Israel hits Iran with 'preemptive' strikes

Israel has launched strikes on Iran, the country's defense minister said. The development comes after US President Donald Trump had warned Israel could soon hit Iran's nuclear sites. has the latest.

Israel says Iran has launched 100 drones in retaliation Israel says it targeted Iran's nuclear program in early morning strikes Iran has vowed 'severe punishment' following the strikes Iran, Israel and Iraq have closed their airspace US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was not involved in the Israeli strikes on Iran The Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has been killed, according to media reports in Iran

Below is a roundup of the latest developments on the situation in the Middle East on Friday, June 13, 2025:

UK urges 'restraint,' calls for 'return to diplomacy'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Israel and Iran to "step back and reduce tensions urgently," warning that "escalation serves no-one in the region."

He said that "stability" must be the priority for all parties in the Middle East and that the United Kingdom was working with its international partners to help bring about a de-escalation. "Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy," he said.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke of a "dangerous moment" and warned that further escalation would be a "serious threat to peace and stability in the region."

Israel braces for Iranian drone attack

Following the Israeli army's announcement that 100 drones have been launched from Iran in Israel's direction, the Israeli public are being told to stay close to so-called "safe spaces," meaning either a shelter based inside private apartments or houses, or public shelters.

Israeli media estimate that the drones are expected to reach Israeli airspace within seven hours from their launch in Iran.

The Israeli military said that once a siren goes off, civilians need to stay inside shelters until further notice, unlike in previous cases, such as the rockets launched in Israel's direction from Gaza, Yemen or Lebanon, in which Israelis were only told to stay in shelters for 10 minutes.

"We are prepared for a significant threat, one that's different in its intensity," the IDF's Home Front Command said on its website in Hebrew.

"For that reason, the next few hours need to be planned so that you'll be able to reach a shelter as quickly as possible once sirens go off."

IAEA says Natanz nuclear facility targeted, no radiation leaks reported

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Friday that Iran's Natanz nuclear facility was among the targets in recent Israeli strikes, but said no radiation leaks have been detected.

The IAEA quoted Director General Rafael Grossi on X saying Iranian authorities had reported that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant had not been hit, and that radiation levels at Natanz remained normal.

"The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran," Grossi said. "The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country."

The statement comes amid heightened tensions following a wave of Israeli strikes across Iran, which targeted military and nuclear-related sites.

Where are Iran's nuclear sites?

It is still not clear which sites were targeted by Israel's strikes, but the Israeli military said it was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program.

So where are Iran's nuclear sites? The following map shows the facilities that we know about, including uranium enrichment facilities, research centers and military sites, but it's believed that Iran has other, hidden sites.

Jordan shuts airspace after Israel's Iran attack

Jordan's civil aviation authority said the country's airspace will be shut temporarily as a precautionary measure after the Israeli strikes on Iran.

Chief aviation official Haitham Misto was quoted in local media as saying that the move aims to protect civil aviation flights and passengers.

This aligns with similar moves taken by Jordan in previous Iranian attacks against Israel, in which the Jordanian authorities intercepted some of the drones and rockets aimed at its neighboring country.

Israel has a peace treaty with Jordan, signed in 1994. However, the relations between the two countries have been strained by the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia, Oman condemn Israeli 'aggression' against Iran

Saudi Arabia and Oman strongly condemned Israel's airstrikes on Iran early on Friday, calling them a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

Riyadh, which restored ties with Tehran two years ago, denounced the attacks as "blatant Israeli aggressions" undermining Iran's sovereignty, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Oman described the strikes as a "brutal military aggression" and a "dangerous and reckless escalation," in violation of the UN Charter and international law.

It called on the international community to act swiftly to stop further escalation, warning the attack could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Oman is scheduled to host a sixth round of negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program on Sunday in Muscat.

Aftermath of Israeli strikes in Iran — in pictures

Israel's 'goal is removing the Iran threat': IDF spokesperson

Effie Defrin, spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), spoke to the Israeli public after the country's strikes on Iran.

Defrin said 200 fighter jets took part in the strikes, striking more than 100 targets.

"The operation's goal is removing the Iran threat over Israel," the IDF spokesperson said.

"We've been preparing for this operation for a long time."

IDF says Iran has launched 100 drones toward Israel

According to the IDF, Iran has already launched some 100 drones in Israel's direction. The drones are expected to reach Israeli airspace in the coming hours.

"We are in for a tough several hours," IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said, asking the Israeli public to listen to the military's instructions.

Top Iranian military commander killed in Israeli strikes: state TV

Iran's chief of staff of the armed forces was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday, according to Iranian state television.

"Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces, was martyred," the state broadcaster announced.

Earlier reports said the commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards Hossein Salami was also "feared dead," with Iran vowing a response to his killing.

The Israeli attacks reportedly targeted multiple cities, including the capital, Tehran, and marks a significant escalation in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Trump 'still hoping' for Iran talks despite Israeli strikes

US President Donald Trump said late Thursday that the US was "still hoping" to get Iran back to the negotiating table despite the Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump added that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb."

"We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin quoted Trump as saying in a post on X.

Meanwhile, an unnamed US official confirmed to AFP that the US still plans to hold talks with Iran on Sunday.

It remains unclear whether Iran has agreed to the meeting, hosted by Oman and involving US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the US was not involved in the Israeli attack, and warned Iran not to retaliate against American forces in the region.

Israel declares state of emergency, closing schools, airspace

Israel is preparing for Iranian retaliation in the wake of its own strikes, with civil infrastructure coming to a halt.

The military's Home Front Command said schools will not operate until further notice, while congregations of any sort are currently prohibited, with people working in non-essential professions being told to stay at home and not go to work. The Israeli rail company said it will be operating in "limited capacity" for the time being.

"In the wake of the state of Israel's preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The minister also "signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front."

Israeli airspace has been closed until further notice, with Israeli media reporting on people being stuck abroad without having any option of returning home.

Sirens in Israel blared out as Israeli strikes were launched against Iran, letting people know they should be prepared for retaliation, the Israeli military said.

Iran swears 'severe punishment' after Israeli strikes

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel would suffer "severe punishment" after the attack.

He issued a statement that said: "With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it."

Earlier, Iranian armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi told state TV that Israel would pay a "heavy price" for the attack and should await a "strong response."

World reacts to Israel strikes on Iran

Israel's "preemptive" attack on Iranian nuclear targets early Friday was labeled a "decisive moment in Israel's history" by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Around the globe, world leaders reacted with calls for restraint, and warnings against further escalation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement saying, "Israel took unilateral action against Iran," which did not involve the US. He warned Iran against targeting US interests in the region. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the escalation had alarmed her country, and called for restraint.

"We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," Wong said.

In nearby New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon termed the event a "really unwelcome development."

"The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that," Luxon said.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that Tokyo was making all diplomatic efforts to keep the situation from deteriorating further and protect Japanese citizens.

Iraq, Iran and Israel close airspace

Iraq closed its airspace entirely on Friday following the Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Ministry of Transportation announced a "temporary closure of Iraqi airspace" and complete suspension of air traffic.

Meanwhile, Iran has now also closed its airspace after earlier shutting Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's main airport.

Israel's airspace is also closed for takeoffs and landings until further notice, Israeli media has reported, citing the country's Transportation Ministry.

The impact of the closed airspace over the three countries could be seen on Flightradar24.