United News of Bangladesh

Iranian missile attacks early Thursday left more than 240 people injured in Israel, including four seriously, while causing widespread damage across multiple locations. One missile struck a major hospital in southern Israel, shattering windows and filling the area with thick black smoke, although no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the hospital. Other projectiles hit a residential high-rise in Tel Aviv and additional sites in central Israel. Israel’s Health Ministry confirmed that 240 people sustained injuries in the attacks. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally responsible and declared that Israeli forces have been directed to act decisively. “The military has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,” he said. Meanwhile, Israel retaliated by striking Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, a key site within its nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state TV reported that the facility had been evacuated before the strike and there was “no radiation danger whatsoever.” Canada Assists Citizens Evacuating from Conflict Zones The Canadian government announced plans to support the evacuation of its citizens from Israel and Iran. Once Canadian nationals reach neighboring countries, they will be provided with transportation assistance. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is deeply concerned about the intensifying conflict and is arranging commercial evacuation options for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran. Houthi Leader Applauds Iran’s Actions Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, addressed the situation in a televised statement Thursday, calling the Israeli military response to Iran a regional threat. He praised Iran’s “effective response,” stating it had placed Israel in an unprecedented position of vulnerability. “The enemy hoped to achieve a major accomplishment through this aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, but it failed, and the failure of this aggression clearly resulted in losses and damage,” said al-Houthi. He dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments urging Iran’s unconditional surrender as “nonsense and madness,” and pledged that Houthi operations targeting Israel, including maritime actions, would continue. Iranian strikes injure dozens across Israel; Israel targets Arak Nuclear Facility Thousands of Israelis Return via Cyprus Approximately 2,400 Israelis stranded abroad are now sailing home from Cyprus aboard a cruise ship that departed from Limassol port on Thursday. These travelers had originally diverted to Cyprus after their flights to Israel were grounded due to the missile attacks. Cyprus became a critical transit hub for both foreign nationals and Israelis seeking safe passage. Cyprus’ Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin said that around 6,500 Israelis were in Cyprus, which has played a crucial role in repatriation efforts. Nationwide Internet Blackout Continues in Iran Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that Iran’s national internet blackout has persisted for over 24 hours as of Thursday afternoon. The shutdown is the most severe since the mass protests in November 2019, hampering communications and information flow both inside and outside the country. Israel Says Iran Used Multi-Warhead Missiles The Israeli military revealed that Iran used a missile equipped with multiple warheads in its recent attacks, posing a serious new challenge to Israeli air defenses. Such missiles can bypass conventional systems like the Iron Dome by deploying several warheads simultaneously. Independent verification of the claim is not yet available. Russia Concerned About Its Nuclear Plant and Workers in Iran Russia expressed grave concern over the safety of its personnel and infrastructure in Iran, especially at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was built with Russian assistance. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova highlighted risks to the Russian staff working there. President Vladimir Putin confirmed that over 200 Russians are involved in the ongoing construction of additional reactors at the site. “We agreed with the Israeli leadership that their security will be ensured,” he stated. Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said that some Russian workers had already been evacuated from Bushehr and warned that more could be withdrawn if necessary. He cautioned that an Israeli strike on Bushehr could lead to a catastrophe on the scale of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, expressing hope that Israel would avoid such an outcome. Israel: Iran Has Fired 450 Missiles and 1,000 Drones An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously under regulations, stated that Iran has launched about 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel so far. While most of these were fired directly from Iran, some originated from allied groups, including within Iraq. Iranian missiles hit Israeli hospital and stock exchange He added that Israeli operations began in western Iran and have since moved toward Tehran and central regions, with strikes now expanding into eastern Iran. Asked about potential U.S. actions, he said, “What Americans do or will not do is up to them, we have our plan and are operating according to it.” Source: With inputs from agency 

Internet connectivity in Iran has been highly erratic since yesterday, significantly reducing the flow of videos and images from within the country. The Ministry of Communications has acknowledged the internet restrictions, confirming earlier reports. In a statement, the Ministry accused Israel of “misusing the national communications network for military purposes.” But the issue extends beyond the lack of visual content—Iranians are also struggling to stay in touch with friends and family. While many Iranians attempt to bypass the bans using VPNs, even those have become increasingly unreliable. Israel issues threat to Iran’s top leader after missile barrage injures over 200 The uncertainty is taking a toll on Iranians abroad. “I wish I had never left my family in Iran. I can’t stop thinking about their safety,” one person said. “First day in more than a year that I can't call or text my mum in the morning,” said another. Since the BBC cannot report directly from inside Iran, communication with people there relies on secure, encrypted messaging platforms. However, these apps are officially banned, making access difficult. Source: BBC

Iranian missiles on Thursday at 11:20am (Bangladesh time) caused significant damage to four locations in central and southern Israel, including near Soroka Medical Centre in Be’er Sheva, while Israeli forces reportedly struck near Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear reactor. According to Al Jazeera, one of the Iranian missiles landed close to Soroka Hospital in the southern Israeli city. The Israeli stock exchange building in Tel Aviv also sustained damage. Photos published by The Times of Israel show visible damage at Soroka Hospital following the missile strike. Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA said on Telegram, “The main target of this morning’s missile attack was the large [Israeli army] Command and Intelligence (IDF C4I) headquarters and the military intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam Technology Park.” US evacuates diplomats from Israel amid Iran tensions The facility is located next to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva. IRNA claimed the hospital suffered only “minor damage from the shockwave” caused by the missile strike, adding, “The military infrastructure was a precise and direct target.” Meanwhile, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) reported that an area near the heavy-water research reactor in Khondab, formerly known as Arak, was hit by Israel. The facility is part of Iran’s nuclear programme. ISNA said officials evacuated the site ahead of the attack and confirmed there was “no radiation risk”. The research reactor was partially built and previously known as Arak, with Tehran informing the UN nuclear watchdog that it plans to operate the facility next year.

The U.S. State Department has begun evacuating nonessential diplomatic staff and their families from the American embassy in Israel as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies. President Donald Trump has also issued warnings about the potential for direct U.S. military involvement in the region. According to two U.S. officials speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, a government aircraft transported several diplomats and their family members out of Israel on Wednesday. The exact number of individuals on the flight was not disclosed, nor was there confirmation of how many others may have left by land to neighboring Jordan or Egypt. Putin offers to mediate Iran-Israel conflict The evacuation flight took place just before U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on social media platform X that the embassy was preparing plans to evacuate private American citizens using both air and sea routes. However, shortly after Huckabee’s statement, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs posted a contradictory message on X, stating that there were “no announcements about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time” from Israel or the Palestinian territories. The department did not clarify the conflicting messages but responded to inquiries by saying it is evaluating all possible options and will inform the American community if any new departure plans are confirmed. It added that it is currently providing information to U.S. citizens on available routes out of Israel and strongly advised them to leave the country as soon as it is safe. Regarding the diplomats, the State Department earlier said that, due to the deteriorating security situation and under the embassy’s “authorized departure” policy, mission personnel were beginning to exit Israel through various means. Under this policy, nonessential staff and all diplomatic family members are permitted to leave at the U.S. government’s expense. The evacuations, recent White House statements, and the deployment of U.S. military aircraft and naval vessels in and around the Middle East have fueled concerns that the United States may become more deeply involved in a broader regional conflict. Israel’s military warns people to evacuate the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor On Wednesday, President Trump warned that while he does not want the United States to launch an attack on Iran, he is prepared to take action if required, particularly in relation to Iran’s nuclear program. He has increasingly signaled support for aligning with Israel should military engagement become necessary. In parallel, the State Department has intensified its advisories to U.S. citizens in Israel and other parts of the region, including Iraq. Last week, prior to Israel’s initial airstrikes on Iran, the department and the Pentagon issued notifications stating that all nonessential personnel at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad had been ordered to depart. Additionally, the Defense Department authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents stationed across various Middle Eastern locations. These alerts have become more urgent as the conflict escalates. Over the past weekend, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem authorized nonessential personnel and families to leave and instructed all remaining staff to shelter in place until further notice. The embassy has remained closed since Monday and is expected to stay shut through Friday.    

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wednesday to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns. Speaking to senior news leaders of international news agencies, Putin noted that “it's a delicate issue,” but added that “in my view, a solution could be found.” Asked how Russia would react if Israel kills Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin refused to answer, saying that “I don't even want to discuss such a possibility.” Putin said he shared Moscow's proposals with Iran, Israel and the United States. Israel’s military warns people to evacuate the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor “We are not imposing anything on anyone; we are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation. But the decision, of course, is up to the political leadership of all these countries, primarily Iran and Israel,” he said. Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it developed strong economic and military ties with Iran, a policy that could allow Moscow to play power broker. Putin's comments follow a mediation offer that he made in a call with US President Donald Trump last weekend. Trump said Wednesday that he told Putin to stay focused on finding an endgame to his own conflict with Ukraine. “I said, ‘Do me a favour, mediate your own,’” Trump said he told Putin. “I said, ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later.’” The comments represented a shift for Trump, who earlier this week said he was “open” to Putin’s offer to mediate in the Middle East.

Israel’s military issued a warning urging civilians to evacuate the area surrounding Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, on Thursday. The notice, posted on X (formerly Twitter), featured a satellite image of the facility encircled in red — a style similar to prior alerts that were followed by military strikes. The warning came on the seventh consecutive day of Israeli airstrikes on Iran. This latest escalation followed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s firm rejection of U.S. demands for surrender and his caution that any American military involvement would inflict “irreparable damage to them.” Israel, meanwhile, has eased some domestic restrictions, signaling a reduction in missile threats from Iran. The Israeli military confirmed that Thursday’s strikes targeted Tehran and other locations across Iran, but did not provide further details. So far, Israeli attacks have struck key nuclear-related sites, including the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, centrifuge production facilities around Tehran, and a nuclear site in Isfahan. These airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. Missiles fired from Iran says Israeli army According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, the conflict has led to the deaths of at least 639 individuals in Iran, including 263 civilians, with more than 1,300 injured. In retaliation, Iran has launched approximately 400 missiles and numerous drones toward Israel, killing at least 24 people and injuring hundreds. Some of the Iranian strikes have hit residential buildings in central Israel, causing significant damage. The Arak heavy water reactor, located about 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Tehran, uses heavy water to cool its systems. This process can produce plutonium as a byproduct — material that could potentially be used to create nuclear weapons. If pursued, this would offer Iran a second path to nuclear armament in addition to uranium enrichment. Under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to redesign the Arak facility to reduce proliferation concerns. In 2019, Iran activated the reactor’s secondary circuit, which at the time did not breach the agreement’s terms. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear accord in 2018 under President Donald Trump, Britain took on the role of helping Iran modify the reactor to limit plutonium output. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear oversight body, has cautioned Israel against striking Iranian nuclear facilities. Inspectors from the IAEA reportedly last visited Arak on May 14. However, due to limitations imposed by Tehran, the agency has stated it lost “continuity of knowledge” regarding Iran’s heavy water production, meaning it can no longer fully verify Iran’s production and stockpile levels. Israeli airstrikes shake Tehran as Iran warns US against entering conflict As part of the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran had committed to selling its heavy water stockpiles to Western countries to comply with the deal’s terms. In one notable instance, the United States purchased 32 tons of heavy water for over $8 million — a transaction that drew criticism from opponents of the agreement.    

The Israeli army has confirmed that missiles were fired from Iran, prompting its defence systems to intercept the incoming threats around 10:30pm (Bangladesh time) on Wednesday. According to AL Jazeera, the Israeli army instructed residents across Israel to take shelter immediately. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to comment on whether Washington plans to launch a direct attack on Iran. During a Senate committee hearing, when asked by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen if military action was under consideration, Hegseth responded, “Most of what I can say I would reserve for a classified setting.” He also said, “Maximum force protection is being maintained at all times” to ensure the safety of US troops overseas, reports BBC. Khamenei rejects surrender call, warns of ‘irreparable damage’ if US intervenes Earlier, US President Donald Trump also said, "I may do it, I may not do it," when asked whether the US would get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. On the other hand, Navigational data verified by Al Jazeera shows two planes registered with Iran’s government have landed in Oman’s capital. A third plane registered with Iran’s privately owned Meraj Airlines also landed in Muscat. Iran’s government has not released details on any official trip to Oman, which served as a mediator in US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

Israeli warplanes launched fresh attacks on Tehran overnight, striking key military and nuclear-linked facilities, while Iran responded with a limited missile volley toward Israel, resulting in no reported casualties. Amid rising tensions, Iran issued a stark warning to the United States, saying any intervention could trigger a full-scale regional war. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, speaking to Al Jazeera English, cautioned that “any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war.” While he didn’t go into detail, the presence of thousands of U.S. troops stationed across nearby countries makes the situation highly volatile. Israel’s latest attacks reportedly targeted a uranium centrifuge production site and a missile manufacturing facility. The Israeli military also claimed to have intercepted 10 missiles overnight, as Iran's retaliatory strikes appeared to decrease. Israel’s assault on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure began last Friday with a surprise offensive. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists group, the strikes have so far killed at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, and injured over 1,300. Iran, in response, has launched about 400 missiles and numerous drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and injuring hundreds more. Residential areas in central Israel have been hit, triggering frequent air raid sirens and panic among civilians. Iran’s reduced missile activity may be linked to Israeli strikes on launch facilities, although Tehran has not provided an explanation. In Washington, all eyes are on President Donald Trump, who has so far distanced himself from direct involvement but hinted at deeper engagement, suggesting he wants more than a ceasefire. U.S. forces and additional warplanes have been deployed to the region as a precaution. Casualties in Iran Continue to Rise The Human Rights Activists group reported that among those killed in Iran, 239 were civilians and 126 were security forces. Known for verifying reports through a network of in-country sources, the group had also tracked casualties during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. Iran has not regularly released casualty figures and tends to downplay them. Its latest official update, issued Monday, reported 224 dead and 1,277 wounded. Israel-Iran tensions spark security concerns in Pakistan In Tehran, the capital is reeling. Shops have shuttered, the Grand Bazaar is largely closed, and people are lining up for gas while fleeing the city. Loud explosions, including a major blast around 5 a.m. Wednesday, rattled the city, with reports suggesting one strike hit the Hakimiyeh area — home to a Revolutionary Guard academy. Iranian authorities have remained silent on the bombardment. No De-escalation in Sight Israel claims its military campaign is aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, following what it says was a failed two-month window for diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. Trump reportedly greenlit the Israeli action after this deadline expired. Although Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, it continues enriching uranium up to 60%, nearing weapons-grade levels. U.S. intelligence, however, has not concluded that Iran is actively building a bomb. Israeli strikes killed at least 585 people in Iran, human rights group says As the war entered its sixth day, rhetoric escalated on both sides. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on social media, “We will show the Zionists no mercy,” while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz proclaimed, “A storm is passing over Tehran... This is how dictatorships collapse.” Trump Demands Iran's Total Surrender On social media, Trump called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” claiming he knows the whereabouts of Khamenei but has no immediate plans to target him. He also held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to discuss the crisis. Iran did not directly respond to Trump’s remarks, but top military officials warned of more attacks. Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi said the current operations were just the beginning, with a “punishment operation” still to come. Israeli Repatriation Flights Resume For the first time since Ben Gurion International Airport was closed due to missile attacks, two flights from Larnaca, Cyprus, landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, according to airport spokesperson Lisa Dvir. The airspace shutdown had stranded thousands of Israelis overseas and disrupted flight routes throughout the region. Source: With inputs from agency 

Iran's Fordo nuclear site, located 80 metres (262 feet) underground, is "very difficult to destroy", according to nuclear physicist and former UN weapons inspector David Albright. In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Albright said lessons learned during inspections in Iraq enabled the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop "incredibly good ways of investigating secret programmes". He said, “Now that Israel’s striking, I believe Israel can put that site out of operation for a long time. The US could destroy it completely.” Trump considers joining Israel on Iran strikes as IDF targets nuclear sites Albright, who also founded the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, described Fordo as “one of the more formidable” nuclear facilities, but noted it’s not the only one and therefore shouldn’t be overemphasised. Fordo was initially developed during Iran’s early 2000s crash nuclear weapons programme. Source:  With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump is weighing involvement in Israel’s military strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, as hostilities between the two countries enter their sixth consecutive day. Earlier, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” claiming he knows the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader but has decided not to target him — “for now.” Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared he would never compromise with Israel and vowed to show “no mercy.” Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as strikes continue, supreme leader is safe 'for now' Israel stated it targeted a centrifuge facility in Tehran and additional weapons sites in a fresh wave of overnight strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel, triggering two sets of sirens during the night. However, the scale of Tehran’s response appears to have weakened, reports BBC.