Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict Sparks Global Tensions

Israel and Iran are engaged in their fifth day of conflict, with both countries trading strikes and civilians facing waves of attacks, resulting in at least 224 deaths in Iran and 24 in Israel. US President Donald Trump has left the G7 summit early to attempt a meeting with Iranian officials and potentially broker a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Israel's strikes have significantly set back Iran's nuclear program, targeting three key nuclear facilities and scientists. Trump warned Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing the danger to its 10 million residents. The conflict has also affected foreign nationals, including Indian students studying in Tehran, who are facing logistical challenges in evacuating the country. Israel's ambassador to the US said only the US Air Force has the capability to destroy Iran's deeply buried nuclear sites, but analysts are cautious about the effectiveness of such a strike.

Iranians are expressing shock, fear, and confusion following Israel's sudden attack on Iran, with many caught between their opposition to the Iranian regime and their outrage at Israel's actions. Some Iranians initially felt a sense of excitement at seeing powerful military officials targeted, but this quickly turned to sorrow and anger as they realized civilians were also being killed. The attacks have left over 220 people dead and many more displaced, with long queues forming at petrol stations and bakeries as people try to escape the capital. Many Iranians are criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for them to rise up against their government, saying they don't want foreign intervention and are worried about the humanitarian consequences. The situation has caused divisions among Iranians, with some celebrating the regime's losses while others are angry at those cheering Israel on, and many are now preparing for the worst, packing emergency supplies and trying to stay safe.

Israel attacked Iranian state television and warned 330,000 people in Tehran to evacuate after Iran fired a wave of missiles at Israel, killing at least eight civilians. The strike came on the fourth day of open warfare between the two regional foes. Iran announced it had launched around 100 missiles and vowed further retaliation for Israel's attacks on its military and nuclear infrastructure, which Tehran said killed at least 224 people. Israel's defense minister claimed the country's strikes had set back Iran's nuclear program a "very, very long time." The US State Department raised its travel advisory for Israel to the highest level, and the USS Nimitz carrier strike group is headed to the Middle East.

The US State Department has instructed its embassies worldwide to inform their host governments that the US "is not involved" in Israel's recent "unilateral" strikes on Iran and did not provide support. The directive, sent via an ALDAC cable, also reaffirmed the US commitment to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue and prioritized the safety of American citizens. The cable comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with over 220 Iranians and 14 Israelis killed in the clashes. The US has taken a defensive posture to protect its personnel and infrastructure in the region, while President Trump has warned Iran against retaliating against US targets and called for a deal to be made.

President Trump is cutting short his trip to Canada for the G7 summit and returning to Washington due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran. Trump's press secretary cited "what's going on in the Middle East" as the reason for his early departure. The president had meetings with Canadian and UK leaders earlier in the day, discussing the Israel-Iran conflict, and stated that Iran had indicated a desire to de-escalate the situation. The US is not joining Israel's military offensive, but has helped intercept Iranian missiles. Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to limit its nuclear program.

President Trump opposed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to three U.S. officials who told CBS News. The conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu occurred after Israel launched a massive attack on Iran. Netanyahu neither confirmed nor denied the report, while his spokesperson called the reports false. Trump has not publicly commented on the matter but warned Iran against retaliating against U.S. targets and suggested that Israel and Iran should make a deal.

G7 leaders have called for de-escalation in the Middle East following recent military strikes between Israel and Iran, affirming their support for Israel's right to defend itself. The group condemned Iran as the "principal source of regional instability and terror," and reiterated that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The leaders also urged a ceasefire in Gaza and a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region. The tensions between Israel and Iran were discussed at the G7 summit, which also addressed other pressing issues such as US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and support for Ukraine.

CNN's Clarissa Ward is in central Israel, reporting on the aftermath of a missile impact following overnight exchanges of bombardments. The conflict between Israel and Iran continues, with both countries launching missile and air strikes. The death toll has risen to at least 10, with multiple residential buildings damaged or destroyed, including in the Palestinian-Israeli town of Tamra and the city of Bat Yam. Israel's military claims to have targeted military and nuclear complexes, while Iran's state television says it was attacked, including a strike on its state news channel. The conflict escalated further as both countries continued to launch more missiles and airstrikes.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Bianna Golodryga of CNN that it is up to the "free world" to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. The statement comes amid escalating conflict between the two nations, including a sweeping Israeli air offensive and retaliatory Iranian missile attacks, with significant damage and loss of life reported in residential zones.

CNN reported on the aftermath of an Iranian ballistic missile strike on Tel Aviv, Israel, showing a large crater in the center of the city where nearby residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated with both countries exchanging missile and drone strikes, resulting in significant damage and loss of life, including at least 10 deaths in Israel. Israel's military has targeted military and nuclear complexes in Iran, while Iran has launched barrages of missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. The conflict has also seen Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, including the capital Tehran and a state television studio complex.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that Israel struck Iran now because it felt compelled to act against Iran's nuclear program, with the IDF claiming to have destroyed over 120 of Iran's missile launchers. The conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with both countries exchanging missile and drone strikes, resulting in casualties and damage on both sides. The Israeli military has targeted military and nuclear complexes in Iran, while Iran has launched barrages of missiles at Israel, hitting residential areas and killing civilians.

Iranians are fleeing Tehran amid escalating Israeli airstrikes, with many homes and buildings damaged or destroyed. The conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified, with both countries trading unprecedented air and missile strikes. Israel launched a sweeping air offensive on Iran, claiming it is aimed at stopping Iran's nuclear program. The strikes have hit various targets, including military and nuclear sites, and have also affected residential areas, resulting in casualties and damage. The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides launching further missile and drone strikes.

Israel and Iran are engaged in an escalating conflict, exchanging missile and drone strikes. Israel launched a sweeping air offensive on Iran, claiming it is to stop Iran from building an atomic weapon, and has targeted military and nuclear complexes. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile strikes on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, causing damage and casualties. The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life on both sides, with residential areas in Israel taking direct hits and multiple civilians killed. Israeli strikes have also hit the Iranian capital, Tehran, and other areas, with the death toll in Israel rising to at least 10.

The nuclear deal between the US and Iran is uncertain following Israel's attack on Iran, according to CNN's reporting. The potential collapse of the agreement has raised concerns, with CNN's Kaitlan Collins providing more information on the situation.

President Donald Trump is under intense pressure from various sides as he considers a potentially decisive decision on whether to launch a military strike against Iran's nuclear program. Israel is urging the US to join the conflict and destroy Iran's nuclear complex, while Trump's own MAGA base is divided, with some personalities like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson opposing deeper US involvement. European leaders are also weighing in, seeking to rein in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump's decision will have significant consequences for Israel's security, the Middle East, and US power and influence, and will define his presidency. The US is seen as having a unique capability to destroy Iran's nuclear program, and former Israeli officials have urged Trump to take action, warning that an Iranian nuclear bomb could be a disaster for the world.

President Trump urged Iran to make a nuclear deal during a phone call with CNN's Dana Bash, following Israel's unprecedented strikes on Iran that targeted nuclear facilities and military leaders.

The Fordow nuclear plant is a key target for Israel in its conflict with Iran. The site is located in a mountain and is believed to be 90 meters underground, housing hundreds of centrifuges that enrich uranium to 60%. The plant is a crucial part of Iran's nuclear program. Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, targeting military and nuclear complexes, and has exchanged missile and drone strikes with Iran, resulting in significant damage and loss of life on both sides. The conflict has escalated with strikes on residential areas in Israel and Iran, including the Iranian capital, Tehran.

A former IDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, stated that Israel's recent strikes on Iran have left the country at its weakest point militarily and politically. Conricus believes that Israel's Operation Rising Lion has significantly damaged Iran's influence in the region, including its proxies, and dealt a major blow to its deterrence capabilities. He noted that Iran's nuclear program personnel are a key target, and that Israel must work to "delete" their knowledge to have a lasting impact. The strikes have also garnered support from other countries, including France and the U.K., which oppose Iran's nuclear ambitions. Conricus thinks that the Iranian regime's fate could be at stake, given the country's existing internal unrest and the humiliating defeats it has suffered at the hands of Israel.

The Israeli military claimed to have achieved "aerial superiority" over the Iranian capital, Tehran, following a series of airstrikes that targeted and killed four senior Iranian intelligence officials. The airstrikes, carried out by the Israeli Air Force, successfully degraded the Iranian air defenses, enabling them to strike a building housing key Iranian intelligence leaders, including Head of the Intelligence Organization Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Kazemi. The strikes were part of an Israeli effort to destroy Iran's military infrastructure, having already eliminated a significant number of missile launchers and surface-to-surface missiles. The conflict has resulted in escalating tit-for-tat exchanges, raising fears of a broader regional conflict, and has seen Iran launch retaliatory missile strikes, killing at least eight and wounding many more in the latest wave.

Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks against Israel, killing at least 8 people and wounding over 100 others. The attacks struck four sites in central Israel, with a residential building in Petah Tikva being hit, causing significant damage. Israel responded with airstrikes on 10 command centers in Tehran belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The conflict has resulted in at least 24 dead and over 500 wounded in Israel, while Iran has reported over 224 killed and 1,300 wounded since the conflict began on Friday. Iran has promised further retaliation, with its Revolutionary Guard pledging to make future strikes "more forceful, severe, precise and destructive."

The current conflict between Israel and Iran is perceived by some as an opportunity for significant political change in Iran, with many calling for regime change and a shift towards a more democratic governance structure. Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and Iranian-American Dr. Sheila Nazarian believe the Iranian regime is weak and vulnerable, and that the Iranian people have a "tremendous opportunity" to topple it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested that regime change could be a result of the escalating conflict, calling on Iranian citizens to seize the "opportunity". Experts and officials, including former Ambassador Sam Brownback, are advocating for the US to support regime change in Iran, citing the regime's brutal suppression of its people and its pursuit of nuclear capabilities. The Iranian regime has rejected ceasefire negotiations, stating they will only negotiate after completing their response to the Israeli strikes.

Iran's ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, has told Sky News that his country's response to Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities is a "matter of principle" and "self-defence". Mousavi said Iran will "do our best to preserve our territorial integrity" and "materialise endeavours concretely against our enemy - the Israeli regime". The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated after Israel carried out a major attack on Iranian top army leaders, nuclear sites, and nuclear scientists, prompting Iran to retaliate with a wave of missiles. Mousavi stressed that Iran's nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity, and are monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Israel had "no other choice" but to attack Iran as it was rapidly advancing towards developing a nuclear bomb. Herzog claimed Iran was proceeding "dramatically" towards the bomb under the guise of a peaceful nuclear program. He justified Israel's actions, stating that removing Iran's nuclear capability was necessary due to the futility of negotiations with Iran, which he accused of lying. Herzog also acknowledged the risks of the ongoing conflict but emphasized Israel's right to self-defense against Iran's missile attacks. Additionally, he hinted that the Israeli war cabinet was discussing targeting Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel's war against Iran is a high-stakes gamble that requires complete success to pay off. To achieve this, Israel must not only destroy Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons but also its will to do so. Israel has been targeting Iran's military and intelligence leaders, air defenses, and nuclear program with precision, but completely eliminating Iran's nuclear capabilities may be impossible due to the program's advanced stage. To ensure success, Israel is also targeting the Iranian regime's control and repression apparatus, aiming to topple the regime and replace it with one less likely to pursue nuclear weapons. If Israel fails to achieve its objectives, Iran's leaders will likely prioritize building a nuclear bomb to defend themselves.

President Trump is weighing a decision on whether to help Israel destroy Iran's deeply buried nuclear enrichment facility at Fordo by using America's "bunker buster" bombs, which can only be delivered by American B-2 bombers. This would make the US a direct participant in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Iranian officials have warned that US involvement would imperil any remaining chance of a nuclear disarmament deal. Trump has given mixed signals, at one point encouraging diplomacy and at another posting on social media that everyone should evacuate Tehran. The facility at Fordo is a key part of Iran's nuclear program, and destroying it would be a significant blow, but it would require a complex operation involving American pilots and planes. Some Republicans, like Senator Lindsey Graham, are urging Trump to take action, while others, influenced by the anti-interventionist views of figures like Tucker Carlson, are cautioning against US involvement.

President Trump attended the G7 summit in Canada, where he discussed trade tensions and the Israel-Iran conflict with world leaders. Trump stated that Iran has indicated a desire to de-escalate the conflict and is willing to talk, but should have done so before. He also confirmed that the US will continue to work to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The summit was marked by tensions between the US and its allies over Trump's tariffs, as well as Trump's comments on acquiring Canada and Greenland, which have strained US relationships with these countries. Trump also suggested that Russia's President Putin could rejoin the G7, from which he was ousted in 2014, and that he has a good relationship with Putin. The summit is set to continue into its second day.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone call to discuss escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as Ukraine peace talks. Trump said Putin called to wish him a happy birthday and to discuss Iran, a country Putin "knows very well." Putin briefed Trump on his recent talks with Iranian and Israeli leaders and reiterated Russia's proposal to seek mutually acceptable solutions on the Iranian nuclear issue. The two leaders discussed the "dangerous escalation" in the Middle East and Putin warned of "unpredictable consequences." They also touched on Ukraine peace talks, with Putin updating Trump on prisoner swaps and negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Trump noted his interest in a speedy end to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

G7 leaders are meeting in Canada to discuss pressing issues such as the Israel-Iran conflict and US tariffs, while hoping to avoid clashes with US President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's priorities include strengthening peace and security, building critical mineral supply chains, and creating jobs. The leaders plan to issue a joint statement calling for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, which has escalated with new attacks. Trump's tariffs on countries around the world and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are also expected to be discussed. To avoid a diplomatic disaster, Canada has decided not to issue a traditional comprehensive joint communiqué, instead opting for chair summaries to maintain engagement with the US. Trump is expected to have bilateral meetings with other world leaders, including Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The G7 summit in Canada's Rocky Mountains will be dominated by US President Donald Trump, with the meeting's agenda and dynamics shaped by his abrasive style and differing views on key issues such as the Israel-Iran conflict and Ukraine. The Canadian hosts are attempting to minimize friction by abandoning the traditional joint communique, and world leaders are adjusting their approach to accommodate Trump's unpredictability.

At the G7 summit, President Trump renewed his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Russia's expulsion from the group in 2014 was a mistake that led to the war in Ukraine. Trump blamed former President Barack Obama and incorrectly, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for Russia's ejection. Trump's comments came ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and contradicted the stance of other G7 leaders, who have rallied around Ukraine. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, criticized Trump's understanding of the G7's history and purpose. Trump's remarks were seen as an indication of his alignment with Putin and his divergence from American allies. Other leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were expected to announce new sanctions against Russia, but Trump downplayed the measure, suggesting that the US would wait for Europe to act first.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney employed a delicate balance of flattery and discipline to manage President Trump's behavior at the G7 summit, intervening to stop Trump's public complaints and prevent a potential derailment. Carney's approach, which combined stroking Trump's ego with firm pushback, yielded mixed results, as the two leaders discussed trade but failed to reach a deal, and the White House distanced itself from the group's statement on Iran and Israel. Despite some drama, including Trump's surprise announcement that the US would take action on the Israel-Iran conflict, Carney secured US backing on other issues, such as cooperation on artificial intelligence and critical minerals. Trump's early departure from the summit added an unexpected twist.

Donald Trump will leave the G7 summit early and return to Washington DC due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Trump advised people in Tehran to evacuate immediately, following an Israeli defense warning. The G7 is trying to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, but Iran is demanding a joint ceasefire with Israel. Trump also met with Japan's Prime Minister to discuss tariffs and is expected to sign a proclamation formalizing a US-UK trade deal soon. The White House has convened national security staff in the situation room amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv overnight killed 14 people and wounded 44 others, with a residential building being hollowed out and dozens of apartments destroyed. Ukraine's interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said 27 locations were hit, including educational institutions and critical infrastructure. The attack was described as one of the largest on the capital since Russia's invasion began in 2022. A 62-year-old US citizen was among those killed. The attacks came as Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was set to attend the G7 Summit in Canada.

Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile attack, killing 14 and injuring over 40 in Kyiv, damaging over a dozen locations and leaving several in ruins, including residential areas, as air defenses struggled to intercept the missiles; a US citizen was among the fatalities. The attack, one of the most deadly in months, came as world leaders met at the G7 summit, further straining hopes for a halt in hostilities.