only nuclear power facility, which operates with Russian support. Iranian officials have not reported any disruption or damage at the site.
Elsewhere, blasts were also reported in Yazd, a central Iranian city. Some unconfirmed claims suggest that the explosions may have resulted from Israeli airstrikes targeting a power facility and a military base in the area.
7:30 PM
Oil, gold prices set to flare up as US strikes Iran's nuclear sites
Gold and crude oil prices are expected to spike after the United States launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, marking its formal entry into the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The attack, which took place early on Sunday, has deepened uncertainty in global energy markets amid fears that Tehran may block the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit chokepoint.
6:11 PM
Iran dials ally Russia after US joins Israel in strikes on nuclear sites
Iran has sought support from Russia after US warplanes, in coordination with Israel, struck three of its nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — on Sunday. The strikes mark the most significant escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict so far, with the US directly entering the fray.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced an immediate visit to Moscow for consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I’m going to Moscow this afternoon,” he told Russian media, adding that high-level talks would be held the following morning
5:11 PM
Putin has no plans to talk to Trump after US strikes on Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin has no immediate plans to dial his US counterpart Donald Trump after the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities, the Kremlin said on Sunday. There are no such plans, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. However, he added that a call can be quickly arranged in case of need.
His remarks came when asked about the possibility of a phone call between Trump and Putin after US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.
3:57 PM
PM Modi calls Iranian President after US strike, calls for de-escalation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, hours after the United States carried out strikes on three nuclear facilities in the country. The Prime Minister reiterated his call for a swift reduction in tensions and urging all sides to de-escalate.
3:19 PM
Gold, oil set to flare up following US attack on Iran nuclear sites
Gold and Crude oil prices are expected to flare up as a result of the United States now entering the ongoing Iran-Israel war. Today morning, the US has attacked Iran's Nuclear sites. Uncertainty for the crude oil market further increased after Iran warned of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran Nuclear Body has already stated that there are no indications of contamination following US assaults on Iranian nuclear sites, which have so far only targeted Iranian nuclear sites and not military outposts or civilian areas.
2:28 PM
No request made by US to support Iran action, claims UK trade minister
Iran Israel War Live Updates: No request made by US to support Iran action, including on use of Diego Garcia, says UK trade minister Reynolds, as reported by Reuters.
2:27 PM
Bahrain tells most government staff to work from home after US strikes on Iran
Iran Israel War Live Updates: Bahrain, host of a major US naval base, on Sunday told most of its government employees to work from home until further notice after American air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
"A remote working system will be activated across ministries and government agencies, with a 70 percent work-from-home capacity," the official Bahrain News Agency said, citing "regional circumstances and current developments".
(reports AFP)
2:27 PM
Germany calls on Iran to 'immediately' resume negotiations with US: govt spokesman
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called for a swift return to diplomacy after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran overnight, his spokesman said.
Iran must "immediately enter into negotiations with the US and Israel and to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict", Merz said, according to his spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
The German government believes "large parts of Iran's nuclear programme have been damaged by the airstrikes", Kornelius said.
(reports AFP)
1:34 PM
Israel says it took out 2 of Iran's F-5 fighter jets
Israel says it hit the aircraft at Iran's Dezful airport. The F-5s are part of Iran's aging fleet of fighter jets from the era of the shah. Israel released black-and-white footage showing one of the aircraft being destroyed.
Israel previously hit F-14 Tomcats flown by the Iranian military in the war. However, it isn't clear if these aircraft were airworthy as many have been grounded over the years due to a lack of parts.
Israel also said it struck other sites, including around Isfahan's airport. Iran has not acknowledged losses of aircraft or other materiel in the war so far.
Meanwhile, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched 40 missiles, including its Khorramshahr-4, during the attack on Israel on Sunday morning. Iran has said the Khorramshahr-4 can carry multiple warheads.
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First Published: Jun 22 2025 | 6:45 AM IST
