Day 8 of strikes: Iran ‘ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment,’ says senior official

Israel says working to intercept threat

Israel military said it is working to intercept a threat after it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

What to expect from Geneva meeting?

Diplomats said that European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi that the US is open to direct talks even as US President mulls joining Israel in striking targets in Iran.

Araqchi will be told that Iran must send a “clear signal,” two diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be.

The Trump administration is demanding Iran stop uranium enrichment altogether, whereas the E3 (Britain, France and Germany) have in past talks left it some scope to enrich for civil ends in exchange for extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities.

Gold slides

Gold prices fell and were poised for their worst weekly performance in more than a month on a temporary easing of concerns about an imminent US attack on Iran and after the US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates.

Iran says ‘role of European powers more prominent’

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that “the role of European powers is now more prominent as Tehran is unwilling to engage with US amid Israeli attacks.”

“We need to hear E3’s initiative on the nuclear issue,” the official said.

While Iran is ready to discuss limitations on its Uranium enrichment, “zero enrichment will undoubtedly be rejected, especially now, under Israel’s strikes,” the official added.

Israel raises ‘objection’ to Iran addressing Human Rights Council

 Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has raised “vehement objection” to Iran addressing the Human Rights Council ahead of talks with European counterparts in Geneva to try to de-escalate the conflict, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

“Affording the Iranian foreign minister the floor before this body continues to undermine the council’s credibility and constitutes a blatant betrayal of the many victims of this regime worldwide,” Daniel Meron said in a letter addressed to council president Jurg Lauber.

The council said on Friday said that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to be given the floor. Shortly afterwards, he is due to hold talks with the EU foreign policy chief and his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany in order to de-escalate the conflict.

In the letter, Meron accuses Iran of using the council as a international stage to “promote the regime’s despotic campaign.”

On Wednesday, the Iranian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva addressed the council and accused Israeli attacks as representing an act of “war against humanity”.

Israel says attacking Iran military infrastructure

The Israeli military said it is attacking military infrastructure in western and central Iran.

IAEA Director General to address UN Security Council today

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will address the UN Security Council on the situation in Iran at 6pm UAE time today, June 20.

UK says will provide charter flights from Tel Aviv

UK’s foreign minister David Lammy said the country is working with Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when the airspace reopens.

Protests in Iraq

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Baghdad and other cities against Israel’s war with Iran, AFP correspondents said.

“No to Israel! No to America!” chanted demonstrators gathered after Friday prayers in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, holding umbrellas to shield themselves from Iraq’s scorching summer sun.

In Iraq’s southern city of Basra, around 2,000 people demonstrated after the prayers, according to an AFP correspondent.

Merz, Erdogan speak

In a phone call, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan spoke about the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to the German government.

Trail of devastation

As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, the aftermath is becoming increasingly visible on the ground. In central Israel, near Tel Aviv, residents are grappling with the devastation left by Iranian missile strikes.

In Holon, people were seen walking with their belongings as they evacuated their damaged homes, trying to salvage what little they could.

Nearby in Ramat Gan, a man inspected the remains of his shattered house, while debris filled the streets.

Protest against Israel

Thousands of people joined a protest against Israel in the Iranian capital on Friday after weekly prayers, chanting slogans in support of their leaders, images on state television showed.

“This is the Friday of the Iranian nation’s solidarity and resistance across the country,” the news anchor said. Footage showed protesters holding up photographs of commanders killed since the start of the war with Israel, while others waved the flags of Iran and the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah.

Boat carrying 1,500 stranded docks in Israel: Army

The Israeli military said that the first boat carrying Israelis stranded abroad due to the Iran-Israel war arrived Friday with 1,500 citizens aboard.

“As part of the Ministry of Transportation’s Operation ‘Safe Return’, a passenger ship bringing Israelis from the Port of Limassol in Cyprus docked today… at the Ashdod Port with over 1,500 Israelis on board,” the military said in a statement.

“The ship was secured (during its journey) by an Israeli Navy missile boat”, the military added.

Attack on civilian nuclear sites

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission said on Friday that any military attacks on civilian nuclear facilities violates international law, following Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites amid an air war between the two countries.

‘Mossad agent’ arrested: Iran state TV

Iran has arrested a ‘Mossad agent’ sending information on Iranian air defence installations to Israel using Whatsapp messaging app, according to Iranian state broadcaster.

Turkish President issues warning

The Iran-Israel air war could spark a surge in migration that would affect Europe and the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday.

“The spiral of violence triggered by Israel’s attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,” his office quoted him as saying in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Macron calls for resumption of Iran talks

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for the resumption of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme and urged Israel to halt strikes on the country’s “civilian infrastructure.”

“It is essential to prioritise a return to substantive negotiations (with Iran) which include nuclear — to move to zero enrichment (by Iran of uranium) — ballistics, to limit Iranian capacities, and the financing of the all the terrorist groups that destabilise the region,” Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

‘Diplomatic solution’ to conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said France and other European powers would make an offer to Iran of a diplomatic solution to end the escalating conflict with Israel.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will later Friday meet Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva “to make a complete diplomatic and technical offer for negotiations,” Macron told reporters, adding that France and allies Germany and the UK were “putting a diplomatic solution on the table”.

Maersk suspends stops in Israel’s Haifa

The world’s second largest container line Maersk is temporarily suspending calls in Israel’s Haifa as the country continues to trade missile strikes with Iran.

In a customer advisory issue on June 19, Maersk said: “After carefully analysing threat risk reports regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran — particularly the potential risks of calling Israeli ports and their implications for the safety of our crews, Maersk has made the decision to temporarily suspend vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel, for Maersk-operated vessels.”

Iranian nuclear scientist killed: Israeli media

An Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in an Israeli strike on a building in Tehran, state Israeli broadcaster Kan and other local media reported.

Pursuing ‘pragmatic’ policy

Iran is willing to pursue a balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe, and engage rationally with both East and West, an Iranian diplomat said in Berlin on Friday.

“Meanwhile, Iran can prove to be a chess piece for Europe to ease the dual pressure between East and West,” said the diplomat, who did not want to be named.

“Despite American displeasure, Iran has shown that it is willing to pursue a wise, balanced and pragmatic policy in its dealings with Europe.”

4 UAVs intercepted

The Israeli military confirmed that four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran were successfully intercepted.

In a video shared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), one of the UAVs can be seen being targeted with a sniper-style crosshair before being intercepted.

Watch the video below as shared by IDF:

Israel to increase attacks on Iran: Defence minister

Israel’s defence minister said that he told the military to increase attacks on Iranian regime targets, stating that Israel must strike at ‘all regime symbols’.

2 drones crash in Syria: State media

Two drones crashed in the vicinity of Tal al-Jabiyah, northwest of Nawa city, and north of Jassem city in Syria, as a result of the Israeli-Iranian exchange of fire, according to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

No casualties or material damage were reported.

No shortage of fuel in Israel: Energy minister

Israeli energy minister said that the country’s energy sector is functioning flawlessly, and there is no shortage of fuel amid the escalating conflict with Iran.

Iran FM to address UN Human Rights Council

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will address the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday, a spokesman for the UN’s top rights body said.

Abbas Araghchi “will intervene in person… at the beginning of the council’s afternoon meeting” at 1300 GMT, after which the council will resume its normal programme, Pascal Sim, spokesman for the UN’s top rights body, told a press briefing.

UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci added that Daniel Meron, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, would be outside the council chamber at 1230 GMT to deliver a “press statement on Iran”.

Araghchi is meeting his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme.

Residential building in Tehran targeted: Iran media

An Israeli drone struck an apartment in a residential building in Tehran’s central Gisha district on Friday, the Iranian news website Asriran reported on Friday, as the war between Iran and Israel raged on for an eighth day.

Iran’s President issues statement

Iran has always sought peace and tranquility, but now only way to end imposed ‘war’ is to unconditionally stop ‘the enemy’s aggression’, Iran’s President Pezeshkian stated.

The President also added that Iran has to provide a definitive guarantee to end the adventures of “Zionist terrorists” forever.

Ballistic missile programme non-negotiable: Iran FM

Iran’s foreign minister stated that Tehran’s ballistic missile programme is non-negotiable.

He also asserted that talks with E3 in Geneva will focus solely on nuclear and regional issues.

Germany open to discussion with Iran

Germany together with its European partners is open to further discussions with Iran if there is a serious willingness from Tehran to provide assurances on its nuclear and missile programmes, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday.

“My colleagues in the United Kingdom, France and also the High Representative (for the European Union) have always said that we are ready to talk,” Wadephul said ahead of a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Geneva.

“This requires Iran’s serious willingness to renounce any enrichment of nuclear material, which could lead to nuclear weaponisation. This also requires that the missile programme can be included. If this serious willingness exists, then the consequence on our part will also be that we are prepared to hold further talks,” he added.

Iran never targets hospitals: FM

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that the Islamic Republic never targets civilian areas, especially not hospitals.

In an interview with Iran’s state TV, Araqchi mentioned that Iran never targets hospitals as opposed to Israel which has intentionally targeted hospitals in Gaza.

Iran FM rejects any negotiation with US

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that the country is not open to negotiations with the US while Israeli attacks continue.

“There is no room for negotiations with US until Israeli aggression stops,” he stated, adding:  “We will not hold talks with US as it is a partner to Israeli crime against Iran.”

“The Americans have repeatedly sent messages calling seriously for negotiations. But we have made clear that as long as the aggression does not stop, there will be no place for diplomacy and dialogue,” added the chief diplomat, who was due in Geneva for talks with his European counterparts.

Aftermath of Iran strike in Beersheba

Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the toll on civilians is becoming increasingly visible.

Members of the Israeli security forces surveyed the aftermath of an Iranian missile strike in Beersheba, a major city in southern Israel.

Just outside a damaged apartment building, security personnel assessed the scene — one of many sites affected during this latest exchange of fire between the two longtime adversaries, now one week into open warfare.

Swipe right to see the rest of the photos:

Crude sinks as Trump delays Iran decision

Oil prices tumbled Friday and equity traders fought to end a volatile week on a positive note after Donald Trump said he would consider over the next two weeks whether to join Israel’s attacks on Iran.

Speculation had been swirling that Trump would throw his lot in with Israel, but on Thursday he said he would decide “within the next two weeks” whether to involve the US, giving diplomacy a shot to end the hostilities.

While tensions are sky high amid fears of an escalation, the US president’s remarks suggested the crisis could be prevented from spiralling into all-out war between the Middle East foes.

UN Security Council to convene today

The UN Security Council is also due to convene on Friday for a second session on the conflict, at Iran’s request with support from Russia, China and Pakistan, a diplomat told AFP on Wednesday.

Iran FM will not be ‘targeted’

European top diplomats are meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme.

“I’ve received several phone calls reassuring me that the Zionist regime would not target” Araghchi en route to Geneva, his adviser Mohammad Reza Ranjbaran said on X.

Ali Shamkhani in stable condition: State TV

Ali Shamkhani, close ally of top Iran leader, is in stable condition after being injured in Israeli attack, according to the Islamic Republic’s state TV.

Iran not open to negotiations: FM

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that the country is not open to negotiations while Israeli attacks continue.

Israel’s defence minister issues warning

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz on Friday warned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah against entering the Iran-Israel conflict, after the Islamic republic’s ally said it would act “as we see fit”.

“I suggest the Lebanese proxy be cautious and understand that Israel has lost patience with terrorists who threaten it”, Katz said in a statement, adding that “if there is terrorism — there will be no Hezbollah.”

No major radiological incident as of yet

The Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, under construction, was hit on 19 June. As the reactor was not operational and did not contain any nuclear material, Director General Grossi said no radiological consequence was expected.

While damage to the nearby Heavy Water Production Plant was initially not visible, it is now assessed that key buildings at the facility were damaged, including the distillation unit.

At present, no damage has been observed at Iran’s other nuclear sites.

While there so far has been no major radiological incident as a result of the attacks, Director General Grossi stressed the possible nuclear safety and security risks.

“There is a lot of nuclear material in Iran in different places, which means that the potential for a radiological accident with the dispersion in the atmosphere of radioactive materials and particles does exist,” he said.

Industrial facilities in Tehran struck: Israeli military

The Israeli military announced that it had targeted dozens of military sites in Iran, deploying over 60 fighter jets and approximately 120 munitions.

Among the struck locations were several industrial facilities in the Tehran area, which played a pivotal role in missile manufacturing.

These sites were integral to Iran’s Ministry of Defence, serving as a major hub for its defence production efforts.

Repatriated citizens touch down at Lisbon

A flight carrying repatriated citizens from Israel touched down at Lisbon’s Figo Maduro Airport on June 19.

The passengers, a mix of Portuguese, German, Israeli, Czech, Spanish, Austrian, Bulgarian, Argentine, and Ukrainian nationals, had been evacuated from Egypt amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.

The evacuated passengers, some of whom had been stranded in Egypt, were among the thousands of foreign nationals caught up in the rapidly intensifying conflict.

$572 in damages

Israeli daily business and economics website Calcalist reported that Weizmann Institute of Science in southern Tel Aviv, suffered an estimated two billion shekels ($572 million) in damages due to Iran’s missile strike.

According to the report, an environmental sciences building as well as buildings dealing with life sciences research, including cancer research, were destroyed.

A senior academic estimated the cost of constructing an empty laboratory building at $50 million, and with the sophisticated equipment, the cost of construction could reach about $100 million, the report said.

Latest developments

As the war enters its second week, key developments are unfolding on multiple fronts, with diplomatic efforts intensifying alongside military exchanges.

From high-stakes meetings in Geneva to airstrikes and missile attacks, the situation remains volatile, with the world closely watching for any shifts in strategy that could impact the broader geopolitical landscape.

Here are the latest developments:

• Iran meetings

  European top diplomats are meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme.

  Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain and the EU are urging de-escalation, with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying the next two weeks are “a window… to achieve a diplomatic solution”.

• Trump waiting to decide

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to join Israel’s strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a “substantial” chance of negotiations to end the conflict.

  The Wall Street Journal reported Trump told aides he approved attack plans but is holding off to see if Iran will give up its nuclear programme.

• Iran’s new intelligence chief

  Iran appointed a new chief of intelligence at its Revolutionary Guards on Thursday, the official Irna news agency said, after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike last week.

  Major General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), appointed Brigadier General Majid Khadami as the new head of its intelligence division, Irna said.

• Hospital strike

  A hospital in southern Israel was hit as Iran fired “dozens” of missiles at the country, officials said.

  The Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was left in flames, and its director Shlomi Codish said 40 people had sustained injuries.

• Nuclear sites, missile launchers

  The Israeli military said it struck an “inactive nuclear reactor” in Arak in overnight raids on Iran that also saw the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz targeted again.

  It said the strike on the Arak site was carried out “to prevent the reactor from being restored”.

• Death toll

  The body of a woman was recovered on Thursday from a building struck by an Iranian missile four days earlier, taking the overall death toll in Israel to 25 since the war began, according to Israeli authorities.

  Iran said Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. Authorities have not issued an updated toll since.

• Arrests and blackout

  Iranian police announced the arrest on Thursday of 24 people accused of spying for Israel.

  Authorities in both Israel and Iran have announced arrests for espionage and other charges since the war began on Friday.

  Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said at least 223 people have been arrested nationwide on charges related to collaboration with Israel, cautioning that the actual figure was likely higher.

  Iran imposed a “nationwide internet shutdown” on Thursday — the most extensive blackout since widespread anti-government protests in 2019 — internet watchdog NetBlocks said.

French leaders take part in demonstration

Prominent French political figures took part in a demonstration in Paris on Thursday, organised by the association “Iran Justice,” to denounce the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Olivier Faure, First Secretary of the left-wing Socialist Party (PS), was seen gesturing in solidarity during the rally.

Thomas Portes, MP for La France Insoumise – Nouveau Front Populaire, was also present at the demonstration.

Ayda Hadizadeh, MP for the Socialistes et Apparentés group, addressed the crowd with a speech expressing support and concern over the situation in Iran.

‘I wasn’t safe there’

In a video shared by AFP, an Iranian woman can be seen dragging a suitcase and a backpack as she crosses Turkey’s Kapikoy border after a long journey from Tehran.

Homa, a business analyst based in Canada, had been visiting family in Iran when Israel launched a large-scale attack — triggering a swift response from Tehran.

Caught in the middle of rising tensions, Homa found herself stranded.

“It’s not good. I feel like I wasn’t safe there,” she said.

Watch the video below:

Dozens of Iran targets attacked: Israeli military

Israel’s military said Friday it struck dozens of targets in Tehran overnight, including what it called a centre for the “research and development of Iran’s nuclear weapons project,” as the two foes traded fire for an eighth day.

In a statement, the army said it had “completed a series of strikes in the heart of Tehran: dozens of targets were struck, including military missile production sites and the SPND (Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research) headquarters for research and development of Iran’s nuclear weapons project.”

18 people injured : Israeli media

Eighteen people were injured as a result of the Iranian missile falling in Beersheba, according to Israeli media.

Aftermath of Iran strike

In a video footage shared by Press TV on social media platform X, the clip shows the damage caused by a single Iranian missile strike in Bir Al-Sabi’ in southern Israel.

Watch the video below:

‘Window exists’ for diplomacy with Iran: British FM

On the eve of European talks with Iran over its nuclear program, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Thursday after meeting high-level US officials that there is still time to reach a diplomatic solution with Tehran.

Lammy met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House, before talks on Friday in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alongside his French, German and EU counterparts.

“The situation in the Middle East remains perilous,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK embassy in Washington.

“We discussed how Iran must make a deal to avoid a deepening conflict. A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution,” Lammy said.

Calling for world peace

Leaders take part in a rally in Caracas against Israel’s attacks on Iran and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Venezuela’s Minister of Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, Palestine Ambassador to Venezuela, Fadi Alzaben, and Iran’s ambassador to Venezuela, Ali Chegini took part in the protest to also call for world peace.

Sirens sounded as Iran fires missiles: Israel army

The Israeli army said Friday sirens had sounded in southern Israel after missiles were fired from Iran.

“Sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said on Telegram, adding it was working to intercept them.

Hoping for a diplomatic solution

European foreign ministers will hold talks Friday with their Iranian counterpart, hoping to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Israel as US President Donald Trump mulls the prospect of US involvement.

Israel, claiming Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched air strikes against its arch-enemy a week ago, triggering deadly exchanges.

Click this link to read the full details.

Conflict enters Day 8

Khaleej Times is back this morning with the latest developments as the Israel-Iran conflict enters its eighth day.

For detailed coverage of the ongoing attacks between the two nations, check out our blog from June 13 here, and our updates from Day 7 of the conflict here.

www.khaleejtimes.com (Article Sourced Website)

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