Iranian parliament moves to close Strait of Hormuz

At least nine members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed Sunday in Israeli attacks on central Iran, local media reported, as fighting between the two foes continued.

"Following the aggression of the barbaric Zionist regime and its mercenaries against two military centres in Yazd city, seven Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps personnel and two conscripts were martyred," the Tasnim news agency reported, quoting an IRGC statement.

Others were injured in the attack, it added. The Fars news agency had earlier said Israeli strikes targeted two military sites in Yazd.

- AFP

The United States would allow Iran to operate nuclear power plants but not enrich its own fuel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday, after a wave of American strikes aimed to wipe out Iran's nuclear program.

"The Iranian regime should wake up and say 'OK, if we really want nuclear energy in our country, there's a way to do it.' That offer's still there, we're prepared to talk to them tomorrow," he told Fox News.

"Ultimately, they have to make a decision. It's a very simple decision: if what they want is nuclear reactors so they can have electricity -- there are so many other countries in the world that do that, and they don't have to enrich their own uranium -- they can do that," Rubio added.

- AFP

In a decisive response to the US aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, the Iranian parliament has voted to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

A senior Iranian lawmaker, Esmaeil Kowsari, said on Sunday that the Majlis (Iranian parliament) has agreed to close the key artery for global energy trade in response to the American aggression and the silence of the international community.

Kowsari, a member of the parliament’s committee on national security and foreign policy, said lawmakers have reached a consensus on the closure of the strait, though the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. [Press TV]

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US Vice President JD Vance, in his first public comments since President Donald Trump authorized US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, emphasized that the US is “not at war” with Iran as he laid out the president’s decision-making process.

“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.”

Later, Vance sought to calm concerns among those who fear the US is drifting toward another extended conflict in the Middle East following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“The president, more than anybody, is worried about protracted military conflicts. That is not what we’re getting ourselves involved in,” Vance said. [CNN]

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President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged Tehran to de-escalate and "exercise the utmost restraint" after US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in a call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.

Together with European partners, France has advocated a diplomatic solution to end the conflict between Israel and Iran.

"I called for de-escalation and for Iran to exercise the utmost restraint in this dangerous context to allow a return to the diplomatic path," Macron posted on X.

He said he also told Iran to "renounce nuclear weapons," warning of "the risk of the worst for the entire region".

"This is the only path that leads to peace and security for all," Macron said.

On Sunday, Macron also spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

- AFP

Seven stealth bombers were used in the US attack against Iranian nuclear sites, which apparently saw little response by Iran's military, top general Dan Caine said Sunday.

Describing the complex operation, dubbed "Midnight Hammer," Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said the "main strike package comprised of 7 B-2 Spirit bombers" flying 18 hours from the US mainland to Iran with multiple aerial refuelings.

"Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface to air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission. We retained the element of surprise," Caine added.

- AFP

China's foreign ministry said on Sunday it "strongly condemns" US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, adding that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East".

"China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible," the ministry said in a statement.

Hours earlier President Donald Trump said US warplanes struck three Iranian nuclear sites, as Washington joined Israel's war with Tehran in a flashpoint moment for the Middle East.

- AFP

France expressed concern Sunday over US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and urged "restraint" as President Emmanuel Macron planned to convene a meeting of the defence council.

Together with European partners, France has advocated a diplomatic solution in a bid to end the conflict between Israel and Iran.

"France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites of Iran's nuclear programme," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X on Sunday.

He said that France did not take part in planning the strikes.

Barrot added that France was urging "all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict".

Macron had said Saturday that France and its European partners planned to step up talks with Iran.

The French presidency said Macron would convene a meeting of the defence and national security council from 1730 GMT Sunday.

The president, who spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and the leader of Oman earlier Sunday, "intends to continue his contacts with European partners and leaders in the region in the coming hours", his office added.

- AFP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed Sunday for "immediate de-escalation" during a call with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, after the United States launched air strikes on the country.

"We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability," Modi wrote on social media platform X.

- AFP

The United States and Israel crossed a major red line in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran's top diplomat warned Sunday, saying he was heading to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin.

"They crossed a very big red line by attacking (Iran's) nuclear facilities," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

He was speaking just hours after President Donald Trump said US warplanes struck three Iranian nuclear sites, nine days into an Israeli bombing campaign targeting its nuclear facilities.

"The most dangerous one happened only last night," Araghchi said, while acknowledging he did not know the full extent of the damage done in the strikes, including one at the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo.

"I still do not have exact information about the level of damages, but I don't think it matters... Last night's attack was a grave crime," he said. [AFP]

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Russia said Sunday that it "strongly condemned" the United State's bombings of nuclear sites in Iran, calling the attacks "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law".

"It is already clear that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry added in a statement.

- AFP

Israel is to temporarily reopen its airspace for flights from 1100 GMT on Sunday as it repatriates thousands of citizens left stranded overseas by its war with Iran, the country's airport authority said.

Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv "will open for landings from 02:00pm -- 8:00pm as part of Operation Safe Return", the authority said in a statement, referring to the government's efforts to bring home citizens.

- AFP

The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Sunday called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations after the United States joined Israel's war with Iran by striking the country's nuclear sites.

Kallas said that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, describing the possibility as "a threat to international security" -- but stressed that Brussels remained committed to diplomacy, at a flashpoint moment for the Middle East.

"I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday.

More personnel from the United States diplomatic mission departed Iraq over the weekend as part of ongoing efforts to reduce embassy staffing due to "regional tensions", a US official said Sunday after Washington attacked Iranian nuclear sites.

After the US strikes, Iraq's government denounced a "military escalation" that threatens "peace and stability in the Middle East."

The US official told AFP that "as part of our ongoing effort to streamline operations, additional personnel departed Iraq on June 21 and 22."

The departures were a continuation of a process that started last week "out of an abundance of caution and due to heightened regional tensions", he added.

- AFP

Iran's armed forces said Sunday they targeted multiple sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport, after US attacks on key nuclear sites in the Islamic republic.

"The twentieth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 began using a combination of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles with devastating warhead power," the armed forces said in a statement quoted by Fars news agency. The targets included the airport, a "biological research centre", logistics bases and various layers of command and control centres, it added.

- AFP

At least 16 people were hurt and at least one impact was reported in central Israel after Iran launched two waves of missiles at the country following the US bombing of its nuclear sites, rescue services and reports said.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that it had "evacuated 16 people to hospital, including a 30-year-old man in moderate condition after being wounded in the upper body by shrapnel".

Public broadcaster KAN 11 showed images of a devastated building surrounded by mounds of rubble that it said was in central Israel, following the two waves of missiles launched at Israel from around 7:30 am (0430 GMT).

Sirens rang around the country after the Israeli army reported the incoming missiles, with air defences activated shortly afterwards, causing loud explosions heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

- AFP

Israel's military said on Sunday it had detected two waves of missiles fired from Iran, as air raid sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and explosions rocked Jerusalem.

"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the military said in a statement.

"At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat."

A similar statement about another wave of missiles was issued 30 minutes later before the alert was lifted at around 8:10 am (0510 GMT).

- AFP

Iraq warned on Sunday that the US attacks on its neighbour Iran's nuclear facilities threaten peace and stability in the Middle East.

Iraq "expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the targeting of nuclear facilities" in Iran, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said. "This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability," he added.

The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday said that it had not detected any increase in radiation levels at key nuclear sites in Iran following US air strikes.

"Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran... the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time," the nuclear watchdog posted on X, just hours after US President Donald Trump said the strikes had "totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.

- AFP

Iran's state TV announced on Sunday new missile launches against Israel after Tel Aviv's closest ally the United States bombed several Iranian nuclear sites.

"These live images you are seeing are of a new salvo of Iranian missiles fired on the occupied territories," said a presenter on air, referring to Israel. Citing "sources", a presenter said that "30 missiles have been launched at Israel from Iran".

- AFP

Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned "blatant US aggression" against Iran after President Donald Trump said American warplanes bombed Tehran's main nuclear enrichment facilities.

"The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemns in the strongest terms the blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the group said in a statement issued after Trump announced the United States had joined Israel's bombing campaign against Iran.

"This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation," the Hamas statement added, calling the attack "a flagrant violation of international law, and a direct threat to international peace and security".

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the US strikes on Iran has fulfilled a “promise” he made to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities when Israel first launched an unprovoked attack on that country more than one week ago.

“A short time ago, in full coordination between me and President Trump, and in full operational coordination between the IDF (Israeli army) and the United States military, the United States attacked Iran’s three nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, said in a social media post.

“In doing so, the United States continued, with greater intensity and with great force, the attacks of the IDF and the Mossad on Iran’s nuclear program. This program threatened our very existence and also endangered the peace of the entire world.”

- AL Jazeera

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern Saturday at strikes carried out by the United States on Iran nuclear sites, calling them a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge."

"At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said in a statement. "There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."

-    AFP

Iranian authorities said Sunday "no signs of contamination" after the US attacks on key nuclear sites in several parts of the country.

"No signs of contamination have been recorded," according to National Centre for the Nuclear Safety System, which operates under Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

"There is therefore no danger for the inhabitants living around the ... sites."

- AFP

Israel has raised its alert level, permitting only essential activities until further notice, the military announced on Sunday after US strikes on Iran.

"It was decided to shift all areas of the country from Partial and Limited Activity to Essential Activity," including "a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors", the Israeli military statement said.

- AFP