Security situation in Qatar now stable after Iranian strikes, interior ministry says

Iran has said it will continue its retaliation in response to the US attacks, a senior official has told the Reuters news agency.

But he said Iran was open to diplomatic negotiations if US and Israeli attacks on the country stop. 

Iran has said it attacked American forces stationed at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar in an official announcement on state television, accompanied by military music.

An on-screen caption referred to the strikes as “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”

Meanwhile, the country’s Supreme National Security Council in a statement said: “The base targeted by Iran’s powerful forces was also a significant distance from urban facilities and residential areas in Qatar.”

It added: “This action posed no danger to our friendly and brotherly nation of Qatar and its honourable people. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to preserving and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his solidarity with Qatar after an attempted Iranian missile strike on the Al Udeid air base in the country.

“I am in close contact with the country’s authorities and our partners in the region,” Macron said in a post on X.

“I call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, de-escalate, and return to the negotiating table. This spiral of chaos must end.”

Egypt has expressed its “strong condemnation and denunciation” of the attempted Iranian missile strikes on the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, an official statement said.

A US official has told the Reuters news agency that none of the missiles fired towards the Al Udeid air base in Qatar hit their target.

That would indicate that Qatari air defences shot all or most of them down.

No Iranian attacks have been reported at any other US base in the Gulf besides the strikes aimed at the Al Udeid base in Qatar, the US military has said.

This video circulating on social media and acquired by our colleagues at Euronews Qatar appears to show the smoking wreckage of a missile shot down by Qatari air defences.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military says a few hours ago the army completed its largest-ever wave of attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran.

No US casualties have been reported at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar after an Iranian missile strike on Monday evening, two US officials said.

This video circulating on social media and acquired by our colleagues at Euronews Qatar appears to show the wreckage of a missile shot down by Qatari air defences.

Egypt Air has said that all flights to cities in the Gulf have been suspended until the regional situation stabilises.

The airline made the announcement in a post on Facebook.

An unnamed senior source in the region has told the Reuters news agency that Iran informed the US and Qatar through diplomatic channels of the imminent strikes on the Al Udeid air base. 

This video circulating on social media and acquired by our colleagues at Euronews Qatar appears to show an intercepted missile hitting the ground in an unidentified location.

Kuwait Airways has announced the suspension of all flights out of the country as it monitors developments in the region.

The main remaining base hosting US troops in north-east Syria is on full alert and mobilised for possible air strikes, a Syrian security source has said.

The Qasrak base in Hasakah province is one of only two in the country which still hosts US service personnel.

Iran coordinated its attack on the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar with Qatari officials to minimise casualties, the New York Times is reporting quoting three anonymous Iranian officials.

According to the report, Iran felt the need to carry out a symbolic counterattack against the US, but wanted to leave both sides an opportunity to end the fighting.

An Axios reporter also claimed in a post on X that the Trump administration had advance knowledge of the Iranian attack.

Bahrain says it has temporarily closed its airspace amid fears of a possible strike by Iran in response to US attacks on Sunday.

The island nation is home to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, a US navy command post serving as a command post for the US and coalition forces in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

The White House and Pentagon are closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official.

The official was not authorised to comment publicly.

Qatar has said it reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law after Iran targeted the Al Udeid US military base in Doha.

“We express the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid air base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and we consider it a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter,” foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said.

Qatar’s air defences have intercepted a missile attack targeting the Al Udeid air base fired from Iran.

“Thanks to God, the vigilance of the Armed Forces, and the precautionary measures, the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries,” an official statement said.

“We affirm that the airspace and territory of the State of Qatar are safe, and that the Qatari Armed Forces are on high alert.”

Iran 's armed forces has confirmed it has launched what is calls a "devastating and powerful" missile attack on the Al-Udeid military base in Qatar.

That’s according to an official statement and comes after our correspondent in Doha reported hearing explosions near the capital.

Around 10,000 US troops are said to be stationed at Al-Udeid.

The strike on Qatar comes after Iran’s military said no attack on its territory would go unanswered.

Iran says it used the same number of bombs in its attack on the Al Udeid base as the US used in its Sunday strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations.

This video circulating on social media and acquired by our colleagues at Euronews Qatar shows what appears to be the smoking wreckage of a missile shot down by Qatari air defences.

We will not leave any attack on our territory unanswered under any circumstance, the Iranian military has said in a statement.

That comes after explosions were reported in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are on high alert.

Sirens are sounding in Bahrain with citizens being urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Air defence systems at the US-run Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq have been activated in anticipation of a possible attack, military sources have said..

The United Arab Emirates says it is closely monitoring developments and assessing the situation, a government statement said. 

Our correspondent in Doha has acquired more video of what appears to be the Qatari air defences intercepting missiles apparently fired from Iran.

Iranian media said an attack has begun on American bases in Qatar and Iraq as part of "Harbingers of Victory", a joint operation between the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Our correspondent in Doha has confirmed hearing explosions in the city after Axios reported that Iran had fired towards US military bases in the country.

The White House and the Defence Department say they are closely monitoring potential threats to the Al Udeid air base, a senior official has said.

Axios, citing an Israeli official, has reported that Iran launched six missiles toward US bases in Qatar.

That comes after the foreign ministry said it was closing Qatari airspace as a precautionary measure.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said there was no “legitimate framework” for Sunday’s strikes by the US on nuclear targets in Iran.

Macron said that while he agreed with the principle that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, he disagreed with the air strikes.

He also said any change of regime in Iran should be done by the people and not through force.

"I believe in the sovereignty of peoples and territorial integrity...so I do not believe that we can replace a people by changing their leaders,” he told reporters in Oslo.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has called on Iran not to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for energy supplies.

Kaja Kallas spoke to journalists after a meeting of the EU’s 27 foreign ministers.

She said closing the strait would have “a huge impact also for the broader trade in the world.”

She also said that in talks with the United States and regional actors, “everybody is concerned of the same thing, which is the spillover effect” of violent instability in the Middle East.

Container shipping company Maersk has said it is still possible to sail through the Strait of Hormuz but that the company has contingency plans in place in case the situation changes.

The Strait of Hormuz is vital for gas and oil exporters in the Gulf region, as this is the only route by sea to export the large volumes produced by the oil-rich countries in the region. 

Iran has threatened several times to close off the shipping lane but has so far never followed through with the threat.

What would happen if the Strait of Hormuz is closed?

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State media in Lebanon has said Israel has carried out air strikes in parts of the country’s south, including the Hezbollah stronghold of Apple province.

There has been no immediate information regarding casualties or damage.

Monday’s strikes were reportedly more intense than the near-daily ones that Israel carried out since a ceasefire ended its 14-month war with Hezbollah in November.

Israel’s military says it struck rocket launchers and an arms depot for Hezbollah.

Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace "for the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

More to follow.



France is calling for the release of two French citizens believed to be held in Tehran’s Evin prison, which was targeted in an Israeli airstrike.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on social media he spoke with his Iranian counterpart and demanded their release and immediate access to consular support.

Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arrested in May 2022.

French authorities say they were on vacation. Iranian authorities accused them of protesting with Iranian teachers and taking part in an anti-government rally.

"The strike targeting Evin prison in Tehran, put our citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been held for three years, in danger. It is unacceptable," Barrot said in a post on X.

Evin Prison has held citizens of Western countries, dual nationals and political prisoners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said the agency must have access to Iran to assess the damage at its nuclear sites following Sunday’s strikes by the US.

Speaking to the board of governors, Rafael Grossi insisted the agency’s inspectors should return to the country and account for Iran’s stockpiles.

“Craters are now visible at the Fordow site, Iran's main location for enriching uranium at 60%, indicating the use of ground-penetrating munitions; this is consistent with statements from the United States,” he said.

“At this time, no one including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordow.”

Grossi’s remarks come on the same day that Iran’s parliament speaker said the country was suspending cooperation with the IAEA.

Iran-Israel crisis: IAEA chief calls for access to damaged nuclear sites

After surprise US bombing raids on Iranian uranium enrichment facilities over the weekend, the head of the UN-backed nuclear watchdog on Monday appealed……

An explosion has reportedly been heard in the southern Iranian city of Ahvaz, the semi-official Fars news agency has said.

Israel's military is warning Iranians it will continue to attack military sites around Tehran over “the coming days.”

The military issued the warning on social media, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world because of an internet shutdown in the country.

The warning says “we ask you to stay away from weapons production centres, military bases and security institutions affiliated with the regime.”

Iran has criticised the warnings as a way to scare its public. However, the Israelis have followed through with strikes after their warnings multiple times during the conflict. 

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf has announced suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

More to follow.



Israel's attacks on Iran citing a "possible future threat" and US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities "sent wrong signals to the world and set a bad precedent," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

All parties in the conflict should take measures to de-escalate the situation and return to dialogue and negotiation, he said.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with former UK Minister Tony Blair in Beijing on Monday, according to a statement released by his ministry.

The British government has issued a warning recommending that UK citizens in Qatar shelter in place until further notice.

The recommendation, which was issued out of "an abundance of caution" it said, and included no details, follows a similar warning the US government issued to its citizens in the Gulf Arab State.

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson earlier said that the security situation in the country remained stable.

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A UN fact-finding mission has that some of Israel's strikes on Iran may have broken international humanitarian law, citing the killing of civilians in an apartment block and three aid workers in the capital Tehran.

"Among those killed in Tehran were dozens of residents of an apartment complex and three humanitarian workers from the Iranian Red Cross, while damaged sites included a clinic for children with autism and a hospital in Kermanshah," the body said in a statement.

"This, and the reported lack of effective advance warning by Israel, which may affect the population’s ability to reach safety, raise serious concerns in relation to the principles of proportionality, distinction, and precaution under international humanitarian law."

The Israeli military has published a list of sites in Iran it says were struck on Monday afternoon.

The IDF says all of the sites targeted were command centres and assets belonging to either the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the internal security forces.

This comes after Israel said earlier on Monday it had struck Tehran’s notorious Evin prison and targeted roads around the Fordow nuclear facility to obstruct access to the site following Sunday’s strikes there by the US military.

Iran's Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces has said his country would respond to the United States' bombing of its nuclear sites in a "proportionate manner."

"Trump violated our sovereignty, attacked three locations on our soil, and caused damage," Abdolrahim Mousavi said in comments carried by the semi-official news agency, Tasnim.

He called the US strikes a "big mistake" and said that Tehran had previously warned about the consequences of such an attack.

Mousavi called the US president's decision to target the nuclear facilities an act of desperation aimed at saving Israel and "especially" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said had shown "signs of weakness."

UN Secretary General António Guterres has said that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations represents a “perilous turn in a region that is already reeling.”

Guterres said he has repeatedly condemned military escalation in the Middle East and referred to his comments to the Security Council two days ago, urging all parties to “give peace a chance.”

“We cannot – and must not – give up on peace,” he said in remarks on Monday.

The leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon has indicated that the group will not join the conflict between Iran and Israel for now.

Naim Kassem spoke in his first public comments since the US became involved in the war by striking nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday.

Kassem says his group is ready to back any decision taken by the Lebanese state to force Israel to stop the war.

In comments to the Al-Ahad newspaper published on Monday, he said the attacks on Iran will “have a high cost” as the whole region is in danger, and says US President Donald Trump’s threats to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are a “vile act and a sign of weakness.”

Iran is a major financial and military supporter of Hezbollah and the group exchanged almost daily fire with Israel over the war in Gaza until a ceasefire was brokered in November 2024.

Israel is widely believed to have significantly dismantled Hezbollah’s strike capabilities with much of the group’s military arsenal reportedly destroyed.

Evin Prison, located in northern Tehran, is one of Iran’s oldest and most notorious detention centers, used by both the Shah’s regime and the Islamic Republic. It is known for housing political prisoners, activists, and dual nationals, with certain sections operated by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and the Revolutionary Guard.

The facility includes several wards, notably Ward 209 for interrogations and Ward 4, where political and security detainees are often held.

In the 1980s, and especially following the 2009 protests, a courthouse building named Shahid Moqdas was constructed near the prison’s entrance.

Nobel Peace Prize laureates Shirin Ebadi and Narges Mohammadi were both imprisoned at Evin.

Some dual-national prisoners, including two French citizens, are detained in various sections of the prison.

Following today’s Israeli attack on Evin Prison, reports indicate damage to the guard units, administrative and prosecution offices, the women’s ward, the medical building, and the library in Ward 4.

Qatar has moved to reassure the public after the US embassy in Doha issued a message urging American citizens to “shelter in place until further notice”.

A foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, said on Monday there was no indication of a specific threat and described the country’s security situation as stable.

“The country is prepared to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and residents,” he added.

The White House says US policy in the Middle East remains unchanged after US President Donald Trump appeared to suggest the possibility of "regime change" in Iran.

Speaking to reporters, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been "simply raising a question" that "many people around the world are asking".

She added: "If they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?"

There has been no official shift in the US approach to Iran, Leavitt confirmed.

Overnight, Trump signalled he was open to regime change in Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform. “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change?” Trump wrote, adding the slogan “MIGA!”

Elsewhere, Leavitt told ABC News on Monday that Iran was an "imminent threat. Trump is the "first president with the guts to actually do something about it.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Washington. (Credit: AP)

Three empty oil and chemical tankers have altered their routes, diverting away from the Strait of Hormuz amid increasing uncertainty over potential Iranian retaliation following recent US airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, according to MarineTraffic ship tracking data, writes Reuters.

The vessels Marie C and Red Ruby, both sailing in ballast without cargo and previously headed toward the Strait, have anchored near Fujairah, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the Kohzan Maru was reported sailing in the Gulf of Oman, close to Omani waters, as per the MarineTraffic platform.

Japanese shipping companies Nippon Yusen and Mitsui OSK Lines have instructed their vessels to minimise time spent in the Gulf of Oman while continuing to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier today, the EU's High Representative Kaja Kallas warned of the global consequences of Iran followed through on its threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.

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We're just hearing reports now that US citizens in the Qatari capital of Doha have been told to shelter in place until further notice.

The US embassy in the country sent out notifications for its citizens to go to the ground floor and stay away from doors and windows and anything that splinters.

Qatari authorities have not yet issued such warnings.

Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command. Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid in the past, but not after Sunday’s strike. Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran, the Associated Press writes.

After the US strikes in Iran, security officers at all US embassies and consulates had been instructed to conduct reviews of their post’s security posture and report back to the State Department by late Sunday. It wasn’t immediately clear if that was connected to the alert.

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are underway in Moscow.

“This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran; (it) has no basis or justification,” Putin said at Monday’s meeting, referring to US strikes against Tehran's nuclear facilities on Sunday.

“We, for our part, are making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people,” Putin said, noting Russia’s “long-standing, good, reliable relations with Iran.”

Araghchi, for his part, thanked Russia for condemning the actions of Israel and the US against Iran.

“These aggressive actions by Israel and the US are completely illegitimate and violate international rules and international norms. We are defending our sovereignty and country, and our defence is legitimate,” he said.

Araghchi said that Russia has always been Iran’s partner in the peaceful nuclear energy sector and played a positive role in negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Despite facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Putin has sought to portray himself as a central mediator in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

At the same time, he has continued to carry out strikes against neighbouring Ukraine, which Russia waged a full-scale war against in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prior to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025. Credit: AP

The IDF has now confirmed it struck Iran's Fordow nuclear facility again this morning.

The strike aimed to "obstruct access routes to the Fordow enrichment site," the IDF said in a statement.

Earlier, Iranian media reported that the site had been targeted again, one day after the US hit the site with B-2 bombers, which reportedly dropped bunker-busting bombs.

The UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that "very significant damage" is expected at the site, believed to be central to Iran's uranium enrichment programme. US officials have said they are still addressing the full extent of the damage.

Iran's Fars News Agency said, quoting the Iranian judiciary, that parts of Evin Prison have been damaged due to Israeli strikes.

A little while earlier, the IDF confirmed it targeted the notorious Evin prison in Tehran — a facility known for holding dual nationals and foreign detainees.

The situations in the prison is "under control", the agency said.

Both Iran and Israel have ramped up attacks this morning, one day after the US became directly involved in the conflict with targeted strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Earlier, we reported on Israel's major strikes in Tehran that have targeted a number of facilities the IDF says are "regime symbols and repression apparatus."

In Israel, around 8,000 people are without electricity after a sustained missile strike from Iran lasted over 40 minutes, one of the longest in the conflict so far.

Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen said authorities aim to get power restored within three hours.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz says the current wave of Israeli strikes in Tehran is targeting what he calls “regime symbols and repression apparatus” in the heart of the Iranian capital.

In a statement, Katz says the strikes have hit:

• The headquarters of the Basij paramilitary force,
• Evin Prison, known for holding political prisoners and opponents of the regime,
• Iran's "Destruction of Israel" clock in Palestine Square,
• The internal security headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),
• The regime’s "ideology headquarters."

The IDF assesses that numerous IRGC soldiers were killed in the strikes in Tehran, according to the Times of Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries among detainees at Evin Prison.

The so-called “Destruction of Israel” clock was erected in central Tehran in 2017 and counts down to 2040 — a year Iran's leadership has symbolically linked to Israel’s demise.

More on those fresh Israeli strikes targeting what Israel said a little while earlier are on "targets belonging to the regime and its repressive apparatus in the heart of Tehran."

Israel is carrying out strikes on key Revolutionary Guard targets in Tehran, according to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in comments carried by the Times of Israel.

In a press conference, IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that headquarters linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were being hit as part of what he called “ongoing precision operations."

Meanwhile, Iranian state media is reporting that Tehran’s Evin Prison — known internationally for holding dual nationals and foreign detainees — has also been struck. There has been no immediate comment from the IDF regarding those claims.

The facility has specialised units for political prisoners and those with Western ties, run by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The prison, which has been targeted by both US and EU sanctions, has long drawn international criticism for alleged human rights abuses.

Let's take you back to some of the comments made by the EU's foreign ministers ahead of today's talks in Brussels.

Simon Harris, the Irish Tánaiste, has said that the United States' attacks on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend was an "unhelpful intervention" and "added a huge layer of extra volatility and danger" to the situation in the Middle East.

"II've been very clear in relation to international law around attacks on nuclear installations: there are international laws that say you shouldn't do that," Harris told reporters in Brussels Monday morning.

"I've also been very clear that (...) the actions of the US added a significant level of danger to an already volatile situation."

"It was a very unhelpful intervention," he added.

"The only way, I believe, to make progress in relation to this, to stop an already tinderbox-type situation from getting even worse, is to get back to a negotiated situation. What has happened has now happened, it has added a huge layer of extra volatility and danger, but what we now need to see is no further escalatory measures."

Ireland's Foreign Minister (Tánaiste) Simon Harris

We've just received fresh comments from the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, who said Monday that “very significant damage” is expected at Iran’s underground facility at Fordow after a US airstrike there this weekend targeted the location with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the statement in Vienna.

“Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi said.

Previously, the body said the extent of the damage was unclear. US President Donald Trump said of the strike's impact: "Obliteration is an accurate term."

A spokesman for the Qom Provincial Crisis Management Headquarters told Iran's Tasnim News Agency that the Fordow nuclear facility has been targeted by another airstrike.

The site, located deep underground near the city of Qom, was also hit on Sunday by US Air Force B-2 bombers, which reportedly dropped bunker-busting munitions.

Fordow is one of Iran's key nuclear sites, long believed to be central to its uranium enrichment programme.

The IDF has not yet commented on the strike.

In the last 30 minutes, we have been receiving reports of strikes on the Iranian capital of Tehran.

A series of large explosions have been reported in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, with damage reported across Iran's capital.

Our colleagues at Euronews Persian say there have been reports thick columns of black smoke rising over northern Tehran. Electricity has reportedly been cut in several districts, and state-run broadcaster IRIB's Channel 1 live broadcast was abruptly interrupted.

Initial reports indicate that several key sites were hit, including:

• Evin Prison
• The State Broadcaster IRIB headquarters
• Police Command Headquarters near Vanak Square

There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting part of Evin Prison’s outer wall may have collapsed following the strikes.

The Israeli military has confirmed it launched a series of strikes targeting military infrastructure in Tehran.

In a statement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: "We are launching an unprecedented attack on targets belonging to the regime and its repressive apparatus in the heart of Tehran."

Stay with us for further updates.

"We reject any efforts to bring about a change in the [Iranian] regime through force," French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has told reporters in Brussels as EU foreign ministers gather for talks on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, as well as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

It comes after US President Donald Trump hinted that regime change could be a way to "make Iran great again" earlier on Monday.

"We believe in the right of the people to decide for themselves, and we have confidence in the Iranian people -- who have heroically resisted against the regime whose actions we have denounced -- to decide their own future and choose for themselves the moment and circumstances for regime change."

"It would be illusory and dangerous to think that we can provoke regime change through force and bombardment."

French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot speaks to reporters in Brussels, 23 June 2025.

Germany has renewed its call for Iran to engage in direct negotiations with the United States, warning that the situation in the region is more dangerous than ever.

Speaking on Monday, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Europe's role in diplomacy remains vital, but it is not enough on its own.

"Iran says it only wants to negotiate with Europe. This is a good sign for us," Wadephul said. However: "we say that isn’t enough, the United States must also be involved."

Germany, along with France and the UK (known collectively as the E3), met with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Aragchi in Geneva on Friday, as part of diplomatic push in reducing tensions.

"I renew the request of Iran to be ready for negotiations now," Wadephul said, warning that the world will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran.

He added that limiting Iran's nuclear programme remains a shared priority for Europe, Israel, and other regional actors.

Berlin noted that both Israel and the US have made clear that regime change in Iran is not their goal, despite comments made by US President Donald Trump that suggested the US could be interested in regime change in Iran.

"I'll stick to what Vice President J.D. Vance said in a statement. That a regime change is not the goal of the United States of America. Israel has also explained this," Wadephul said.

"Iran must understand it has crossed red lines," Wadephul warned, adding that Iran's nuclear enrichment programme "can no longer be explained as civilian."

"It is more urgent than ever that Iran returns to the negotiating table, including with the United States."

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas says European ministers are focused on preventing further escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel stressing the need for diplomacy.

"Ministers are very much focused on the diplomatic solution and also the concerns of retaliation and this war escalating," Kallas said on Monday.

She also warned of the global consequences if Iran follows through on threats to close the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping lane for global oil supplies.

"Especially the closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be very dangerous and not good for anybody," she added.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media in Brussels, Monday, June 23, 2025. Credit: AP.

Foreign ministers from the 27 European Union countries have gathered in Brussels a day after the US struck Iranian targets.

On Friday, France and Germany’s foreign ministers, as well as British counterpart David Lammy, travelled to Geneva for talks with Iran's foreign minister in the hope of reducing tensions and bringing Tehran back to the negotiating table.

After their meeting, European minister sent out a joint message agreeing that talks should continue and that they “welcomed ongoing US efforts to seek a negotiated solution.” US strikes hit Iran barely a day later.

Stay with us as we bring you some of first comments from Europe's foreign ministers on increased tensions in the Middle East.

More on that wave of missiles that sent sirens ringing across Israel.

Iran said on Monday it has launched a new missile and drone barrage against Israel, describing it as a fresh phase of its operation, dubbed “True Promise 3.”

According to Iranian state television, the attacks are targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Preliminary assessments from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) indicate that about 15 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran in several waves over nearly 40 minutes, making this one of the longest Iranian missile attacks of the conflict.

Magen David Adom teams report that after searches no casualties were found, except for cases of anxiety and people injured while making their way to the protected area.

Citizens have since been given the all-clear to leave shelters.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has expressed confidence that the US is not aiming to overthrow Iran’s government, despite a recent social media post from President Donald Trump suggesting otherwise.

Speaking on Monday, Lammy said it is “clear from Israel and the United States that they’re not going after the civilian leadership” in Tehran, adding that “that’s not what’s under consideration at this time.”

He revealed that he spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, with the UK pushing for a return to serious diplomatic efforts.

Lammy also told the BBC that he has “not seen an assessment yet” on whether recent strikes have significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

He stressed that “ultimately this has to be dealt with by diplomacy.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, centre, arrives for the Iran-EU meeting, in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, June 20, 2025.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) report that an additional wave of missiles have been launched toward Israel.

Residents are urged to continue following instructions from the Home Front Command for their safety.

According to the Times of Israel, the latest sirens have sounded in communities near the Gaza border.

Meanwhile, medics are currently responding to reports of a ballistic missile impact in the Ashdod area in southern Israel, though no injuries have been confirmed so far.

Sirens have sounded in multiple locations across Israel after missiles were reportedly launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have urged the public to follow instructions from the Home Front Command for their safety.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is currently engaging to intercept incoming missiles and is conducting strikes as necessary to neutralise the threat.

A spokesperson for the Magem David Adom, Israel's emergency services, said : "Following the sirens heard in the last few minutes, MDA teams have been dispatched to scan the locations where reports were received, as needed."

We'll bring you more updates as we get them.

The top military commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has warned the United States will face retaliation after American bombers targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

“Every time the Americans committed crimes, they received a decisive response, and it will be the same this time,” said Amir Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian army.

The warning follows US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, part of escalating tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Israel.

Iran has vowed fierce retaliation is inevitable, but has not detailed exactly how it would respond.

The price of oil has jumped while global stock markets slipped in early trading, as investors respond to heightened tensions following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Brent crude rose by around 1.5% to $78.19 a barrel this morning, with US WTI rose by 1.48% to $74.93 a barrel.

The military strikes over the weekend have added to fears of wider instability in the region, particularly given Iran’s status as a major oil producer and its control of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical pathway for global energy supplies.

Shipping company Maersk says it is still operating through the strait but is monitoring security risks closely. Meanwhile, vessel tracking data shows two supertankers made abrupt U-turns in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

Financial markets have responded nervously. Futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all slipped modestly in early trading. In Asia, markets in Tokyo, Seoul, and Sydney closed lower, though Hong Kong and Shanghai posted small gains.

The developments come after US President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of regime change in Iran, writing on social media: “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be regime change?”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed the country “will never surrender to bullying and oppression,” while Iran’s foreign minister is in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Investors remain watchful over whether Iran chooses further escalation, including potential action to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a move analysts warn could trigger broader economic consequences.

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Iran has executed a third man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, according to the country’s judiciary.

The judiciary’s Mizan news agency identified the man as Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, who was reportedly held at Ghezal Hesar prison in Alborz province. Amnesty International had previously raised concerns about his case.

His execution follows the hanging of Majid Mossayebi on Sunday — a case that only became public after the sentence was carried out.

Earlier this month, on 16 June, Iran executed Esmail Fekri.

The executions come amid heightened tensions with Israel and the US, and just a day after Iran’s government issued a deadline for individuals to turn themselves in over suspected espionage. Activists have voiced fears that more executions may follow.

The Israeli military says it has carried out strikes on six airports across Iran as part of what it describes as efforts to expand air superiority over Iranian skies.

In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the targets included runways, underground hangars, a refueling aircraft, and Iranian fighter jets and helicopters in western, eastern and central Iran.

The IDF claims 15 Iranian military aircraft — including F-14 and F-5 fighter jets as well as AH-1 attack helicopters — were destroyed in the strikes.

According to the IDF, these aircraft were intended to be used to counter Israeli operations within Iranian airspace.

Iran has not yet confirmed the attack.

Reports indicate that Iran launched one missile at Israel overnight, triggering air raid sirens but no reports of damage.

Iran has warned it will strike US forces in the region if Washington “crosses red lines,” as tensions with Israel escalate into military confrontation. Tehran has labelled American bases in the Middle East "points of heightened vulnerability," with Iranian proxies also threatening to target US warships in the Red Sea.

The US has roughly 40,000 troops stationed across the region, from Kuwait and Bahrain to Qatar and the UAE — many within striking distance of Iranian missiles and drones. Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, the largest US deployment in the country, has already been targeted repeatedly, including during Iran's missile barrage in 2020 following the killing of General Qasem Soleimani.

More recently, a deadly drone strike in January killed three US troops at Tower 22 in Jordan.

US embassies in Iraq and Israel have begun evacuating staff, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says protecting American forces remains the Pentagon's "top priority."

Beyond military targets, Iran could also resort to unconventional methods, with its network of proxies and history of overseas attacks raising fears of broader retaliation.

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In overnight comments, US President Donald Trump has signalled he is open to regime change in Iran a shift from the official US position outlined by his administration earlier in the day.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change?” Trump wrote, adding the slogan “MIGA!”

His comments come after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly stated that regime change was not an objective of the US military operation. Rubio, in an interview with CBS news, indicated the US wanted to restart talks with Iran, saying "Let's meet directly."

Trump also claimed that American strikes inflicted "monumental damage" on Iran's nuclear facilities. US officials confirmed damage had been done to the sites, with a full assessment of the operation still underway.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame."

"The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye”

The strikes, carried out by US stealth bombers, targeted Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. The extent of the destruction remains unclear, with Iran yet to confirm details of the damage, and international inspectors unable to verify conditions underground.

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

After a week of rising tensions, US military intervention over the weekend marks a major turning point in the escalation between the two sides. Here’s a look at the latest developments:

• Trump has claimed "monumental damage" to Iran's nuclear sites, saying US strikes inflicted significant damage, including at the underground Fordow nuclear facility . He also floated the idea of "regime change," questioning Iran's current leadership.
• UN nuclear watchdog says it cannot yet assess the extent of damage to Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, targeted in the US operation.
• Iran has vowed strong retaliation, as its foreign minister heads to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Tensions erupted the United Nations Security Council meeting, with Israel's envoy urging the world to "thank Trump" for the strikes, while Iran's representative condemned the "blatant US aggression."
• Global protests broke out, with demonstrators in multiple cities denouncing US strikes on Iran.
• The B-2 stealth bombers involved in the operation have returned to US bases, with footage circulating of their landing.
• Israel’s Air Force is striking Iranian military infrastructure in Kermanshah, western Iran, this morning, targeting missile storage, launch facilities, radar, and satellite systems.
• 20 Israeli jets were involved in overnight raids, described as among the most intense of this conflict, aimed at further degrading Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
• Iran appears to have fired only a single missile towards Israel overnight, triggering air raid sirens, but no reports of damage thus far.