2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 2:40pmWe’ll end our live coverage here
We are ending our live coverage for today. Thanks for joining us.
Here’s some key events from day eight of the Iran-Israel conflict:
The most recent missile strikes from Iran hit areas in Haifa, the Negev and Tel Aviv.Meanwhile the IDF says it has targeted military infrastructure in Iran.Israel has struck a number of industrial sites in Tehran overnight, targeting what it says are military, industrial and manufacturing facilities.The Israeli Air Force says it intercepted and shot down four unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran.Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles into Israel on Friday morning, hitting a site in the southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva.The Magen David Adom says it treated five people for minor injuries at the site, including for blast impact, bruises and smoke inhalation.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the military to intensify attacks on “symbols of the regime” in the Iranian capital Tehran.Iran’s foreign minister will meet with top diplomats from the UK, Germany, France and EU in Geneva today to discuss the Middle East conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Iran to show willingness to return to the negotiating table over its nuclear program.2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 2:33pmIDF says it attacked military infrastructure in southwestern Iran
In a statement on X, the Israeli Defence Force says it has attacked military infrastructure in southwestern Iran.
“The Air Force attacked, a short time ago, ground-to-air missile batteries in southwestern Iran,” the post said.
“The IDF will continue to operate to achieve air superiority for the execution of its missions.”
2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 2:31pm
IAEA director general says no signs Iran has an active plan for a nuclear weapon
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has told the United Nations that there are no elements found indicating Iran has active plan for a nuclear weapon.
He added that the IAEA has no personal information on Iran’s nuclear scientists.
And that more damage to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant could lead to high release of radioactivity. he added that currently there is no threat of radiological contamination.
If more strikes continue on these sites though, he said there could be “great consequences within and beyond the state” of Iran.
He urged for a diplomatic end to this conflict to ensure Iran does not gain a nuclear weapon.
2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 2:25pm
Israel foreign ministry says Iran is firing ‘indiscriminately at civilians’
The Israeli Foreign Ministry says Iran “launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Haifa”.
“The Iranian regime is firing indiscriminately at civilians—with zero regard for who they hit,” it said.
2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 2:09pm
Video shows Iranian missiles being intercepted over Tel Aviv
Video taken by my ABC colleague Haidarr Jones shows Iranian missiles being intercepted by Israel air defences over Tel Aviv.
2h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:57pm
Paramedic describes moment his house was hit by missile
An MDA paramedic has described the moment his house was hit by a missile.
“I was at home, and as soon as I received the alert from the Home Front Command, I entered the protected area with my family,” Ahmad Zidan said.
“A few minutes later, we heard a very loud noise and felt the blast.
“When I came out of the protected area, I saw that the windows in my house were shattered and a lot of glass was broken.
“I saw heavy smoke and extensive destruction — the building’s parking area near us was hit by the missile.”
3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:37pmImpact in Haifa confirmed
I can now tell you that Haifa, in Israel’s north, has been hit by the latest barrage of Iranian strikes.
Multiple videos from the coastal city show an area being impacted.
Haifa has been targeted multiple times in Iranian strikes.
The pictures in this post have been verified by the ABC.
(Supplied)3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:26pmIsraeli paramedics treating 17 people following missile strikes
MDA EMTs and paramedics are providing medical treatment and evacuating 17 casualties to the hospital, a Magen David Adom(MDA) spokesperson said.
“3 in serious condition — a 16-year-old boy with a shrapnel injury to his upper body, a 54-year-old man, and a 40-year-old man with shrapnel injuries to their lower limbs,” the spokesperson said.
They added that a further 14 are in mild condition, suffering from blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.
Emergency crews are continuing to search the impact sites, the spokesperson said.
3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:15pm
Images of the latest missile attack
The fresh wave of Iranian missiles launched at Israel were seen flying through the mid-afternoon sky.
(Reuters: Mussa Qawasma)
(Reuters: Violeta Santos Moura)
3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:12pm
IDF says reports of missile impacts, tells civilians they can leave protected spaces
The Israeli Defence Force has confirmed it has received reports of missile impacts across the country.
It has told civilians that “following a situation assessment, the Home Front Command issued a directive that it is permissible to leave protected spaces in several areas across the country”.
It added that rescue and emergency forces are operating at multiple sites throughout the country where impacts were reported.
3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 1:04pm
Israeli Police says it has received reports of missile impacts
Israel Police says it has received reports of projectile impact sites and has sent officers and disposal experts to the impact zones.
It urged civilians to stay away from all impact areas.
“The Israel Police calls on all residents to avoid gathering near impact zones in order to prevent risk to life, avoid unnecessary harm, and to allow bomb disposal experts and police to carry out their work without disruption,” the police said in a statement.
“All residents are instructed to remain in protected spaces, in accordance with Home Front Command directives.”
Israeli media said initial reports indicate impacts in Tel Aviv, The Negev and Haifa.
3h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 12:59pmSecond wave of strikes heading towards Israel
Another wave is coming now.
It appears most parts of the country have been targeted by this latest barrage.
Local media are reporting 15 missiles were sent from Iran in the first wave.
A spokesperson from Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), said there appears to have been some hits from the missiles but did not confirm where.
“Following the Red Alert sirens heard in the past few minutes, MDA teams have been dispatched to scan the areas where reports were received.
“Updates will follow if necessary.”
The timing of this attack is significant.
Friday afternoon is considered part of the weekend in Israel (and Sunday is a work day).
Shops close. Many people begin relaxing and preparing for Friday night Shabbat meals, which is tradition in the Jewish faith.
4h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 12:52pmSirens sound and explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Sirens sounded around Israel after 3:30pm local time (10:30pm AEST).
While southern parts of the country had come under missile fire earlier on Friday, this was the first time in more than 24 hours that Tel Aviv had been targeted.
We’ve moved to the bomb shelter and large bangs can be heard outside.
In our area at least they sounded like missiles being intercepted rather than landing.
In Israel, the first warning you get that missiles are heading for your location is via alerts on a government phone app. After that sirens sound.
(ABC News: Riley Stuart)
When you hear them, in Tel Aviv at least, you’ve got about 90 seconds to get to a shelter.
4h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 12:43pmMissiles fired towards Israel, Israeli military and Iranian media say
A fresh wave of Iranian missiles have been launched towards Israel, according to the Israeli military and Iranian media.
The Israeli military said it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel and it is working to intercept them.
Iranian media reported that strikes have begun.
On the ground in Tel Aviv, emergency alerts have been sent to civilians phones urging them to find a safe space for protection from the incoming strikes.
4h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 12:29pm
UK working with Israel to arrange charter flights out of Tel Aviv
Britain is working with Israeli authorities to arrange charter flights for British nationals from Tel Aviv when the airport reopens, foreign minister David Lammy said on Friday.
“As part of our efforts to support British nationals in the Middle East, the government is working with the Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when airspace reopens,” Lammy said in a statement.
Israel’s main international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, closed last week due to the conflict.
Reporting with Reuters
4h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 12:11pm
Thousands protest in Tehran against Israel, state media shows
Thousands of people joined a protest against Israel in the Iranian capital on Friday after weekly prayers, chanting slogans in support of their leaders, state television reported.
“This is the Friday of the Iranian nation’s solidarity and resistance across the country,” the news anchor said.
Footage showed protesters in Tehran 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 group Hezbollah.
“I will sacrifice my life for my leader,” read a protester’s banner, a reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Reporting with AFP
5h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 11:41amIsraeli Air Force says it’s attacking military infrastructure in western and central Iran
The Israeli Air Force say it is “currently attacking military infrastructure in western and central Iran”.
The statement was made on X but the post provided no further context as to what infrastructure was being targeted.
We will provide more information as we have it.
5h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 11:26am
Qatar warns that Israeli strikes on Iran put energy stability at risk
Qatar’s prime minister said that the Israeli targeting of economic facilities in Iran could lead to catastrophic regional and international repercussions.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Qatar’s foreign minister added that the concern is in connection with the stability of energy supplies.
Reporting with Reuters
5h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 11:11amTalks between Iran and European nations set to begin in Geneva
Iran’s foreign minister is in Geneva to meet with top diplomats from the UK, Germany, France and EU to discuss the Middle East conflict.
Talks are due to start imminently.
Speaking before the talks, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was no room for negotiations with Israel’s superpower ally the United States “until Israeli aggression stops”.
The representatives from the European nations hope to establish a path back to diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Expectations for a breakthrough are low, diplomats say.
Reporting with Reuters
6h agoFri 20 Jun 2025 at 10:48am
German foreign minister outlines terms of potential Iran negotiations
Germany and its European partners would be open to continuing discussions with Iran, provided Tehran is willing to provide assurances on its nuclear and missile programmes, according to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
“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.
“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.”
Reporting with Reuters