LIVE – Updated at 16:06
Explosions have been heard in Tehran and Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoon, as Iran and Israel continue to target each other with devastating missiles and airstrikes.
Two missile-like projectiles Two locations in central Tehran were hit, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday afternoon.
Air sirens sounded across central Israel and the Jerusalem The area was hit about an hour later, as Iranian state media confirmed it had launched missiles towards Israel.
Reuters reported that explosions were heard in Tel Aviv shortly after, though the IDF later said no fallen projectiles were reported.
Fighting between the two countries - which began with Israel’s attack on Iran's nuclear facilities on Friday - continued overnight , with dramatic images showing smoke rising above both Tel Aviv and Tehran.
Iran has not provided an update on Sunday's death toll, but reported that 78 people were killed on the first day of Israel's campaign on Friday, and dozens more on the second day.
At least ten have been killed in Israel in the last day, according to Israeli officials, with deadly strikes being reported in Bat Yam, a city just south of Tel Aviv, and in the town of Tamra, northern Israel.
Visiting Bat Yam on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran will pay a "very heavy price" for the deaths of Israeli civilians.
Key points
- Explosions heard in Tehran
- Reeves says military assets could 'potentially' be used to help Israel
- Death toll climbs after deadly strikes
- UK advises against all travel to Israel
- Netanyahu warns Iran will pay 'heavy price' for strikes
- Israel and Iran target each other overnight
Watch: Bat Yam rescue operation following Iran's deadly attack
16:04 , Athena StavrouICYMI: Netanyahu warns Iran will pay 'heavy price' for strikes
16:03Benjamin Netanyahu warned earlier that Iran "will pay a heavy price" for its retaliatory strikes on Israel.
The Israeli prime minister visited the site of an Iranian strike in Bat Yam, a city just south of Tel Aviv, on Sunday.
Six people were killed in an overnight strike on a building, according to Israeli officials.
"Iran will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women and children," Netanyahu said from a balcony overlooking blown-out apartments.
No reports of fallen projectiles: Israel
15:54 , Athena StavrouResidents in Israel have been told they can leave air raid shelters after Iran launched missiles on Sunday afternoon.
Iran launched the missiles shortly after two explosions were seen in central Tehran.
In a widely circulated statement, the IDF said that most of the missiles were intercepted and that there were no reports of fallen projectiles.
Smoke billows following an explosion in central Tehran
15:38 , Athena Stavrou
Analysis | The UK should protect its allies in the Gulf and Middle East - but Israel isn’t one of them.
15:26For Britain, Israel is mostly a strategic liability – but a very close ally in stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Now that Israel is locked in a war with Iran and Britain is rushing to send a handful RAF jets to the region, that relationship needs careful managing.
Israel's attack on Iran’s nuclear program is good for the UK - helping Israel now is not, and here’s why.
Sam Kiley , World Affairs Editor explains:
The UK should protect allies in the Gulf and Middle East – but Israel isn’t one of them.
Etihad cancels flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv
15:19 , Athena StavrouEtihad Airways has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until June 22, it said on Sunday.
"This remains a developing situation, and some disruption and delays may be expected in the coming days," it said in a statement.
At least 14 nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strikes on Iran
15:06 , Athena StavrouAt least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in Israeli attacks since Friday, two sources in the Gulf have told Reuters.
The sources added that the attacks had included car bombs.
Trump: There will be peace soon
15:03 , Athena StavrouIt's 10 am in Washington DC, and Donald Trump has used his first social media post of the day to call for peace between Iran and Israel.
He said the two countries will have peace "soon," adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal.
"Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal," Trump said on Truth Social.
He added: “I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
Pictured: Israeli military helicopters patrol over the city of Haifa
14:57 , Athena Stavrou
Explosions heard in Tehran
14:32 , Athena StavrouTwo explosions were seen in central Tehran on Sunday afternoon as Israel and Iran continue to target each other.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency described two "missile-like projectiles" hitting two locations in the city.
Shortly after, Reuters reported that explosions were heard in Tel Aviv as Iran said it had fired ballistic missiles towards Israel.
Later, the Israeli military said there had been no reports of fallen projectiles.
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
14:28 , Athena StavrouReuters is reporting that explosions have been heard in Tel Aviv.
It comes minutes after air raid sirens began sounding across Israel following Iran's claim that it had launched ballistic missiles towards the country.
Air sirens sound across Israel; more missiles launched from Iran.
14:16 , Athena StavrouAir sirens are sounding across central Israel and the Jerusalem area after Iran launched missiles towards Israel.
Iran's state media has reported that Tehran has launched ballistic missiles.
It comes shortly after two missile-like projectiles hit two locations in central Tehran, leading to explosions, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
British grandfather stuck in Israel weighs desert escape
14:11 , Holly BancroftA British grandfather stranded in Jerusalem has said he is considering a bus escape through the Negev desert to flee Iranian missile fire.
James Eden, 72, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, flew to Israel last Monday for a six-day Christian pilgrimage.
But he now finds himself trapped in a nearly deserted city, with missiles flying overhead and outbound flights suspended.
It comes as the Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Israel, warning that the situation could "deteriorate further, quickly and without warning."
Mr Eden said: "They (the FCDO) rang me and said there wasn't a lot they could do."
"They can't put on any planes because the airspace is shut - all they can do is send out alerts and keep track of us."
When the grandfather-of-four asked about crossing the border, officials told him he could travel to Egypt at his own risk.
He said, 'They said if I care to, I can.'
"They're not going to stop me - but they're not going to help me get out of Egypt either."
The journey would mean a four-hour bus ride through the Negev desert to Eilat, before crossing into Egypt and trying to fly home from Sharm El Sheikh.
25 Palestinians killed by Israeli attacks across Gaza on Sunday
14:02 , Athena StavrouIsraeli fire and airstrikes have killed at least 12 Palestinians on Sunday across Gaza, local health authorities said.
At least five of them were near two aid sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in the central Gaza Strip said that at least three people were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire as they tried to approach a GHF site near the Netzarim corridor. Two others were killed en route to another aid site in Rafah in the south.
An airstrike killed seven other people in Beit Lahiya town north of the enclave, medics said. The rest were killed in separate airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip, they added.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May after Israel partially lifted a near three-month total blockade. Scores of Palestinians have been killed in near-daily mass shootings trying to reach the food.
The United Nations rejects the Israeli-backed new distribution system as inadequate, dangerous, and a violation of humanitarian impartiality principles.
Iran warns Israel of more 'severe' retaliation
13:50 , Athena StavrouIran has warned that its responses to Israeli attacks will be “more decisive and severe" if they continue.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran's military has so far responded "strongly and appropriately" to Israeli attacks, according to state media.
The Cyprus president says Iran asked him to convey 'some messages' to Israel
13:45 , Holly BancroftIran has asked Cyprus to convey "some messages" to Israel, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, as the east Mediterranean island appealed for restraint in a rapidly escalating crisis in the Middle East.
President Christodoulides spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and he has also spoken to the leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece, his office said.
Earlier, President Christodoulides told journalists that Iran had asked Cyprus to convey "some messages" to Israel, but he did not say who specifically the messages were from or what they said.
Cypriot officials offered no clarity on the nature of the messages, which came after the Cypriot foreign minister spoke to his Iranian counterpart on Friday night.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson has, however, said that Tehran did not send any messages to Israel via a third country.
President Christodoulides also said he was not happy with what he said was a slow reaction by the European Union to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
Turkey and Russia discuss Israel-Iran conflict in phone call
13:38 , Holly BancroftThe foreign ministers of Turkey and Russia have discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran in a phone call, a Turkish foreign ministry source said on Sunday.
Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that the only way to resolve the "alarming" conflict and nuclear dispute is through diplomacy, the source added.
Lord Hammond: Israel has put an end to the nuclear deal with Iran
13:27 , Athena StavrouArchie Mitchell, The Independent's Political Correspondent, reports:
Lord Hammond has said that Israel "effectively put paid, at least for now, to any prospect of a deal to halt Iran's nuclear weapons program" with its strikes on the country.
The former foreign secretary told Sky News: "I think they can, damage, slow down, maybe temporarily halt the program by destroying overground infrastructure, but I mean, the Iranians have been planning for this attack for many, many years."
It would be naive to think that they won't have prepared contingency plans for either continuing to operate or risk resurrecting in a reasonable period of time those underground facilities.
Foreign secretary: Do not travel to Israel
13:10 , Holly BancroftThe UK foreign secretary David Lammy has said that British citizens should not travel to Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories.
On a post on social media platform X, Mr. Lammy said that the safety of British nations was "our top priority."
The FCDO travel advice has now been updated to advise against travel to anywhere in Israel.
UK chancellor says military assets moved to Middle East could 'potentially' be used to help Israel
13:01 , Holly BancroftChancellor Rachel Reeves has said the UK military could “potentially” be used to support Israel in defending itself against Iran.
Ms Reeves told broadcasters on Sunday morning that the UK had moved RAF jets to the Middle East "to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies."
Ms Reeves said she would not "rule anything out" and explained that the UK had in the past supported Israel when they were under fire from missiles. However, she said sending military assets to the Middle East "does not mean that we are at war."
Iran has already threatened to target the bases of western nations that come to Israel’s aid.
Watch: Britain 'not at war' despite sending more RAF jets to the Middle East, Reeves says
12:59 , Athena StavrouIsrael still has a large list of targets in Iran, military official says
12:46 , Athena StavrouAn Israeli military official said on Sunday that Israel still has a large list of targets it plans to hit in Iran.
He declined to say how long strikes against Iran would continue, adding that the military had attacked around 80 targets in Tehran on Saturday evening.
The targets included two "dual-use" Iranian fuel sites that supported military and nuclear operations, he said.
He said they also targeted the chief of staff of Yemen's Houthis group overnight.
Pictured: Motorists queue at a petrol station in Tehran after overnight Israeli missile strikes struck two fuel depots.
12:31 , Athena Stavrou
Full story: UK advises against all travel to Israel after Iranian missile strikes
12:23 , Athena StavrouUK advises against all travel to Israel after Iranian missile strikes
IDF: Over 170 targets hit
12:14 , Athena StavrouIn their latest military update, the IDF said it has hit over 170 targets and 720 military infrastructure components since it launched its offensive on Friday.
The IDF also said that approximately 50 of its fighter jets struck infrastructure overnight.
It said: 'The strike targeted more than 80 objectives, including the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, the headquarters of the nuclear project (SPND), and additional targets where the Iranian regime hid the nuclear archive.'
Israel has said its bombardment was designed to stop Iran from taking the final steps to produce a nuclear weapon.
However, Tehran has insisted that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and that it does not seek an atomic bomb.
UK advises against all travel to Israel
11:55 , Athena StavrouThe UK has updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Israel.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office cited the recent airstrikes between Israel and Iran as a reason not to travel.
It said on its website: 'We recognize this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. The current situation has disrupted air links out of the country and may disrupt road links.'
Pictured: Smoke rises over Tehran on Sunday after an overnight Israeli strike on an oil field.
11:35 , Athena Stavrou
Israeli airline cancels all flights to Europe
11:14 , Athena StavrouIsraeli airline El Al has cancelled all flights to and from European cities, Tokyo, and Moscow.
The airline has cancelled all flights until June 23.
Israeli airspace has been closed for several days now, since it launched its attack on Iran on Friday.
UK advises against all travel to Israel - reports
11:08 , Athena StavrouThe UK is reportedly set to advise against all travel to Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Sky News reported that the Foreign Office is understood to be planning to update its advice soon.
On Friday, the Foreign Office warned against "all but essential travel" to most of Israel.
But it is now set to classify the entire region as a red one, meaning it advises against all travel to the country.
Earlier, Rachel Reeves said that the Foreign Office's travel advice for Israel and the Middle East is likely to change in the coming days.
When asked what people should do when considering traveling to the region, she told the BBC, "Follow the Foreign Office advice, which is likely to change in the coming days."
The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to within 500m of Israel’s borders with Gaza and Syria - and advises against “all but essential” travel to the rest of Israel.
Nuclear facility hit in Iran's Isfahan, Israel says
10:57 , Athena StavrouThe Israeli military has claimed to have struck a nuclear facility in Iran's Isfahan.
A military spokesperson made the claim in a post on X on Sunday.
The spokesperson did not provide a time frame for the attack.
Majority of casualties women and children, Iran says
10:46 , Athena StavrouIran's health minister has said that the majority of those killed and injured by recent Israeli attacks have been women and children.
Iran has not yet confirmed how many people have been killed by Israeli attacks overnight.
It has been reported that 78 people were killed on the first day of Israel's campaign on Friday, and scores more on the second, including 60 when a missile brought down a 14-story apartment block in Tehran, where 29 of the dead were children.
Watch: Missiles seen falling in Jerusalem
10:38 , Athena StavrouIran's foreign minister on overnight Israeli attacks:
10:30 , Athena StavrouIran’s foreign minister has called Israel’s attacks on gas fields a “very dangerous act.”
Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that Iran does not want its conflict with Israel to expand to neighboring countries unless the situation is forced.
Araqchi said that Tehran had been responding to foreign aggression, and that if this aggression stopped, Iranian reactions would also cease.
The foreign minister said the Israeli strikes on the offshore South Pars gas field Iran shares with Qatar were "a blatant aggression and a very dangerous act."
"Dragging the conflict to the Persian Gulf is a strategic mistake, and its aim is to drag the war beyond Iranian territory," he said.
Two Mossad agents arrested, Iran says
10:15 , Athena StavrouIran has said it has arrested two individuals it accused of being members of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the pair were arrested in the Alborz province while they were preparing explosives and electronic devices.
Pictured: Site of missile strike which killed 4 in northern Israel
10:04 , Athena StavrouWe're now getting pictures from the northern town of Tamra, where four people have been killed in a missile strike.
Israeli authorities said 24 people have also been injured.
Foreign Office Israel advice likely to change, chancellor says
09:51 , Athena StavrouRachel Reeves has said that the Foreign Office's travel advice for Israel and the Middle East is likely to change in the coming days.
When asked what people should do when considering traveling to the region, she told the BBC, "Follow the Foreign Office advice, which is likely to change in the coming days."
The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to within 500m of Israel’s borders with Gaza and Syria - and advises against “all but essential” travel to the rest of Israel.
Israel's oil pipelines damaged in strikes
09:40 , Athena StavrouIsrael's oil pipelines have been damaged by Iranian missile strikes overnight.
Israel's Oil Refineries said its pipelines and transmission lines in Haifa had been damaged, according to a regulatory filing to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
It was reported that no injuries or casualties occurred at the sites, with refining facilities continuing to operate despite a shutdown of some downstream operations.
It said it is examining the impact of the damage on its operations and the implications for its financial results.
UK could 'potentially' help protect Israel from strikes - Reeves
09:31 , Athena StavrouRachel Reeves has indicated that the UK could “potentially” help protect Israel from incoming strikes.
She told Sky News that she was "not going to rule anything out at this stage" given the "fast-moving situation".
When asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, "We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in."
“I’m not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven’t been involved, and we’re sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.”
Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: “What we’ve done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. So a defensive activity.”
She added: “I’m not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it’s a fast-moving situation, a very volatile situation.
But we don't want to see escalation, we want to see de-escalation.
Germany, France and UK ready to hold talks with Iran, says German minister
09:26 , Athena StavrouGermany, France, and Britain are ready to hold immediate talks with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, Germany’s foreign minister has said.
Johann Wadephul, who is on a visit to the Middle East, said he was trying to contribute towards a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled in Oman for Sunday have been canceled, with Iran deeming them "unjustifiable" following Israel's attack on Friday.
"I hope that's still possible," Wadephul told German public broadcaster ARD late on Saturday. "Germany, together with France and Britain are ready. We're offering Iran immediate negotiations about the nuclear programme, I hope (the offer) is accepted."
"This is also a key prerequisite for reaching a pacification of this conflict, that Iran presents no danger to the region, for the state of Israel or to Europe."
Watch: Bat Yam rescue operation following Iran's deadly attack
09:16 , Athena StavrouReeves: Britain sending jets to the Middle East does not mean we are at war.
09:07 , Athena StavrouArchie Mitchell, The Independent’s Political Correspondent, reports:
Britain is not at war despite Sir Keir Starmer revealing it has sent assets including jets to the Middle East, Rachel Reeves has said.
The chancellor said "it does not mean we are at war," but that the UK would not "rule anything out" in terms of helping Israel militarily.
She told Sky News: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.'
If you want to know more about the UK moving jets into the Middle East, you can read here:
UK moving jets to Middle East as Israel warns more severe strikes incoming
US gave Israel attacks 'greenlight', says Iran
09:06 , Athena StavrouIran’s foreign minister has said that Israel’s recent attacks would not have happened, had the US not given them “the green light”.
Abbas Araqchi accused Israel of attempting to sabotage the ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks, which have been halted due to the recent attacks.
Israel first attacked Iran early on Friday, prompting Tehran to retaliate with both countries trading strikes since.
"Israel's attack would never have happened without the US green light and support," Araqchi said, adding that Tehran does not believe American statements claiming Washington had taken no part in recent attacks.
"It is necessary for the United States to condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if they want to prove their goodwill."
ICYMI: UK moving jets to Middle East as Israel warns more severe strikes coming
09:00 , Rhian LubinThe UK is sending more RAF jets to the Middle East, Sir Keir Starmer said, after Iran threatened to target British, French and US bases if the countries help stop strikes on Israel.
The prime minister said further military assets are being deployed to provide “contingency support” across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two longtime foes.
Sir Keir’s announcement comes as Iran and Israel continues to bombard one another with airstrikes in the wake of Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Archie Mitchell and David Maddox report.
UK moving jets to Middle East as Israel warns more severe strikes incoming
UK chancellor: Conflict will hit households in the pocket
08:57 , Athena StavrouArchie Mitchell, The Independent's Political Correspondent, reports:
The UK's chancellor has warned that conflict in the Middle East will affect family finances, with oil prices rising and trade routes potentially being blocked.
Rachel Reeves told Sky News: "What happens in the Middle East often has repercussions around the world. We've already seen in the last few days, for example, oil and gas prices begin to go up."
That has consequences for people here in the UK, and so we do have an interest in de-escalation in the region.
Pictured: Rescue workers continue efforts at the site of a missile strike in Bat Yam
08:42
Six killed in strike on building in Bat Yam - Israeli media
08:35 , Athena StavrouSix people have reportedly been killed after an Iranian strike on a building in Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities told the Times of Israel that the death toll had risen from four, with about 180 injured.
Seven people are still missing, they added.
This brings the reported death toll from overnight strikes in Israel to 10.
Four people - believed to be from the same family - have also been killed in northern Israel.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation order for Iranians near weapons facilities.
08:22 , Athena StavrouIsrael has issued an evacuation order to Iranians living near weapons facilities and reactors in Iran.
An Israeli military spokesperson shared the "urgent warning" in a post on X.
Avichay Adraee wrote: 'For your own safety, we demand that you immediately evacuate these facilities and not return to them until further notice.'
Casualties grow after deadly strikes overnight
08:12It's mid-morning in both Israel and Iran, after both countries traded missile strikes overnight.
The official death toll remains unclear in both countries, but it has increased.
In Israel, emergency services have confirmed the deaths of at least seven people after Iranian strikes. Local media is reporting the death toll to be higher, at 10.
Four people are believed to have died in the northern town of Tamra, while more fatalities were reported in the city of Bat Yam, which is just south of Tel Aviv.
Iran has not reported any fatalities from the overnight strikes yet.
Iran said 78 people were killed there on the first day of Israel's campaign on Friday, and scores more on the second, including 60 when a missile brought down a 14-story apartment block in Tehran, where 29 of the dead were children.
Pictured: Fire rages at oil depot near Tehran after Israeli strike
08:03A fire raged overnight at Shahran oil depot, an oil refinery near Iran, after it was targeted in an Israeli attack overnight.
The Iranian government has said the situation is now “under control”.
The pictures show the devastation caused by Iranian missiles.
07:58 , Rhian Lubin
Israel and Iran target each other overnight
07:38 , Athena StavrouIsrael and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday.
Where did Israel aim its attack?
A fire broke out at the Shahran oil depot, an oil refinery near the capital, following an Israeli attack on it.
Iran has said that the situation is now under control.
The Israeli military said early on Sunday that it had also targeted Iran's Defense Ministry headquarters in Tehran as well as sites it alleged were associated with Iran's nuclear program around Tehran.
Where did Iran target?
Residents were urged to seek shelter in the early hours of the morning as explosions echoed through Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Strikes were reported in a number of areas, including Bat Yam, a city south of Tel Aviv, the northern town of Tamra, and in western Galilee.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Sunday that they targeted central Israel's Jaffa with several ballistic missiles in the last 24 hours, the first time an ally of Iran has joined the fray.
It was unclear how many buildings were hit overall overnight.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard also claimed that Iranian missiles targeted fuel production facilities for Israeli fighter jets, something not acknowledged by Israel.
Trump threatens to respond with 'the full strength' of the military if Iran attacks US
07:14 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has threatened to respond 'at levels never seen before' if Iran attacks US bases.
Posting on Truth Social, the US president said his forces had "nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight."
He added: “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.”
"However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!"
For context:
Israel and Iran traded airstrikes and missiles again overnight.
On Saturday, Iran warned that it would target US, UK, or French bases in the region if they shot down missiles heading for Israel.
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