Israel and Iran have continued to trade heavy missile strikes overnight as Donald Trump threatens to respond ‘at levels never seen before’ if Tehran attacks US bases.
Posting on Truth Social, the US president said his forces had “nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight” but warned: “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.”
On Saturday, Iran warned that it would target US, UK or French bases in the region if they shot down missiles heading for Israel.
Israel and Iran continued to trade airstrikes and missiles overnight, with at least seven dead in Israel and an unknown number of casualties in Iran.
Israel targeted Iran’s Defence Ministry headquarters in Tehran, while dramatic footage showed a huge blaze raging at the Shahran oil depot near Iran’s capital, after it was targeted in an Israeli attack.
Air sirens were heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as casualties were reported from strikes on buildings in northern Israel and Bar Yam, a city just south of Tel Aviv.
Iran had vowed “heavy and destructive” attacks following Israel’s surprise offensive three days ago.
Watch: Bat Yam rescue operation after Iran’s deadly attack
Reeves: Britain sending jets to Middle East does not mean we are at war
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell 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:
US gave Israel attacks ‘greenlight’, says Iran
Iran’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 seeking to sabotage ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks, which have been halted in light of 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 Tehran does not believe American statements that 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
The 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 long-time foes.
Sir Keir’s announcement comes as Iran and Israel continue to bombard one another with airstrikes in the wake of Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear bases.
Archie Mitchell and David Maddox report.
UK chancellor: Conflict will hit households in the pocket
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The UK’s chancellor has warned conflict in the Middle East will hit family finances, with oil prices jumping 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 site of missile strike in Bat Yam
Six killed in strike on building Bat Yam – Israeli media
Six 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 – thought to all be from the same family – have also been killed in northern Israel.
Israeli military issues evacuation order to Iranians near weapons facilities
Israel 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
It’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 has 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-storey apartment block in Tehran, where 29 of the dead were children.
Pictured: Fire rages at oil depot near Tehran after Israeli strike
A fire raged over night at Shahran oil depot, an oil refinery near Iran’s, after it was targeted in an Israeli attack overnight.
The Iranian government has said the situation is now “under control”.
