The Middle East is on edge as Israel and Iran enter the fifth day of intense conflict, with missile barrages lighting up skies over Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and military targets have triggered a fierce Iranian response, escalating fears of a broader war. Here’s the latest on this fast-moving crisis, with live updates to keep you informed.
Israel’s Operation Rising Lion Targets Iran’s Core
Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, hitting over 100 sites, including Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, and the Ministry of Defense in Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strikes a major blow, claiming they set back Iran’s nuclear program “by a very long time.” Israel also targeted missile launch sites and killed key figures, including three top Iranian military leaders. A bold move saw Israel bomb Iran’s state TV studio during a live broadcast, a symbolic strike that disrupted Tehran’s propaganda machine.
Iran’s Retaliation: Missile Barrages Hit Israel
Iran responded with over 300 missiles and drones, targeting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and central Israel. The attacks have killed at least 24 people in Israel, including three at Haifa’s oil refinery. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its “ninth wave” of attacks began Monday night and could continue until dawn. Tehran’s state media reported 224 deaths in Iran, with hundreds injured, as Israel’s strikes hit fuel depots and military bases, causing massive fires visible across the capital.
Global Impact: Oil Prices Surge, U.S. on Alert
The conflict is rattling global markets, with Brent crude oil prices jumping 2.9% to $76.37 a barrel. The U.S. has withdrawn non-essential diplomats and military families from the Middle East, and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is closed today due to heightened risks. President Donald Trump, who urged Iran to evacuate Tehran and pursue diplomacy, is now in the Situation Room receiving updates. Despite U.S. calls for restraint, Israel acted without direct American support, straining ties.
Live Updates: What’s Happening Now
- 14:00 UTC: Israel strikes Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport destroying three military aircraft. The IDF claims it disrupted Iran’s ability to launch drones. Iran’s state media reports 12 civilian deaths in the attack sparking outrage.
- 13:30 UTC: Iran launches a new wave of ballistic missiles targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting most but reporting at least five civilian deaths in Tel Aviv. The Israeli military confirms ongoing strikes on Iran’s missile launchers in Isfahan and Karaj.
- 11:00 UTC: Israel claims to have destroyed an Iranian F-14 fighter jet at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, further asserting air superiority over Iran’s capital. Iran denies the claim, calling it “propaganda.
- 10:15 UTC: The European Union holds an emergency virtual meeting of foreign ministers to discuss de-escalation, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urging a return to diplomacy.
- 09:30 UTC: Three Iranian Red Crescent workers die in an Israeli strike on a Tehran rescue operation, prompting outrage from Iran’s health ministry.
- 08:45 UTC: President Donald Trump, after leaving the G7 summit early, holds a National Security Council meeting to address the crisis. The Pentagon denies U.S. involvement in Israel’s strikes but moves refueling aircraft to Europe as a precaution.
- 05:30 UTC: Sirens blare in Tel Aviv as Iran launches fresh missiles. Israel’s Iron Dome intercepts most, but some hit residential areas.
- 05:00 UTC: China condemns Israel’s attacks, positioning itself as a potential peace broker while urging its citizens to leave Israel.
- 04:15 UTC: Israel claims air superiority over Tehran, destroying over a third of Iran’s missile launchers. Netanyahu insists the strikes target the regime, not the Iranian people.
- 02:30 UTC: Trump leaves the G7 summit in Canada early to address the crisis, signaling U.S. may consider joining Israel’s assault if Iran escalates further.
What’s Driving the Conflict?
Israel’s strikes stem from fears of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for peaceful energy but Israel sees as a direct threat. Tensions spiked after Iran ramped up uranium enrichment following a failed IAEA resolution. Israel’s weakened proxies, like Hezbollah, gave it a strategic opening to act. Meanwhile, Iran’s missile attacks and threats of a “devastating” response show its resolve to hit back hard. The lack of a clear exit strategy raises concerns about a prolonged war.
As missiles fly and death tolls climb, the world braces for what could come next. Iran’s weakened military and economy make its next moves uncertain, but its vow for revenge keeps tensions high. Israel’s ongoing operation, expected to last weeks, may push the region closer to all-out conflict. Global leaders are calling for calm, but with no ceasefire in sight, the stakes are rising fast.
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