Israel-Iran News LIVE: Trump claims Iran reaching out to US for negotiations, Tehran refutes

Israel-Iran News Highlights: Updates to this blog have ended

Iran launched hypersonic missiles in a new wave of attacks against Israel on Wednesday, state TV reported, as fighting between the two foes raged for the sixth day.

The Fattah hypersonic missiles "have successfully penetrated the Israeli regime's defenses," state TV reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned against any "additional military interventions" in the Middle East, where arch foes Israel and Iran are exchanging fire for a sixth day.

"Any additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for those involved, but for the whole region and for international peace and security at large," Guterres said in a statement.

Israeli military instructs residents to leave protected areas, signalling threat from Iranian attack is over.

Donald Trump has said that Iran is continuing to reach out to the White House as they’re “getting the hell beaten out of them” by Israel, and that there’s a “big difference between now and a week ago” in Tehran’s negotiating position.

“They’ve suggested that they come to the White House— that’s, you know, courageous,” Trump told reporters.

However, Iran’s mission to the United Nations refuted Trump’s claim in a statement on social media.

“No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House. The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s Supreme Leader. ”

Israel's army said Wednesday that it had detected new missiles launched from Iran, as the arch foes exchanged fire for a sixth day.

"A short while ago, the IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the army said in a statement.

Commercial ships are sailing close to Oman and are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around the Strait of Hormuz, with the risk of the conflict between Israel and Iran escalating, shipping sources were quoted as saying by Reuters on June 18.

Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices.

Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Iran situation discussed in meeting with PM Modi, says Croatian PM Plenković.

Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Israel and Iran to spare civilians as their conflict escalates and alarm grows over the death toll.

"As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action," said Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard.

India on Wednesday launched Operation Sindhu, an evacuation plan for Indian nationals stuck in Iran amid Tehran's ongoing conflict with Israel.

As the first step of Operation Sindhu, India evacuated 110 Indian students in Iran.

In a statement on June 18, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Centre has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran. Read full story

Israel on Wednesday launched a phased airlift operation to bring home its citizens, after the country's military strike on Iran closed air space across the Middle East, leaving tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas.

The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Tel Aviv Airport early Wednesday morning, returning passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus.

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said that the American Embassy in Tel Aviv is working on evacuation flights and cruise ship departures.

“Urgent notice! American citizens wanting to leave Israel – US Embassy in Israel is working on evacuation flights and cruise ship departures,” he said in  a social media post.

Donald Trump offered a terse response to Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's refusal to heed to his call for Iran to submit to an unconditional surrender.

“I say good luck,” Trump said.

Khamenei earlier Wednesday warned that any United States strikes targeting the Islamic Republic will “result in irreparable damage for them” and that his country would not bow to Trump’s call for surrender.

Donald Trump said that it’s not “too late” for Iran to give up its nuclear program as he continues to weigh direct U.S. involvement in Israel's military operations aimed at crushing Tehran's nuclear program.

“Nothing’s too late,” Trump told reporters. “I can tell you this. Iran’s got a lot of trouble."

“Nothing is finished until it is finished,” Trump added. But “the next week is going to be very big— maybe less than a week."

The NRI forum of the Karnataka government on Wednesday said it was taking steps to ensure the safe return of NRIs from the state stranded in conflict-hit Iran and Israel. With tensions escalating between the two nations, the forum noted growing concern among families of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and students from Karnataka who are currently residing in these countries.

“The NRI Forum of the Government of Karnataka is in continuous touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassies in Iran and Israel. We are taking necessary steps to ensure protection and safe return of NRIs from Karnataka residing in these countries,” a statement issued by the Forum read.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Iran had the "legitimate" right to defend itself in the face of Israel's ongoing bombing campaign, now in its sixth day.

"It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel's thuggery and state terrorism," the Turkish leader said, a day after referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "the biggest threat to the security of the region".

Donald Trump on Wednesday told reporters that he cannot disclose whether the US is moving closer to striking Iran's nuclear facilities. “I can’t say that… You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that question.”

“You don’t know that I’m going to even do it. You don’t know. I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” the US President said.

“I can tell you this – Iran’s got a lot of trouble and they want to negotiate. And I said, ‘Why didn’t you negotiate with me before – all this death and destruction’. Why didn’t you negotiate? I said to the people, ‘why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country’,” he said.

Iranian media says Israel has launched an attack on the headquarters of the Iranian Red Crescent Society

Israel Defense Minister Katz has said that its Air Force destroyed Iranian internal security agency headquarters.

Israel's military said it was striking military targets in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Israeli air force "is currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian Regime in Tehran," the military said in a statement, on the sixth day of the war between the arch foes.

The Israeli military said public safety guidelines that have mandated school closures, among other restrictions, would ease in some areas from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Parts of the Israeli occupied-Golan Heights and West Bank, in addition to Israeli communities near Gaza and in Eilat in Israel’s south would be changed from "essential activity" to "limited activity" or "partial activity".

The changes would be in effect until 8:00 p.m. on June 20, the military said.

Israeli Military just announced that they are attacking military targets in Iran's capital city Tehran, reports Reuters

Germany's foreign minister, Johann Wadephul appealed to Iran's leaders to make credible assurances that it is not planning to use a nuclear weapon and to show it is willing to negotiate as fears mount of further military escalation between Iran and Israel, reported Reuters.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatens Iran of severe punishment. He also said that his country won’t surrender to Israel after US President Donald Trump called for the Islamic Republic’s capitulation as the conflict entered its fifth day, reported Bloomberg.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned US on Wednesday that any direct military assistance given to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East. 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Iran was defending itself against Israel's illegal, "crazed" attacks, and what he called “state terrorism”. He added that Iran's self-defence was natural, legal and legitimate, reported Reuters.

Britain said on Wednesday it was temporarily withdrawing the family members of staff who work at the country's embassy and consulate in Israel due to the significant risks posed from the conflict between Iran and Israel.

"Family members of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the British consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure," Britain's foreign office said on its travel advice page for Israel.

"The embassy and consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals," it added.

Israel is repatriating tens of thousands of its citizens stranded abroad as tensions escalate with Iran.

Israel deployed emergency airlifts and ferries. Authorities are also rationing flights as a precaution, wary that aircraft could be threatened by incoming missile barrages, reported Bloomberg.

The U.S. dollar fell against most major currencies on Wednesday, as conflict between Israel and Iran left investors nervous ahead of  the much awaited Federal Reserve decision on interest rates later in the day. reported Reuters. 

US President Donald Trump may use US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and souring on the idea of a diplomatic solution to end Tehran’s escalating conflict with Israel, CNN reported.

Israel told residents of Tehran to evacuate so its air force could strike Iranian military facilities, despite Trump calling for Tehran's unconditional surrender. 

Thousands of people were fleeing the capital and major cities, with heavy traffic on the roads and some routes suspended, reporter Reuters.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is returning to Capitol Hill on Wednesday after a series of  combative hearings before lawmakers, who have pressed him on everything from a ban on transgender troops to his use of a Signal chat to share sensitive military plans, reporter PTI.

Iran said early Wednesday it fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes between the archfoes, hours after Donald Trump demanded the Islamic republic's “unconditional surrender”, as reported by AFP.

Developments in the Iran-Israel conflict in the next three to five days will be critical for the global energy markets,  despite the fact that oil and gas supplies from the Gulf has not been disrupted yet, oil historian Daniel Yergin said on Wednesday.

Oil prices surged on Friday after Israel attacked Iran and have remained volatile although there has been no disruption to energy supplies from the Gulf, reporter Reuters. 

As tensions between Iran and Israel intensified, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has transferred key authority to the Supreme Council of the Iranian military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Meanwhile, Khamenei has been moved to an underground bunker in northeastern Tehran with his close family members, which includes his son Mojtaba, livemint reported. 

Iran's civil aviation authority confirmed that flight cancellations has been extended to 14:00  (10:30 GMT) on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s capital early Wednesday in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others, reported AP. 

"We've struck deep, hitting Iran's nuclear ballistic and command capabilities," the IDF said in a statement.

"We have delivered significant blows to the Iranian regime, and as such, they have been pushed back into central Iran. They are now focusing their efforts on conducting missile fire from the area of Isfahan," the IDF said in a statement.

"The Department of State has established the Middle East task force to help coordinate support for U.S. citizens, our U.S. diplomatic missions and our diplomatic personnel and diplomatic engagement. The task force is operating 24 hours a day," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday, before going on to note that the department has issued more than 30 security alerts for Americans in the Middle East in recent days.

"We remind U.S. citizens not to travel to Israel or Iraq, and not to travel to Iran under any circumstances," she stressed.

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has launched a website to help foreign tourists during the ongoing crisis.

At least 38,000 foreign tourists are currently in Israel, according to the ministry.

The website allows visitors to register their presence and submit evacuation requests.

Iran’s UK ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, told British MPs that Tehran has no desire or intention to build a nuclear bomb.

Mousavi insisted Iran’s nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes during a session with the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

“The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,” Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran's army, said in a video. “The punishment operation will be carried out soon.”

Israel said on Tuesday that it killed Gen. Ali Shadmani, describing him as Iran’s most senior military commander.

Shadmani was appointed just last week as head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ after his predecessor, Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, was also killed in an Israeli strike.

Tehran has not yet confirmed or responded to Israel’s claim about Shadmani’s reported death.

US Intel chief Tulsi Gabbard sought to downplay any apparent rift with President Trump over their differing assessments of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, insisting their views were aligned despite his sharp public dismissal of her testimony. Speaking to CNN, she suggested the media had misrepresented the situation and maintained that both she and the president shared the same concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“President Trump was saying the same thing that I said,” she told CNN. Her office referred further inquiries to those remarks.

Gabbard also acknowledged Iran’s increasing uranium stockpile, calling it “unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons.”

US President Donald Trump dismissed the assessment of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, suggesting instead that the country is “very close” to developing a nuclear bomb.

“I don’t care what she said,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I think they were very close to having it.”

Gabbard had testified before Congress earlier this year that US intelligence agencies did not believe Iran was actively building a nuclear weapon. In her March testimony, she said, “The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.”

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launched on Tuesday an attack targeting Israeli air bases from which they claim fighter jets have taken off to strike the Islamic republic.

"In the new wave of attacks, a large-scale missile operation was carried out against the air bases of the Zionist regime's army, which are the bases from which the regime's fighter jets take off towards our beloved country," the Guards said in a statement carried by state TV.

The Israeli military warned Tuesday of a fresh barrage of missiles from Iran, with air raid sirens activated in southern parts of the country including in a town home to a nuclear power plant.

The early evening alert was dropped after 16 minutes including in the town of Dimona where residents were advised "that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces", according to a military statement.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said that Tel Aviv is fully coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs over the evacuation of Indians following the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

"We are fully coordinated with MEA, and when it comes to requests for Indians to evacuate, we are starting to organise now through our Ministry of Transport," Azar said. "The diplomats and foreign citizens who want to leave, there are a few options, terrestrial and maritime, and we are coordinating that."

“UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” US President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social as Iran launched more missiles on Israel.

The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has identified that missiles were recently launched towards the territory of the State of Israel from Iran.

Defence systems are working to intercept the threat.

Israelis must enter protected areas upon receiving the alert and remain there until further notice.