Israel under fire: Iran retaliates with missile barrage as US forces join defense

Iran has reportedly confirmed that its Fordow nuclear site was damaged, according to Reuters, which cited the semi-official ISNA news agency.

"There has been limited damage to some areas at the Fordow enrichment site," state atomic energy agency spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi said, according to Reuters. "We had already moved a significant part of the equipment and materials out, and there was no extensive damage and there are no contamination concerns." 

It is unclear whether this was a direct result of an Israeli strike, as an IDF official said on Saturday that Israel did not hit Fordow.

Left: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun Right: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz sent a stark warning to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as tensions between their two nations continue to rise.

"The Iranian dictator is turning Iran’s citizens into hostages and creating a reality in which they — especially the residents of Tehran — will pay a heavy price for the criminal attacks against Israeli civilians. If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at Israel’s home front – Tehran will burn," Katz said following a situation assessment with IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and top IDF officials.

Elon Musk seemed to indicate that Starlink was made available to the people of Iran after reports of the country limiting internet access following Israeli airstrikes.

During a Friday appearance on "Hannity," Mark Levin, the host of "Life, Liberty and Levin," called on Musk to "turn on Starlink" for the people of Iran. Levin then tweeted about the possibility of Musk turning on Starlink to which the Tesla founder replied, "the beams are on."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee wrote a post on X aimed at Americans who question the U.S.-Israel relationship. He explained that the number of Americans living in Israel is "equivalent to a full House district."

"More Americans [live] here than in any other country except Mexico! Iran isn’t just attacking Israel but your fellow Americans who live here," Huckabee wrote.

IDF

Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar said Israel "will continue to damage" Iranian targets.

"After an active day in which we struck hundreds of targets, including dozens of surface-to-air targets, we conducted a series of precise strikes of operational and national significance which improved our aerial superiority and our freedom of activity in Iran," Bar said during a situational assessment following the strikes. "For the first time since the beginning of the war, over 1,500 km from Israeli territory, the IAF struck defense arrays in the area of Tehran."

"We chose to take action against an existential threat to our civilians, with professionalism, determination, and precision."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said previously that it expects the operation against Iran to last for a number of days following its historic preemptive attack.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke over the phone on Friday after Jerusalem launched a preemptive attack against Iran, according to 10 Downing Street.

"The Prime Minister was clear that Israel has a right to self-defense and set out the UK’s grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear program," Starmer's office said in a statement. He also reportedly expressed the need for "de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution."

Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said Israel's "decisive action" against Iran's "nuclear capabilities" made the U.S. and countries around the world safer.

"We have watched for too long the Iranian regime fund terrorist proxies, break all UN agreements, and build up their nuclear program," Haley claimed Friday on X.

"Their mantras have been 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel,'" she continued. "Israel took decisive action to put an end to Iran’s nuclear capabilities and made America and the world safer. We owe them a debt of gratitude."

Haley added: "We should continue to pray for a better life for the Iranian people away from this terrorist regime."

Getty Images

U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) senior advisor Kari Lake confirmed that Voice of America’s (VOA) Persian news service is ramping up coverage as tensions between Iran and Israel intensify.

"History is being made, and VOA Persian news service is rising to the occasion to cover it," Lake said Friday in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital.

"Farsi language is a statutorily required for USAGM. We are ramping up — as we’ve always planned to do — to meet this historic moment," she continued. "Everyone who is being called back has been on paid administrative leave, so they are simply being called back into the office to cover this historic moment in Iran."

"VOA Persian news service is, very appropriately, covering one of the most consequential moments in Iran’s history," she concluded.

Lake’s remarks follow the recall of approximately 75 Farsi-speaking staffers, including dozens of journalists, from administrative leave, according to The Washington Post. Most are returning to cover the escalating conflict, which began with Israel’s precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites and was followed by Iran’s missile barrage on Israeli cities.

The move comes after months of cost-cutting at the government-funded VOA and USAGM.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Jasmine Baehr.

At least two people have been killed following four rounds of Iranian missile strikes into Israel.

An Israeli woman who was critically wounded by Iranian missiles died from her wounds she sustained in attacks late Friday in Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem Post reported, and another person was killed after a fourth wave of strikes decimated a residential area at dawn Saturday in central Israel.

In addition, several homes in Tel Aviv were reportedly damaged by Iranian ballistic missiles as first responders searched for survivors.

Iran launched missile strikes targeting various parts of Israel on Friday night and early Saturday morning.

Images posted online showed homes destroyed and others with partial damage.

Magen David Adom, Israel's national EMS, said it was treating and evacuating 21 people after a rocket strike into a residential area in the country's coastal plain.

Getty Images

China's permanent representative to the U.N., Fu Cong, said Friday that Beijing condemns Israel's "violations of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity" and "opposes intensifying conflicts and expanding conflicts."

Speaking at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Fu said China is "deeply concerned about the serious consequences that the relevant Israeli actions may entail," emphasizing that an escalation in the region would not be in anyone's interest.

"We urge Israel to immediately cease all military adventures and avoid any further escalation of tensions, and call on all parties concerned to abide by the Charter of the United Nations and international law, resolve their disputes through political and diplomatic means and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region," Fu said.

China is "seriously concerned" about the negative impact of current developments on diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, Fu said, adding that China has "always been committed to a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation, and opposes the application of force and illegal unilateral sanctions, as well as armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities."

"Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy as a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons should be fully respected," he continued.

Getty Images

Iran's Foreign Ministry argued that Israel's offensive sabotaged diplomacy talks with U.S. officials, claiming that the negotiations are now "meaningless."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said "the other side acted in a way that rendered dialogue meaningless," according to state media.

"One cannot claim to pursue negotiations while simultaneously allowing a genocidal regime to target Iran’s territorial integrity," he said.

The spokesperson also said it is "unimaginable" that Israel would carry out these attacks without U.S. approval.

"Israel’s wish has always been to entangle Western parties in crisis, and this time, it seems, it has again succeeded in derailing diplomacy," he said.

Senator Mark Kelly reiterated his stance on the Israel-Iran tensions on June 13, 2025, urging both countries to de-escalate their military actions. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., on Friday warned that the region is in a “dangerous moment” of possible escalation following Israel’s attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes.

“It’s unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the senator began in a statement posted to X. “President Trump killing the Iran nuclear agreement accelerated Iran’s development towards a bomb.”

The former Navy pilot added that while Israel “has a right to defend itself,” he still hopes for a diplomatic solution.

“While no one should grieve the death of Iranian commanders who have directed terrorism and killed innocent people, this is a dangerous moment and I am concerned about escalation in the region that could endanger American citizens, troops, and our interests.”

He added, “As we support Israel and their people from Iran’s response, everyone needs to be focused on de-escalation.”

An explosion caused by a projectile strike illuminates the skyline in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israel is being warned of a fourth round of missiles launched from Iran.

“Alerts were activated in several areas of the country following the discovery of missiles launched from Iran into the territory of the State of Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces wrote on X.

“The public is asked to obey the Home Front Command's instructions," the IDF said. "At this time, the Air Force is working to intercept and attack wherever necessary to eliminate the threat. The defense is not hermetic, and therefore the Home Front Command's instructions must continue to be followed.”

Iran has launched multiple strikes against Israel over the past 24 hours in retaliation for an Israeli strike targeting a nuclear facility.

The Islamic Republic claimed the Israeli strike killed at least 78 people injured more than 320 others were injured.

President Donald Trump joked on Friday morning about the fate of Iranian officials in the wake of Israel’s recent airstrike, according to CNN's Dana Bash.

Bash spoke on Friday about her phone call with Trump, where she asked him about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s initial statement about Israel’s strikes, which did not explicitly say that the U.S. supported them.

"We, of course, support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it," Trump said, according to Bash. "It was a very successful attack. Iran should have listened to me when I said - you know, I gave them, I don‘t know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning. And today is day 61."

"They should now come to the table to make a deal before it's too late. It will be too late for them. You know, the people I was dealing with are dead," he added, though he wouldn't give specific names, only that the "hardliners" were dead.

"This is as a result of the attack last night?" Bash asked him.

"Yeah. They didn’t die of the flu. They didn’t die of COVID," Bash described him saying "quite sarcastically." 

This post features a excerpt of an article by Alexander Hall.

A projectile strike hits a building in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Iran on Friday warned that U.S. bases in the Middle East are within its reach, following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites that killed top officials.

The U.N. Mission to Iran issued a letter to the U.N. Security Council, saying the U.S., as a “backer” of Israel, “shall be held fully accountable.”

The letter condemned what it called a “serious threat to international security” after the strikes killed “four military commanders, one Iranian official allegedly involved in the nuclear talks with the U.S., and two nuclear scientists.”

Earlier this week, ahead of a now-cancelled meeting between the U.S. and Iran in Oman, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said: “If a conflict is imposed on us … all U.S. bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries.”

The Trump administration announced a partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Iraq and authorized military dependents to leave certain locations in the region.

President Trump told reporters: “We have a lot of American people in this area. And I said, we got to tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings.”

According to October 2024 Defense Department figures, about 40,000 U.S. service members are stationed across the Middle East. The U.S. operates at least 19 sites in countries including Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE, eight of which are permanent.

Iran analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said: “Given the fact that in January 2020, Iran launched short-range, precision strike ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq for killing Qasem Soleimani… this is not a theoretical exercise.”

“There is a political element to the regime continuously threatening America… to put as much daylight between America and Israel as possible.”

Fox News Digital's Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.

CNN political contributor and Trump supporter Scott Jennings was stuck in Israel following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Friday.

“There have been a few surprises that I didn’t anticipate during my trip to Israel, to say the least,” Jennings, who shared with his X followers on Monday that he would be off TV for a week due to a trip to Israel, wrote on X early Saturday local time.

“President Trump told Iran they had 60 days to make a deal. They didn't listen. Now they're paying the price,” he wrote earlier in a separate post. “What's incredible is that the US and Israel actively planned for this scenario of non-compliance. What they pulled off is miraculous.”

Jennings also posted several videos from his hotel on the Sea of Galilee of missile intercepts.

Following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran early Friday, he wrote, “Quick update: not much has happened since my last updates. Skies are quiet & we are waiting to see if Iranian drones actually reach Israel. Don't think I am getting out of Israel today! But will continue to report on what I see and hear.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called for the president to go "all-in" for Israel should a diplomatic end to the conflict with Iran not be met.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to return to the negotiating table to strike a nuclear deal to avoid "even more brutal" attacks.

Graham lauded Trump’s desire to bring Iran back to the table but countered that "if Iran refuses this offer, I strongly believe it is in America’s national security interest to go all-in to help Israel finish the job."

"One of the benefits of this approach is that it would substantially undo the damage done to our reputation by Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan," Graham said on X. 

"If diplomacy fails, going all-in for Israel shows that America is back as a reliable ally and a strong force against oppression. It would strengthen our hand in all corners of the world, as well as all other conflicts we face."

This post features an excerpt from an article by Alex Miller.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urges calm following the exchange of military strikes between Israel and Iran on June 13, 2025. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, implored both sides of the Israel-Iran conflict to find a peaceful solution.

“Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv,” he wrote on X as Iranian missiles targeted Tel Aviv. “Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail.”

Guterres has been critical of Israel amid its war against Hamas, which started the current conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel has criticized the U.N. for not forcefully coming out against Hamas

People seek shelter as sirens sound during a missile strike in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, on June 13, 2025. (Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images)

A new poll shows that more Americans support than oppose Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites if diplomacy fails.

The survey, released by the Ronald Reagan Institute, was conducted before Israel launched its major strike on Iran early Friday, known as Operation Rising Lion.

According to the poll, 45% of Americans said they would back Israeli airstrikes if talks with Iran break down. Thirty-seven percent said they were against the strikes, and 18% said they weren’t sure.

The results show a clear split between political parties. 60% of Republicans support the strikes, compared to 35% of independents and 32% of Democrats.

Just over half of Democrats oppose the strikes, along with a third of independents and 27% of Republicans.

The poll also found that most Americans see Israel’s security as important to the U.S., even if they don’t agree on how to support it.

The survey was conducted between May 22 and June 2, before Israel struck Iran’s nuclear and military targets.

Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

An X account created to track the busyness of pizza shops could have predicted a major international event. 

The Pentagon Pizza Report tracks the real-time foot traffic at pizza spots near the Pentagon, hinting at officials working late at the government building, which may suggest potential conflict.

Hours before Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," the account posted the activity of four pizza shops, captioning the post, "Most pizza establishments near the Pentagon are currently experiencing average traffic as of about 3:05pm ET."

The strikes took place late Thursday evening as the Pentagon Pizza Report monitored pizza shops in the Arlington, Virginia, area.

The account continued posting updates about the closest and second-closest Domino's to the Pentagon leading up to and following the airstrikes.

A post at 8:57 p.m. reported that the location had "surged in traffic."

This post features an excerpt of an article by Ashley J. DiMella.

MDA

Two Israeli first responders suffered minor injuries on Friday when an MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit was hit by shrapnel following Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on Israel, an MDA, Israel’s emergency services, spokesperson said.

The two women were wearing protective gear and suffered minor injuries from glass shards.

They were treated at the scene and didn’t need to be hospitalized.

An Israeli naval ship took out 5 Iranian drones launched from the Islamic Republic, authorities said Saturday.

A video posted by the Israel Defense Forces shows two drones being intercepted and blasted out of the sky.

Separately, an Israeli air force helicopter took down a drone earlier in the day, Israel said. @rick.eggleston

An Iranian missile strike Friday night hit cities across Israel, causing serious damage, dozens of injuries and at least one death.

Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, reporting live from the scene, described a heavily damaged neighborhood near Israel’s military headquarters, the Kiryat.

He said emergency crews were rushing into buildings to search for people who might still be trapped. Glass covered the sidewalks, and some building floors were either flooded or destroyed.

“One floor was flooded and another completely exploded,” Yingst reported, after speaking with a woman named Noya who was in the building during the blast. She said the explosion was so powerful it shook the entire building, injuring people and leaving parts of it burned and flooded.

According to Magen David Adom (MDA), 34 people were injured in the strikes. A woman in her 60s was critically hurt. A man in his 60s was seriously injured. A man and a woman in their 50s were moderately wounded. Another 30 people had light injuries from the blast and falling debris. Thirteen more were treated for anxiety. All were taken to hospitals.

MDA also treated 13 people for anxiety.

MDA paramedic Harel Sasson said one woman, around 70 years old, was found under rubble in critical condition and was given CPR during evacuation. He also treated a man with shrapnel wounds to the face and a woman with moderate shrapnel injuries.

Other lightly injured people were also evacuated. Sasson said MDA teams are still on the scene assisting search efforts.

Simcha Simandayev, director of an MDA Station, said a man with head injuries, burns, and smoke inhalation was treated and taken to the hospital in moderate condition. Others with minor injuries were also treated and evacuated.

In a separate rocket impact site, Israeli police confirmed that one person was killed and 20 more were injured.

Caitlyn Jenner was pictured sipping wine while sheltering amid retaliatory strikes by Iran during her visit to Israel.

Jenner, who went to Israel for the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, according to the Times of Israel, was pictured drinking a glass of wine in a bomb shelter with an Israeli influencer as Iranian missiles rained down.

“Quiet’ night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail. I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever," Jenner wrote on X with an image showing missiles above the sky in Tel Aviv.

The pride parade was canceled due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Sen. Chuck Schumer speaking at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D- N.Y., on Friday said that the United States’ support for Israel’s defense must be “ironclad” as Iran retaliates against Israel with missile strikes.

“I have been briefed on events in the Middle East and am closely tracking developments,” Schumer said in a statement. “I am praying for the safety of American citizens and servicemembers in the region and for enduring stability and security in the region.”

He added, “The United States’ commitment to Israel’s security and defense must be ironclad as they prepare for Iran’s response.”

Noting that the Iranian regime's stated policy has been to destroy Israel, he added, “I have long said that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” which he said needs to be a top national security priority.

He said every effort should be made to reach a diplomatic solution with Iran.

Schumer continued, “As the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime has sought to expand its influence in the Middle East, exporting terror and violence across the region. In fact, Iran was just censured at the International Atomic Energy Agency for systematically deceiving the world about its nuclear program. I will continue to stay in close touch with officials as events unfold.”

Israel's air defense system fire to intercepts projectiles launched from Iran, as seen in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel on Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Iran has launched another wave of missiles aimed toward Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Sources tell Fox News that Iran has fired 50 ballistic missiles at Israel during this latest salvo.

"The IDF identified that missiles were recently launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel," the IDF wrote on X. "The defense systems are working to intercept the threat."

Israel was working to intercept the missiles as Iran continues retaliatory strikes.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

McCoy Pitt, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on June 13, 2025, in New York City. Pitt said Israel told the U.S. about the attack ahead of time, explaining it was necessary for their self-defense. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The United States at a Friday emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council warned Iran not to target Americans, American bases or other infrastructure following its retaliatory strikes on Israel.

McCoy Pitt, of the Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, said that Israel told the U.S. about the attack ahead of time – Israel explained it was necessary for their self-defense – but the U.S. was not involved militarily.

“Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself and Israel is no exception,” he added. “Our absolute, foremost priority is the protection of U.S. citizens, personnel, and forces in the region.”

Reiterating Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said, “Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel. Let me be crystal clear: no government, proxy, or independent actor should target American citizens, American bases, or other American infrastructure in the region. The consequences for Iran would be dire.”

He added that U.S. President Donald Trump has said: “The violence should come to an end, and Iran should make a deal so that there is ‘no more death, no more destruction.’”

(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday over Israel launching airstrikes on Iran nuclear sites.

“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders accused Netanyahu of using the “starvation of children in Gaza as a tool of war” before launching an “illegal unilateral attack on Iran” that he said “risks a full-blown regional war.”

He continued, “These strikes also directly contravened the express wishes of the United States, which was seeking a diplomatic resolution to the long-standing tensions around Iran’s nuclear program.

Talks were planned for Sunday, but Netanyahu chose instead to launch an attack.”

He said the U.S. must be clear that the country won’t be “dragged into another Netanyahu war.

Along with the international community we should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.”

Sailors man the rail as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) returns to Naval Station Rota, May 29, 2024. Arleigh Burke, forward-deployed to Rota, is on a scheduled patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa (U.S. Navy photo by Courtney Pollock)

The U.S. Navy has several warships positioned across the Middle East as tensions rise in the region.

Two guided-missile destroyers, the USS Sullivans and USS Arleigh Burke, are in the Eastern Mediterranean. They were already there on scheduled deployments and remain under U.S. European Command.

A third ship, the USS Thomas Hudner, is now on its way to join them.

These are Burke-class destroyers, among the most advanced in the U.S. fleet. They’re equipped with the Aegis system, which can detect and shoot down incoming missiles.

U.S. Navy ships like these are now being used to help defend Israel as it comes under missile attack from Iran.

Other U.S. ships are stationed nearby. In the Red Sea, the USS Forrest Sherman and USS Truxton are currently deployed. In the Arabian Sea, the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is operating along with four more ships: the USS Milius, USS Sterett, USS Wayne E. Meyer (all destroyers), and the USS Princeton, a guided-missile cruiser.

Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this report.

Israeli troops and first responders gather in an area hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on Friday.

A Democratic California congressman on Friday accused Iran of “cowardice” following its retaliatory strike on Israel.

“#Israel’s strike on #Iran was targeted precisely at senior Iranian military commanders and military sites that posed an existential threat to Israel,” Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., wrote on X Friday afternoon. “The Islamic Republic’s response? To target civilian centers in #TelAviv. Unsurprising cowardice from a regime that has spent decades brutalizing its own people.”

Iran’s strike on Tel Aviv, which injured at least five people, came hours after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that in the past hour, “two barrages of surface-to-surface missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.”

According to IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, “fewer than 100 missiles were fired. Most were intercepted by air defense systems or failed to reach their targets.” He added, “There are a few impacts on buildings, some caused by interception debris.”

Defrin stressed the importance of following safety measures, stating: “Your responsibility on the home front saves lives. This evening again demonstrated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. I ask you to continue doing so — it saves lives.”

He also urged the public not to share videos or photos of impact sites, warning, “The enemy monitors such footage to improve its targeting.”

“This is yet another indication of the necessity of the operation, whose goal is to remove the threat,” Defrin said. “We will not allow Iran to grow stronger and produce quantities of missiles that could pose an existential threat to the State of Israel.”

He concluded by noting that the IDF continues to assess the situation and is “prepared to continue to operate as necessary.”

In a separate statement, the IDF said it struck Iranian military targets earlier Friday, including the Hamadan and Tabriz air force bases in western Iran.

“The ‘Tabriz’ base was dismantled as a result of the strike,” the IDF reported.

Additionally, “dozens of targets belonging to the Iranian Regime's Aerial Defense Array, UAVs, and surface-to-surface missile launchers” were struck and dismantled.

The IDF stated, “The State of Israel has the obligation to defend its civilians and will continue to do so wherever necessary, as it has done before.”

The IDF stressed that it is “continuously conducting situational assessments” and “will continue to update on developments.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a sharp warning to Iran following its large-scale ballistic missile assault on Israeli cities, declaring that Tehran has "crossed red lines."

“Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles at civilian population centers in Israel,” Katz said in a statement translated from Hebrew.

The remarks follow multiple waves of Iranian missile launches, with confirmed impacts near major Israeli cities including Tel Aviv.

Israel’s air defenses intercepted many of the projectiles, but several reached civilian areas, prompting emergency responses.

“We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions,” Katz added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Operation Rising Lion as "one of the greatest military operations in history," aimed at dismantling the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threat.

“To the proud people of Iran,” Netanyahu said, “we are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion.” He continued, “The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years, threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. The objective of Israel's operation is to thwart the Islamic regime's nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us. As we achieve our objective we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom.”

“In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. More is on the way,” he added. “The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's actions target the regime, not the people of Iran: “Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you... The nation of Iran and the nation of Israel have been friends since the days of Cyrus the Great.”

“This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom — Zan, Zendegi, Azadi.” He concluded, “Mar-do-me sh-ja-ee Iran, noor bar tariki piruz ast. Brave people of Iran, light defeats the darkness.”

Magen David Adom emergency teams respond to missile attacks from Iran in the Tel Aviv area on Friday, June 13. Courtesy of Magen David Adom

Following Red Alert sirens across Israel, missile impacts have caused damage and injuries in the greater Tel Aviv area tonight.

According to Magen David Adom (MDA), emergency teams are treating five individuals wounded by shrapnel: one in moderate condition, four lightly injured.

All have been evacuated to hospitals. Additionally, four people suffering from acute anxiety have been treated on the scene.

Images from the scene show shattered vehicles, scorched streets, and emergency teams operating under floodlights amid the debris of damaged residential buildings.

One video shows responders rushing into action as more sirens wail in the distance.

This comes amid Iran’s ongoing “True Promise 3” missile campaign against Israel.

President Donald Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier on Friday that “The Iranians were hit ten times worse than they thought they would be.” 

“They weren’t ready to negotiate. I think they may be now.  We’ll see,” Trump said regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear program. 

Senior U.S. officials told Fox News that a long list of nuclear scientists and military leaders were targeted by Israel’s surprise airstrikes Friday. 

The officials added that 90% of Iran’s top nuclear scientists as well as other senior military officers and other Iranian leaders may have been targeted in the strikes.

Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on Friday that Tehran would bring Israel "to ruin" after Jerusalem launched its preemptive attack.

"The armed forces will bring the vile regime to ruin. They will not escape unscathed from this crime. The Iranian nation can be assured—there will be no negligence," Khamenei said in a statement provided to Fox News by an Iranian official.

The IDF has released an animated video showing how its attack on Iran played out.

Early Friday morning local time, Israel began its preemptive strikes targeting nuclear facilities and top Iranian military officials. According to a senior Israeli security official, the Mossad carried out several covert actions inside Iran to prepare for Israel's Operation Rising Lion.

WORLD

Inside Israel’s secret war in Iran: Mossad commandos, hidden drones and the strike that stunned Tehran

Israel’s historic strike on Iran revealed years of Mossad activity inside the country, including hidden weapons, drones and assassinations of nuclear officials.

Israel’s overnight strike on Iran was not only one of the most ambitious aerial campaigns in recent history, it was the result of years of covert planning, surveillance and infiltration by Israeli intelligence. 

While dozens of fighter jets bombed nuclear and military targets across Iran early Friday morning, the groundwork had long been laid by Mossad agents working in lockstep with the Israeli military.

Code-named "Am Kelavi" (Rising Lion), the preemptive operation was the product of unprecedented coordination between the Israeli air force, the Military Intelligence Directorate, Mossad and the country’s defense industries. For years, they worked "shoulder to shoulder" to gather the intelligence files needed to eliminate Iran’s most sensitive military and nuclear assets.

A general view shows the mostly empty streets near Tel Aviv's beachfront on Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP/Leo Correa)

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that “The Home Front Command has now instructed residents across the country to remain close to protected spaces.” 

The warning comes over concerns about retaliation from Iran in the wake of Israel’s airstrikes on top Iranian military leaders and its nuclear facilities. 

“Movement in public areas should be minimized, and public gatherings must be avoided,” the IDF said. “Upon receiving an alert, enter a protected space and remain there until an official update is issued.” 

Israel’s military said earlier Friday that it intercepted drones launched from Iran. 

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 aircraft is seen landing at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport in August 2020. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

Delta announced Friday it’s suspending flights from New York to Israel for most of the summer due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. 

“Delta has paused flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) from New York-JFK through August 31 in response to the ongoing conflict in the region,” the major U.S. airline said in a statement. “Customers impacted by flight cancellations will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation as these cancellations are processed in Delta’s system and may contact Delta or their travel agent for rebooking options.” 

“The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority. Delta is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports,” the airline also said. 

As of Friday afternoon, the skies over Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Iran are devoid of air traffic following the closure of their airspaces. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Friday asking for “explicit condemnation” of Israel's “aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities."

“In his letter, while emphasizing Iran's decision to take special measures to protect nuclear equipment and materials, Araghchi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver a decisive response to the act of aggression,” Iran's foreign ministry said. “He further called for immediate action by the director general to convene an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to address the situation.”

The development comes after Grossi called Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday, an Israeli presidential spokesperson told Fox News.Grossi told Herzog that Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports."

Radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged. The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures," Grossi later said in a statement.

This is an excerpt from an article by Greg Norman. Click here to read more.

null

null

null

The NYPD said it is ramping up security at Jewish sites across New York City after Israel launched strikes on Iran overnight.

The precautionary measures aim to protect Jewish communities amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. 

"Out of an abundance of caution, we're deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli and other sites throughout NYC," the NYPD wrote on X late Thursday as the attacks were unfolding.

This is an excerpt from an article by Michael Dorgan. Click here to read more.

Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Israeli President Isaac Herzog released a statement on his country's operation against Iran, saying that it was about preserving freedom and ensuring a more peaceful future in the Middle East.

"Freedom is not preserved by words alone—it demands courage, vigilance, and the resolve to act when necessary," Herzog wrote in a post on X. "This is a struggle for the safety of the Middle East and the world. This is a battle for a more peaceful future in the Middle East. This is a battle for the values of the free world. Iran must not have nuclear capabilities."

The Mossad — Israel's equivalent of the CIA — released footage of its operatives carrying out covert operations inside Iran ahead of Israel's historic strike. This is a rare look at the agency's activities, which are mostly secret.

According to a senior Israeli security official, the Mossad took several steps inside Iran to prepare for Israel's preemptive attack. The agency set up a secret explosive drone base inside Iran prior to the attack. Once the strikes started, the drones were activated to destroy surface-to-surface missiles that Israel said posed a threat to its civilians.

FILE - The USS Thomas Hudner during christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, April 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

Following Israel's preemptive attack on Iran, the Navy directed the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving closer to Israel as well, a U.S. official tells Fox News.

This echoes a move the US made in April 2024 after Iran shot ballistic missiles at Israel. At the time, USS Carney and USS Arleigh Burke shot down the missiles.

Much of the world voiced concern on Friday following Israel’s early-morning strikes on over 100 targets in Iran, urging both nations to avoid further escalation.

Iran responded with a drone counterattack, and Israel declared the strikes were only the first wave in a broader campaign to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Israel acted unilaterally, stating the U.S. was not involved in the strikes, while President Donald Trump warned Iran the next round of Israeli attacks would be "even more brutal." 

This is an excerpt from an article by Morgan Phillips. Click here to read the full story.

REUTERS/Mustafa Khasaf

Iran's mission to the United Nations is calling for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council following Israel's launch of Operation Rising Lion.

"The Israeli regime and its backer — namely the United States — shall be held fully accountable for these blatant violations of international law and their grave consequences," the mission wrote in a post on X.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a letter to the U.N. Security Council in which he called Israel's operation "a brazen and unlawful act of aggression." Araghchi also urged the international community to take action.

"Israel, the most terrorist regime in the world, has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished," Araghchi wrote.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon joined "FOX & Friends" after Israel's historic strikes on Iran.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

The Iron Dome has been an integral part of Israel’s multi-layer defense since it was originally deployed in 2011. The Iron Dome works to keep the citizens of Israel safe with its ability to detect incoming air threats.

The Iron Dome is a missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It acts as a shield that can detect threats such as missiles, artillery shells, short-range rockets and drones.

Once a threat is detected, data is relayed to a missile firing unit, and interceptor Tamir missiles are then fired to eliminate it.

The Iron Dome has been instrumental throughout Israel's long-standing conflict with Hamas. Since 2011, the Iron Dome has had over a 90% success rate and has intercepted over 5,000 rockets, according to Rafael’s website.

The Iron Dome air defense system has a long history of successfully intercepting threats from the sky and proved successful once again as it intercepted some drones and missiles aimed at Israel after their attack on Iran’s nuclear sites.

Airlines are diverting flights away from the airspace of multiple Middle Eastern countries on Friday following Israel’s surprise airstrikes on Iran.

Tracking data from the website Flightradar24 shows that carriers are avoiding flying over Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Iran, which each have closed their airspaces, reports say.

"The purpose of the closure is to prevent and reduce risk to passengers and aircraft,” Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety said, according to Ynet News. “Passengers who were scheduled to depart today from [Tel Aviv’s] Ben Gurion Airport are requested to stay home and not to come to the airport.”

Airlines are also suspending flights in the wake of the airstrikes, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami and the country's chief of staff of the armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, were killed by the strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Jerusalem, October 24, 2023. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his country's opposition to Iran's nuclear program, but urged "all parties to exercise maximum restraint" in the wake of Israel's historic strikes.

In his statement, Macron also reassured his people, saying that he would take "all necessary steps" to protect French nationals and diplomats in the region.

"Peace and security for all in the region must remain our guiding principle," Macron wrote.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said in a video update that was posted around 2:00 a.m. ET that Israel had seen "considerable success" in its historic preemptive strike on Iran. He also called for "patience and perseverance," saying that it was going to be a "long haul."

"If Iran would have achieved a nuclear weapon and would have used it, the eulogies for the State of Israel would have been the most beautiful eulogies ever written. But we're not interested in eulogies, we're interested in life. We've come home to live and to live in peace. And we're going to pursue peace through strength at every cost."

An Israeli security official told Fox News that Israel was able to trick top commanders of Iran's air force into gathering for a meeting.

“We carried out specific activities to help us learn more about them, and then used that information to influence their behavior,” the official said. “We knew this would lead them to meet — but more importantly, we knew how to keep them there.”

The official added that the strikes were more successful than Israel had anticipated. According to the source, air defense systems and ballistic missiles that were intended for use against Israel were preemptively targeted.

President Donald Trump points to a reporter for a question during an event signing a bill blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump called on Iran to make a deal and warned that "the next already planned attacks" would be "even more brutal" than the opening strikes of Israel's Operation Rising Lion.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire."

The president also demanded Teheran make a deal to avoid more death and destruction.

A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated Jan. 24, 2025. (Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi called Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Fox News has learned. According to Israeli media, Grossi told Herzog that the Natanz nuclear facility was severely damaged in the strike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it struck Natanz, which is Iran's largest uranium enrichment site.

"Overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, struck the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area," an IDF statement read. "In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted."

The IDF credits coordination between the Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Air Force for successful strike.

Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami and IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh stand together during a joint exercise called the 'Great Prophet 17' in the southwest of Iran, December 24, 2021. Picture taken Dec. 24, 2021. (Saeed Sajjadi/Fars News/WWest Asia News Agency via REUTERS)

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said most of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) air force leadership was taken out in a strike.

The dead include Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s Air Force, the Israeli Defense Forces said Friday.

Additionally, the IRGC's air command was convened underground when the strike occurred.

Israel’s attacks early Friday also took out two top Iranian generals; Gen. Hossein Salami, the leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iranian armed forces.

An Israeli military official told reporters on Friday that the country is prepared for a potential response from Iran, including ballistic missiles. Teheran launched ballistic missiles at Israel in April 2024 and October 2024.

The official also said that Israel had "no choice" but to confront what it describes as a "concrete threat" to its citizens. The Israeli military official also noted that Iran's missile range goes beyond Israel, meaning it is a threat to more than Jerusalem.

While an order for Israelis to stay near shelters amid Iran's drone attack has been lifted, the military official said that "the threat isn't over yet."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the people of Iran, saying that his country was not fighting them, but rather the regime.

"To the brave people of Iran, I have a message for them: Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "I believe that the day of your liberation is near, and when that happens the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again."

A senior Israeli security official gave Fox News an inside look at Operation Rising Lion in which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Mossad worked side-by-side. The operations leading up to Israel's strikes involved intelligence gathering, advanced technologies and the deployment of commando forces operating across Iran, the official said.

The official said that extensive intelligence was gathered and surveillance was conducted to incriminate senior officials in the Iranian security establishment and nuclear scientists who were eliminated. The Mossad in coordination with the IDF carried out a series of elimination operations deep inside Iran, according to the official.

As Israel's attack began, Mossad agents in central Iran deployed precision-guided weapons systems into open areas near Teheran's surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The missiles were launched at their targets as Israeli airstrikes began. Additionally, the Mossad deployed strike systems and advanced technologies on vehicles with the goal of neutralizing Iran's air defense capabilities that threaten Israeli jets. Further, the Mossad had previously established a base of explosive drones, which were activated and launched toward surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers that posed threats to Israeli civilians and strategic targets.

The IDF confirmed early Friday it has begun intercepting UAVs fired from Iran, outside of its territory.

The retaliatory drone attack from Tehran comes hours after Israel launched a preemptive strike on the Islamic Republican, targeting its nuclear facilities.

Air raid sirens sounded over Jordan’s capital Friday as Iranian drones were inbound to target Israel.

Iraqi security officials told The Associated Press that more than 100 drones launched from Iran toward Israel were tracked crossing Iraqi airspace.

Neighboring Jordan, meanwhile, has closed its airspace.

Saudi Arabia early Friday issued a scathing attack on Israel, condemning the Jewish State for its early morning strike on Iran.

"Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran,” Saudi officials said in a statement.

The Kingdom said Israel’s attack undermines Iran’s “sovereignty and security and constitute[s] a clear violation of international laws and norms."

Israel’s top military spokesperson BG Effie Defrin has confirmed that Iran has launched 100 drones at Israel.

Defrin said that the drones had not arrived yet but that they were working to intercept them.

According to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, it will take them a couple of hours for the drones to get there and likely they could be coupled with missile fire.

The attack is a response from the Iranians, following the Israeli strikes overnight that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

The strike according to IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin took out key Iranian commanders.“We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran.” 

Israeli civilians have been told to stay close to bomb shelters and Israel's Prime Minister says the instructions may last for longer than previous times, according to Yingst.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he believes this could go on for go on for a couple of weeks. 

IDF forces early Friday confirmed that Israeli strikes on Iran have killed three of the country's top generals.

The senior Iranian leaders taken out include the country's chief of staff of the armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command.

That is in addition to the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami. 

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon warned “intense days” are ahead for the Jewish state after it launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“We know that we have intense days ahead. And we are ready for that,” Danon told Fox News’ Trace Gallagher early Friday. “And we are preparing the population of Israel to be ready for that.”

Danon said the attack was not only about the heroism of the pilots or intelligence officials involved, but also the Israeli people.

“They have to follow the instructions. Keep themselves safe. And it will not be easy for us. But we are determined to finish the job.”

Exiled Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi weighed in early Friday after an Israeli attack on Tehran.

Pahlavi, son of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who’s government fell to Islamists in 1979, said the “only solution to the ongoing crisis with Iran” was “helping the Iranian people overthrow the regime that holds both Iran and the world hostage.”

“The Islamic Republic has plundered Iran's wealth not to serve our people but to spend hundreds of billions on enrichment and a hidden nuclear program, pushing Iran to the brink of war. This regime was trying to fool the world. Now it has been exposed. It must be held to account,” the exiled crown prince said. “In the Pahlavi era, Iran was an original signatory of the NPT. But today, the IAEA has ruled that the Islamic Republic is violating it.”

Pahlavi said Iranian supreme leader and his “criminal mafia” have “announced the construction of a new enrichment facility.”

“With their violations, enrichment, and threats to withdraw from the NPT, Khamenei and his cronies are proving once again they cannot be trusted. They are not worthy partners for negotiation,” Pahlavi said. “But in contrast to this illegitimate regime, there is a real alternative: the Iranian people, who seek peaceful cooperation, and a future free from fear of war. Hold the Islamic Republic accountable by applying Maximum Pressure including Snapback sanctions and giving Maximum Support to its greatest foe: the people of Iran fighting bravely against it.” 

Numbers 23:24 (Ziv Koren)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed a note in the Western Wall Thursday with a verse from the Book of Numbers.

The verse, Numbers 23:24 reads: “A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up.”

“Rising Lion” is the name of the operation the State of Israel launched on Iran’s “nuclear and missile infrastructure, with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to citizens of Israel and the entire world,” Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the UN Security-General and members of the Security Council.

Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night.

President Donald Trump told Fox News Channel's chief political anchor Bret Baier he was aware that Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump said.

Trump has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times in recent days.

The Trump administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes.

Trump is watching for any retaliation, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is on high alert. He noted that the U.S. is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates.

Trump said he hopes Iran returns to the negotiating table.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has replenished Iron Dome missiles, and U.S. officials have confirmed that a number of top Iranian leaders are dead after Israel’s airstrikes.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)

The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed concerns over Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling on both countries to show maximum restraint.

“The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson said. “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway.

“The Secretary-General recalls the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law,” he continued. “The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Image)

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, saying “the Zionist regime has prepared for…a bitter and painful fate, which it will inevitably meet.”

In a translated version of Khamenei’s statement, the Ayatollah took aim at Israel.

“In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” he said. “The Great Iranian Nation! This morning, the Zionist regime opened its filthy and bloody hand to commit a crime in our beloved country, revealing its evils more than ever by targeting population centers.

“This regime must expect severe punishment. The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces will not abandon it, God willing,” Khamenei continued. “A number of commanders and scholars were martyred in the enemy's attacks, and their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their positions, God willing.

“With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, which it will inevitably meet.”

A map showing where Iran's nuclear facilities are located including Israel's main target in Natanz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had targeted Iran's nuclear program.

“We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart Iran's nuclear weaponization program,” Netanyahu said. “We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb.”

Netanyahu also mentioned that the time to act was now as they believed that Iran had enough materials to make nine highly enriched uranium bombs.

“Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also said that Israel will not back down and that they have risen like lions to defend themselves.

Natanz is just one of five nuclear research sites that Iran was utilizing to create a weapon with enriched uranium. The other sites throughout Iran are in Fordow, Khondab, Isfahan and Busher.

Israel hit several targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating several senior Iranian regime leaders, an Israeli source confirmed to Fox News.

Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported that the regime leaders were simultaneously eliminated in different spots, according to his source.

The source said Israel was able to surprise Iran and execute the attack at a level similar to what Israel did in the beeper operation.

Israeli Permanent Member to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks during a session of the Security Council at the New York City headquarters. (Israel United Nations mission)

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Dannon, called on the UN Security-General and members of the Security Council to either stand by Israel or become partners in a “dangerous silence.”

“The State of Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion” tonight against Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure, with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel and the entire world,” Dannon said in a statement. “The Iranian regime is blatantly violating international agreements, advancing towards nuclear weapons, and operating a regional terror network. When the world is silent - Israel is acting.

“I call on the UN Secretary-General and the members of the Security Council: "This is a moment to make moral decisions. Stand by Israel - or you will be partners in a dangerous silence,” he continued. “Unlike in the past - today we have a state, we have an army, and we are not waiting for those who want to destroy us to surprise us."

NYPD announced it is taking precautions as tensions escalate in the Middle East. (iStock)

The New  York City Police Department (NYPD) is taking precautionary steps to ensure Jewish, Israeli and other sites throughout the city are protected, amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.

“The NYPD is tracking the situation in the Middle East . Out of an abundance of caution, we're deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli & other sites throughout NYC,”NYPD wrote on X. “We’re coordinating with our federal partners & we'll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”

NYC Mayor Eric Adams said he was briefed on the situation between Israel and Iran, noting that the city's Counterterrorism Unit is closely monitoring the situation.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing security at houses of worship and at Israeli diplomatic sites," he said. "I am praying for peace in the region."

FILE - This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP, File)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of Iran’s top nuclear facilities had been hit in Thursday night's strike against the regime.

"Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine," Netanyahu said. "In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time."

The Natanz Nuclear Facility – one of Tehran’s key nuclear sites and which has been flagged by security experts that in coordination with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to produce 11 nuclear weapons within a month – has been hit in the strikes, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.

Read more about Israel’s strikes against Iran.

This is an excerpt from a story by Caitlin McFall.

File photo of the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.

The directive was shared by the U.S. State Department because of the current situation in the Middle East.

Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night after failed nuclear negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a speech Thursday night that he launched Operation Rising Lion, which is to roll back the Iranian threat for Israel’s survival.

Netanyahu told the people of Israel the operation will continue for many days, as it continues to remove Iran’s threat of creating weapons of mass destruction.

“For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction. They've backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. “In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine. In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium, and if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year, it could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival.”

Netanyahu said the air strikes “struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.”

“We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb,” he said. “We also struck at the heart of the Iran ballistic missile program. Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel…Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions.”

Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night.

The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., called Israel’s airstrikes on Iran a “reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.”

“Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,” Reed said. “These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces. While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer.

“I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control,” he continued. “President Trump must be crystal clear with the American people and the international community in charting a way forward. The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of short-sighted violence.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning to Iran Thursday evening after Israel launched strikes targeting the country's nuclear program.

"President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," Rubio said.

Rubio also said the U.S. was not involved in the strikes and the top priority is "protecting American forces in the region."

"Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense," he continued.

Israel launches strikes on Iran, explosions heard in Tehran

Israeli Defense Forces launched a sweeping strike on Iran  following months of attempted, and seemingly failed, nuclear negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran.

Fox News' Trey Yingst reported that Israel carried out strikes in Iran, adding that explosions were heard in the capital of Tehran.

A state of emergency has been declared across Israel as the country braces for an Iranian response.

Read more about the recent developments.

This is an excerpt from a story by Caitlin McFall.