Trump Signals Pause on Iran Strike, Eyes Negotiations: Live Updates

02:14 PM EDT

United, American suspend Middle East flights amid regional conflict

United Airlines and American Airlines have paused flights to the Middle East as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran.

United confirmed it has suspended its daily Newark–Dubai route, citing regional conflict. The airline said it is monitoring the situation and assisting affected customers.

American Airlines has also adjusted its Doha-Philadelphia schedule, suspending service until June 22. A Thursday flight from Doha to Philadelphia departed as planned, but future operations remain under review.

Both carriers emphasized that passenger safety remains the top priority, and depending on developments in the region, further changes may follow.

01:59 PM EDT

White House: Iran deal must ban uranium enrichment, nuclear arms

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that any future nuclear agreement with Iran must include a complete ban on uranium enrichment and ensure that Tehran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon.

Speaking at a press briefing amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Leavitt emphasized that the administration’s position is rooted in preventing Iran from reaching weapons-grade capabilities.

The statement comes as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, with U.S. and European officials exploring potential off-ramps to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

01:46 PM EDT

Iron Dome interception rate drops as Iran launches faster missiles

Only 65% of Iranian missiles launched in the past 24 hours were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, a sharp decline from the nearly 90% success rate reported the day before, according to a former senior Israeli intelligence official cited by NBC News.

The official attributed the drop to faster missile speeds, which reduced Israel’s early warning time from 10–11 minutes to just 6–7 minutes. These shorter windows have made it harder for defense systems to respond effectively.

The source also noted that Iran is using advanced navigation systems to guide missiles with greater precision, including the strike that hit Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Iran has denied deliberately targeting the hospital, claiming the damage was caused by a nearby military strike’s shockwave.

01:36 PM EDT

Trump says decision for negotiations will take place in ‘the next two weeks’

Karoline Leavitt relayed a message from Trump in a press briefing today about the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

“Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision in the next two weeks,” she quoted the president.

01:25 PM EDT

Iran’s Fordo nuclear site poses challenge for Israeli strikes

Tucked deep into a mountainside near the city of Qom, Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility is one of the most fortified sites in the country’s atomic program. Believed to be buried more than 80 meters underground, Fordo has so far remained untouched by Israeli airstrikes, despite repeated efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Experts say only the U.S.-made GBU-57 “bunker buster” bomb, capable of penetrating hardened underground targets, could inflict severe damage on the site. The U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber can only deploy the weapon, making American involvement essential for any strike on Fordo.

The facility, which houses thousands of centrifuges enriching uranium up to 60% purity, is seen by Israel as a critical threat. But targeting it could dramatically escalate the regional conflict, drawing in outside powers and raising the risk of nuclear fallout if enrichment material is compromised.

01:12 PM EDT

Word from the White House expected shortly

A White House Press briefing is scheduled to begin shortly.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will brief members of the media on the latest on the Trump administration, likely including any references to the Iran-Israel conflict.

01:00 PM EDT

271 hospitalized across Israel after Iranian missile strikes

The Israeli Ministry of Health reported Thursday that 271 people were hospitalized overnight following a wave of Iranian missile attacks across the country.

According to the ministry, only four individuals sustained serious injuries, while most were treated for minor wounds or anxiety-related symptoms.

At least 71 of the hospitalizations were linked to the direct hit on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where a surgical building was damaged. The majority of those injured at Soroka were hurt while seeking shelter or suffered from shock.

The ministry said hospitals remain operational and urged the public to assist vulnerable individuals in reaching protected areas during alerts.

12:47 PM EDT

Iran warns of immediate retaliation if third parties intervene

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a stark warning Thursday, threatening an “immediate” response to any third party that intervenes in its ongoing conflict with Israel. The statement declared that “confrontation with the enemy will continue until the compensation is paid.”

While the council did not name specific countries, the warning comes amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump may authorize military action. Trump has reportedly reviewed strike options but is waiting to see whether Iran de-escalates its nuclear activities.

Iran’s leadership emphasized that contingency plans are in place for multiple scenarios and that any outside involvement would trigger a pre-arranged military response.

12:32 PM EDT

US and Iran hold direct talks as Israel conflict intensifies

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has held several phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, according to three diplomats cited by Reuters. The discussions mark the most substantive direct engagement between the two countries since negotiations resumed in April.

Araqchi reportedly told Witkoff that Tehran would not return to talks unless Israel halts its attacks. The diplomats also said the calls included a brief exchange on a US proposal to establish a regional uranium enrichment consortium outside Iran — a plan Tehran has so far rejected.

12:19 PM EDT

Trump weighs Fordo strike as CIA warns Iran near nuclear breakout: Report

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the potential risks and benefits of bombing Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility, a reporter from CBS says, as concerns mount over Tehran’s proximity to developing nuclear weapons.

Fordo, buried deep beneath a mountain near Qom, is considered Iran’s most fortified enrichment site, and would likely require U.S. bunker-buster bombs to disable. Trump reportedly believes a strike may be necessary to prevent Iran from reaching weapons capability in the near term.

While the intelligence community’s official stance remains that Iran has not ordered bomb production, CIA Director John Ratcliffe has privately warned that Tehran is “very close” to crossing that threshold. One official quoted Ratcliffe as saying that denying Iran’s proximity would be like claiming a football team on the one-yard line doesn’t want to score.

Trump is also aware of ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a planned meeting between EU officials and Iran’s foreign minister in Switzerland on Friday.

12:06 PM EDT

US moves planes and ships to shield assets amid Iran-Israel conflict

Defense officials told CNN that the US military has repositioned key assets across the Middle East as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran. In recent days, non-sheltered aircraft were evacuated from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. US Navy ships departed from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, though their new locations remain undisclosed.

The moves are part of precautionary planning in response to Iranian threats to target US forces if Washington joins Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites. US Central Command has also pre-positioned blood supplies in the region, a standard step ahead of potential attacks.

President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to authorize strikes on Iran, but Tehran has warned of direct retaliation if the US intervenes. The Pentagon remains on alert, mindful of past attacks, including a 2024 drone strike by an Iran-backed militia that killed three US service members at Tower 22 on the Syria-Iraq border.

11:54 AM EDT

WHO chief condemns attacks on health facilities in Israel-Iran conflict

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern Thursday over the impact of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict on health care systems, calling recent attacks on medical facilities “appalling.”

In a statement posted on social media, Tedros cited the missile strike on Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel, which left dozens injured and forced the evacuation of 250 patients. He also referenced the deaths of three Iranian Red Crescent workers during an airstrike in Tehran and injuries sustained at a hospital in Kermanshah following a nearby explosion.

Tedros urged all parties to protect health workers, patients, and medical infrastructure, emphasizing that “the best medicine is peace.”

11:39 AM EDT

In pictures: Aftermath of hospital strike

11:25 AM EDT

Thousands of tourists seek exit from Israel amid airspace closure

Israel’s Tourism Ministry says it has registered 22,000 tourists hoping to leave the country as the war with Iran continues into its second week. With airspace closed since the conflict began, only special inbound flights for stranded Israelis have been permitted, and outbound travel remains restricted for security reasons.

According to the ministry, about 32,000 of the 40,000 tourists present when the fighting erupted remain in Israel. Some have managed to exit via land crossings into Jordan and Egypt, while others are seeking alternative routes by sea or through neighboring airports.

The government has not yet announced when commercial flights will resume, leaving thousands in limbo as missile strikes and air raid sirens continue across the country.

11:12 AM EDT

Iran says 100 drones launched at Israel in latest wave of strikes

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Thursday that it had launched around 100 kamikaze and combat drones targeting Israeli military sites, calling the operation part of a “self-defense” campaign in response to Israeli airstrikes.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said the missile and drone attacks would continue, citing what it described as U.S.-backed Israeli aggression that has injured approximately 1,800 Iranians.

The IRGC claimed the strikes were aimed at strategic military centers and warned of an “upward trend” in effectiveness. The announcement follows days of escalating hostilities between the two countries, with both sides trading missile barrages and airstrikes.

11:10 AM EDT

Missile strike collapses roof at Soroka hospital as cleanup begins

A missile fired by Iran early Thursday struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel, damaging one of the hospital’s older buildings and collapsing its roof. The blast also shattered windows and glass across much of the sprawling campus, though the hospital’s front appeared largely intact.

Staff were seen sweeping up debris and broken glass, calmly beginning the cleanup process. According to hospital officials, the damaged building had already been evacuated due to ongoing tensions, with most patients relocated to underground facilities.

Soroka is the largest hospital in southern Israel, providing a wide range of care from maternity to oncology. Despite the direct hit, its preparedness and prior evacuations likely prevented severe casualties.

10:56 AM EDT

WATCH: Video shows Israel destroying Iranian nuclear reactor on Day 7 of fighting

10:43 AM EDT

Satellite images show Iran’s buried nuclear sites that Trump could strike

In its mission to take out Tehran’s nuclear program, two of Iran’s major sites are likely out of reach of Israeli weapons.

Israel launched what it termed a “preemptive” campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities and scientists, as well as the country’s ballistic missile sites and other military assets, on Friday.

Iran responded with drone and ballistic missile barrages. Strikes launched by both countries continued into Thursday.

Fordow, a major facility roughly 100 miles from the capital, Tehran, is built deep under a mountain. It is widely acknowledged the only real option to take out the site are 30,000-pound bunker-busting American bombs launched from U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers.

However, there is another hub, known as Mt. Kolang Gaz La, which sits on the outskirts of the Natanz nuclear site, considered Tehran’s main facility for enriching uranium southeast of the capital.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) published satellite imagery back in April that it said showed Iran was building a new security perimeter around the base of Mt. Kolang Gaz La.

Read the full story by Ellie Cook on Newsweek.

10:31 AM EDT

Israeli health minister calls hospital strike a red line, vows resilience

Israeli Health Minister Uriel Busso has condemned the Iranian missile strike on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba as a “significant escalation” in the ongoing conflict, calling it a deliberate attack on a civilian facility.

The strike, which damaged multiple areas of the hospital, was part of a broader barrage that injured 89 people across Israel, according to Magen David Adom. Busso emphasized that the hospital, which serves patients regardless of religion, had evacuated vulnerable wards in advance, preventing a greater tragedy.

“This is a terrorist act… a red line,” Busso told The Jerusalem Post, adding that Israel will exact a heavy price from Iran. He said emergency and underground wards remain operational despite the damage, though the hospital has reduced capacity and is transferring some patients.

Busso credited months of preparation for minimizing casualties, noting that emergency protocols and fortified infrastructure were key to saving lives. “The scenario we prepared for has materialized,” he said. “Now we must ensure every instruction is followed.”

10:15 AM EDT

Senate Democrats push to limit Trump’s war powers on Iran

Senate Democrats are raising alarms over Trump’s potential plans to strike Iran without congressional approval, warning of a repeat of past conflicts like the Iraq War.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) has introduced a resolution that would block Trump from launching military action against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress. The measure, which cannot be filibustered, is expected to come to a vote as early as next week.

Democrats say the White House has failed to brief lawmakers on its intentions, prompting concerns about unchecked executive power. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) compared the situation to the lead-up to the Iraq invasion, calling it “dangerous ground.”

Trump has remained vague about his intentions, saying, “Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” while mulling a strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility.

While some Republicans have expressed concern, most have deferred to the president. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is the only Republican publicly backing a similar resolution in the House.

The debate underscores a broader struggle over war powers and congressional oversight, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.

10:09 AM EDT

Netanyahu condemns Iran after hospital strike, highlights moral divide

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Soroka Hospital in Beersheba on Thursday following an Iranian missile strike that damaged the facility. Standing alongside the Minister of Health and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, Netanyahu contrasted Israel’s military precision with Iran’s targeting of civilians.

“We accurately hit nuclear and missile targets,” he said. “They hit a hospital, where people can’t even get up and run away.”

Netanyahu emphasized that the strike occurred near children’s and infants’ wards, calling it a stark example of the difference between a democracy acting within the law and a regime bent on destruction.

His remarks came amid growing international scrutiny of the escalating conflict, as Israel continues its campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and Iran retaliates with missile barrages on civilian areas.

09:57 AM EDT

UK backs diplomatic push to ensure Iran’s nuclear program stays peaceful

In a statement to Newsweek, a Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said the UK has had “long-standing concerns” about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The UK has had long-standing concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme for many years and the Foreign Secretary is ready to support talks to press for a diplomatic solution to this issue.

“Any Foreign Secretary travel would be set out in the usual way, and he is currently in Washington, D.C.

“The Foreign Secretary chaired a call on Monday with the UK, European partners and Iran, in which they reiterated their commitment to the region’s stability and a diplomatic pathway forward, and urged Iran to show restraint and refrain from taking further steps which could lead to serious consequences.”

09:43 AM EDT

IDF reports launch of ballistic missiles from Iran to Israel

The IDF has shared a post on its X, formerly Twitter, account, reporting that sirens are sounding in Israel as a “barrage of ballistic missiles” were fired from Iran.

09:41 AM EDT

In pictures: Iranian ballistic missile strike

09:29 AM EDT

Iran fires missile with multiple warheads at Israel, IDF confirms

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Thursday that Iran launched at least one ballistic missile armed with multiple warheads, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

One of the submunitions was found in central Israel, prompting the Home Front Command to warn that dozens more may be scattered across a wide area and could detonate if disturbed.

According to IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, Iran has fired over 450 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel in recent days, with most launched from Iranian territory and others from regional proxies.

Defrin said Israel has destroyed about two-thirds of Iran’s missile launchers, but warned that more than 100 remain operational. The IDF is also targeting Iran’s ballistic missile production sites to reduce future threats.

Independent researcher Tal Inbar noted this is the first time a missile with multiple warheads has landed in Israel, underscoring the evolving nature of the threat.

09:17 AM EDT

Trump blasts Wall Street Journal concerning thoughts on Iran

Trump shared on Truth Social, “The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran.”

09:12 AM EDT

Israel-Iran conflict enters seventh day as Trump weighs U.S. role

The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its seventh day, showing no signs of easing as both sides escalate military actions and rhetoric.

On Thursday, an Iranian missile struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel, causing extensive damage and injuring several people. The strike prompted Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to declare that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “should not continue to exist,” accusing him of ordering attacks on civilian targets.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, a facility linked to plutonium production. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the site was inactive and contained no nuclear material, but Israel said the strike was aimed at preventing future weapons development.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump continues to weigh U.S. involvement, stating, “I may do it, I may not do it,” while warning that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump previously vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei but has left open the possibility of future action.

The conflict began with Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, followed by Iranian missile and drone attacks that have killed at least 24 people in Israel. A Washington-based human rights group reports at least 639 deaths in Iran, including 263 civilians, with over 1,300 wounded

08:57 AM EDT

Iran says over 2,500 injured in Israeli strikes, aid workers among dead

More than 2,500 people have been treated in hospitals across Iran since Israeli airstrikes began six days ago, according to a spokesperson for Iran’s health ministry. Of those, 1,600 have been discharged, while around 500 remain hospitalized.

The spokesperson, cited by Mehr News Agency, said medical teams have also provided field care at over 200 locations. Two medical workers were reportedly killed, and several others — including university staff and their families — also lost their lives in the attacks.

Iran has not issued frequent casualty updates, but earlier this week reported 224 deaths and 1,277 injuries. However, the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group offered a significantly higher toll, claiming at least 639 killed and 1,329 wounded, including 263 civilians and 154 security personnel.

08:44 AM EDT

Internet disruptions in Iran deepen isolation amid ongoing conflict

Internet access across Iran has been severely disrupted since Tuesday, making it difficult for citizens to share information or contact loved ones. The Ministry of Communications confirmed the restrictions, accusing Israel of misusing the national communications network for military purposes.

The blackout has limited the flow of videos and photos from inside the country and hampered communication, especially through banned encrypted messaging apps. While many Iranians rely on VPNs to bypass censorship, even those tools have become increasingly unreliable.

The Iranian diaspora has expressed growing concern, with some saying they’ve lost all contact with family members. The restrictions come amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes and fears of further escalation.

08:31 AM EDT

Xi and Putin call for de-escalation, condemn Israeli strikes on Iran

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call Wednesday, urging major powers to help de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to official readouts from both governments.

In a veiled message to Trump, Xi emphasized that countries with influence should work to “cool the situation, not the opposite.” He called for an immediate ceasefire, placing particular responsibility on Israel to halt hostilities and prevent further escalation.

The Kremlin said both leaders condemned Israel’s actions, describing them as violations of international law. Putin reiterated Russia’s offer to mediate, which Xi supported, saying it could help reduce tensions.

Both leaders agreed that Iran’s nuclear issue must be resolved through diplomacy, not military force, and pledged to keep their diplomatic and security channels closely coordinated in the coming days.

08:18 AM EDT

Iran’s Supreme Leader responds to Israel’s direct threat to him

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has responded to Israel’s direct threat to him this morning, saying that “if the enemy senses that you fear them, they won’t let go of you”.

“I would like to tell our dear nation that if the enemy senses that you fear them, they won’t let go of you. Continue the very behavior that you have had up to this day; continue this behavior with strength,” he wrote on X.

In a separate post he said: “The very fact that the Zionist regime’s American friends have entered the scene and are saying such things is a sign of that regime’s weakness and inability.”

07:52 AM EDT

Bushehr nuclear site strike announcement a ‘mistake’: Israel

On Thursday morning, an Israeli military spokesperson said that the Bushehr nuclear site had been struck.

However, a later statement clarified that this was a “mistake”, and that it was actually the Natanz, Isfahan and Khondab nuclear sites that were targeted, Reuters reports.

07:42 AM EDT

Xi calls for ceasefire

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an immediate ceasefire and warned the conflict between Israel and Iran risks spreading to other countries in the region.

“If the conflict escalates further, not only will the conflicting parties suffer greater losses, but regional countries will also suffer greatly,” Xi said during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

“The parties to the conflict, especially Israel, should cease fire as soon as possible to prevent the situation from escalating in turn and resolutely avoid the spillover of war,” he added.

06:46 AM EDT

Hackers drain $90M from Iranian cryptocurrency exchange

Hackers with possible links to Israel have drained more than $90 million from Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, according to blockchain analytics firms.

The group that claimed responsibility for the hack on Thursday leaked what it said was the company’s full source code. “ASSETS LEFT IN NOBITEX ARE NOW ENTIRELY OUT IN THE OPEN,” the group wrote on its Telegram account.

The stolen funds were transferred to addresses bearing messages that criticized Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic wrote in a blog post.

It said the attack likely was not financially motivated as the wallets the hackers had poured the money into “effectively burned the funds in order to send Nobitex a political message.”

The hackers group, Gonjeshke Darande—”Predatory Sparrow” in Farsi—accused Nobitex of having helped Iran’s government to evade Western sanctions over the country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and transfer money to militants, in a post on X claiming the attack.

Nobitex appeared to have confirmed the attack. Its app and website were down as it assessed “unauthorized access” to its systems, it said in a post on X.

The theft spanned a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and more, said head of national security intelligence at Chainalysis Andrew Fierman.

The breach is “particularly significant given the comparatively modest size of Iran’s cryptocurrency market,” he added.

This post uses reporting by The Associated Press.

05:51 AM EDT

Pro-Iran militia threatens Trump, Americans: “legitimate targets”

The leader of the Nujaba Movement, a pro-Iranian radical Shi’ite militia in Iraq, warned that all American nationals would become “legitimate targets” if the U.S. strikes Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Khamenei that he knew where the Iranian leader was hiding and that he is an “easy target,” though safe “for now”.

Trump is weighing his options, poised to strike Iran unless it abandons its nuclear program. Israel has been striking Iranian military and nuclear targets for days, decimating the leadership in Tehran.

“You are vile and disgraced, O you who wallow in the dust, criminal Trump,” said Akram al-Kaabi in a statement posted to his social media profile, originally in Arabic.

“It is beneath the dignity of our Islamic authorities to be threatened by someone like you with murder!!

“By God, if you had touched a single hair of our Imam al-Khamenei, you and your allies and your filthy agents under your shoes would have been burned across all our Islamic lands.

“Karbala will not be returned again soaked in the blood of its noble ones; there will be no peace from now on, no military or diplomatic compromise.

“Rather, anyone carrying your nationality in our region and anyone pursuing your direct or indirect interests will be a legitimate target for us as long as we remain alive in this worldly life.”

05:28 AM EDT

Video: Former Israeli minister’s home hit as children sheltered

Video footage has emerged of the aftermath of an Iranian missile strike at the private home of Danny Naveh, CEO of Israel Bonds and a former Israeli government minister, in Gush Dan.

Naveh, who is in New York with his wife at the moment, told Ynet he was talking on a video call with his children at the time of the attack.

“Suddenly, we heard a loud boom, it was clear that it was at home,” Naveh told the publication. “The second floor collapsed, the children were in the safe room and survived.”

04:16 AM EDT

Russia warns of Chernobyl-like catastrophe in Iran

Russia has been raising concerns about the potential for a strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, where it has specialists working.

Alexei Likhachev, CEO of the Russian state atomic energy company Rosatom, said striking Bushehr could lead to a Chernobyl-like catastrophe, state media reported.

Likhachev said some of the Russian nuclear specialists working at Bushehr have already been removed, though others remain there.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Israel has promised Russia that it would ensure the safety of its specialists working at Bushehr.

“We maintain very smooth, trusting relations with Israel,” Peskov said in an interview with RBC-TV.

“Only yesterday, Putin mentioned that there is an understanding with Israel that our specialists who work in Bushehr will not be in danger and under the threat of a strike.”

Peskov said the safety of the Russian specialists comes from the relationship of trust with Israel. “Our dialogue with Israel and the trusting nature of this dialogue allow us to reach such understandings. This is very important,” Peskov said.

However, he added that Russia remains a partner of Iran, one of its key allies.

“President Putin definitely has a lot of potential for some kind of mediation,” Peskov said, after Putin offered to mediate between Israel and Iran to end the current conflict.

“There is a need for intermediary services, but at the same time there is a tangle of unresolved problems.”

03:53 AM EDT

Latest Israel-Iran map shows strikes up to June 18

This map from Newsweek’s John Feng shows the locations of strikes conducted by both Israel and Iran up to June 18. It uses data compiled by the Institute for the Study of War.

03:41 AM EDT

Hospital and homes hit by Iran strikes

At least 40 people were wounded in Iranian strikes overnight on Israel that hit a major hospital in the country’s south and residential areas of Tel Aviv, Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said.

Israel’s Iron Dome air defense shield intercepts most of the incoming Iranian fire, but some missiles get through. Iran has fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation since the Israelis began their strikes on Friday, June 13.

One missile hit the Soroka Medical Center, which has over 1,000 beds and provides services to the approximately 1 million residents of Israel’s south.

Iran says it was striking neighboring IDF intelligence and communications buildings.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike on the hospital and vowed a response, saying: “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”

Haim Bublil, a local police commander, told reporters that several people were lightly wounded in the strike.

He said there was a fire in a six-story building that was hard to access, and that rescuers were still searching various buildings and moving patients to safer areas of the hospital.

A hospital statement said several parts of the medical center were damaged and that the emergency room was treating several minor injuries. The hospital was closed to all new patients except for life-threatening cases.

This post uses reporting by The Associated Press.