4:49 PM MSTIn an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 news, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded "total victory" against Hamas and Iran. Netanyahu said that this outcome would create a “different Middle East.”Netanyahu explained that the attack on Iran took three months to plan, and his specific order was to target scientists.“The scientists had to go because the nuclear program had to go,” said Netanyahu. “But, I also said we must strike the missiles.”.3:22 PM MSTAmerican officials say President Trump is weighing several options on Iran. This follows a National Security Council meeting at the White House. One possibility under consideration is a US military strike against Iran.After the meeting ended, Trump’s Middle East envoy Brian Hook and General Mark Milley, the top US military officer, were seen leaving the White House. Other military leaders were also in attendence at the meeting.The meeting in the White House Situation Room lasted one hour and 20 minutes. No official statement has been released about the discussions.US media reports indicate possible options. These could include direct strikes against Iran’s nuclear program or its leaders. Another reported option is US aircraft providing air-to-air refuelling or other support to Israel’s military..3:16 PM MSTAn Iranian general has publicly urged residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate immediately. Brigadier General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi delivered the warning in a televised message on Tuesday. Mousavi told people in those Israeli cities to "leave these areas to save your lives."Mousavi described Iran's recent missile strikes against Israel as acts of "deterrence." He also stated that Iran would soon begin "retaliation attacks." However, analysts question Iran's ability to successfully carry out such threats against these locations..2:32 PM MSTAmerican officials say Iran has missiles and military gear that could strike US bases in the Middle East if America joins Israel's war against Iran. The officials based this on intelligence reports they reviewed.The US has moved about three dozen refueling planes to Europe. These aircraft could help fighter jets guarding US bases. They could also let bombers fly farther distances if needed for potential strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities..2:04 PM MSTIsraeli airstrikes began in the region on June 13. Since then, four Iranian Red Crescent members have been killed. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported the deaths today.The organization urgently repeated its demand. "Respect and protect humanitarian staff and volunteers," said the group.1:59 PM MSTOil prices rose steadily during the day. Traders considered the chance of greater United States involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran. US crude now costs more than $75 per barrel. This is a jump of nearly five percent. For comparison, oil prices were about $10 lower at the start of June.1:16 PM MSTAfter a private Senate hearing with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and the Director of National Intelligence, Idaho Senator James Risch answered questions. Risch, the Republican head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was asked if Israel began a conflict with Iran it could not finish without American help. Risch disagreed with the notion that Israel would fail to complete its mission of dismantling Iran’s three nuclear sites.One major Iranian nuclear site presents a unique challenge. The Fordow site is buried deep within a mountain. Military experts believe only the United States could effectively bomb this location. This is because only the US has the specific weapons needed, which is the massive 30,000 pound bunker buster bomb required to damage the site and the B-2 stealth bomber capable of delivering it..12:04 PM MSTAir raid sirens sounded across southern Israel in a town that has one of Israel’s nuclear plants.The military issued a new missile warning, stating Iran had launched another wave of attacks. This alert included the town of Dimona, where a nuclear research facility operates.The warning lasted 16 minutes before ending. Military officials then told residents in affected areas, including Dimona, it was safe to leave shelters. Israel’s Dimona facility is officially described as focused on “research and energy production.”This new alert followed an earlier Iranian missile attack. The earlier missiles targeted Tel Aviv and northern Israel. According to the Israeli military, air defences intercepted "most" of those missiles. 11:10 AM MSTUnited States is sending additional fighter jets to the Middle East. Specific aircraft involved include F-16, F-22, and F-35 fighter jets, according to a Reuters report. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated these moves are for defence. Officials explained these fighter jets have already been used to intercept drones and missiles or other projectiles..10:56 AM MSTIsrael's military says it has killed Iran's new defence chief. Major General Ali Shadmani had been named to the position only two days earlier. Shadmani replaced his predecessor, who died in an earlier Israeli strike on Tehran.10:39 AM MSTPresident Trump posted to Truth Social and said “we now have complete and total control of the skies above Iran.” “Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.”.10:22 AM MSTPalestinian Authority is now working much more closely with Israel on security issues. This involves increased cooperation with Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency and the Israel Defence Force. This new level of collaboration is a direct result of Iran's actions. Iran is trying harder to encourage violence and supply weapons to Palestinian groups in the West Bank. Iran's alleged goal is to involve these groups in the larger conflict against Israel.9:58 AM MSTGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports Israeli attacks on Iran. Merz said that Israel is performing “necessary actions” that benefit other nations.“This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us. We are also victims of this regime. This mullah regime has brought death and destruction to the world,” said Merz during a ZDF interview.9:33 AM MSTUnited Nations nuclear watchdog says Israel's recent attacks caused "direct impacts" to underground areas of Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) analyzed high resolution satellite images taken after June 13 strikes. “Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,” said the IAEA on Twitter/X.Iran built the facility south of Tehran for uranium enrichment. The country previously stated that centrifuge equipment at Natanz operates deep underground. The underground design was meant to protect the sensitive nuclear equipment from military strikes..9:09 AM MSTIran accused G7 nations of siding with Israel while calling for “de-escalation.” Iran said it had “no choice” but to defend itself after Israel’s attack.“The G7 must give up its one-sided rhetoric and tackle the real source of the escalation — Israel’s aggression,” said Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.“Israel has launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran … in violation of … the UN Charter.”“Hundreds of innocent people have been killed, our public and state facilities and people’s homes are brutally demolished,” said Baqaei.“Iran is defending itself against a cruel aggression. Does Iran really have any other choice?”8:29 AM MSTCentre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Interim President Noah Shack statement:“Democracies must stand together, especially in the face of existential threats.”“The G7 communique released last night delivered the kind of moral clarity these times demand: reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself; reiterating unwavering support for Israel’s security; identifying Iran as the primary source of terror and instability; and committing that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.”“Crucially, the statement recognized that the Iranian regime is at the core of broader regional instability. Just as Iran rains missiles on Israeli civilians, it has militarized Gaza through its support for Hamas over many years — culminating in the October 7 massacre.”“Confronting the Iranian threat and its proxies is essential to building a better future for Israelis, Palestinians, and all who live in the region. And given Iran’s global reach as a State Supporter of Terrorism, it also matters for the collective safety of Canadians.”8:19 AM MSTIsrael’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli Air Force would strike “very significant targets” today in Tehran, including “strategic targets, targets of the regime, and infrastructure.”“There are more than ten nuclear targets [Israel is] on the verge of destroying,” said Katz..8:04 AM MSTG7 Leaders’ statement on recent developments between Israel and Iran:We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel.We also affirm the importance of the protection of civilians.Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror.We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.We will remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.7:37 AM MSTIsraeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said his country's strikes on Iran are “the war meant to end all future conflicts.”"This is the war to create peace in the Middle East," said Leiter during an interview with Merit TV.Leiter also said that President Donald Trump is not pressuring Israel to stop fighting.While Israel is open to talks, Leiter stressed one condition. He insisted any negotiations must require Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons program and its ballistic missile program.Leiter added that the full effects of Israel's first attacks against Iran are still unknown.“We’ve pulled off a number of surprises. When the dust settles, you’re going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday, that will make the beeper operation almost seem simple,” said Leiter.7:21 AM MSTIsraeli and Iranian military forces exchanged attacks for a fifth straight day. Israeli officials reported injuries in the country's central region. Iranian media described explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran.Donald Trump stated today that he seeks a "real end" to the crisis, not just a ceasefire. Trump made the comment after leaving the G7 Summit early to return to Washington.Meanwhile, the Pentagon is ramping up its military forces in the Middle East. This move aims to give the US military more options if US interests in the region face a direct threat from Iran.7:11 AM MSTPresident Donald Trump left the G7 summit a day early to deal with the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
