Live Blog Update| Israel attacks Iran
This is an entry from: Live: Iran holds funeral for top military, nuclear figures killed in Israeli strikes

Welcome to our live coverage

18 June 2025 05:44 BST

Hello and welcome to Middle East Eye's live coverage as we track the latest developments following Israel's strikes on Iran, now entering their sixth day and marking a major escalation in regional tensions.

  • Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran after warning residents near Mehrabad Airport’s District 18 to evacuate.

  • Iran retaliates with missile attacks, with explosions reported over Tel Aviv. Shrapnel sparks a fire in a central Israeli car park.

  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declares “the battle begins” in a post on X, following a warning from US President Donald Trump: “We know exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader is hiding… We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now… Our patience is wearing thin.”

  • Trump demands Iran’s "unconditional surrender", claiming the US now has "complete control over Iran’s skies".

  • The US deploys additional fighter jets to the Middle East amid escalating tensions.

  • IAEA revises assessment, confirming Israel’s strike on Natanz nuclear site directly hit an underground enrichment facility.

  • In Gaza, US forces kill at least 89 Palestinians, including 70 people gathering for food aid in Khan Younis.