Iranian nuclear scientists targeted in Tehran car bombings as roads fill up with people fleeing for their lives – while Israel claims Iran’s latest wave of missile strikes failed to land

Israeli officials have denied partaking in the detonations of car bombs in Tehran.

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar says that while his government expected civilian casualties from its attack on Iran, it ‘didn’t have any other choice.’

He said: ‘When we took this historic decision, tough decision, we knew we will have difficult times and we will face casualties, but saying that, we didn’t have any other choice.’

The IDF has denied claims that it is carrying out strikes on Iran to force the current regime out.

Israel’s cabinet has approved extending the nationwide state of emergency until at least June 30.

President Donald Trump told a news network Sunday it remains possible the United States will become involved in the Iran-Israel conflict and that he would be ‘open’ to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin being a mediator.

‘It’s possible we could get involved’ in the ongoing battle between the Middle East arch-foes, Trump said in an interview, according to ABC News.

The network added that Trump stressed that the United States is ‘not at this moment’ involved in the military action.

As for Putin being a potential mediator in the conflict, ‘he is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,’ Trump said.

Russia’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said in a post on X on Sunday that Russia can play ‘a key role’ in mediating the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Dmitriev was responding to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflict.

Iran has claimed that Israel has detonated five car bombs in Tehran.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that they were set off by Israel-linked groups.

These claims have not yet been verified.

Reuters is reporting that at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks.

Etihad Airways has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until at least June 22.

It said in a statement: ‘This remains a developing situation, and some disruption and delays may be expected in the coming days.’

Israel has reportedly struck Iran’s Justice and Intelligence ministries, in the heart of Tehran.

The IDF has now said that civilians in central and northern Israel don’t need to seek shelter in bunkers anymore.

US president Donald Trump has urged Iran and Israel to make a deal with each other.

Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: ‘Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP!

‘Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR.

‘I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River.

‘There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.

‘I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!’

Russia’s embassy in Tehran said on Sunday that it was working on the option of evacuating Russian citizens from Iran by a land route.

Explosions have been heard in the Tel Aviv area. It is not currently known what has been hit in the Israeli city, nor how many missiles Iran has fired.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iraq on Sunday to block Israel from using its airspace and territory to launch attacks on the Islamic republic.

‘We emphasise that the Iraqi government must exercise greater vigilance and protection of its borders and airspace so that Iraqi territory is not misused against the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ said Pezeshkian in a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Iran would pay ‘a very heavy price’ for killing Israeli civilians.

Speaking at the site of a missile strike in Bet Yam, he said: ‘Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children.’

Iran says the death toll from Israel’s strikes is now 128.

Sirens are being sounded across central Israel and Jerusalem, as Iran launches another missile barrage.

The IDF says it is workring to shoot down the missiles.

Officials in the city of Bat Yam have issued a new warning telling people to stay near a protected space.

It comes as the IDF told Israelis across the country to avoid gatherings and public spaces.

The military said: ‘Movement in public areas should be minimised, and public gatherings must be avoided. Upon receiving an alert, enter a protected space and remain there until an official update is issued.’

Israel bombed Yemen overnight in an attempt to kill a top military official in the Houthi group, the New York Times has reported.

An airstrike on the country saw Israel attempt to take out Mohamed Al-Ghamari, the Houthi military’s chief of staff.

It is not currently known if Al-Ghamari was killed or injured in the attack, and the Houthis have not publicly commented on it yet.

Iran has warned of ‘more decisive and severe’ attacks as local media reported 128 had been killed in Israel strikes on Friday and Saturday.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran’s military has so far responded ‘strongly and appropriately’.

Pictured below is a partially collapsed block of flats in Bat Yam after it was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile.

Britons have been warned not to travel to Israel as the conflict with Iran ramps up today.

The Foreign Office is now advising ‘against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories’.

Planning is also believed to be under way to evacuate UK nationals if the situation deteriorates further.

The stark message came as Israel and Iran continued to bombard each other overnight.

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Two drones launched from Iran towards Israel were shot down over Iraq by the US-led international coalition to defeat the Islamic State group, two Iraqi military officials told news agency AFP.

‘The international coalition at Ain al-Asad (military base) shot down two Iranian drones that were en route to Israel,’ one official said, referring to an Iraqi airbase housing foreign troops in western Iraq.

The drones were shot down overnight Saturday to Sunday, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The other official said the drones were targeted because they entered the defensive perimeter of the anti-jihadist coalition, where troops are instructed to engage any potential threat.

Two explosions have been heard in central Tehran.

Unverified footage posted on X shows three pillars of smoke rising in the city.

According to the Tasnim news agency, missile-like projectiles hit two locations today.

The news agency shared footage of the explosion site, saying it occurred near the central Valiasr Square.

The video showed columns of smoke rising from the area, with debris and shattered glass scattered across the scene. Other media carried similar reports.

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Iran ‘will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women, and children’.

The Israeli Prime Minister warned ‘it will happen soon’ after he said Tehran had targeted the civilians deliberately in a barrage of missile attacks that were launched overnight.

Netanyahu made the comments on X alongside photos of the PM visiting the city of Bat Yam where flats were destroyed in the strikes.

Iran will pay a very heavy price for the murder of women, children, and innocent civilians – and it will happen soon. I am here at the scene together with the rescue forces and the Home Front Command. On behalf of the people of Israel – we send a hug to the families and once again call on every citizen: obey the instructions – it saves lives.

We are in an existential battle, facing a cruel enemy who is planning destruction. Our soldiers and pilots are operating bravely – above the skies of Iran. This is a war of salvation. We will strike them with one blow – and we will win.

El Al, Israel’s national airline, has cancelled flights going to and from major European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow.

It said today that all flights have been cancelled up to and including June 17.

The carrier said: ‘Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel.’

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has released a list of seven further air force commanders who were killed in Israel’s strikes.

The list includes its head, Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

The BBC has reported that explosions have been heard in Tehran’s Shahrak-e Gharb and Saadat Abad neighbourhoods.

Iranian officials have told local media that the capital’s air defence systems have been activated.

Iran’s health minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghand has today said that the majority of those killed by Israeli airstrikes since Friday are women and children.

While no official tally has been given for the entire weekend’s violence, Iran’s UN agency said on Friday that at least 78 had been killed, while 320 were wounded.