Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender' again as conflict with Israel continues

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked US President Donald Trump “for standing by us" and "for the support the United States offers us in defending Israel's skies.”

Iran’s supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage” to them.

Trump initially distanced himself from Israel’s surprise attack on Iran on Friday that triggered the conflict, but in recent days he has hinted at greater American involvement.

The US has sent more military aircraft and warships to the region.

This comes after intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s capital early on Wednesday, a day after Trump demanded “unconditional surrender.”

“We have embarked on this operation to eliminate two existing threats to the State of Israel: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. We are moving step by step towards eliminating these threats. We control the skies over Tehran. We are striking the Ayatollahs' regime with tremendous force. We are striking the nuclear weapons, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of the regime,” Netanyahu said in a television address.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed profound “alarm" over the latest escalation of strikes between Iran and Israel.

Reiterating his call for "an immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire," Guterres said "I strongly appeal to all to avoid any further internationalisation of the conflict."

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

Condemning the "tragic and unnecessary loss of lives and injuries to civilians" as well as to civil infrastructure, the UN chief reaffirmed that "diplomacy remains the best and only way to address concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme and regional security issues."

"The UN Charter remains our shared framework to save people from the scourge of war," he said, urging "all member states to comply fully with the charter and international law, including international humanitarian law."

In response to a question about if Guterres is worried about a possible US strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference that the UN chief is "very concerned."

Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, Nadine Olivieri Lozano, to lodge a protest against what it calls “provocative remarks” made by US President Donald Trump, Iranian media has reported.

When asked by reporters earlier on Wednesday whether the US would join in with Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump said “I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

In the absence of diplomatic and consular relations between the US and Iran, the Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, has served as the Protecting Power of the USA in Iran since 1980.

The embassy’s Foreign Interests Section also provides consular services to US citizens living in or travelling to Iran.

Israel stunned and hobbled Iran last week when it pulled off an intelligence and military operation years in the making that struck high-level targets with precision.

Guided by spies and artificial intelligence (AI), the Israeli military unleashed a nighttime fusillade of warplanes and armed drones that it smuggled into Iran to quickly incapacitate many of its air defences and missile systems.

Read our full report here:

How Israel used AI and smuggled-in drones to prepare attack on Iran

AI was used to help Israelis quickly sift through troves of data they had obtained, said one officer.…

Since Israel started its campaign of strikes on Iran six days ago, it has killed a number of senior figures from within the country’s security apparatus.

The first wave of strikes on Friday morning, which involved around 200 fighter jets, took out at least four senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, as well as hitting nuclear and military targets across the country.

In addition to top IRGC and military figures, that initial wave of strikes also killed several nuclear scientists.

Our graphics team has put together this visual guide to show where the gaps currently are in Iran’s security command structure. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the foreign ministry to take steps to help citizens who want to leave Israel and Iran, the Élysée Palace said in a statement. 

Macron also instructed Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to take communicate in the coming days with "close European partners to propose a negotiated settlement capable of ending the conflict," according to the statement issued following a meeting of the Defence and National Security Council.

According to the Élysée Palace press release, Macron expressed "his concern about the ongoing escalation, with Israeli strikes increasingly hitting targets unrelated to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and a growing number of civilian casualties in Iran and Israel."

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi says Tehran will respond if the US joins Israel in strikes on Iran.

The Israeli military says residents can now leave protected areas, suggesting threat from Iranian strikes is over. 



Israeli military says missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel.

More details to follow when they become available.

Iran will temporarily impose restrictions on internet, the Ministry of Communication has said in a statement.

The ministry gave no further information about which sites would be restricted or for how long but did say the move was being taken to prevent "the enemy from threatening citizens' lives and property."

We reported around three hours that reports had come out of Iran that the internet had crashed across the country, with authorities giving no immediate explanation why.

A top leader from Yemen's Houthi rebels, one of the militant groups in the region backed by Iran, say they will keep up their support for Palestinians in Gaza until Israeli “aggression stops, and the siege is lifted.”

“Our operations in support of Gaza will not cease, no matter the sacrifices,” said Houthi-backed president Mahdi al-Mashat in a statement on Wednesday.

The Houthis are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.

They’ve been firing long-range missiles at Israel in the months since it resumed the war in Gaza, setting off air raid sirens but generally causing few casualties.

They’ve also regularly attacked shipping in waters around the Middle East that they say are linked to Israel.

The US military is ready to carry out any decision that President Donald Trump may make regarding Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said, suggesting that the US’ position could become more clear in the coming days.

Testifying before a Senate committee, Hegseth was cautious in his public testimony, declining to say whether the Pentagon had prepared strike options against Iran.

However, when pressed by lawmakers, Hegseth acknowledged being ready to carry out any orders on Iran and cautioned that Tehran should have listened to Trump's calls for a deal on its nuclear programme before Israel launched its military operation on Friday.

"They should have made a deal, President Trump's word means something. The world understands that. And at the Defence Department, our job is to stand ready and prepared with options and that's precisely what we're doing," Hegseth said before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Hegseth’s comments come on the same day that Trump declined to answer reporters’ questions about whether the US was planning to join Israel in strikes on Iran, saying “I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the Iran-Israel conflict.

Cobra is the UK’s crisis management system to co-ordinate government response and is named for the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms in which the meetings take place.

The United States is working to evacuate its citizens from Israel on flights and cruise ships, the country’s ambassador to Israel said in a post on X.

Mike Huckabee said the US embassy in Jerusalem is working on an evacuation plan and urged Americans in Israel to sign up for updates through the State Department’s Smart Traveler portal.

The EU is unlikely to suspend its association agreement with Israel in the context of its current conflict with Iran, sources familiar with the issue have told Euronews.

Last month a majority of the EU foreign ministers backed a Dutch proposal to review the bloc's ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza.

You can read the full report here: 

Iran conflict to derail EU review of Israeli association agreement

Senior EU officials say a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement is “unlikely” now that Israel is in a new conflict with Iran, despite likelihood……

Iran’s mission to the United Nations has said no officials from the country will “grovel at the gates of the White House” to reach a nuclear deal with the United States.

“Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” the statement read.

Iran warned it would respond to any threats with counter-threats.

That comes after US President Donald Trump told reporters “I may do it, I may not do it” when asked if the US would join in with Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran has issued evacuation warnings for residents in the Israeli city of Haifa, the official SNN news agency is reporting. 

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Euronews on Wednesday that the Israel-Iran conflict can have “significant negative effects, especially if there is impact on the routes for energy supplies” if the conflict continues.

Georgieva said there is an upwards push of oil prices, now around $75 (€65) a barrel, even if the conflict impact is “relatively contained to the area where the military action is taking place.”

But the conflict “adds to uncertainty and it is therefore bad for business and, of course, even worse for the people affected by the war”, Georgieva told Euronews.

“But the main message I want to communicate is the following. We live in a more shock-prone world, a world of higher uncertainty. And for this world, countries need to work hard to be more resilient. Do reforms at home that would make your economies stronger,” the IMF managing director said.

Middle East conflict adds uncertainty to trade tension, IMF chief says

Former European Commission Vice-President and current IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva spoke to Euronews about the state of the global economy amid escalating……

An Israeli air strike has targeted a building belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Tehran, Iranian media including the official IRNA news agency has reported.

But the Iranian Red Crescent denied that Israel had targeted its building, saying an area nearby had been hit.

Israel is easing some restrictions for civilians that have frozen the country six days into its escalating confrontation with Iran, the military has announced.

While schools remain closed, people will begin returning to workplaces where there is access to shelters.

Restrictions are also being eased in areas along Israel’s periphery, which have been targeted fewer times than the centre of the country.

“This decision to gradually open the economy in the various regions is a message of victory over the Iranian enemy,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday.

Iran has fired fewer missiles as the conflict has worn on, allowing Israeli air defence systems greater accuracy with interceptions.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz says the country’s air force has destroyed what he describes as a key Iranian security site.

In a post on social media, Katz claimed Israeli fighter jets “destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s internal security, the main arm of the Iranian dictator’s oppression.”

He added that Israel would continue to target “symbols of [Iran’s] rule” and strike “the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be.”

There has been no immediate response from Tehran.

Spain's defence minister Margarita Robles confirmed on Wednesday that US bombers and refuelling planes had been moved to two Spanish air bases as part of President Trump's efforts to enforce US military present in Europe amid tensions in the Middle East.

"It's true that the US is currently using these bases, but only within the limits of the agreement that exists between our country and in accordance with treaties," Robles told reporters in the Spanish Congress, according to Spanish news agency Europa Press.

The aircraft are understood to be based at Morón de la Frontera (Seville) and Rota (Cádiz).

Euronews' analysis of flight tracking data shows that at least 11 US Air Force planes have been moved to Morón de la Frontera since Tuesday.

Pope Leo XIV has warned that high-tech weaponry being deployed on battlefields could bring “a level of barbarity far greater than that of past times.”

Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a general audience, he urged: “We must not get used to war. On the contrary, we must reject as a temptation the allure of powerful and sophisticated weapons.”

The pope said that “the heart of the church is torn by the cries rising from places of war, especially Ukraine, Iran, Israel and Gaza,” and appealed for peace “in the name of human dignity and international law.”

China’s foreign ministry has responded to recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump, who said that while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “an easy target,” the US would “not take him out — at least not for now.” Trump also reiterated his demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” adding, “our patience is wearing thin.”

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China is “deeply worried” about the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran and strongly opposes any threats against the sovereignty and leadership of a UN member state.

“We oppose any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and a country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” Guo said. “Further escalation in the Middle East serves no one’s interests. The country with special influence on Israel in particular needs to maintain a fair and objective position, take up due responsibility and play a positive and constructive role for de-escalation and preventing further spread of the conflict.”

Evacuations of Chinese nationals underway

Guo also addressed the status of Chinese nationals in the region. He confirmed that the Chinese embassies in both Iran and Israel have issued urgent advisories urging citizens to leave via land crossings as soon as possible.

“Our diplomatic and consular missions will continue to do everything possible to help our fellow nationals move to safety and evacuate in light of their own will,” he said. “Relocation efforts are underway.”

Late Wednesday afternoon, internet access across Iran crashed. Authorities offered no immediate explanation.

In an unusual move, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have released a statement in Persian, addressing Iranians directly.

“Dear citizens of Iran,” the message posted on X begins. “We understand your difficult situation under the harsh conditions created by the regime.”

According to the IDF, messages have come in from worried Iranians, including individuals claiming to be part of the country’s security apparatus. “They have expressed fear, despair, and anger,” the statement reads, “and asked us to contact Israeli authorities to help ensure Iran does not suffer the same fate as Lebanon and Gaza.”

The IDF went on to clarify that it is not the appropriate authority to handle such requests, but added: “The least we can do is refer you through this link to the Mossad website,” pointing readers to the Israeli intelligence agency’s contact page.

We reported earlier that Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, urged Iran to provide "credible assurances" that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

"We held a call with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Monday—alongside my French, British, and EU counterparts—and made a clear proposal.

Watch his full comments below.

Multiple explosions have been reported across eastern Tehran this morning, with smoke seen rising above the city’s skyline. Footage circulating on Iranian social media shows thick plumes of smoke in several neighborhoods.

In a brief statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its air force is "currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in Tehran."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has acknowledged that “several projectiles” have hit northern and eastern suburbs of the capital.

Meanwhile, Fars News Agency reports that an explosion was also heard in the nearby city of Karaj. Preliminary reports suggest Payam airport may have been targeted.

As tensions continue to mount between Iran and Israel, senior European leaders are calling for diplomacy and caution amid growing fears of a broader conflict.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Wednesday urged Iran to provide “credible assurances” that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and called on Tehran to return to negotiations with sincerity.

“We are still ready to negotiate a solution. However, Iran must act urgently… it is never too late to come to the negotiating table if one comes with sincere intentions,” Wadephul said, warning of the consequences of further escalation.

Wadephul also defended Israel’s security concerns, saying its fears over Iran’s nuclear ambitions are “justified” and that it has the right to defend itself. He acknowledged that civilian casualties on both sides were tragic and underscored the need to prevent further bloodshed.

His remarks came a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Israel was “doing the dirty work for all of us,” in reference to its military campaign against Iranian targets.

Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned againsst efforts to forcibly overthrow the Iranian regime, calling such a move “a mistake.”

“The biggest mistake today would be to try to do a regime change in Iran through military means because that would lead to chaos,” Macron said. “No one can say what comes next.”

Watch his full comments below.

The European Commission has rejected the possibility of pursuing regime change in Iran, a scenario that has come to the fore after Donald Trump publicly suggested the United States might get militarily involved in the escalation between Israel and Iran.

Trump has called for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran and talked about the potential killing of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also used the pronoun "we" to describe Israel's action.

"Let's be clear: regime change is not part of the EU's agreed position," a Commission spokesperson said on Wednesday, responding to a question by Euronews.

"We are committed to a comprehensive policy approach towards Iran to address all issues that we have of concern with Iran, taking into account all the options that we have at our disposal, including sanctions. And this is why our approach is critical when necessary and ready to engage when interests align."

It comes a day after High Representative Kaja Kallas urged Washington to refrain from becoming militarily involved in the conflict.

"When it comes to the United States getting involved, then it will definitely drag the region into broader conflict. And this is in nobody's interest," Kallas said after hosting a video conference with the EU's 27 foreign affairs ministers.

Over 400 citizens from the European Union have been successfully evacuated from Israel under the bloc's Civil Protection Mechanism. Member states can request the activation of the mechanism to assist in natural disasters, like wildfires and floods, and man-made crises, like wars.

In the case of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, the mechanism has been requested by Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece and Poland. As a result, 12 flights have been organised from Jordan and Egypt. The flights, which began two days ago, carried citizens from the four member states but also from others, as the mechanism is open to all EU nationals.

"We help people who got stranded in Israel by the fact that the airspace above Israel is closed," a spokesperson of the European Commission said on Wednesday.

The list of passengers for repatriation is established by each member state individually. The Commission co-finances up to 75% of transport costs, the spokesperson explained. More flights can be organised in the upcoming days, if necessary.

No member state has requested the activation of the mechanism for citizens in Iran, Euronews understands.

Copyright: Associated Press

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender.

In his first public comments since Friday read out by a television anchor, Khamenei said:

“The president of America in an unacceptable statement explicitly urged Iranians to surrender but we tell him: first threaten those who are afraid of being threatened. Threats will not affect the thinking and behaviour of the Iranian nation."

“Intelligent people who know Iran and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender.”

He warned that any US military intervention would cause "irreversible damage.”

His comments in full:

"The Americans and those who are familiar with the policies of this region know that the US involvement in this issue will 100 percent be to their detriment and will be hurt. A blow that will do far more damage than the damage that Iran will suffer. Any US military intervention in this field will undoubtedly cause irreversible damage to them."

Trump has reportedly been considering US involvement in the escalating conflict, despite opposition from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Speaking after leaving the G7 summit early, Trump said:

“I’m not looking at a ceasefire. We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.” He called for “a real end” to the conflict, with Iran “giving up entirely.”

In his statement today, Khamenei warned the United States directly:

“America should know that our people will not surrender, and any military intervention on their part will lead to irreversible damage."

As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its sixth day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delivered a televised message via a presenter.

He said:

• “We will not forgive Israel for violating our airspace.”
• “Israel committed a grave mistake and will be punished.”
• “Our armed forces are ready to defend the homeland and are supported by officials and all the people.”
• “We will not give up, and those who know Iran’s history know it does not respond to threatening language.”

Stay with us — we’ll bring you his full comments as soon as they become available.

Earlier today, our colleagues at Euronews Persian reported Israeli airstrikes targeted infrastructure across Tehran, Parchin, and Kermanshah. The Israeli military has now confirmed multiple operations throughout the morning.

According to the IDF, Israeli Air Force jets identified and struck five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters stationed at a military base in the Kermanshah region.

Simultaneously, more than 50 Israeli fighter jets carried out coordinated strikes on military sites in Tehran, hitting a centrifuge production facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also confirmed damage, identifying two affected sites — the Tehran Research Center and the TESA workshop in Karaj. One of the buildings at the Tehran site reportedly housed advanced centrifuge rotor manufacturing and testing.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to deliver a televised message, state media reports. The broadcast is expected to air shortly.

We’ll provide updates as soon as his statement is available.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Israeli airstrikes targeted two centrifuge production facilities connected to Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a statement posted on X, the agency identified the sites as the Tehran Research Center and the TESA workshop in Karaj, a city near Tehran.

“At the Tehran site, one building where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested was hit,” the IAEA said. “At Karaj, two buildings producing centrifuge components were destroyed.”

Earlier, Israel announced it had struck a centrifuge production facility linked to Iran’s nuclear activities.

Centrifuges are machines used to enrich uranium — a process crucial for producing fuel for nuclear power plants as well as material for nuclear weapons.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Iran of having a “strategic plan” to destroy Israel, emphasising Israel’s determination to defend itself against Iran's nuclear programme, which it has described as an "existential threat."

Posting the letter on X, Sa’ar wrote: “Iran has a strategic plan to destroy Israel. Israel cannot and will not accept the threat of destruction!”

The letter outlines that Israel’s recent strikes on Iran were in response to critical developments in Iran’s nuclear weapons programme, aimed at preventing imminent missile attacks. The decision to attack was described as a “last resort.”

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar speaks to media after a wreath laying ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, June 5, 2025. 

Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, issued a warning on Wednesday, saying Iran will “respond strongly” to what it calls Israeli aggression — and threatened a similar response should US forces become involved.

Speaking at a scheduled news conference in Geneva, Bahreini defended Iran’s nuclear program as peaceful and for civilian purposes.

The US has moved dozens of its Air Force planes to bases in Europe in recent days amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, flight tracking data analysed by Euronews shows.

Euronews' verification team, Euroverify, was able to track 30 flights which took off in a short space of time, between 01.000 and 05.00 UTC on June 16th, using flight tracker Flightradar24.

They included at least 13 KC-135Rs, which are mostly refuelling tankers.

The aircraft were destined for various US air bases in Europe. We tracked 11 jets headed towards the Morón Air Base in southern Spain and 7 towards Ramstein base in Germany. Others were destined for bases in Glasgow, Greece, Estonia, Italy and Belgium.

Most had been deployed from Air Force bases in Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan. We also tracked one AIr Force jet that had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the US has a National Guard base.

The US has been shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks as President Donald Trump warns Tehran to step back from the conflict. Trump is reportedly considering US intervention, although is facing significant opposition from US lawmakers.

Flight tracking site captures moment dozens of US Air Force jets were moved over the Atlantic to bases in Europe.

We have some fresh photos showing evacuees from Israel fleeing the country by plane and boat.

The first group of Bulgarian citizens evacuated from Israel, along with dozens of foreign nationals from Slovenia, the US, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and Romania, arrive at Vassil Levsky airport in Sofia.

A girl stands near her mother and sibling as the first group of Bulgarian citizens evacuated from Israel.

The cruise ship which transported evacuees from Israel is docked at the port of Larnaca, in Cyprus.

Evacuees from Israel arrive at the port of Larnaca.

Iranian state media reported Wednesday that its defence forces successfully shot down an Israeli drone in the Isfahan region — marking what would be the first confirmed instance of such an incident.

Footage broadcast on Iranian state television appeared to show the wreckage of a Hermes 900, a surveillance and reconnaissance drone used by the Israeli Air Force.

The IDF said in a brief statement that a drone had crashed inside Iranian territory after a surface-to-air missile was fired at it. They noted there were no injuries and no risk of an information breach.

The Israeli military has not confirmed whether the drone was targeted by Iran, or lost due to technical failure but has previously rejected similar Iranian claims as unsubstantiated.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has issued a warning Wednesday, cautioning that any American intervention in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes would ignite a broader regional conflict.

Speaking live to Al Jazeera English on Wednesday, ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said:

“Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.”



When asked whether the U.S. could rein in Israeli actions, he paused and grimaced before replying: “Not really.”

We’ve just received updated information from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the scale of damage amid the ongoing conflict.

Casualty reports show that 24 people have died, while 804 have been injured since last Friday. Among the injured, eight are in serious condition, 41 in moderate condition, and the majority — 755 — have sustained light injuries.

More than 3,800 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as the situation continues to escalate.

Nearly 19,000 damage assessments submitted to Israel’s Tax Authority detail widespread destruction, with over 15,800 reports related to buildings, more than 1,200 to vehicles, and upwards of 1,600 concerning agriculture and other property.

Since the operation began, Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, along with hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles — many of which have been successfully intercepted by Israeli defence forces. In total, more than 40 interception events have been recorded.

In the past hour, sirens sounded across the southern Golan Heights between 9:57 am and 10:17 am local time, following alerts of a hostile aircraft entering Israeli airspace.

According to the Israeli military, seven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran were successfully intercepted by the Israeli Air Force before crossing into Israeli territory. Authorities say the sirens were activated in accordance with standard protocol.

Earlier this morning, the IDF reported that three drones were intercepted in the Dead Sea region and northern Israel as the two sides continue to exchange fire.

More on those evacuation flights from Israel: Greece has successfully repatriated 105 of its citizens and their family members, the foreign ministry confirmed early Wednesday.

The evacuees were flown to Athens via military aircraft (C-130 and C-27) from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in a co-ordinated effort involving Greece’s Foreign Ministry and its embassies in Tel Aviv and Cairo.

The same flights also facilitated the return of citizens from other European and third countries, including the US, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and several others

Our colleagues at Euronews Persian have been monitoring the latest Israeli airstrikes across Iran. As of Wednesday morning, strikes were reported on key infrastructure in Tehran, Parchin, and Kermanshah.

Footage circulating on Iranian social media shows large explosions and flames at the Tehran refinery, which was reportedly hit in the early hours.

Other videos show airstrikes near the Parchin nuclear facility in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran, and in Kermanshah, including around the Imam Hassan garrison.

The attacks began around 9 pm local time on Tuesday and have continued into Wednesday. Israel claims it is targeting military, government, and nuclear facilities.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted a stark message on X as strikes continued to hit Tehran:

“A tornado passes over Tehran. Symbols of government are being bombed and destroyed — from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets, and crowds of residents are fleeing. This is how dictatorships collapse.”

His post comes amid a series of Israeli airstrikes across Iran, including a reported hit on a centrifuge production facility in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Israeli military says it intercepted three Iranian drones launched toward Israel this morning.

According to officials, two of the drones were shot down over the Dead Sea region, while a third was intercepted in northern Israel. Sirens sounded in both areas during the incident.

A US-based human rights organisation reports that nearly 600 people have been killed in Iran since tensions broke out last Friday — exceeding the official figures released by Iranian authorities.

According to Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group, at least 585 people have died and 1,326 have been injured. Of those killed, 239 have been identified as civilians and 126 as members of Iran’s security forces.

The group says it compiles its figures by verifying local reports through a network of sources inside Iran.

Iranian authorities have released limited updates on casualties and report lower numbers. The most recent official tally, issued on Monday, reported 224 deaths and 1,277 injuries.

As Israel scrambles to repatriate its own citizens amid an escalating conflict, Europeans living in the country are weighing their options.

Germany has begun efforts to evacuate its nationals stranded in the region. The first charter flight from Amman, Jordan, to Frankfurt is scheduled for Wednesday, with another planned for Thursday. But for many Germans in Israel, the journey to safety is far from easy.

Berlin’s foreign office has come under criticism for offering evacuation flights without organizing secure passage to the Jordanian border. More than 4,000 Germans in Israel have registered for assistance through the ELEFAND crisis preparedness system, yet many are still scrambling to find solutions.

Christine, a German national living in Tel Aviv, says she doesn’t feel safe making the trip to Amman alone. “As a woman, I don't want to make the journey by myself… I’m sad that Germany isn't offering safer transport,” she said.

Vivian, another resident, missed out on a seat on the first evacuation flight and is now searching online for companions to travel with. “I don't dare to go alone,” she said. Facebook groups for Germans in Israel are flooded with posts from people looking for others to make the trip together.

While some are eager to leave, others are struggling with the decision to stay. Anna, who has lived in Tel Aviv for eight years, says daily life has dramatically changed. “None of us have slept for days,” she told Euronews. “Every time I come out of the bunker, I hope my flat is still standing.”

Despite the fear, she says she can’t imagine leaving the place she now calls home.

Israel has launched an operation to repatriate its citizens stranded abroad after widespread flight cancellations due to the deepening conflict with Iran.

The first return flight landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday morning from Larnaca, Cyprus. According to the Israel Airports Authority, passengers were processed quickly through entry and baggage collection.

“The operation is being carried out in stages, taking into account risk levels and security assessments,” the authority said, stressing that the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft remains the top priority.

Last Friday, Israel declared a special state of emergency, closing its airspace, suspending schools, and banning public gatherings as tensions with Iran escalated sharply.

More on those divisions within the US over its potential involvement in the conflict.

The clip below shows Republican Senator Ted Cruz clash with long-time conservative Trump ally Tucker Carlson, who has publicly challenged the US President over involvement in the conflict.

“You’re not going to convince me that the Iranian people are my enemy,” Carlson said on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast, accusing Trump of betraying his promise to avoid new foreign entanglements.

The clash continued online, with Trump firing back on social media: “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!’”

Amid the tension, Carlson interviewed Cruz about his views on Iran. Watch the full clip below.

As Donald Trump reportedly considers US involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran — a move experts warn could significantly heighten tensions — a clear divide is emerging among his core supporters.

Prominent MAGA figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, and Charlie Kirk are voicing strong opposition, warning that military intervention would violate Trump’s “America First” principles. “No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,” Kirk posted on X.

Trump abruptly left the G7 Summit this week to return to Washington for urgent national security talks. He has since adopted a more aggressive tone, calling for the evacuation of Tehran and demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

Some allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham, are urging Trump to provide direct military support to Israel, such as supplying bunker-busting bombs capable of seriously damaging Iran's underground nuclear facilities — weapons Israel does not currently have.

Overall however, lawmakers are divided. Several are working to curb Trump’s ability to launch strikes on Iran without congressional approval, citing the US Constitution that only Congress can declare war.

Associated Press reports a powerful explosion was heard around 5 am local time Wednesday in Tehran, following a series of earlier blasts in the pre-dawn hours.

Iranian authorities have yet to acknowledge the strikes. The IDF said it struck a centrifuge site linked to Iran's nuclear programme.

One strike appeared to hit the eastern neighborhood of Hakimiyeh, home to a Revolutionary Guard academy.

Meanwhile, traffic jammed roads heading west out of the capital, while central Tehran empties. Shops across the city were closed, including the historic Grand Bazaar, which typically only shuts down during national crises like the 2022 protests or the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past 30 minutes, the IDF said over 50 Israeli fighter jets have struck multiple military sites in Tehran, including a centrifuge production facility linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

Targets also included factories producing components for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. Israel says the strikes are part of a "broad effort to operate against Iran’s nuclear weapons development project."

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

Here's where the situations stands this morning:

• Israel launched new airstrikes on Tehran early Wednesday, urging residents in Area 18 to evacuate immediately. Explosions rocked parts of the capital Tuesday night, prompting mass evacuations and gridlock on roads and at gas stations. Damage assessments remain unclear.
• The IDF said it hit a centrifuge and weapons production site in Tehran in the strikes.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have fired hypersonic missiles at Israel, leading to nationwide sheltering, though the impact is still being evaluated.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed retaliation, saying Iran would show Israel “no mercy.” His statement followed Donald Trump’s social media post warning the US knows Khamenei’s location but is holding back “for now,” while demanding Iran’s surrender.
• Media reports say Trump is reportedly considering US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, such the fortified Fordow facility, which may require US weapons to target. Several US politicians have come out against the potential move.