Israel and Iran

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Under attack from Israel, Iran’s supreme leader faces a stark choice

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who crushed internal threats repeatedly during more than three decades in power, now faces his greatest challenge yet. His archenemy, Israel, has secured free rein over Iran’s skies and is decimating the country’s military leadership and nuclear program with its punishing air campaign. Read More.

Iran's internet blackout leaves public in dark and creates an uneven picture of the war with Israel

As the war between Israel and Iran hits the one-week mark, Iranians have spent nearly half of the conflict in a near-communication blackout, unable to connect not only with the outside world but also with their neighbors and loved ones across the country. Read More.

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Israel-Iran war live: Iran launches drones towards Israel as US reportedly moves B-2 bombers to Guam – as it happened

Iran’s foreign minister urges US not to join war after a night of strikes from both Tehran and Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/21/israel-iran-war-live-fresh-attacks-exchanged-as-israel-says-it-has-set-back-tehrans-nuclear-program-by-at-least-two-or-three-years?

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Live updates: US intervenes in war between Israel and Iran by striking 3 Iranian nuclear sites

The U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, inserting itself into Israel’s effort to destroy Iran’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran’s threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday the U.S. had "crossed a very big red line." Read more.

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Israel-Iran

With the Israel-Iran conflict in its 11th day, both countries have launched a fresh wave of strikes on each other. About 20 Israeli fighter jets attacked military targets in Tehran and the western Iranian city of Kermanshah. The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes took out several surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites. Six Iranian airports were also targeted overnight and at least 15 fighter jets and helicopters were reportedly destroyed. In retaliation, Iran reportedly fired missiles at Israel, prompting people across the country to take shelter. Although the IDF attributed the sounds of explosions to interceptions or fallen projectiles, teams of first responders were still dispatched to reported impact sites.

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Live updates: Alarm grows after the US inserts itself into Israel’s war against Iran The U.S. military’s strike on three sites in Iran raised urgent questions about what remains of Tehran’s nuclear program and how its weakened military might respond. Read more.

Recent developments: President Donald Trump, who has warned of additional strikes if Tehran retaliates against U.S. forces, has mused about the possibility of “regime change” in Iran, despite administration officials earlier indicating they wanted to restart talks with Iran.   The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.   Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin on Monday, calling the U.S. airstrikes on Iran an “absolutely unprovoked aggression.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Israel targets Iran’s government, a notorious Tehran prison as Iran launches more attacks on Israel   How the US bombarded Iranian nuclear sites without detection   What to know about bunker-buster bombs unleashed on Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility

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Israel-Iran Ceasefire

President Donald Trump yesterday announced a phased ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel, reportedly brokered with the help of Qatar. Iran is expected to pause fighting first, followed by Israel 12 hours later, with the conflict ending as soon as tomorrow. The ceasefire was expected to go into effect around midnight ET. An Iranian official confirmed Tehran's agreement to the ceasefire as long as Israel stops its airstrikes, while Israel has not publicly acknowledged it as of this writing. See live updates here.    Trump's announcement on Truth Social came after Iran launched missiles at the US Al Udeid military base in Qatar in response to the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Roughly 10,000 troops are stationed at Al Udeid, the largest American military installation in the Middle East. Trump said Iran had provided advance warning of the missile strike, signaling a willingness to de-escalate. Nearly all of the missiles were intercepted, and no casualties were reported.    Earlier in the day, Israel struck the entrance to Iran's Evin prison, which houses political dissidents. See the nearly two-week conflict in maps here.

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How the ceasefire happened

Missiles and air-defense interceptors over Qatar yesterday after Iran launched an attack on U.S. forces at Al-Udeid Air Base. Framegrab from video: Getty Images The Trump-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel has, for now, brought an abrupt and extraordinary end to one of the Middle East's most explosive confrontations in decades, Axios' Barak Ravid and Zachary Basu write. Why it matters: The 12-day war sent shockwaves through a region already reeling from nearly two years of historic volatility and violence, beginning with Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. President Trump's military intervention to destroy Iranian nuclear sites brought the U.S. to the precipice of a major conflict that four of his predecessors had sought to avoid. But it set the stage for a ceasefire that — if it holds — could usher in a fundamentally new era for the Middle East, its security and its dominant powers. ? Trump told Axios' Barak Ravid in a phone call: "This is the end of the war. It is a great and wonderful thing for Israel and the world." Via Truth Social ⏱️ How it happened: Trump announced on social media at 6:02 p.m. ET that Israel and Iran had agreed to a "Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," ending "what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR.'" Iran responded with mixed signals, but state TV later said the ceasefire was in effect. Just a few hours ago, around 2 a.m. ET, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran in coordination with Trump. The situation remains dangerous: Israel is accusing Iran of breaking the ceasefire. For several hours before the ceasefire came into effect — and for several minutes after — Iran fired multiple missile barrages at Israel that killed civilians, threatening to upend Trump's deal. ? Behind the scenes: Trump's efforts to end the war began in earnest on Saturday, shortly after U.S. B-2 bombers launched 14 massive bunker-buster bombs that almost completely destroyed Iran's three main nuclear facilities. The president instructed Steve Witkoff, his special envoy to the Middle East, to communicate to the Iranians his desire to negotiate a deal to end the war, according to a White House official. Iran initially refused to engage and said diplomacy would be possible only after it exacted revenge by striking U.S. targets, a source with direct knowledge said. But prior to launching yesterday's missile attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Iran sent messages to the U.S. — via Qatar — conveying when and what targets they intended to strike, a White House official said. Immediately after the strike, which left no casualties, the Iranians sent another back-channel message notifying the White House that they would not conduct any further attacks on U.S. targets. The White House responded — again via the Qataris — saying the U.S. wouldn't retaliate to the Iranian attack, and reiterating its readiness to resume negotiations. ? Zoom in: The war ended with Iran at its weakest point since its devastating eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s. Israeli and U.S. officials both claim that it will take Iran years to rebuild its military power, reestablish its proxy network and restore its deterrence. Iran's nuclear program has likely been set back by years — and now faces the threat of further U.S. and Israeli military action if the regime seeks to rebuild it. Data: Congressional Research Service, CFR. Map: Axios Visuals Between the lines: A White House official argued that it was the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities that ultimately created the conditions for ending the war. "The Iranians understood Trump wasn't playing games and the Israelis were grateful that Trump did something they couldn't do on their own — and couldn't say no when he asked them to stop," the White House official said. The bottom line: For a president who promised deals but has struggled to end the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the Iran-Israel ceasefire would represent a massive success in his doctrine of "peace through strength."

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Live updates: Trump ceasefire falters as Israel says Iran launched more missiles Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end their 12-day war that roiled the Middle East, after Tehran launched a limited, retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. Read more.

Recent developments: The acceptance of the deal by both sides came after Iran launched a final onslaught of missiles targeting Israel that killed at least four people early Tuesday morning, while Israel launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across the Islamic Republic before dawn.   However, Israel’s military said it had detected further Iranian missile fire hours after the start of the ceasefire. Iran’s military denied it fired missiles at Israel hours after a ceasefire began, Iranian state television reported.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Israel says Iran launched more missiles after ceasefire starts. Iranian military denies that   Israeli forces fire on people waiting for aid in Gaza, killing 25, witnesses and hospitals say   WATCH: Qatar says one of 19 missiles fired by Iran impacted US base but caused no casualties   Israel-Iran In the past 48 hours, President Donald Trump ordered US warplanes to drop massive bombs on three nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran retaliated by attacking one of the largest US air bases in the Middle East. Trump then announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was “in effect.” However, earlier today, Israel accused Iran of an “utter violation” of the ceasefire for launching a “barrage of missiles.” Iran denied violating the ceasefire and said that Israel had engaged in multiple strikes on Tehran before the ceasefire went into effect. Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Trump said both Iran and Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” he said, adding, ”I’m not happy with Israel.”

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Israel-Iran

In the past 48 hours, President Donald Trump ordered US warplanes to drop massive bombs on three nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran retaliated by attacking one of the largest US air bases in the Middle East. Trump then announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was “in effect.” However, earlier today, Israel accused Iran of an “utter violation” of the ceasefire for launching a “barrage of missiles.” Iran denied violating the ceasefire and said that Israel had engaged in multiple strikes on Tehran before the ceasefire went into effect. Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Trump said both Iran and Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” he said, adding, ”I’m not happy with Israel.”   A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel gives rise to hopes for a long-term peace The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Wednesday after a rocky start, giving rise to cautious hope that it could lead to a long-term peace agreement even as Tehran insists it will not give up its nuclear program. Read more. Recent developments: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed Wednesday that the country’s nuclear facilities had been “badly damaged” in American strikes over the weekend. Speaking on Al Jazeera, Baghaei refused to go into detail but conceded the strikes on Sunday by American B-2 bombers using bunker-buster bombs had been significant.   At the NATO summit Wednesday, when asked about a U.S. intelligence report that found Iran’s nuclear program has been set back only a few months, Trump scoffed and said it would at least take “years” to rebuild.   Iran has insisted it will not give up its nuclear program and in a vote underscoring the tough path ahead, the Iranian parliament agreed to fast-track a proposal that would effectively stop the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based U.N. watchdog that has been monitoring the Iranian nuclear program for years. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A changed Middle East brings vindication for Netanyahu but comes at a cost for Israel   Beijing, a longtime friend of Tehran, turns to cautious diplomacy in Iran’s war with Israel   This is what could happen next after an Israel-Iran ceasefire

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Iranian Kurdish dissidents abroad watch for signs of Tehran vulnerability after war with Israel From abroad, Iranian Kurdish dissident groups have been watching closely for signs that Iran’s theocracy could falter in its grip on the country. Now, with the fragile ceasefire with Israel holding and many Iranians trying to return to a normal life, questions swirl about whether and how much the war has weakened Iran’s clerical rule, in place since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Read more.

Why this matters: A handful of Iranian Kurdish groups — many with a distinctly militant past — have long found a safe haven in northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, but their presence has been a point of friction between the central government in Baghdad and Tehran. Their armed bases were shut down and their movement within Iraq restricted, but the groups have not entirely given up their weapons.   The dissident groups are walking a fine line, balancing the differences among themselves and with their hosts in Iraq, the Iraqi Kurds and the Iraqi government in Baghdad — neither of which they want to antagonize. Despite having shared grievances over the marginalization of Kurds in Iran, the Iranian Kurdish parties have not been able to build a consensus.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Senators diverge sharply on damage done by Iran strikes after classified briefing   Pete Hegseth attacks old Fox News colleague’s reporting on Iran strikes intelligence evaluation   Iran’s top diplomat says talks with US ‘complicated’ by American strike on nuclear sites

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A fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war tests the harmony of Los Angeles’ huge Iranian community

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Tehrangeles” in West Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran.

https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-iranian-diaspora-israel-iran-war-37a2bec87bd1982e709df5efdbc01d60?

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Israel Secretly Recruited Iranian Dissidents to Attack Their Country From Within

In the early morning hours of June 13, a commando team led by a young Iranian, S.T., settled into position on the outskirts of Tehran. The target was an anti-aircraft battery, part of the umbrella of radars and missiles set up to protect the capital and its military installations from aerial attack.

https://www.propublica.org/article/israel-iran-war-mossad-iranian-recruits?

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• ?? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of attacking Iran again in 2026 during his meeting with President Trump on Monday, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Go deeper.

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Israel Is Cynically Capitalizing on the Iranian Protests for Its Own Ends

For more than a week now, protests over the cost of living and skyrocketing inflation have rocked the streets of Iran. While the protests are the largest such movement against the government since protests over the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, they’ve been smaller so far, despite reports of demonstrations in at least 78 cities already. While protests over the dire state of the economy are not unusual, these protests have begun amid a new push by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another war with Iran over its ballistic missile program. The explosion of attention has been emanating almost entirely from Washington and Tel Aviv, where powerful interests were hoping from nearly the first day of the protests that the overthrow of the Islamic Republic was finally at hand.

https://theintercept.com/2026/01/05/iran-protests-israel-netanyah/?

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Israeli strikes rock Tehran as Iran’s counterattacks widen after the killing of the supreme leader An enormous explosion rocked Iran’s capital Sunday as the Israeli military said it was striking targets in central Tehran. Earlier, Iran fired missiles at an ever-widening list of targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Live updates: Israel hits Tehran as Iran’s counterattacks widen after the supreme leader was killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic since 1989, is dead at 86 9 killed as protesters try to storm US Consulate in Pakistan over killing of Iran’s supreme leader World leaders urge return to talks after U.S. and Israeli strikes kill Iran leader Ali Khamenei How succession works in Iran and who could be the country’s next supreme leader Trump was once wary of ordering regime change in Iran. Here’s what made him change his mind Trump talks regime change in Iran after strikes, but history shows that could be very hard War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress Photos show US-Israeli strikes and Iran’s response