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Israel reported three fatalities on Tuesday morning following a wave of Iranian missile attacks, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that both countries had agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire." Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services confirmed that at least three people were killed and eight others injured in the early morning barrage. A residential building in southern Israel suffered severe damage, according to first responders. Despite Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire, the situation remained uncertain as hostilities continued into Tuesday. His statement followed Iran's limited missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday, carried out in retaliation for American airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would cease its attacks provided Israel halted its military operations by 4 a.m. local time Tuesday. However, shortly after that deadline, the Israeli military warned that Iran had launched missiles towards Israeli territory, triggering sirens across several areas. Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least one missile intercepted over Jerusalem's skies, with additional warnings of further incoming attacks as daylight approached. An image released by Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services showed significant damage to what appeared to be a seven-story residential building in southern Israel, its facade completely destroyed. Iran denies any ceasefire agreement with Israel at present It remains unclear how the ongoing missile launches will affect the ceasefire timeline. Trump’s statement on his Truth Social platform said the ceasefire was set to take effect around midnight Tuesday U.S. Eastern time, claiming it would mark an “Official END” to the war. Israel has yet to officially acknowledge any ceasefire agreement but appeared to pause its strikes on Iranian territory after 4 a.m. local time. Prior to that, heavy Israeli attacks had been reported in Tehran and other cities, with military activity tapering off shortly before the deadline. Israel has previously escalated its offensives just ahead of ceasefire deals. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi emphasized that there was no formal ceasefire agreement at present, writing on X, “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” He reiterated that Iran would not continue its military response if Israel stopped its “illegal aggression” by the stated deadline. His statement, posted at 4:16 a.m. Tehran time, added, “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.” Brent crude dips below $70 amid Iran-Israel tensions The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump’s ceasefire declaration, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has not responded to media inquiries. Source: agency 

A Defense Department official is confirming a missile attack from Iran on a U.S. military base in Qatar but says no casualties have been reported. The official said Monday that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The U.S. is continuing to monitor the situation, said the official. The confirmation came soon after Iran acknowledged the missile attacks, saying the attack in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites over the weekend, signaling its likely desire to de-escalate. Iran launched attacks Monday, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region. Shortly after the attack, the Gulf nation of Bahrain that is home to the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters temporarily suspended flights in its airspace, which is similar to what Qatar did shortly before it was hit. Meanwhile, Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base attack, but said it successfully intercepted the missiles and no casualties were reported. It said its airspace is now safe.  

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told ABC News on Monday that Iran poses an “imminent threat” and praised President Donald Trump as the “first president with the courage to take decisive action.” She claimed that recent U.S. military strikes have effectively “eliminated Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear bomb.” Over the weekend, American stealth bombers, fighter jets, and a submarine carried out coordinated strikes on Iran, in what appeared to be a joint effort with Israel to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program. US signals willingness to renew talks with Iran and avoid prolonged war Trump ‘just raising a question’ on regime change Leavitt clarified that U.S. policy in the Middle East remains unchanged, despite Trump recently suggesting the possibility of overthrowing Iran’s theocratic leadership. “The president was merely raising a question that many around the world are asking,” she told reporters. Leavitt also remarked, “If Iran refuses to engage in diplomacy, why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this oppressive, terrorist regime?” Trump keeps Iran strike decision unclear as tensions escalate Leavitt says Democrats were notified about U.S. attack on Iran President Trump’s airstrikes on three locations in Iran have quickly ignited a political debate in Washington over whether he had the authority to carry out the attacks without congressional approval. While Republicans largely applauded Trump’s decisive action, many Democrats argued that he should have consulted Congress beforehand. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims that Democrats were kept in the dark regarding the operation. “We did make bipartisan calls,” Leavitt said during an interview with Fox News, adding that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries “couldn’t be reached.” Typically, congressional leaders from both parties receive briefings in advance of significant or classified military operations. However, Leavitt emphasized that the administration had no formal obligation to inform anyone, stating, “We made these calls as a courtesy, not because we were required to.” Pakistan condemns Trump shortly after nominating him for Nobel Pakistan strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for launching airstrikes on Iran, just a day after praising him as a deserving candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in easing recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Ties between the two South Asian neighbors deteriorated sharply following the massacre of tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in April. The situation escalated into cross-border attacks, bringing the nuclear-armed countries to the brink of war. However, diplomatic intervention—primarily led by the United States—helped broker a ceasefire, an achievement Trump claimed as his own.

The Trump administration on Sunday signalled a willingness to renew talks with Iran and avoid a prolonged war in the aftermath of a surprise attack on three of the country’s nuclear sites as US officials assessed Tehran's nuclear ambitions and the threat of retaliation against American interests. President Donald Trump, who had addressed the nation from the White House on Saturday night, allowed his national security team to speak for him the next morning, staying quiet on social media and scheduling no public appearances. According to AP, the coordinated messaging by his vice president, Pentagon chief, top military adviser and secretary of state suggested a confidence that any fallout from the attack would be manageable and that Iran’s lack of military capabilities would ultimately force it back to the bargaining table. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a news conference that America “does not seek war” with Iran while Vice President JD Vance said the strikes have given Tehran the possibility of returning to negotiate with Washington. “Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, according to Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “This mission was not and has not been about regime change,” Hegseth added. Caine said the goal of the operation — destroying nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — had been achieved. “Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Caine said. Vance said in a television interview that while he would not discuss “sensitive intelligence about what we’ve seen on the ground,” he felt “very confident that we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon.” Iranian parliament votes to close Strait of Hormuz following US strikes Pressed further, he told NBC's “Meet the Press” that “I think that we have really pushed their program back by a very long time. I think that it’s going to be many many years before the Iranians are able to develop a nuclear weapon.” The vice president said the U.S. had “negotiated aggressively’ with Iran to try to find a peaceful settlement and that Trump made his decision after assessing the Iranians were not acting “in good faith.” "I actually think it provides an opportunity to reset this relationship, reset these negotiations and get us in a place where Iran can decide not to be a threat to its neighbors, not to a threat to the United States and if they’re willing to do that, the United States is all ears,” Vance said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on CBS's “Face the Nation” that "there are no planned military operations right now against Iran, unless, unless they mess around and they attack" US interests. Trump has previously threatened other countries, but often backed down or failed to follow through, given his promises to his coalition of voters not to entangle the United States in an extended war. It was not immediately clear whether Iran saw the avoidance of a wider conflict as in its best interests. Much of the world is absorbing the consequences of the strikes and the risk that they could lead to more fighting across the Middle East after the US inserted itself into the war between Israel and Iran. Airstrikes starting on June 12 by Israel that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and generals prompted retaliation from Iran, creating a series of events that contributed to the US attack.

Nato summits typically aim to present a united front, and next week's gathering in The Hague will be no different—though behind the scenes, the spotlight is firmly on one man: Donald Trump. Newly appointed Secretary General Mark Rutte has carefully orchestrated the two-day event to ensure there are no confrontations with the alliance’s most influential member, the United States. A key focus will be a renewed pledge from European members to boost defence spending, aligning with President Trump’s longstanding demand—a message he has delivered consistently since his first term, when he publicly chastised allies for falling short and claimed they owed the US “massive amounts of money.” Geneva hosts talks on Iran-Israel conflict Though Trump is only one of 32 leaders attending, his presence has shaped the entire agenda. The main deliberations have been condensed to just three hours, and the final summit declaration trimmed to five paragraphs—reportedly due to Trump’s preferences. The Netherlands is hosting what will be the most expensive Nato summit to date, with Dutch authorities deploying an unprecedented security operation costing €183.4 million. Trump’s scepticism of multilateral organisations, including Nato, remains unchanged. His America First policy continues to clash with many European leaders on key issues such as trade, Russia, and the conflict in the Middle East. Rutte, known for his good rapport with Trump, has worked behind the scenes to offer the US president a policy win. The summit’s streamlined format, some say, is partly designed to suit Trump’s aversion to lengthy meetings. But the real benefit, analysts argue, is that it limits opportunities for divisions to become visible. “Trump likes to be the star of the show,” says Ed Arnold of the defence think tank Rusi, who expects the former president to take credit for pushing European allies to act. While several US presidents have urged Nato countries to contribute more to defence, Trump has arguably been more effective than most. Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to Nato, acknowledges that not all European governments appreciated Trump’s confrontational approach—especially his demand that allies raise defence spending to 5% of GDP. Nonetheless, some have conceded that the pressure had a necessary impact. “We needed to do this, even if it’s unfortunate that it took such a kick in the pants,” Volker says. A few countries, particularly those close to Russia like Poland, Estonia and Lithuania, are now aiming for that 5% mark. But for others, even the previously agreed 2% remains out of reach. To reconcile these gaps, Rutte has proposed a compromise: increasing core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for defence-related expenditures. However, critics warn the broad definition of “defence-related” spending—potentially including infrastructure like bridges and roads—opens the door to “creative accounting.” Arnold notes that the flexibility could dilute the seriousness of the target. Even if the new spending goals are adopted, many nations may not have the political will or resources to meet them by 2032 or 2035. Spain’s prime minister has already pushed back, calling the targets unrealistic and counterproductive. In the UK, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has not committed to a timeline, though the British government’s Nato-centric defence stance means he will likely support the framework. Israel and Iran exchange new strikes as US weighs military role, diplomatic efforts intensify The pressure for higher defence spending isn't just about appeasing the US—it aligns with Nato’s classified war plans, which outline responses to a potential Russian attack. Rutte has warned that Moscow could strike a Nato member within five years. In a recent speech, he detailed the alliance’s urgent needs: a 400% increase in air and missile defences, thousands more tanks and vehicles, and millions of artillery shells. Many member states, including the UK, fall short of these capability commitments. Sweden is doubling its army, and Germany plans to increase its military personnel by 60,000. US Army Europe head General Christopher Donahue recently stressed the need to reinforce Poland and Lithuania near Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave, admitting Nato’s current defences are insufficient. Despite the focus on Russia, the summit is expected to sidestep direct debate on the Ukraine war—reflecting deep transatlantic differences. “Under Trump, the US does not see Ukrainian security as essential to European security but our European allies do,” says Volker. Trump has previously undermined Nato unity by engaging with Vladimir Putin and delaying military aid to Ukraine. According to Arnold, potentially divisive issues have been stripped from the agenda, including a much-anticipated review of Nato’s Russia strategy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit dinner but has not been invited to participate in the main North Atlantic Council sessions. As Rutte prepares to chair his first summit as secretary general, he hopes for a smooth event. But with Trump’s views diverging from much of the alliance—especially on Russia—the outcome remains uncertain. #Source: BBC

President Donald Trump would not say Wednesday whether he has decided to order a US strike on Iran, a move that Tehran warned anew would be greeted with stiff retaliation if it happens. “I may do it, I may not do it," Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the White House . “I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do. Trump added that it’s not “too late” for Iran to give up its nuclear program as he continues to weigh direct US involvement in Israel's military operations aimed at crushing Tehran's nuclear program. “Nothing’s too late,” Trump said. “I can tell you this. Iran’s got a lot of trouble." “Nothing is finished until it is finished,” Trump added. But “the next week is going to be very big— maybe less than a week." US intelligence says Iran isn’t building nuclear weapons, but Trump rejects their assessment According to AP, Trump also offered a terse response to Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's refusal to heed to his call for Iran to submit to an unconditional surrender. “I say good luck,” Trump said. Khamenei earlier Wednesday warned that any United States strikes targeting the Islamic Republic will “result in irreparable damage for them” and that his country would not bow to Trump’s call for surrender. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers Wednesday that the Pentagon was providing possible options to Trump as he decides next steps on Iran. Earlier this week, the US president said that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to serve as a mediator with Iran. But Trump said he told Putin to keep focused on finding an endgame to his own conflict with Ukraine. “I said, ‘Do me a favour, mediate your own,’” Trump said he told Putin. “I said, ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later.’” The comments were a shift from Trump who earlier this week said he was “open” to Putin's offer to mediate. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said earlier Wednesday that Moscow has cautioned Washington against offering direct military assistance to Israel. “We are warning Washington against even speculative, hypothetical considerations of the sort,” Ryabkov said, according to the Interfax news agency. “That would be a step drastically destabilising the situation as a whole.”

Donald Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel’s military strikes against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. The escalation comes as the two countries exchange fire for a sixth consecutive day. Earlier, President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and revealed that he knows the whereabouts of Iran’s leader but has chosen not to take lethal action “for now.” In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that he will never compromise with Israel and vowed to show “no mercy.” Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as strikes continue, supreme leader is safe 'for now' Israel confirmed it had struck a centrifuge site in Tehran, along with other weapons facilities, as part of its overnight barrage. Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks on Israel, triggering sirens twice during the night. However, reports indicate that the scale of Tehran’s attacks has diminished, according to journalist Hugo Bachega. Source: With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared that the U.S. knows the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but has chosen not to target him “for now.” He called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict, now entering its fifth day. “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump posted on social media. “He’s an easy target, but we won’t take him out—at least not yet. But missile attacks on civilians and U.S. troops must stop. Our patience is running out.” Returning early from the G7 summit, Trump said he was seeking a “real end” to the conflict and total abandonment of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he criticized Iran’s leaders for not agreeing to a deal, saying he was “not in the mood to negotiate.” Despite U.S. intelligence maintaining that Iran isn’t actively building a nuclear bomb, Trump dismissed those assessments, insisting Tehran was close. He also rejected a proposed Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, though he appeared to be edging toward deeper American involvement as U.S. military assets reposition in the region. US intelligence says Iran isn’t building nuclear weapons, but Trump rejects their assessment Israel claims its strikes have devastated Iran’s air defenses and is seeking U.S. support—including bunker-busting bombs—to destroy key nuclear facilities like Fordo, which lies deep underground. While Trump has not ruled out diplomacy, he signaled a harder stance, calling for immediate evacuations in Tehran and warning that “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared on Fox News to reaffirm that the U.S. remains “postured defensively” in the region, as Trump’s MAGA base grows divided over potential U.S. military escalation. Some Trump-aligned voices, such as Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have expressed concern, while allies like Sen. Lindsey Graham are urging a more aggressive approach. Source: With inputs from agency 

Within about eight hours, President Donald Trump shifted from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran was still “achievable” to urging the 9.5 million residents of Tehran to evacuate for their safety. He cut short his trip to the G7 summit to return to Washington for urgent discussions with his national security team. Trump arrived at the White House at a pivotal moment in his presidency. After five days of missile strikes, Israel has inflicted significant damage on Iran and believes it can now deliver a permanent blow to Tehran’s nuclear program—especially if it receives additional support from the Republican president. However, deeper U.S. involvement, possibly including supplying Israel with bunker-buster bombs capable of reaching Iran’s underground nuclear facilities or other direct military assistance, carries major political risks for Trump. On his way back, Trump expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to reach a deal, calling for “a real end” to the conflict and a “complete give-up” of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “They should have done the deal. I told them, ‘Do the deal,’” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.” Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, and U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Tehran is not actively pursuing a nuclear bomb. Trump, preparing to meet advisers in the Situation Room, appears to be building public support for a more direct American role. The U.S. has repositioned warships and aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict escalates. The White House announced Trump’s early departure from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday. On social media, Trump wrote, “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump says he, Putin agree ‘war in Israel-Iran should end’ When asked about the evacuation comment aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I just want people to be safe.” “We’re looking at better than a ceasefire. We’re not looking for a ceasefire,” he added. While not ruling out diplomacy, Trump said he might send Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranians. He also dismissed testimony from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who told Congress in March that U.S. intelligence agencies did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon. “I don’t care what she said,” Trump said. “I think they were very close to having it.” Israeli officials claim their offensive has destroyed much of Iran’s air defenses, enabling strikes across the country at will. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed bombardment will continue until Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities are eliminated. Israel has hit multiple Iranian nuclear sites but has yet to destroy the deeply buried Fordo uranium enrichment facility. Destroying Fordo may require the massive 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, delivered by a B-2 stealth bomber—munitions Israel lacks. While Israel’s defenses remain mostly intact despite Iranian retaliation, some Iranian missiles have penetrated and caused deadly damage. The White House sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a prime-time TV appearance amid growing speculation about U.S. involvement. On Fox News, Hegseth said, “Of course” Trump wants a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. “His position has not changed,” Hegseth added. “You’re watching peace through strength and America first. Our job is to be strong. We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that’s what happens here.” During the G7 summit, Trump declined to specify what might prompt more direct U.S. involvement but pressed Iran to negotiate immediately. “They should talk, and they should talk immediately,” Trump said at a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. “I’d say Iran is not winning this war.” Trump has restrained Netanyahu’s more aggressive plans, reportedly rejecting an Israeli proposal to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official who spoke anonymously. Israel recently told the Trump administration it had a credible plan to assassinate Khamenei. Within Trump’s MAGA base, a split is emerging over U.S. involvement in Iran. Anti-Trump protests sweep across US; organizers say millions join Trump criticized some supporters, including conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who oppose expanding U.S. military engagement, writing on social media: “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!’” Other prominent Trump allies, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, argue voters backed Trump to avoid new foreign conflicts. Trump campaigned to quickly end wars in Gaza and Ukraine but has struggled to find an exit strategy. Conversely, some supporters like Sen. Lindsey Graham call on Trump to fully back Israel and destroy Iran’s nuclear program, urging him to “go all-in.” Source: With inputs from agency 

Tulsi Gabbard made it clear in her testimony to Congress earlier this year that Iran was not developing a nuclear weapon. According to the national intelligence director, Iran’s supreme leader had not reauthorized the country’s dormant nuclear weapons program. Despite this, President Donald Trump dismissed the intelligence community’s evaluation during his overnight flight back to Washington, cutting short his attendance at the Group of Seven summit to address the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. “I don’t care what she said,” Trump told reporters, insisting that Iran was “very close” to acquiring a nuclear bomb. Trump’s position aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warnings of an imminent nuclear threat from Iran, contrasting with the views of his top intelligence officials. The president planned to consult national security advisors in the Situation Room on Tuesday to determine next steps. This public contradiction mirrors Trump’s earlier clashes with U.S. intelligence agencies, whom he accused of undermining his agenda as part of a “deep state.” Notably, in 2018, he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denial of election interference. The split over Iran is notable since Trump’s current administration is staffed with loyalists, unlike his first term. Gabbard, a military veteran and former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who left the party in 2022 and endorsed Trump, was narrowly confirmed by the Senate despite limited intelligence experience. Israel orders evacuation of 300,000 in Tehran as Trump issues wrgent warning Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were expected to testify in a closed Capitol Hill session on Tuesday during a scheduled budget hearing, likely addressing Iran and Trump’s remarks. Neither Gabbard’s nor the CIA’s representatives immediately responded to requests for comment. In March, Gabbard told lawmakers the intelligence community closely monitored Iran’s nuclear activities, noting Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was at record levels for a non-nuclear weapons state. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear bombs if it chooses. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful. A November intelligence report under President Joe Biden also stated Iran “is not building a nuclear weapon” but noted it was taking steps to be able to produce one, such as expanding uranium enrichment and operating advanced centrifuges. The report did not specify how quickly Iran could develop a bomb. Trump’s immigration policies have also conflicted with intelligence findings. He cited a 1798 law to deport Venezuelan migrants, alleging links between the Tren de Aragua gang and the Venezuelan government, despite a recent intelligence assessment finding no such connection. Gabbard dismissed two senior intelligence officers leading the panel that produced the assessment, attributing their firing to their opposition to Trump. Trump orders expanding migrant deportation amid protests In response, the White House issued a statement from Gabbard backing the president: “President Trump took necessary and historic action to safeguard our nation by deporting these violent Tren de Aragua terrorists. Now that America is safer, deep state actors have resorted to propaganda attacks against the President’s successful policies.” Source: With inputs from agency