Posted by Iran’s Esfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were significantly damaged due to Israeli strikes on the two facilities, an Israeli military official.
The official said that it would take more than a few weeks for Iran to repair damage at the two sites, adding that the strikes also killed nine senior nuclear Iranian scientists.
Israel attacked over 150 targets in Iran with hundreds of munitions, the official said, adding that the aerial road to the Iranian capital Tehran was effectively open.
He said that Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel, most of which were intercepted.
11:36
People walk past a poster of Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who was killed in Israel’s attack yesterday, in the capital Tehran.
11:33
Iran says Israel killed 3 more nuclear scientists, total now 9
Israel has killed three more Iranian nuclear scientists, state television reported, bringing to nine the overall number killed in Israel’s attack on the Islamic republic.
“Three of the country’s nuclear scientists – Ali Bekaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji – were martyred during the Zionist regime’s terrorist attacks,” the broadcaster said.
Iranian media had said earlier that six others were killed in the Israeli attack.
11:13
An Israeli military official has said Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel in four barrages.
The official also said that Iran fired hundreds of drones, but most were intercepted.
11:08
A view of the damage in Rishon Lezion, after it was hit by a ballistic missile from Iran.
11:07
Iran names new Guards aerospace chief to replace one killed by Israel
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed a new head of the Revolutionary Guards air arm to replace the one killed by an Israeli strike.
In a decree, Mr Khamenei named Majid Mousavi to replace Amirali Hajizadeh as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace force.
11:05
Israel military says Friday’s strikes on Iran killed nine nuclear scientists
The Israeli military said its air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities the previous day resulted in the deaths of nine leading Iranian nuclear scientists.
“During the Israeli air force strikes at the onset of Operation Rising Lion, nine senior scientists and experts, who advanced the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons programme, were eliminated,” the military said in a statement, listing the names of those killed.
11:04
Harris briefed on overnight developments by Embassy staff
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said he has been briefed on developments in the Middle East by Ireland’s ambassadors in Iran, Israel and Egypt.
He said Ireland’s embassy staff are all safe and well, adding that he is “deeply concerned” about what he called a “a dangerous moment for the Middle East”.
Mr Harris called on both Israel and Iran to “urgently de-escalate, to open channels for communication and allow a return to diplomacy.”
He said embassy staff are in close contact with members of the Irish community in the region and reiterated the Department of Foreign Affairs advice against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens.
“Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.”
10:42
Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been closed until further notice, according to a spokesperson.
10:39
Pope appeals for ‘reason’, calls for dialogue
Pope Leo XIV appealed for authorities in Iran and Israel to act with “reason” after airstrikes between the two countries killed dozens and sent civilians into shelters, and called on the nations to pursue dialogue.
The Pope, in one of the strongest peace appeals yet of his five-week papacy, told an audience in St Peter’s Basilica he was following the situation with “great concern.”
“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason,” he said.
“The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good,” he said.
“No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” said Leo. “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”
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