Iran and Israel escalated their conflict with fresh missile strikes, as Tehran rejected nuclear talks amid ongoing attacks.
At 2:30 a.m. PKT (Pakistan Time), Iran launched five ballistic missiles targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv. This action triggered air raid sirens, according to Reuters. Israel’s air defence systems intercepted most of the missiles, and there were no immediate reports of casualties. In response, Israel conducted strikes on Iranian missile storage and launch sites, targeting military infrastructure. Explosions were reported in Tehran; however, there were no confirmed leaks of hazardous materials from the Isfahan nuclear facility.
Live: Israel strikes Iran's Isfahan nuclear site as war continues into 9th days
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— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) June 21, 2025
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, announced that there will be no negotiations with the United States until Israel’s attacks cease. This decision has led to postponing talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman.
#BREAKING: Saeed Izadi, commander of the Palestine Corps within Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in a strike on an apartment in Qom, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Saturday.
Katz said Izadi was responsible for funding and arming Hamas ahead of the October 7 attack, and… pic.twitter.com/C1Mv7MsuWW
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) June 21, 2025
On June 20, European ministers met with Iranian representatives in Geneva to find a diplomatic solution, but no significant progress was made. Israel’s envoy, Danny Danon, stated that Israel would continue its strikes until Iran’s nuclear threat is fully dismantled. According to Reuters, Iran’s Amir Saeid Iravani called for action from the UN Security Council.
BREAKING: President Donald Trump tells reporters it's 'very hard' to ask Israel to stop strikes – as he claims Iran 'doesn't want to speak to Europe'
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— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 20, 2025
The conflict, initiated by Israel’s strikes on June 13 that killed 639 individuals in Iran, including high-ranking commanders, has heightened concerns about a broader war. The 24 civilian deaths in Israel underscore the increasing toll, according to Reuters.
Read: Iran’s Alleged Cluster Bomb Strike on Israel Sparks Global Concern