“Events are outrageous” – Iran’s Foreign Minister threatens consequences

On Sunday night, the United States intervened in the war between Israel and Iran. US President Donald Trump reported the bombing of several Iranian nuclear facilities, which were reportedly completely destroyed. Previously, there had been long speculation about whether the United States would intervene in the conflict.

For over a week, Israel has been attacking nuclear facilities in Iran, among other things, killing several military leaders and nuclear scientists. The Israeli government called it a preemptive strike to stop Iran's nuclear program.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), no radioactive contamination occurred in the US attacks on key nuclear facilities in Iran. "No elevated radiation levels have been reported" in the vicinity of the three attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, the IAEA announced on Sunday morning. The National Center for the Nuclear Safety System, which is subordinate to the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, stated that there is "no danger" to the people living near the facilities.

The all-clear was also sounded beyond the Persian Gulf. "As a result of the US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, no radioactive effects on the environment of the Kingdom and the Arab Gulf states have been detected," the Saudi Arabian Atomic Energy Commission stated on the online service X.

Following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran has responded with a new wave of attacks against Israel. A total of 30 rockets were fired at Israel, the Iranian state broadcaster reported on Saturday morning. According to journalists from the AFP news agency, sirens were heard in Tel Aviv. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem. Israeli media also reported several impacts. The state broadcaster Kan reported ten hits. Other media reported impacts in the port city of Haifa and the metropolis of Tel Aviv, among other places.

The Israeli army had previously announced a new wave of attacks from Iran. The Israeli Air Force was working to eliminate the threat. The army called on Israeli citizens to seek shelter in air raid shelters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has threatened consequences following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. "This morning's events are outrageous and will have lasting consequences," the minister wrote on the X platform.

Aragchi further stated that Iran reserves all options to protect its sovereignty, its interests and its people, in accordance with the UN Charter and the right to legitimate self-defense.

According to consistent media reports, the US military also used two bunker-busting bombs in the attack on the Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz. These were dropped from a B-2 stealth bomber, according to reports by the New York Times and CNN, citing a US government official. Natanz was also attacked by submarines using cruise missiles.

The reports further stated that six stealth bombers dropped a total of a dozen of the US military's largest bunker-busting bombs on the underground Fordow nuclear facility. The GBU-57 bombs, weighing more than 13 tons, can attack targets located very deep below the surface. The third US target, in the city of Isfahan, was reportedly attacked only with cruise missiles.

Following the US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, Israel has again closed its airspace due to a possible further escalation. The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority announced that, in light of current developments, there will be no arrivals or departures. Passengers are asked to check with their airlines for further information. However, the land crossings to Egypt and Jordan should remain open as usual, it added.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is "deeply concerned" by the US attack on nuclear facilities in Iran and warns of catastrophic consequences for the world. "In this perilous hour, it is crucial to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said on Sunday night. Member states are called upon to de-escalate the situation and comply with their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. "There is no military solution. The only way forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."

Guterres further stated that he was "deeply concerned by today's use of force by the United States against Iran." This represents a dangerous escalation in a region already teetering on the brink—and a direct threat to international peace and security. "There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly spiral out of control—with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world."

Following the bombing by the US military, Iran's "critical uranium enrichment facilities" have been completely destroyed, according to President Donald Trump. In a speech at the White House, he threatened Iran with further attacks if Tehran did not pursue a path to peace. "If peace does not come quickly, we will strike the other targets with precision, speed, and skill, most of which can be eliminated in a matter of minutes."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities as a "courageous decision" of historic significance. US President Donald Trump acted with "great strength" to deny "the most dangerous regime the most dangerous weapons in the world," Netanyahu said. This is a turning point that could lead to peace and prosperity in the Middle East. "President Trump, thank you, the people of Israel thank you."

US President Donald Trump called on Tehran to end the war against Israel following the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by US fighter jets. "This is a historic moment for the United States of America, Israel, and the world," Trump declared on his online platform Truth Social on Saturday. Iran must "now accept" to end the war against Israel. Tehran had threatened attacks on US forces in the Middle East if the US intervened in the war.

Following the US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, Israel has tightened civil defense rules for its own population. With the approval of Defense Minister Israel Katz and following a situation assessment, it was decided that only essential activities would be permitted in all parts of the country, according to a military statement. The public must adhere to Homeland Security instructions.

The United States has intervened in the war between Israel and Iran. The US military carried out a "highly successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear facilities, US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday (local time) on his online platform Truth Social. Following the attacks, Iran "must now agree to end this war."

"We have completed our highly successful attack on the three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan," Trump continued. He added that "a full load of bombs" had been dropped on the important uranium enrichment facility in Fordow. All US aircraft involved had safely left Iranian airspace and were on their way home. He did not initially provide further details.

The pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen have threatened the United States with continued attacks on US ships in the Red Sea if it participates in the Iran-Israel war. The militia will "target its ships and warships in the Red Sea if the United States engages in an attack and aggression against Iran with the Israeli enemy," Houthi military spokesman Jahja Saree said in a video message on Saturday.

According to insiders, Israel has told the US government that it does not want to wait two weeks until an agreement to dismantle key parts of Iran's nuclear program can be reached, and that Israel could act on its own before the deadline expires. The two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Israel expressed its concerns to Trump administration officials in a phone call on Thursday. The call took place in a tense atmosphere. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether the US would intervene in the Israeli-Iranian war. Observers believe Israel needs certain US bombs to destroy key parts of Iran's nuclear program that are located underground.

According to a military spokesperson, Iranian fighter jets were also attacked on the ground during Israeli Air Force strikes in central Iran. Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said this evening that three F-14 fighter jets had been destroyed.

Defrin further stated that following the Israeli attacks of the past few days, Iran's missile launch capabilities have now been severely compromised. "We are attacking every element of the missile production chain and preventing the Iranian military from developing its strategic capabilities," he said. "The Iranian regime's missile launch capabilities are now only a fraction of what they were at the beginning of the operation."

Israel's air force is once again bombing targets in the Iranian capital Tehran. Residents of the metropolis reported a new wave of attacks after dark. The sound of anti-aircraft fire roared in the north of the megalopolis, Iranian media reported. Information on possible targets was not immediately available.

According to insiders, the US is deploying B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam. Whether the deployment is related to tensions in the Middle East is unclear. US government insiders did not specify how many B-2 bombers are to be deployed. The B-2 can be equipped with GBU-57 bombs, each weighing almost 15,000 kilograms and designed to destroy targets deep underground. Experts say the bomb could be used to attack underground Iranian nuclear facilities.

The U.S. State Department has begun assisting U.S. citizens in leaving Israel, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In an X-post, Huckabee referred U.S. citizens and permanent residents currently in Israel or the West Bank to a State Department form.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly made preparations in case of an assassination attempt. The New York Times , citing unidentified Iranian officials, reported that Iran's religious and secular leader has named three possible successors should he be killed by Israel.

The newspaper reported that Khamenei is staying in a bunker, avoiding electronic means of communication, and communicating with his commanders through a trusted aide. His exact whereabouts are unclear. In recent days, he has issued irregular messages to the population and renewed his threats against Israel.

According to the Amwaj portal, in addition to the regular succession plan, alternative scenarios are also conceivable, which were already discussed following the death of revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini. These include a leadership council composed of several clerics. "If efficiency and decisiveness are decisive factors, a single person will likely be the outcome again," the author wrote. "If, however, Khamenei is killed and the conflict with Israel drags on, a council model could reduce risks."

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Berlin for the overthrow of the Islamic leadership in Iran. Police reported 1,300 participants in front of the Red City Hall, the residence of Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU). The rally was called by the exile group National Council of Resistance of Iran, which estimated several thousand demonstrators.

The group is demanding regime change brought about by the Iranian people. The West should break off its relations with Tehran, said spokesman Javad Dabiran. The people at the demonstration came in 60 buses from all over Germany.

One week after the war began, a key advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reported that he was alive. "It was my fate to survive wounded—so I remain the reason for the enemy's hatred. I would sacrifice myself a hundred times over for Iran," wrote former Secretary General of the National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, on Platform X.

Shamkhani served as Iranian Defense Minister for eight years, a naval commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and ran for the presidency in 2001. Most recently, he served as a key political advisor to Khamenei. A week ago Friday, rumors of his death initially surfaced following an Israeli attack.

The office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reported that Erdogan told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi that resuming talks between Iran and the United States on Iran's nuclear program was the only way to find a solution to the dispute between the two countries and the conflict with Israel. Erdogan spoke with Aragchi on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, the office said.

Erdogan also said that Israel must be stopped immediately. Turkey is ready to play a mediating role in the resumption of nuclear talks. "Steps should be taken as soon as possible to open diplomacy through technical and leadership-level talks between Iran and the United States," it said.

An Iranian government official told the Reuters news agency that the proposals presented to Iran by the three European states in connection with its nuclear program on Friday in Geneva were unrealistic. Insisting on them would not bring the two sides any closer to an agreement, the insider said. Iran would, however, examine the European proposals and present its responses at the next meeting. He added that "zero enrichment" of uranium was a dead end. Iran would also not negotiate its defense capabilities, including its missile program. On Friday, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Great Britain met with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva. Iran subsequently declared that it was ready to continue diplomacy and that another meeting was possible in the near future.

Moderate politicians in Iran want to persuade head of state Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to give in to the US demand to halt uranium enrichment. In a letter, leading representatives of the reform movement seek to obtain Khamenei's concessions in order to secure the future of the Islamic Republic and restore peace. According to information from Tehran, the initiative was initiated by former President Mohammed Khatami and former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, among others. Politicians from the reform camp in Iran support negotiations with the West. Ten years ago, Zarif helped negotiate the Vienna nuclear agreement for Iran, which US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.

The German Embassy in Tehran is closed to visitors until further notice. The diplomatic mission refers to the current crisis situation on its website . "Please do not come to the embassy or the consulate building," it says. The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin states that with a view to the security of the German missions abroad in the Middle East, further necessary measures have been taken for some locations. For example, the staff of the German Embassy in Tehran have now been temporarily relocated due to the threat situation. Germany has thus taken similar measures to those of its partners, with whom it is closely coordinating. However, the embassy in Tehran remains operational on a mobile basis. The embassy, ​​like the Federal Foreign Office, can still be reached by telephone for the remaining Germans on site and is advising on possible options for leaving the country by land.

According to Iranian media reports, explosions have occurred in southwestern Iran. The website of the daily newspaper "Shargh" reported explosions in the city of Ahvaz. The city is located in Khuzestan Province, which lies on the Iraqi border and is considered the country's most important oil-producing region. Explosions were also reportedly heard in the port city of Mahshahr.

The Israeli military previously announced that it was currently conducting attacks on military infrastructure in southwestern Iran. The army did not initially provide further details on the scope of the attacks or their exact targets.

German citizens and close family members who were trapped in Israel because of the war with Iran are to be brought to Germany this afternoon on another special flight from the Jordanian capital Amman.

In the midst of the war with Israel, Iran has announced the arrest of a German tourist. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, the young man is accused of espionage. According to dpa information, however, the arrest took place last year. The man was subsequently taken to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran.

A video released by the Mehr news agency describes how the Revolutionary Guard's intelligence service arrested the young cyclist in Markasi province near the Arak nuclear facility. The German Foreign Office in Berlin declined to comment on a request from dpa. According to the report, the man is accused of recording and transmitting coordinates and locations of sensitive military and nuclear facilities.

https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1936386267530268955 Aragchi further stated that Iran reserves all options to protect its sovereignty, its interests and its people, in accordance with the UN Charter and the right to legitimate self-defense.

In light of the escalation in the Middle East, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described Israel as the "biggest obstacle to regional peace." At the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, he accused the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "state terrorism."

Regarding Israel's current war with Iran, he said the Islamic Republic has a legitimate right to self-defense. In a particularly drastic formulation, Erdogan declared: "Just as the spark that Hitler ignited 90 years ago set the entire world ablaze, Netanyahu's Zionist ambitions today serve no other purpose than to plunge our region and the world into a massive catastrophe."

Internet access has been partially restored in Iran. Iranians reported on social media on Saturday that they had contacted relatives via FaceTime or WhatsApp. For the first time in days, Iranians had the opportunity to call friends and family. The Tasnim news agency, which has close ties to the Iranian government, reported, citing the Minister of Information, that access to the "international" internet should be restored in Iran by 8:00 p.m. local time.

Pakistan is pushing for US President Donald Trump as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. The country justifies its proposal by arguing that Trump contributed to a rapid end to the escalation in the conflict between Pakistan and its neighbor India in the spring. In May, Trump surprisingly announced a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed arch-enemies and has since repeatedly claimed that he prevented a nuclear war. Just last Friday, he complained on social media that he was not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize despite having resolved numerous conflicts. Analysts believe that Pakistan's proposal could dissuade Trump from intervening militarily in the conflict with Iran on Israel's side. Pakistan has criticized the Israeli attacks on Iran as a violation of international law and a threat to stability in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leveled accusations against Israel at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. The country's attacks against Iran, just before a new round of nuclear talks with the United States, were aimed at sabotaging the negotiations, Erdogan said. They showed that Israel did not want to resolve the issues through diplomatic means. He called on countries with influence over Israel not to listen to its "poison," to seek a solution to the conflict through dialogue, and to prevent further escalation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on Islamic countries to show solidarity with Iran. Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, Fidan spoke of Israel's "continued aggression and occupation policy," which he called "an Israeli problem" in the region. This problem must be addressed. Israeli actions could cause broader instability in the region, Fidan said.

According to the Iranian government, at least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured since the start of the recent conflict with Israel. This was reported by the state-run Nur news agency, citing the Ministry of Health in Tehran.

A residential building in northern Israel was hit by a drone strike, according to the Israeli Emergency Services. Upon arrival, rescuers found no injuries, the Magen David Adom emergency services said on Saturday. The Israeli army had previously reported a violation of airspace in the Beit Shean area.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has warned the US against becoming involved in the war between Iran and Israel. It would be "very, very dangerous for everyone" if the United States were to become involved, Aragchi said Saturday in Istanbul on his way home from negotiations in Geneva. US military involvement "would be very regrettable," the Iranian added.

A senior adviser to Iranian President Ali Khamenei has threatened Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Grossi will have to "pay" once the war between Iran and Israel is over, adviser Ali Larijani said on social media on Saturday.

Many Iranian officials blame Grossi for Israel's surprise attack on Iran last week because the head of the agency made contradictory statements about the status of Iran's nuclear program. Grossi told the UN Security Council on Friday that although Iran has the material to build a nuclear bomb, the country apparently has no plans to do so.

The Israeli army reportedly launched airstrikes on a nuclear facility in the Iranian city of Isfahan last night. The attacks targeted the facility's uranium centrifuge manufacturing equipment, a military official said. The nuclear industry in Isfahan was attacked on the first day of the Israeli offensive in Iran. The latest attacks were intended to cause further damage to the facility, it was reported.

Several key components of Iran's nuclear program are located in Isfahan. According to Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), four buildings have been damaged so far. These include a chemical laboratory, a uranium ore processing facility, a reactor fuel factory, and a uranium metal production facility under construction.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has arrived in Istanbul to attend a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). At Iran's suggestion, the meeting will focus on the Israeli attacks on Iran, Aragchi said. According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, hundreds of participants are expected at the two-day summit – including ministers and high-ranking representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations and the Arab League.

According to Israel, a long-time commander of the Quds Force, a special unit for foreign missions of the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was killed in the latest attack in the Iranian city of Qom. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Said Isadi, who led the Quds Force's Palestine Corps, was killed. There has been no immediate confirmation from the Revolutionary Guard.

The Quds Force has built an Iran-backed regional alliance in the Middle East called the "Axis of Resistance," which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the start of the Gaza War, the alliance has been severely weakened. The Israeli Defense Minister further declared that the killing of Isadi was "a major success for Israeli intelligence and the air force." He added that Isadi provided funding and armament for Hamas in the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 .

At least one 16-year-old was killed and two others injured in an Israeli attack on the Iranian city of Qom, according to the Iranian government-affiliated online portal "Iran Nuances." A residential building was hit. Qom is located approximately 50 kilometers north of the uranium enrichment facility in Fordow. The facility is considered Israel's most important target in the current war.

According to an Iranian media report, Israel attacked the Isfahan nuclear facility. The Fars news agency further reports that no hazardous materials were released. Isfahan is home to an important nuclear research center. Further details were not immediately available.

According to police in the province of Qom, south of Tehran, 22 people have been arrested in Iran on charges of "espionage for Israel" since the start of the war with Israel. The Fars news agency reported this on Saturday, citing the province's police intelligence chief.

On the ninth day of the war between Iran and Israel, the Israeli Air Force said it had again attacked missile depots and launch sites.

According to the Israeli military, Iran is continuing its missile attacks on Israel. Air defenses are once again deployed to counter the threat, the military announced overnight. The population has been instructed to seek shelter and remain there until further notice. Shortly before, Israel's air defenses intercepted a drone launched from Iran in the north, according to media reports, off the coast of the Mediterranean city of Haifa. According to emergency services, at least 23 people were injured, three seriously, in an Iranian missile attack in the city the previous day.

Two German Air Force aircraft carrying 64 German returnees from Israel have arrived in Germany. The Airbus A400M military aircraft landed overnight at Cologne/Bonn Airport in North Rhine-Westphalia. This marks the first time the Bundeswehr has picked up German citizens directly from Israel since the war between Israel and Iran began about a week ago. Due to the war, the airspace in both countries is closed to air traffic. According to "Der Spiegel," the aircraft landed in Tel Aviv in the late afternoon with special permission.

Due to the current situation in the Middle East, the group of German citizens was flown out of Israel as part of a "diplomatic evacuation," the German government explained. "The flights were carried out at short notice in close coordination with the Israeli authorities and were aimed primarily at families with children and other vulnerable individuals."

Over the past two days, Germans and close family members had already been flown out on special flights – not directly from Israel, however, but from Jordan. A total of 345 people were on these two flights. These were charter flights; the Air Force was not involved. The Federal Foreign Office had facilitated the departure via Jordan. Another special flight from Jordan is scheduled for Saturday.

In the crisis surrounding Iran's controversial nuclear program, US President Donald Trump believes mediation efforts by European states are ineffective. "Iran doesn't want to talk to Europe. They want to talk to us. Europe can't help with that," Trump said when asked by a journalist whether recent European talks with Tehran had been helpful.

The US is currently in contact with Iran, and we'll see what happens, Trump said. He did not provide details about the talks with Tehran representatives. According to US media reports, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is in contact with Tehran. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Great Britain had previously met with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Aragchi, in Geneva on Friday. They intend to continue efforts toward a diplomatic solution to the nuclear conflict. Tehran also intends to continue the talks.

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, the two-week deadline proposed by US President Donald Trump for diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute could be merely a pretext. The US must demonstrate its determination to find a negotiated solution, "or they have other plans and they want to attack Iran anyway," he said in an interview with US broadcaster NBC News. "Perhaps they had this plan and perhaps they just needed the negotiations to cover it up." Iran can no longer trust the US, Aragchi said.

A US-based non-governmental organization has estimated the number of people killed in Israel's attacks on Iran at at least 657. Since the attacks began a week ago, at least 263 civilians have been killed nationwide, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Among them were more than 20 children, most of whom died in Tehran. In addition, 164 military personnel were killed.

HRANA said it could not determine whether 230 of the fatalities were civilians or members of the military. As of Friday morning, more than 2,000 military personnel and civilians had been injured, the organization added. According to the organization, attacks had taken place in 21 of Iran's 31 provinces.

The Israeli Air Force has continued its attacks in Iran. In the past few hours, approximately 15 fighter jets have carried out a series of attacks on missile launch pads in western Iran, the air force said. The series of attacks has been concluded. Meanwhile, Israel's air defenses intercepted a drone launched from Iran in the north of the Jewish state, according to media reports, off the coast of the Mediterranean city of Haifa. According to emergency services, at least 23 people were injured, three seriously, in an Iranian missile attack in the city.

US President Donald Trump has denied Europe any influence on the war between Israel and Iran. "Europe will not be able to help in this case," Trump said. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Great Britain had called on Iran to negotiate with the US about its nuclear program.

In the midst of the war with Israel, an earthquake struck in Iran. The quake in Semnan province, about 150 kilometers from the capital Tehran, had a magnitude of 5.1 and occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Iran's state news agency, however, reported a 5.5 magnitude quake. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The earthquake struck the country in the midst of a war and amid a near-complete internet blackout by the authorities.

After meeting with his counterparts from Germany, France, and Great Britain (E3) in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stated that his country is ready to continue pursuing diplomacy. A further meeting is possible in the near future. The discussions on Friday were serious and characterized by respect.