LIVE UPDATES: Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Nuclear Strikes, Civilian Deaths, and Global Warnings

The ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran intensified early Saturday as both nations exchanged missile fire and airstrikes. Israel struck deep inside Iran, targeting its nuclear infrastructure, while Iran retaliated with threats, arrests, and new leadership appointments. The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with global leaders calling for restraint.

🔴 Live Updates

• 3 minutes ago – Israeli official claims heavy damage to Iran nuclear sites, nine killed:
  An Israeli military spokesperson announced that precision strikes on Esfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities inflicted “significant” damage, killing nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists. The official said repairs would take weeks, and the operation involved over 150 targets and hundreds of munitions.


• 14 minutes ago – Iran appoints new Revolutionary Guards air force chief:
  Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named Majid Mousavi as the new commander of the IRGC aerospace force following the death of Amirali Hajizadeh in an Israeli strike.


• 30 minutes ago – Israel shuts Ben Gurion airport until further notice:
  Israel’s main international airport remains closed amid ongoing missile exchanges. Flight cancellations dominate departure boards as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan resume partial airspace operations.


• 46 minutes ago – Israel claims strike killed nine Iranian scientists:
  The Israeli military confirmed it targeted senior figures in Iran’s civilian nuclear program, calling the attack a “significant blow” to Iran’s nuclear capability based on precise intelligence.


• 58 minutes ago – Iran warns Western powers not to intervene:
  Iran’s Mehr News Agency quoted a government statement threatening to target military bases and vessels of any country aiding Israel, including those in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.


• 1 hour ago – Iran arrests five over alleged links to Israel:
  Iranian officials detained five individuals in Yazd for photographing sensitive sites and suspected collaboration with Israel, reported by Reuters.


• 1 hour ago – Israeli defence minister threatens to burn Tehran:
  Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran’s Supreme Leader that continued missile attacks on Israel will result in severe retaliation, stating, “If Khamenei continues… Tehran will burn.”


• 1 hour ago – Two killed in Israeli strike in western Iran:
  Iranian state media reported that two people died in an Israeli airstrike on a missile site in Assadabad.


• 1 hour ago – Pope urges restraint and dialogue:
  Speaking from St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo called on both nations to pursue diplomacy and warned against escalating a nuclear crisis. “No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” he said.


• 2 hours ago – 60 killed in Israeli strike on Tehran housing block:
  Iran’s state TV reported that a strike on a residential complex in Tehran killed 60 people, including 20 children. Iran’s UN ambassador previously stated that 78 people were killed and over 300 wounded.

⚠️ International Reactions

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appealed for calm on social media: “Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”

Mehr News Agency reiterated Iran’s official stance: “Any country that participates in repelling Iran’s attacks on Israel will be subject to Iranian forces targeting all regional bases of the complicit government… including military bases in the Persian Gulf countries and ships and naval vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.”

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

(with inputs from Reuters, Mehr News, and Iranian state media)