Netanyahu Declines to Rule Out Assassinating Iran's Supreme Leader as Tensions Escalate

LIVE – Updated at 23:54

Donald Trump has warned Tehran’s residents to “immediately evacuate” as he said Iran “should have signed the deal” he offered.

The US president wrote on Truth Social: “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

Israel and Tehran have continued to launch fresh waves of strikes as the conflict between the two, sparked by Israel’s strikes on Iran on Friday morning intensifies.

The exchange of fire has seen more than 200 people have been killed in Iran and more than 20 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported.

Evacuation orders were issued for parts of Tehran and Tel Aviv on Monday as both countries launched fresh attacks.

A building where Iran’s state broadcaster was operating was hit by an Israeli missile, while the IDF warned Israeli’s to seek shelter after it detected missiles heading its way.

Meanwhile, reports have claimed Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press the US president to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire, in exchange for flexibility in nuclear negotiations.

Key points

• Netanyahu does not rule out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader
• Iran and Israel continue to trade missile attacks
• Tehran 'wants to talk', says Trump
• Evacuation orders issued for Tel Aviv and parts of Tehran
• Iran preparing bill to leave nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Tehran says

US deploying more defensive capabilities to Middle East, defence secretary says

23:51 , Athena Stavrou

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday he had ordered the deployment of additional defensive capabilities to the Middle East.

Hegseth did not disclose what military capabilities he sent to the region. But Reuters was the first to report earlier on Monday a deployment of a large number of US military refueling aircraft and the movement of an aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

"Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region," Hegseth said in a post on social media platform X.

Trump says everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran

23:50 , Athena Stavrou

Donald Trump has urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States.

"IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" he said in a post on Truth Social.

Pictured: The moon rises over Tel Aviv as Iran launches fresh retaliatory attacks

23:17 , Athena Stavrou

Trump predicts Iran will sign nuclear deal

22:57 , Athena Stavrou

Donald Trump has said Iran should have signed a deal with the United States on its nuclear program before Israeli strikes began - and that he believes they now want to make an agreement.

"As I've been saying, I think a deal will be signed, or something will happen, but a deal will be signed, and I think Iran is foolish not to sign," Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

Missiles coming from Iran, IDF confirms

22:31 , Athena Stavrou

Earlier, Iran said it had launched a fresh wave of missile strikes towards Israel.

The IDF has now confirmed they have identified missiles coming from Iran.

Comment: What’s happening in the Middle East is result of Trump’s carelessness

22:11 , Athena Stavrou

What’s happening between Iran and Israel is a direct result of Trump’s carelessness

Iran launches missile attack

21:54 , Athena Stavrou

Iran has launched a fresh wave of missile attacks targeting Israel.

Iran’s state TV said the attacks had begun on Monday evening.

Iran’s revolutionary guard’s spokesman said the strikes will continue until the morning.

Mapped: All the strikes on Iran so far

21:31 , Athena Stavrou

Watch: Moment Israel missile strike interrupts live Iran news broadcast

21:14 , Athena Stavrou

Is it safe to travel to Israel? Your rights as conflict with Iran escalates

20:57 , Athena Stavrou

Britain has advised against all travel to Israel amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran , which has seen deadly strikes traded between the two countries.

The Foreign Office updated its travel advice on Saturday to say that it now advises against travel to anywhere in Israel, where attacks have left at least 10 people dead as sent millions rushing to bomb shelters.

The advice is a change from Friday, when the government said only essential travel was allowed to some areas.

Our correspondent Holly Bancroft explains:

Is it safe to travel to Israel? Your rights as conflict with Iran escalates

Pictured: Smoke billows after Israeli strike on Iran state broadcaster

20:44 , Athena Stavrou

Three Iranian Red Crescent workers killed in Israeli strike - reports

20:43 , Athena Stavrou

Three Iranian Red Crescent workers have been killed in an Israeli strike, local media has reported.

Iran's Mehr news agency reported that three of the emergency workers died during rescue operations in Tehran.

Iranian air defences thwart attack on South Pars gas field, Iranian news website reports

20:31 , Athena Stavrou

Iranian Air Defences have thwarted an attack on the Iranian South Pars gas field, local media has reported.

Iran shares the South Pars gas field with Qatar. The world's biggest gas field was struck by Israel on Saturday, leading Iran to partially suspend gas production.

British involvement in Iran-Israel conflict could end up like Iraq War, MPs warn

20:13 , Athena Stavrou

MPs have warned against the Government becoming embroiled in the conflict between Israel and Iran, as they said any involvement could have the same results as the Iraq War.

Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs said Britain should be wary of any involvement, as they compared it to the British invasion of Saddam Hussein’s country in 2003.

Intelligence on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities was treated with scepticism, as one MP said the Commons should have a vote on whether to engage in any military action.

Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton said: “A despotic Middle Eastern dictatorship, a rogue state, a terrorist state perilously close to achieving a weapon of mass destruction so serious that it could disrupt the entire region.

“Members, as well as the public listening at home, may hear echoes of 2003 in that description of current events.

“And with talk of regime change again in the air, can I ask the Foreign Secretary what he is going to do to personally talk back the authorities in Jerusalem, in Israel, because what they’re doing at the moment strikes me as providing the Iranian regime with the best possible propaganda tool that they could possibly have.”

Watch: Children and elderly rescued from homes as Israel reels from Iranian missile strike

19:58 , Athena Stavrou

Israel shoots down F-14 fighter jets and strikes western Iran

19:41 , Athena Stavrou

In its latest update, the IDF has said it has been targeting surface-to-surface missile infrastructure in western Iran.

IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin said: “Throughout the day, the Israeli Air Force identified several trucks carrying weapons and surface-to-air missile launchers. The trucks attempted to evade IDF strikes, but were struck from the air, thereby preventing further launches toward the State of Israel. We continue to operate against the threat of surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and UAVs.”

They added that a remotely piloted Israeli aircraft struck down two Iranian F-14 fighter jets this evening.

US House Speaker Johnson postpones trip to Israel

19:29 , Athena Stavrou

The US House of Representatives speaker has postponed his planned trip to Israel.

Mike Johnson was due to address Israel’s parliament on June 22.

"Due to the complex situation currently unfolding in Iran and Israel, (Knesset) Speaker (Amir) Ohana and I have made the decision to postpone the special session of the Knesset,” Johnson said in a statement.

“We look forward to rescheduling the address in the near future and send our prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East.”

Netanyahu speaking press conference

19:17 , Athena Stavrou

Bemjamin Netanyahu is currently speaking at a press conference.

We will tell you what he’s saying as soon as possible.

US citizens told to leave Iran immediately

19:06 , Athena Stavrou

The US state department has told citizens to leave Iran immediately if they are there.

It said US citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason and if they are unable to depart they should “be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods”.

“US citizens in Iran face serious, increasing dangers due to rising regional tensions. The US government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” it said in a post on X on Monday.

“The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for United States interests in Iran. The Swiss Protecting Power office in Tehran is closed until further notice and is limited in its ability to assist US citizens in Iran at this time.”

Iran tells UN strikes on Israel are self defence

18:55 , Athena Stavrou

Iran’s ambassador has just told the UN that the country’s retaliatory strikes on Israel are self defence.

Amir Saeid Iravani told the UN Nations Security Council on Monday that the strikes are "proportionate defensive operations directed exclusively at military objectives and associated infrastructure”.

He wrote in a letter that any cooperation by third countries with Israel's strikes on Iran "makes them complicit in the legal responsibility and consequences of this crisis."

Under Article 51 of the founding United Nations Charter, the 15-member Security Council must immediately be informed of any action that states take in self defence against armed attack.

Iran and Israel continue to trade missile attacks on Monday

18:24 , Athena Stavrou

Iran and Israel have both continued to fire missiles at eachother on Monday afternoon.

A state TV station was hit by an Israeli missile in Iran, as the IDF warned Israeli’s to seek shelter after it detected missiles being sent from Iran.

It comes after more died in strikes overnight, with more expected to come.

Mapped: All the strikes on Iran so far

18:21 , Athena Stavrou

Netanyahu does not rule out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader - reports

18:06 , Athena Stavrou

Benjamin Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility of targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei when asked on Monday.

The Israeli PM was asked by US news outlet ABC about reports that Donald Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader due to fears it would escalate the conflict.

He told ABC: "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict."

Asked if Israel would target the supreme leader, Netanyahu said that Israel was "doing what we need to do."

"I'm not going to get into the details, but we've targeted their top nuclear scientists," Netanyahu said.

Watch: Moment Israel missile strike interrupts live Iran news broadcast

17:48 , Athena Stavrou

Thousands evacuated in Israel, says minister

17:36 , Athena Stavrou

Over 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Israel since it launched its attack on Iran on Friday.

Israel’s finance minister said 2,775 residents have been evacuated since Iran’s retaliatory strikes began.

Bezalel Smotrich added that 24 buildings have been designation for demolition.

Iran sought US pressure on Israel for ceasefire via Gulf states - sources say

17:22 , Athena Stavrou

Iran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press Donald Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire, sources have claimed.

Two Iranian and three regional sources told Reuters on Monday that Iran had offered flexibility in nuclear negotiations in return.

Gulf leaders and their top diplomats worked the phones all weekend, speaking to each other, to Tehran, Washington and beyond in an effort to prevent a widening of the biggest ever confrontation between longstanding enemies Israel and Iran.

17:10 , Athena Stavrou

Israel’s defence minister has now confirmed the strikes on Iran’s state broadcaster, as mentioned in the post below.

Katz confirmed a building used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) had been attacked by the Israeli military.

The video below, posted by the Iran’s semi-official news agency, Fars, shows the moment the strike hit live on air.

Iran's state broadcaster hit by Israeli fire

17:01 , Athena Stavrou

Iran’s state broadcaster has been targeted by Israeli strikes this afternoon, local media has reported.

Pictures from what is believed to be a building used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) shows smoke rising from the building.

A video posted by Iran’s semi-official news agency, Fars, shows the moment the strike hit live on air.

Trump: Iran should talk about de-escalating 'before it's too late'

16:51 , Athena Stavrou

Donald Trump has warned Iran should talk about de-escalating hostilities with Israel “before it’s too late”.

The US president said Iran “wants to talk” as he told reporters on Monday: "I'd say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately before it's too late."

Iran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press Donald Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire, sources have claimed.

Two Iranian and three regional sources told Reuters on Monday that Iran had offered flexibility in nuclear negotiations in return.

Pictured: Shops shut in Tehran following days of Israeli bombardment

16:40 , Athena Stavrou

Starmer tells British nationals in Israel told to register their presence

16:29 , Athena Stavrou

British nationals in Israel should register their presence through a portal, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

He said the UK and other G7 countries were issuing advice to their citizens in Israel.

“All of us are giving advice to our citizens for British nationals in Israel, we’re giving advice today to register their presence, so there will be a portal for that.

“So I think all countries also taking the necessary measures on a protected basis.”

Comment | What’s happening between Iran and Israel is a direct result of Trump’s carelessness

16:21 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump claims to be the leader who will end wars. But by effectively killing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear containment deal with Iran in his first term in office and allowing Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to run roughshod across the Middle East in his second, the Republican president is instead fanning the flames of conflict across the region.

It is Trump’s choices that have led Israel and Iran, the Middle East’s most powerful military actors, to the brink of all-out war, with a risk of escalation and spread, global economic disruption and mass casualties.

The JCPOA, signed by the US, Iran, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the EU in 2015, was far from perfect. It failed to clamp down on Tehran’s conventional weapons programme build-up and its intentions to arm militia as far west as the Mediterranean – but it did succeed in freezing Iran’s nuclear programme.

Michael Day writes:

What’s happening between Iran and Israel is a direct result of Trump’s carelessness

Watch: Homes destroyed in northern Israel with at least 10 dead after overnight attack

16:08 , Alex Croft

Iran calls on Tel Aviv residents to evacuate ahead of strikes

15:53 , Alex Croft

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have called on residents in Tel Aviv to evacuate as soon as possible, Iranian state media reported on Monday.

It came shortly after Israel issued an evacuation warning for a specific area of Tehran.

Trump declines to sign G7 statement on Israel-Iran

15:41 , Alex Croft

Reports are beginning to emerge that the G7 countries, who are currently convening in the Canadian Rockies, have pulled together a draft statement on Israel and Iran.

But Donald Trump appears not to have signed off on the statement, sources told Reuters news agency.

The statement affirms Israel’s right to defend itself and states that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, according to Reutes news agency,

It calls on the the countries to deescalate the conflict and avoid compromising regional stability.

Iran exercising right to self-defence, says Moscow

15:18 , Alex Croft

Russia believes Iran is exercising its right to defend itself against attack by Israel, deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying on Monday.

There are dangerous and obvious consequences of Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Mr Ryabkov added.

He was also quoted as saying that Russia was discussing the crisis with the United States as well as maintaining contacts with both Israel and Iran.

Iran seeking talks with US and Israel to end conflict - WSJ

15:08 , Alex Croft

Iran has been sending messages to Israel and the United States that it seeks an end to the conflict, the Wall Street Journal cited officials as saying.

Tehran is also seeking a resumption of talks over its nuclear programme, the report claimed, adding that the messages had been sent through Arab intermediaries.

Mapped: Israeli evacuation orders for Tehran residents

14:56 , Alex Croft

Israel issues evacuation notice for part of Tehran

14:43 , Alex Croft

An Israeli military spokesperson issued an evacuation warning for a designated area in Tehran, according to a post by the spokesperson on X.

It was followed by a call from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate the city.

“Immediate warning to all individuals present in the area indicated on the attached map in District 3 of Tehran,” the IDF’s Farsi account said on X, alongside a map of the evacuation zone,” the IDF spokesperson said.

“Dear citizens, for your safety, we ask that you immediately leave the aforementioned area in District 3 of Tehran.

“In the coming hours, the Israeli army will take action in this area to attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, just as it has done in recent days around Tehran. Your presence in this area puts your life at risk.”

The Israeli military appears to have resumed heavy strikes in Iran, posts on social media show.

What is the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

14:38 , Alex Croft

Negotiated in the mid-to-late 1960s and first ratified in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

It was negotiated by the Eighteen Nation Committee on Disarmament, a UN-sponsored organisation, and first came into force in 1970. At the time, it signalled in new era of warmer relations during the Cold War, following the escalation of an aggressive arms race between the US and USSR.

The treaty is based on three pillars:

• nuclear non-proliferation; pledging not to engage in or assist in the development of any nuclear weapons
• disarmament; undertaking to bring an end to the nuclear arms race with a final goal of general and complete disarmament
• peaceful uses of nuclear energy; reaffirming the right for all parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes

Israel is one of four countries to have never signed the treaty, alongside India, Pakistan and South Sudan.

Senator seeks to limit Trump's war powers in Iran

14:08 , Alex Croft

A Democratic senator has introduced legislation to prevent Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without Congress's authorization on Monday.

Tim Kaine of Virginia has tried for years to wrest back Congress's authority to declare war from the White House.

During Trump's first term, in 2020, Mr Kaine introduced a similar resolution to rein in Trump's ability to wage war against Iran. That measure passed both the Senate and House of Representatives, winning some Republican support, but did not garner enough votes to survive the Republican president's veto.

Mr Kaine said his latest war powers resolution underscores that the US Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the sole power to declare war and requires that any hostility with Iran be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for the use of military force.

"It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict," Mr Kaine said in a statement.

Watch: Israelis huddle in Tel Aviv bomb shelters as air raid sirens blare ahead of Iran missile strike

13:51 , Alex Croft

Erdogan and Putin discuss Israel-Iran conflict

13:36 , Alex Croft

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan and Russian president Vladimir Putin have held a phone call discussing the conflict between Israel and Iran.

A statement from the Turkish presidency said the pair had agreed the conflict must end and diplomacy be put into action as soon as possible.

Mr Erdogan repeated his view that the only solution to the crisis was a return to nuclear talks, the statement said.

The Kremlin said: "Both sides expressed the most serious concern about the ongoing escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, which has already led to a large number of casualties and is fraught with serious long-term consequences for the entire region.

"The leaders spoke in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the settlement of contentious issues, including those related to the Iranian nuclear programme, exclusively by political and diplomatic means."

Here’s what it means to enrich uranium – and why it raises concerns in Iran-Israel conflict

13:20 , Alex Croft

Late last week, Israel targeted three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities – Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow – killing several Iranian nuclear scientists.

The facilities are heavily fortified and largely underground, and there are conflicting reports of how much damage has been done.

Natanz and Fordow are Iran’s uranium enrichment sites, and Isfahan provides the raw materials, so any damage to these sites would limit Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons.

But what exactly is uranium enrichment and why does it raise concerns?

Read more:

What it means to enrich uranium – and why it raises concerns over Iran

In pictures: Smoke billows after Israeli strikes near Tehran

13:03 , Alex Croft

40 killed by Israel in Gaza, half near aid distribution site

12:47 , Alex Croft

Let’s turn to Gaza, where Israel’s attacks have continued while much of the world has turned its attention to the new conflict with Iran.

Israeli fire killed at least 40 people, half of them near an aid distribution site operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Monday, the territory's health ministry said on Monday.

Medics said at least 20 people were killed and 200 others wounded near an aid distribution site in Rafah, the latest in daily mass shootings that have killed hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food since Israel imposed a new distribution system after partly lifting a near three-month total blockade.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about Monday's reports of shootings. In previous incidents it has occasionally acknowledged troops opening fire near aid sites, while blaming militants for provoking the violence.

Relatives arrived at Nasser Hospital to mourn the dead, Reuters reported. Women and children wept beside bodies wrapped in white shrouds.

“We went there thinking we would get aid to feed our children, but it turned out to be a trap, a killing. I advise everyone: don’t go there," said Ahmed Fayad, one of those who tried to reach aid on Monday.

Israel arrests dozens of alleged spies linked to Israel - state media

12:31 , Alex Croft

Iran has arrested dozens of alleged “spies” linked to Israel since the start of the conflict on Friday, Iranian state media has reported.

It comes after earlier news that Iran executed a man who was found guilty of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, reported by semi-official Fars news agency, who identified the man as Esmail Fekri.

The execution is the third in recent weeks related to the conducting of espionage on behalf of Israel.

Watch: Children and elderly rescued from homes as Israel reels from latest Iranian missile strike

12:14 , Alex Croft

Erdogan says Turkey keen to facilitate Israel-Iran peace

12:00 , Alex Croft

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is ready to play a facilitating role in peace between Iran and Israel and a return to nuclear negotiations.

Mr Erodgan was speaking with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Turkey joins China and Russia in offering to help mediate for peace.

Map: The UK, US and French military bases across the Middle East after Iran threat

11:43 , Alex Croft

Iran has threatened to target UK, French and US military bases across the Middle East if the help block the Iranian missile and drone retaliation for Israel’s attack.

Both countries have exchanged extensive aerial attacks after Israel launched a surprise missile assault on some of Tehran’s nuclear facilities, uranium experts and high-ranking officials on Friday (13 June). Dozens of civilians have been killed in the crossfire.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced additional British fighter jets are being deployed to the Middle East as a “contingency support” in the region.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves today insisted Britain is not at war despite sending more RAF jets to the Middle East, but said the UK could play a military role defending Israel from ongoing Iranian attacks.

Tom Watling reports:

Map: Where are the UK, US and French military bases threatened by Iran?

'It's absurd': US lawmaker responds to closure of Israeli stands at Paris Air Show

11:29 , Alex Croft

US Republican governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday described a decision by the French government to close down four Israeli company stands at the Paris Air Show as “pretty absurd”.

The stands were closed for refusing to remove offensive weapons from display.

"It seems pretty absurd that this is the only entity not allowed to continue with the display that they would have had approved over the course of the last several weeks and months,” Huckabee Sanders told reporters, standing outside blacked out Israeli defence firm stalls.

"In light of everything going on in the world, I would like to see this group (Israeli defence firms) have access and something opened up."

Watch: Homes destroyed in northern Israel with at least 10 dead after overnight attack

11:15 , Alex Croft

Iran preparing bill to leave nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says Tehran

09:35 , Alex Croft

The Iranian parliament is preparing a bill to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said.

The treaty seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, instead promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The NPT, which Iran ratified in 1970, guarantees countries the right to pursue civilian nuclear power in return for requiring them to forego atomic weapons and cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

Israel, along with India, Pakistan and South Sudan, are the only countries who are not signed up to the treaty.

Mr Baghaei added that Tehran remains opposed to developing of weapons of mass destruction.

Eight dead and hundreds wounded in Israel overnight - Israeli army

07:35 , Alex Croft

The Israeli army has said the death toll from Iranian attacks overnight on Sunday has risen to eight, according to the Israeli military.

We earlier reported that at least 5 people had been killed, bringing Israel's death toll to at least 18 since Friday. That toll is now at 21.

At least 100 more were wounded in the overnight strikes, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's pre-emptive strikes targeting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The deaths mounted today after Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn, destroying homes and creating widespread panic in the region.

It comes as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards hail the “new methods” they are using in aerial warfare against Israel to ensure it can breach Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system.

Damage near the US embassy in Tel Aviv from Iranian missile attack

07:15 , Arpan Rai

Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred metres from the US embassy branch in the city.

The US ambassador to Israel said the building sustained minor damage, but no personnel were injured.

The embassy in Israel and the consulate will official remain closed today as shelter alert is still in effect, Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel said.

Iranian president says Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons

06:40 , Arpan Rai

Iran does not intend to develop nuclear weapons but will pursue its right to nuclear energy and research, the country’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said today.

“We have no intention to develop nuclear weapons,” the Iranian leader said. “We have a right to nuclear energy and research and we won’t let anyone take that away from us,” Mr Pezeshkian said today as the conflict with Israel heats up.

The preisdent warned and said: “We were not seeking war nor initiated it.”

The Iranian president was reiterating supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's religious edict against weapons of mass destruction.

The latest round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US, due last Sunday, were scrapped after Tehran said it would not negotiate while under Israeli attack.

Meanwhile, the conflict showed no signs of halting as Iran fired a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early this morning in predawn strikes triggering air raid sirens across the country.