EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas emphasized after the meeting that it is important to “minimize” the risk of further escalation. According to her, the EU foreign ministers on Monday “urged all parties to take a step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalations.” “A prolonged war is in no one’s interest.”
Minister Veldkamp wants a lasting diplomatic solution for Iran Outgoing Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs) believes that a solution in the conflict with Iran must be “permanent.” “That is better than bombing the Iranian program every few years,” he said after a meeting with the EU ministers. According to him, there is broad agreement within the EU on the need for a diplomatic solution.
A Gulf States spokesperson tells news agency Reuters that Iran’s attack on Qatar will have consequences for relations between the countries. Gulf States Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran have been restoring strained ties between the countries in recent years. “Iran’s actions play into the hands of Israel, which wants to sow division and thwart recent improvements in relations between Iran and the Gulf States,” the spokesperson said.
The Iranian missile attack is leading to many outraged reactions internationally. Saudi Arabia finds the attack “unacceptable and unjustifiable.” The country also promises to “support Qatar in all measures it takes.” French President Emmanuel Macron says that the “spiral of chaos” must end. The United Arab Emirates condemn the attack in the “strongest possible terms.” Qatar itself had already made it clear that it can react “in a manner proportionate to the nature and extent of this brutal aggression.”
According to the United States, not one missile hit the base near Doha.
The Americans have registered one Iranian attack on an American military base in the region: the one on the American military base Al Udeid in Qatar. According to American officials, there were no more attacks.
Iraqi sources see no missile attack on US base in Iraq Iraqi security sources say that Iran has not carried out a missile attack on the American military base Ain Al Asad in the Iraqi Hit. However, warning sirens were heard due to a possible attack, reports the Saudi news channel Al Arabiya. Iran previously claimed to have shelled American bases in Iraq and Qatar in retaliation for American attacks on nuclear installations.
An insider in the American army now reports to Reuters that no other military bases of the US have been attacked. Earlier, attacks were reported on several bases in the region, specifically in Iraq.
American sources now officially confirm the attack to international media, including CNN. The news channel reports based on a government source that Iran attacked the Al Udeid base with medium-range missiles. The source confirms that there were no casualties.
Kuwait is also closing its airspace indefinitely, reports Reuters.
The United States was also reportedly informed in advance of the Iranian attack on the Al Udeid base. Insiders report this to Reuters and Axios. The former writes that Iran informed Washington hours in advance via “two diplomatic channels.”
An insider confirms to Reuters that Qatar was aware of the attack on the Al Udeid base. That would have happened shortly before the attack, so that Qatar could close its airspace.
Around 5:30 PM (Dutch time), Qatar reported that it had closed its airspace. The attack took place more than an hour later.
The New York Times now comes with remarkable news. The newspaper writes based on three Iranian involved that the attack on the military base near Doha is coordinated with Qatari authorities. Iran would have wanted to inform Qatar to prevent deaths.
The sources say that Iran felt compelled to carry out a symbolic retaliatory attack on the United States.
The Iranian Security Council just said in a statement that the attack was not intended to endanger the “friendly and fraternal” Qatar. Iran would like to continue to maintain warm ties with the Gulf State.
After Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also decided to temporarily close its airspace, reports FlightRadar on X.
Qatar says that there were no deaths in the attacks on the American Al Udeid base. The country says it condemns the Iranian attacks and says it has the right to strike back.
The Iranian army reports that it has attacked the Al Udeid base in Qatar. That is an American military base in the desert around Doha. The Iranian army speaks of a “devastating and powerful” missile attack.
Trump is currently in the so-called Situation Room, a source tells the American news channel CNBC. That is the heavily secured complex in the White House where the American president is usually informed about international calamities or major military operations.
The American government is aware, reports Reuters. The White House and the Department of Defense are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, a government employee said.
There is confirmation from Iranian media. News agency Tasnim reports that Iran has attacked American bases in Iraq and Qatar.
The air defense system above the Ain Al-Asad base in Iraq has gone off, military sources tell Reuters. The state of readiness is now at the highest level. Those present are ordered to move to shelters.
A reporter from The Jerusalem Post reports on X that missiles have also been launched in the direction of US military bases in Iraq.
Multiple explosions are now audible from Doha. It appears that Iran has begun the retaliatory attack on the US.
Explosions are also now being reported in Doha, the capital of Qatar. That reports Reuters based on witnesses on the spot.
A reporter from Axios now reports based on an Israeli insider that Iran has fired six missiles at American bases in Qatar.
Iran moves missiles for possible attack on American bases The Iranian armed forces have positioned missiles to place American bases in the Middle East. That reports The Wall Street Journal just based on sources within the American government.
This may mean that Iran will carry out a retaliatory attack on the United States in the short term. The US Department of Defense considers the missile movements to be a “credible” threat to American bases in the region, says one of the sources.
France condemns attack on Iranian Evin prison France has condemned the Israeli attack on a notorious Iranian prison. “The attack on the Evin prison in Tehran has endangered our citizens Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been imprisoned for three years. This is unacceptable,” wrote Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on X.
Qatar is now temporarily closing its airspace, reports news agency Reuters. The measure is intended to guarantee the safety of tourists and residents.
Israel warns Iranians in Tehran that attacks will continue to take place in the coming days. Residents of the capital must stay away from military targets, the warning said.
UN: Israeli attacks on Iran may violate international law The Israeli attacks on Iran may violate international humanitarian law. This is stated by a special team that investigated the attacks on behalf of the UN.
“Among those killed in Tehran were dozens of residents of an apartment complex and three rescue workers from the Iranian Red Crescent. Several locations have also been destroyed, including a clinic for children with autism and a hospital in Kermanshah,” the team concludes in a statement to journalists.
The research mission is also critical of the lack of warnings that Israel gives before carrying out bombardments.
Large plumes of smoke rise over Tehran after Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian capital.
Iran promises ‘forceful action’ to retaliate for US attack Iranian army leader Abdolrahim Mousavi has announced “forceful action” in response to yesterday’s US attack. Mousavi said on state television that “this crime will not go unanswered.”
It is not clear what that “powerful” response will look like. It is also not clear when Iran will retaliate.
White House clarifies Trump’s hint at regime fall in Iran Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has just clarified a message from Trump on Truth Social in which the president hints at an Iranian regime fall. “If the current regime is unable to make Iran great again, why shouldn’t there be a regime change?”, Trump wrote.
Leavitt now says that the president “just asked a question.” “If they continue to refuse to engage in diplomacy, why shouldn’t Iranians stand up against this brutal terrorist regime?”, she adds.
The message does not change the government’s military course, Leavitt emphasizes.
Trump: ‘Keep oil prices low, I’m watching you’ A remarkable post from Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social: the American president calls for oil prices to be kept low. “I’m watching you,” he writes.
The unrest in the Middle East is causing unrest on the oil market. After the US attack on Iran, the oil price rose.
That is followed by a striking statement from Rutte: the US attack on Iran is, according to him, “not in violation of international law”. It appears that Rutte does not want to offend Trump, because the experts agree that the attack did violate the law. There was no acute threat or attack from Iran.
NATO chief Rutte at a press conference: ‘Iran must not have nuclear weapons’ Mark Rutte is currently giving a press conference ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, which starts tomorrow. At that press conference he also briefly addresses the developments in Iran.
“When it comes to NATO’s position on the Iranian nuclear program, allies agreed long ago that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon,” Rutte said.
The question remains whether and when Iran will retaliate for the US attack. A reporter from Reuters just reported on X that the Americans are taking into account that such retaliation could take place within “one or two days.”
Israel can achieve most goals in the coming days Israel is well on its way to achieving its military goals in Iran, an insider tells CNN. It is possible that those goals will be achieved within a few days, the source said.
A spokesperson for the Israeli government tells news agency Reuters that the war will end when the goals around curbing Iran’s nuclear program have been achieved.
White House reiterates that Iranian nuclear facilities are ‘completely destroyed’ The White House has reiterated that the nuclear facilities that were bombed by the US are “completely destroyed”. President Donald Trump said that shortly after the US attack on Iran and White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated that just now in an interview with Good Morning America.
The International Atomic Energy Agency was unable to confirm Trump’s claims today.
This photo shows plumes of smoke over Tehran. Israel says it hit several important locations of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) and the notorious Envin prison in the capital.
A photo from the Kremlin, where President Vladimir Putin is still in talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi (front right, with his back to the camera).
Israel reports attack on notorious Iranian prison Israeli forces reported earlier today an attack on the entrance to the notorious Envin prison during attacks on the capital Iran. Iranian media confirm the attack.
CNN verified images of large black plumes of smoke over the prison complex on the north side of the Iranian capital.
Envin is notorious for its long history of human rights violations. Among others, political opponents of the regime and journalists are held in the prison.
Within the top of the Iranian regime, hard thought is being given to a successor to Khamenei The top of the Iranian regime is busy with the question of who should succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after his death. That reports Reuters based on Iranian insiders. The 86-year-old Khamenei is aware of this.
A three-member commission that was put together by the Ayatollah himself two years ago has accelerated the process to come to a successor in recent days. This was decided in view of the escalation of the conflict with Israel, in which the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to kill Khamenei.
Khamenei is regularly kept informed by the commission, reports Reuters. The Ayatollah is currently hiding with his family and is heavily guarded, the sources emphasize. Should Khamenei be killed, a successor will be appointed immediately to maintain the stability of the government.
The Israeli army now reports that it has indeed attacked the Fordow nuclear facility to prevent access to the site.
Oil tankers turn around at Strait of Hormuz At least two large oil tankers have turned around in the past 36 hours at the Strait of Hormuz, the important international shipping route along the south coast of Iran. This is evident from location data of ships analyzed by news agency Reuters. Since the US attack on Iran, it is feared that Iran will close the shipping route, which would have major consequences for international trade.
The oil transport in particular would be affected in that case. It is estimated that 20 percent of all oil is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Disruption of the oil trade is already visible, despite the fact that Iran has not yet made a decision about a possible closure of the route, reports Reuters based on insiders.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas warned this morning that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz “would not be good for anyone.” She stressed the importance of a diplomatic solution.
Iranian Foreign Minister: ‘Russia is on the right side of history’ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has just arrived at the Kremlin for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Prior to that consultation, Araqchi thanked Putin for condemning the American attacks on Iran.
Russia is on “the right side of history,” he said. Putin told Araqchi that the violence against Iran is unfounded and that Russia is ready to help the Iranian people.
The Israeli army now reports itself that it is attacking barracks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including the headquarters in Tehran.
Israeli media report that Israel has not hit the Fordow complex itself, but the access roads leading to it.
Fordow is considered the heart of Iran’s nuclear program. Uranium would be enriched here in 2,200 machines. The complex is hidden under a mountain.
Nuclear facility Fordow hit in new attack The nuclear complex in Fordow has just been hit again in an attack. Iran states that these are Israeli missiles. According to a spokesperson, there is no danger to people living nearby.
Fordow is one of the three most important places in Iran’s nuclear program. The facility was already bombed by the Americans last weekend. Donald Trump claimed that the complex was completely destroyed, but Iran contradicted that.
Members of the Iranian Red Crescent lay flowers at a vehicle of the organization that was hit by an Israeli missile last week. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, three employees of the Red Crescent have died. The Red Crescent is a relief organization that is considered the local counterpart of the Red Cross.
Rockets land on Tehran and power goes out in part of the city Eyewitnesses report that a new wave of Israeli rockets has landed on Tehran, writes news agency AP. Iranian media also report explosions in the capital. The electricity is said to have gone out in the north of the city. A rocket is said to have landed near the office of the Red Crescent, among other places. That area was also hit last week.
Israelis must take shelter from Iranian attacks The air raid siren could be heard throughout Israel this morning as a result of Iranian attacks, the Israeli army reports. The threat is now over and citizens can leave the shelters again. According to The Times of Israel, Iran fired fifteen rockets over a period of forty minutes. No one was injured.
Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Moscow for meeting with Putin Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Moscow. He will meet with President Vladimir Putin there. Iran maintains good relations with Russia and supplies, among other things, drones that are used in the war against Ukraine. Earlier, Putin put himself forward as a possible mediator between Iran and Israel, but he later weakened that offer.
Iran executes man who was convicted of cooperation with Israel In Iran, a man has been executed today who was convicted of cooperation with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. The state press agency Tasnim reports about this. The man was already arrested at the end of 2023. He is said to have led a cyber team that had ties to the Mossad. On Sunday, Iran also executed a man after a similar accusation.
US warns Americans abroad The US Department of State has issued a “worldwide warning” to Americans. The conflict in the Middle East poses an increased security risk for people traveling or living abroad.
The ministry warns, among other things, of “demonstrations against American citizens and interests abroad” and calls on Americans to be “extra cautious.”
Iran and Israel exchange rocket attacks again Iran and Israel again fired rockets back and forth last night. Around 2:00 AM (Dutch time), the Israeli army reported that rockets were en route from Iran. The air raid siren went off in Tel Aviv and citizens had to seek out their shelters. Half an hour later, according to the army, the threat was over again. The rockets would all have been intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
Iranian state media report that “air defense was used to counter enemy targets” in the center of Tehran. Israeli rockets are said to have landed near Parchin, a military complex southeast of the Iranian capital.
Militias supported by Iran would prepare attack on American bases American intelligence agencies have signals that militias supported by Iran in the Middle East are preparing to attack American military bases. That reports The New York Times based on insiders.
These would be retaliatory attacks on bases in Iraq and possibly Syria. An insider tells the American newspaper that Iraqi authorities are working hard to deter the militias.
Iran: US is sucked into war by Israel under false pretenses The United States has been misled by supporting Israel with attacks. This was said by the Iranian delegate to the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council just now. Iran has every right to defend itself, he added.
Delegate Amir Saeid Iravani said that Iran is still considering a response to the American attack. The army decides on this.
Iravani accused Israel of spreading “the misleading and incorrect narrative” that Iran is about to build a nuclear weapon. He concluded his argument with the call to hold the US and Israel “fully” accountable.
Trump praises attack on Iran again and hints at fall of Iranian regime In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump again praises the American attack on Iran. “The blows were hard and accurate,” he writes.
In another post, Trump hints at a so-called regime change in Iran. “It is not politically correct to use that term, but if the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why shouldn’t there be a regime change?”, the president asks rhetorically.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the US is seeking the fall of the Iranian regime.