LIVE Iran-Israel war: Iran fires six missiles at US’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar; explosions reported in Doha

At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by Iran and held in the very early hours of Monday (India time) — to discuss Sunday's US strikes on the three Iranian nuclear facilities of Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz — acting US ambassador Dorothy Shear reiterated President Donald Trump's warning that “any Iranian attack — direct or indirect — against Americans or American bases will be met with devastating retaliation”.

She also said the US acted in defence of Israeli and American citizens to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon after it “obfuscated” about its nuclear weapons programme and “stonewalled good-faith efforts in recent negotiations”, urging the UNSC to call on Iran to end its 47-year effort to eradicate Israel, terminate its nuclear programme, stop targeting Americans and US interests and “negotiate peace in good faith".

Meanwhile, Trump on Sunday seemed to suggest that if Iran’s current regime can’t “Make Iran Great Again”, a regime change might be inevitable, though he had earlier negated that possibility. “It’s not politically correct to say ‘Regime Change,’ but if they can’t do it—why not? MIGA!!!” he posted on his Truth Social handle.

More in yesterday's live updates

Qatar has strongly condemned the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base, calling it a clear violation of the country's sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the UN Charter.

In an official statement, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly and proportionately to the attack, in line with international law. He confirmed that Qatar’s air defences successfully intercepted the missiles, preventing any casualties.

Al-Ansari emphasised that the attack poses a serious threat to regional security and warned that continued military escalation could have catastrophic consequences for international peace. He reiterated Qatar’s longstanding calls for de-escalation, dialogue, and a return to diplomacy, stressing that “dialogue is the only way to overcome the current crises.”

The base had been evacuated in advance as a precaution due to rising tensions in the region. A more detailed statement from the Ministry of Defence is expected.

Qasrak, the primary US military base in northeast Syria has been placed on full alert, with heightened security and mobilisation measures in place, according to security sources. The move comes in response to concerns over potential attacks by Iran or Iran-aligned militias.

The base is one of two key American military installations in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province. Qasrak plays a central role in supporting US operations in the region, particularly in coordination with local Kurdish-led forces and in monitoring the activities of extremist groups.

The alert status reflects growing tensions in the region following a series of attacks and missile strikes involving US assets in the Middle East, including the recent targeting of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Iranian ballistic missiles.

Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin has declared that Israel will persist in targeting all elements of the Iranian regime involved in actions deemed a threat to the state of Israel.

“The strikes will continue,” Defrin said, emphasising that Israeli operations will focus on any actors within the Iranian establishment believed to be plotting against Israeli security. The statement signals sustained military action amid escalating regional conflict.

The United Arab Emirates has shut its airspace amid growing regional tensions, according to flight path data and air traffic control recordings shared by FlightRadar on X.

The move follows similar action by Qatar, which temporarily closed its airspace earlier in the day in response to heightened fears of Iranian retaliation following US strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Kuwait Airways has suspended all departing flights, citing ongoing regional developments and safety concerns.

Bahrain has announced a temporary shutdown of its airspace in response to rising regional tensions and fears of Iranian retaliation following recent US strikes on Iran.

The decision follows similar precautionary measures taken by Qatar, as Gulf nations prepare for the possibility of further escalation in the ongoing conflict. The closure aims to ensure the safety of civilian air traffic amid growing uncertainty in the region.

Qatar has issued a strong condemnation of Iran’s missile strike on the US Al-Udeid Air Base, calling it a “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, airspace, and the UN Charter.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said in an official statement that the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly to what he described as “blatant aggression,” in line with international law.

Al-Ansari also claimed that Qatari air defences successfully intercepted the missiles, preventing any casualties or major damage. The statement marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions following Iran’s retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

Iran’s top security body has stated that its missile strike on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar was carefully executed to avoid civilian harm, claiming the base is “far from urban facilities and residential areas.” It also said Iran matched the number of bombs used by the US in its earlier attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Qatar, while confirming no casualties in the strike, strongly condemned the Iranian action and asserted that it “reserves its right to respond.” The incident marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with both military and diplomatic stakes rising rapidly.

Iran has launched a major retaliatory missile operation targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, according to Iranian state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially confirmed that the American Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—home to the largest US military presence in the Middle East—was among the targets struck.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that the coordinated attack marks the beginning of an operation codenamed “Annunciation of Victory”, in response to the US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last week.

Explosions were reportedly heard in Doha following the strikes, though the extent of the damage and casualties, if any, has not yet been independently confirmed.

The attacks signal a dramatic escalation in the conflict, with Tehran openly confronting US military infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, there is heightened alert across the Gulf, as concerns grow over the potential for further retaliatory moves and broader regional fallout.

Qatar has temporarily shut its airspace in response to escalating regional tensions, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, according to a report by Reuters. The closure follows renewed threats by Iran to retaliate against the United States after recent strikes on its nuclear facilities, further intensifying security concerns across the Gulf region. 

The UN fact-finding mission on Iran has issued a stark assessment of the humanitarian crisis unfolding amid ongoing Israeli air strikes, reporting that medical facilities across the country are overwhelmed and struggling to cope. According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 400 people have been killed, with the UN confirming the deaths of three Red Crescent workers in the attacks.

The strikes have severely damaged critical infrastructure, including a children’s autism clinic and a hospital in Kermanshah. The mission also highlighted that mass evacuation threats and bombing campaigns have led to the internal displacement of millions in Tehran and surrounding areas.

The UN expressed concern over shortages of essential medical supplies, hindering hospitals’ ability to treat the injured and uphold the right to health. It further noted that some Israeli attacks — such as those targeting Iran’s state broadcasting agency and the reported killing of Iranian scientists — may constitute violations of international humanitarian law.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has criticised the recent Israeli and US military actions against Iran, saying they send “the wrong signals to the world” and risk setting a dangerous precedent.

Referring to Israel’s attacks over a “possible future threat” and the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites, Wang said such actions undermine global stability. In a statement released by China’s foreign ministry, he called on all parties involved to return to dialogue and negotiations to de-escalate the crisis.

Questions are mounting in Washington as satellite imagery of the recent US strikes on Iran has proven inconclusive, prompting concerns across political and security circles. With uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of the attacks, President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene a high-level national security briefing with his team at 17:00 GMT.

Among the key issues troubling the White House is the unverified relocation of enriched uranium from Iran’s Fordow facility ahead of the US strikes. Reports suggest that sensitive material may have been moved prior to the bombing, raising questions over intelligence and the actual impact of the military action.

There is also growing anxiety over how Iran may respond. Speculation continues over whether Tehran could target US military bases across the Middle East, where around 40,000 American troops are stationed, many accompanied by their families. Citizens in the region and in the United States have been advised to remain on high alert.

In addition to military concerns, the US has increased vigilance domestically, especially around cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, as the administration braces for any form of retaliation in the days ahead.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday affirmed Iran’s full right to self-defence, describing the strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran as “unbreakable,” according to Russian state media.

When asked if Iran had sought military assistance from Russia, Ryabkov told Interfax that the two nations were cooperating in several areas but said it would be “irresponsible” to disclose further details.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has criticised recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, stating they are “not in line with international law.” Speaking to Norway’s NTB news agency, he said the attacks have further complicated the Middle East crisis and left the UN Security Council effectively paralysed.

While acknowledging that international law allows for self-defence, Store questioned whether the US action meets that threshold. “It is debatable whether this falls into the category of self-defence,” he said, adding that the strikes highlight the urgent need for a lasting diplomatic agreement with Iran.

The Israeli military has issued a Persian-language warning urging civilians in Tehran to stay away from military bases, weapons factories, and security institutions. It said strikes on “military targets” in the capital would continue in the coming days.

Former US President Donald Trump has called for oil prices to be kept low amid growing speculation that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote in all caps: “EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!”—though he did not specify who the message was directed at.

In a follow-up post, Trump ordered the US Department of Energy to “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded via its Telegram channel, claiming: “Rumours of closing the Strait of Hormuz have Trump scared!” The Strait, which connects the oil-rich Gulf to the Indian Ocean, sees the passage of about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply each day.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned Iran against retaliatory action following recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling any such move a “catastrophic mistake.” In an interview with the BBC, Lammy confirmed that he had spoken directly with Iran’s foreign minister to convey Britain’s concerns.

“I told Iran that it would be a catastrophic mistake for them to retaliate by firing at US bases, or by blockading the key shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

While regional tensions remain high, the UK has distanced itself from the American military action. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain had no involvement in the strikes and emphasised the urgent need to avoid further escalation.

The United States is preparing for possible Iranian retaliation within the coming days, following its air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend, officials told Reuters on Monday. While Washington maintains it is still open to a diplomatic resolution, military precautions have been stepped up amid rising tensions.

Former President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian response would be met with “overwhelming force.” General Dan Caine confirmed that the US military has enhanced protective measures for troops stationed in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has also repositioned aircraft and naval assets away from high-risk locations, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

The US has around 40,000 troops deployed across the region, many of them based in areas vulnerable to missile strikes. Tehran, meanwhile, has pledged to defend itself and respond firmly to what it describes as American aggression.

Former US President Donald Trump believes the Iranian people should overthrow their government if it continues to reject diplomatic negotiations over its nuclear program, the White House said on Monday 23 June.

Speaking on Fox News, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a peaceful diplomatic solution—which the president is still interested and engaging in, by the way—why shouldn’t the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime that has been suppressing them for decades?”

While reaffirming Trump’s interest in a diplomatic path, the remarks reflect a more confrontational tone amid rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Air France has announced a suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until July 14 due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed. The carrier has also suspended services to and from Beirut, Lebanon, until 25 June.

Additionally, flights to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, have been cancelled until 24 June.

Other international airlines are also adjusting operations. Finland’s Finnair has cancelled flights to and from Doha, Qatar, through 30 June citing security concerns, while British Airways announced on Sunday the suspension of its flights to both Doha and Dubai. The widespread cancellations reflect growing concerns over airspace safety amid ongoing conflict in the region.

The death toll in Gaza continues to climb rapidly as Israeli air strikes intensify alongside its ongoing military engagement with Iran. In one deadly attack in northwestern Gaza City, five members of a family were killed, and 13 others were critically injured and rushed to al-Shifa Hospital, which is now overwhelmed and unable to handle the growing number of casualties.

Amid the bombardment, starving Palestinians gathered at food distribution centres in Rafah and the Netzarim Corridor, desperate for aid. Thirteen of them were shot dead today, part of at least 30 Palestinians killed since the early hours by Israeli military action.

The Netzarim Corridor, once a vibrant Palestinian neighbourhood with rich agricultural land, has been reduced to rubble, now occupied and controlled as a “security corridor” by Israeli forces. The simultaneous assaults on Gaza and Iran mark a dangerous escalation with devastating humanitarian consequences.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot has called for an immediate end to military strikes on Iran, warning that the escalating conflict could have devastating consequences for the Middle East and global stability. Speaking at a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Barrot said France is “deeply concerned” about the unfolding situation, which he said poses serious risks for both France and Europe.

While strongly criticising Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat to Israel and Europe, Barrot also condemned the Iranian regime’s continued detention of French citizens. His remarks underscore France’s call for de-escalation while maintaining a firm stance on nuclear proliferation and human rights.

The Israeli military has said it carried out air raids targeting access routes to Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which was bombed by the United States over the weekend.

According to a military statement, the strikes were intended “to obstruct access routes to the Fordow enrichment site,” reinforcing the effects of US airstrikes. US President Donald Trump earlier claimed the site had been “totally obliterated” by the American attack.

Power supply in northern Tehran was restored on Monday following outages caused by an Israeli air raid earlier in the day, according to Iranian media reports. “The outages were completely resolved in northern Tehran,” the Tasnim news agency reported, citing the regional electricity company. The strike was part of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, which have led to significant damage and disruptions across multiple areas.

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday criticised the central government for its silence on the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Speaking to reporters at the PCC office in Jaipur, Gehlot questioned why India, once a key voice in global peace efforts, has remained mute during the current crisis.

Recalling India’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Gehlot said, “India was the main leader of the third world nations. Our identity was that we were non-aligned, not part of any group.”

He also criticised the US for its sudden intervention in the conflict, saying, “America says it will decide in 15 days and then suddenly enters the conflict at night with an attack. The world is in distress and India is silent. Why is India not saying anything?” Gehlot’s remarks add to the growing domestic and international scrutiny over India’s diplomatic positioning amid rising global tensions.

At least two supertankers made U-turns near the Strait of Hormuz following US military strikes on Iran, ship tracking data has revealed, as escalating violence in the region causes significant disruption to maritime traffic. Vessels are now zig-zagging, speeding through, or pausing their journeys to avoid spending unnecessary time in the strategic waterway, according to industry sources.

Singapore-based Sentosa Shipbrokers reported a sharp decline in traffic, noting that the number of empty tankers entering the Gulf has dropped by 32 per cent, while loaded tanker departures are down 27 per cent compared to early May levels. The Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for global oil shipments, has become increasingly volatile, raising fresh concerns about energy supply security.

An Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Evin prison has been condemned as “completely irresponsible” by Noemie Kohler, the sister of French national Cecile Kohler, who is currently detained in Iran. Speaking to AFP on Monday, Kohler expressed deep concern for her sister’s safety following the strike.

“We have no news, we don’t know if they are still alive, we’re panicking,” she said, urging the French government to strongly condemn the attack and take immediate action to secure the release of French prisoners held in Iran. Evin prison, notorious for housing political detainees and foreign nationals, has come under increasing international attention amid rising regional hostilities.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has described the escalating conflict in the Middle East as “very urgent,” warning that the Israel-US attack on Iran could have serious global economic repercussions. Speaking amid rising regional tensions, Lee expressed concern that a spike in oil prices could drive inflation higher in South Korea, negatively impacting citizens’ livelihoods.

As Asia’s fourth-largest economy, South Korea is highly dependent on energy imports. In 2023, 72 per cent of its crude oil came from the Middle East, making the country particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the region. Lee’s remarks underscore growing international alarm over the wider consequences of the conflict.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister for education and research, Saeed Khatibzadeh, has warned that Tehran may target United States military bases across the Middle East in response to continued attacks on its nuclear facilities. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Tehran, Khatibzadeh said Iran reserves the right to determine the timing, scale, and nature of its response to US actions.

He described the recent US bombings of nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility, as a “grave mistake” and a violation of international law. “Iran will decide on how, when and at which level to respond to [the] Americans,” he said, without ruling out military retaliation across the region. The comments come amid growing tensions and the risk of broader regional conflict.

A missile launched by Iran struck near a “strategic infrastructure facility” in southern Israel, causing power outages in surrounding areas, according to The Times of Israel. The strike is part of a broader escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel.

In response, Israeli air raids have targeted key locations in and around Tehran, resulting in massive explosions, as reported by teams on the ground. The Israeli military confirmed it is continuing its operations, focusing on command centres of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The exchange marks a dangerous intensification of the conflict, with both sides hitting strategic assets deep within each other’s territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, 23 June 2025, told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi that the recent aggression against Iran was “groundless.” The statement came at the start of official talks held at the Kremlin in Moscow, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s support for Iran and expressed Moscow’s readiness to assist the Iranian people during this period of heightened confrontation. The meeting underscores Russia’s growing alignment with Tehran and signals its intent to play a more active diplomatic and strategic role in West Asian affairs.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the use of its newly developed Khyber (Qadr H) multiple-warhead ballistic missile during a recent strike on Israel, marking the first known operational deployment of the advanced weapon.

The missile was launched as part of a broader offensive that also featured the use of smart drones, targeting what the IRGC described as “strategic sites” across the northern, central, and southern regions of Israel.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the operation was a direct response to what the IRGC termed “the continued evils of the Zionist regime.” The missile strike reportedly introduced “new and surprising tactics” intended to enhance the accuracy, destructive capability, and overall effectiveness of the attack.

The IRGC’s public relations department claimed the coordinated assault struck critical infrastructure and military assets across the occupied territories, signaling a significant escalation in Iran’s military posture. The unveiling of the Khyber missile, equipped with multiple warheads, is being viewed as a strategic shift in Iran’s missile capabilities and a message of deterrence amid ongoing regional tensions.

Iran's underground enrichment site at Fordow was hit again on Monday while Iran fired a salvo of missiles and drones at Israel and warned the US that its military now has a “free hand” to attack American targets in the wake of the Trump administration's massive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The Fordow facility was one of those hit in Sunday's attack, and it was struck again on Monday, Iranian state television reported. There was no immediate word on damage nor who launched the attack, though Israel said earlier it was conducting airstrikes on Iran.

With the strikes on Sunday on Iranian nuclear sites, the US inserted itself into Israel's war, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the US had crossed “a very big red line” with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Monday that “very heavy damage” is expected at Iran's underground facility at Fordow after a US airstrike there this weekend with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the statement in Vienna. “Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi said.

He added that “at this time, no one, including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordow”.

At least four impacts have been reported in Israel after yet another wave of Iranian missiles were launched in a rare daytime assault.

Quoting the Times of Israel, a report in Al Jazeera said the Israel Electric Corporation confirmed a hit near a “strategic infrastructure facility” (most likely Ashdod) and there are power disruptions in several towns as a result.

“Teams are on their way to several locations on the ground with the aim of restoring power supply as soon as possible. The operations include infrastructure repairs and the removal of safety hazards, and are being carried out in coordination with security forces,” the IEC was quoted as saying.

Israel has reportedly retaliated with missile strikes at Tehran and a repeat assault on Fordow, which was one of the three nuclear facilities targeted by the US airstrikes on Sunday.

Iranian Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned the US on Monday that its strikes gave a "free hand" to Iranian armed forces to “act against US interests and its army”.

Mousavi stressed Iran would not hesitate to do so after the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday. He described the American attacks as violating Iran's sovereignty, entering the Israeli war on the country and being tantamount to invading the country.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported Mousavi's remarks.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call an immediate truce.

“It all began with the bombing of Palestinian children: The genocide of the people of Gaza,” Petro posted on X. “We’re now close to a world war. Where does the solution begin? Netanyahu must stop bombing Palestine, call a truce, and stop putting all of humanity at risk.”

The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles towards Israel and called on the public to take shelter as soon as they receive an alert.

“The defence systems are working to intercept the threat,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Israeli media are reporting sirens in cities including Nahariya, Gesher Haziv, Hila, Me’ona and Mi’ilya.

North Korea says it “strongly condemns” the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it an egregious violation of Iran's territorial integrity and security interests.

North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement Monday that the US and Israel were escalating tensions in the Middle East through the use of military force, and called on the “just-minded international community” to raise a unified voice against their “confrontational behaviour”.

During his first term, US President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times in 2018 and 2019, but their diplomacy collapsed over disagreements in exchanging the lifting of US-led sanctions against North Korea and the North's steps to wind down its nuclear and missile programme.

Kim has since accelerated his arms development while ignoring talk offers by the US and South Korea. He has shifted the priority of his foreign policy to Russia, sending thousands of troops and huge shipments of military equipment to fuel Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has been quoted by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency as saying US President Donald Trump’s "recent statements and threats of further attacks are bullying on a global scale", as reported by Al Jazeera.

Baghaei has also said "the responsibility for the consequences of this war must lie with America and the Zionist regime", and that "Tehran will exercise its right to self-defence".

Media in Iran have published purported footage of an Israeli Hermes 900 drone shot down by Iranian soldiers early on Monday.

The Lorestan News outlet put out a Telegram post claiming the drone was shot down during an operation by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Khorramabad in Lorestan province.

In the days after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed a shellshocked shadow of himself. He looked diminished and downtrodden by the surprise assault that created a national emergency and caused his public support to plummet.

Now, as Israel faces another unprecedented crisis in a war with Iran, Netanyahu appears rejuvenated. With the US lending its support against a threat he has devoted his life to confronting, Netanyahu is demonstrating a resurgent confidence that could signal a new turning point in his lengthy political career.

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Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and wounded 3,450 others, a human rights group said on Monday. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists offered the figures, which covers the entirety of Iran. It said of those dead, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel.

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US President Donald Trump's decision to unleash American air power on Iran makes a "mockery" of his own calls for the continuation of talks with Iran, the Congress said on Monday, and slammed the Modi government for neither criticising nor condemning the US bombing and Israel's aggression.

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In a statement posted to its Persian handle on X, the Israel Defense Forces has said its fighter jets are currently attacking military infrastructure in Iran’s Kermanshah province.

Politicians and state media in Iran are calling for attacks on US bases in the Middle East following Sunday's US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

As per a report in Al Jazeera, state TV's Channel 3 broadcast a map of US military bases across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, all of which are within range of Iranian missiles.

“It is now clearer than ever, not just for the Iranian nation but for the whole peoples of the region, that all US citizens and military personnel are legitimate targets. We were negotiating and progressing through a diplomatic path, but you chose to spill the blood of your soldiers. The US president in the Oval Office chose to take delivery of the coffins of up to 50,000 US soldiers in Washington,” the channel’s anchor Mehdi Khanalizadeh said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Hossein Shariatmadari, the ultraconservative head of the Keyhan daily newspaper, who designates himself as a representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wrote: “It is now our turn to immediately rain missiles down on the US naval force in Bahrain as a first measure.”

An associate professor of government at USA's Dartmouth University feels the US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities could push Tehran to abandon the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In an X post, Nicholas Miller refers to US media reports that cite officials as claiming that the attacks extended the time Iran needs to produce weapons-grade uranium by months, if not years.

He also notes that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which US President Donald Trump scrapped, would have set the country’s nuclear programme back by 15 years. “And yes, the same people who made those criticisms are now the ones cheerleading the air strikes,” he wrote.

Iran, a signatory to the NPT, has insisted that its nuclear enrichment activity is for peaceful purposes only, not for building a nuclear weapon. In contrast, Israel remains the only country in West Asia believed to possess nuclear weapons, despite never officially acknowledging as such or signing the NPT.

Benchmark Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) spiked over 3 per cent, reaching $81.40 and $78.40 per barrel respectively, both hitting five-month highs following the US strike on three nuclear sites in Iran. In equity markets, S&P 500 futures dipped 0.5 per cent, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.6 per cent. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.5 per cent, and Japan’s Nikkei slid 0.9 per cent.

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Iran has said the US “decided to destroy diplomacy” with its strikes on the country's nuclear programme and that the Iranian military will decide the "timing, nature and scale of Iran's proportionate response”.

Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani on Sunday told the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by Iran that “Iran had repeatedly warned the warmongering US regime to refrain from stumbling into this quagmire”.

The US “decided to destroy diplomacy” with its strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and the Iranian military will decide the "timing, nature and scale of Iran's proportionate response”, he said. “We will take all measures necessary.”

Iravani accused Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of succeeding in getting US President Donald Trump to do the West's “dirty work” and hijack US foreign policy, “dragging the United States into yet another costly and baseless war”.

He called US and Israeli aggression against Iran “a clear and flagrant breach of international law”. Iravani said as Iran's foreign minister held talks this week with several European counterparts, “the United States decided to destroy that diplomacy”.

“What conclusion can be drawn from this situation?,” he asked. “From the perspective of Western countries, Iran must 'return to the negotiating table'. But as Iran's foreign minister mentioned, 'how can Iran return to something it never left?'"

The Israel Airports Authority says 24 daily outgoing flights will start operating on Monday, after the country's airspace was closed for departures since the start of the war with Iran. For the past week, a similar number of daily incoming flights has been bringing back Israelis stranded abroad.

In a briefing with reporters, transportation minister Miri Regev said out of safety concerns, each departing flight will carry no more than 50 passengers, allowing roughly 1,000 people to leave each day.

It wasn't clear who will be eligible for the flights, but she says an exceptions committee will ensure priority for “humanitarian cases”.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by Iran: “We cannot — and must not — give up on peace.”

He urged immediate and decisive action to halt the fighting and return to “serious, sustained negotiations” on Iran's nuclear programme to find a verifiable solution with full access by UN nuclear inspectors and a restoration of trust.

In urging a return to diplomacy and a peaceful solution, Guterres stressed Sunday that one path leads to wider war and the other to de-escalation and dialogue. “We know which path is right,” he said.

A social media account associated with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei published a propaganda post early on Monday portraying missile strikes on a darkened city with a giant skull bearing the Star of David on it. “The punishment continues,” the poster read.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that air defence systems were firing in Tehran, Iran's capital, while explosions could be heard in the nearby city of Karaj.

An analysis of satellite photos by a nuclear nonproliferation group based in Washington shows Iran likely filled in tunnels at its nuclear site at Isfahan ahead of US strikes early Sunday.

The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security published satellite images taken by Airbus it assessed showed trucks dumping soil into tunnels at the site on Friday.

The US attack likely targeted the tunnel entries, the group said. “At least three of the four tunnel entrances are collapsed,” it said. “The status of the fourth one is unclear.”

Iran also is believed to have filled in tunnels at its underground Fordow enrichment facility before the American strike. That may have been to protect the sites from the strikes.

Meanwhile, the US cruise missile strike at the Isfahan site likely destroyed its uranium conversion facility, the Institute for Science and International Security said. The facility takes natural uranium and turns it into uranium hexafluoride, which is what Iran spins in centrifuges to enrich.

President Donald Trump asserted on his Truth Social platform that Iran's nuclear sites sustained “monumental damage” in the American attack, though a US assessment on the strikes is still underway. “The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!” he wrote.

US defence officials have said they are working to determine just how much damage the strikes did.

Iran has not said how much damage was done in the attack either, and neither has Tehran offered any details so far on the strikes it has faced from Israel in its war with that country.

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India has dismissed as "fake" claims by certain social media handles that the US fighter jets used Indian airspace to launch strikes against Iran.

"Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircrafts against Iran during Operation #MidnightHammer. This claim is FAKE," PIB Fact Check said in a post on X on Sunday.

"Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation #MidnightHammer," said the fact check unit of the Press Information Bureau which functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It said Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine explained the route used by US aircraft during a press briefing.