By PERKIN AMALARAJ

Published: 13:02 BST, 15 June 2025 | Updated: 13:31 BST, 15 June 2025

Iran has today claimed that Israeli airstrikes have mostly killed women and children, as the two nations took part in massively escalating tit-for-tat strikes against each other.  

Tehran said at least 78 people were killed and 320 were wounded since Friday, while in Israel, children were among the at least 13 people who have died in Iranian strikes. 

It comes as terrifying new footage shows the IDF striking what it says is Iran’s ‘nuclear programme headquarters.’

Footage showed what appeared to be a drone strike on a densely populated part of Tehran, Iran’s capital city. 

A towering plume of smoke was seen rising over the city, which has taken the brunt of Israeli strikes over the weekend.  

Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries near Tehran overnight, as well as the headquarters of Iran’s Ministry of Defence, while Israel said that the death toll had risen to 10, as emergency workers frantically sift through rubble to try and find injured people. 

An estimated 200 people in Israel were injured by the strikes. Israeli Raja Khateeb, his wife, and their three daughters were all reportedly among those killed in the Iranian strike on the town of town of Tamra, near Haifa. 

The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel‘s surprise bombardment of Iran’s nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, and neither side showed any sign of backing down. 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the attacks on Israel will end when its ‘aggression stops.’  

The Middle East conflict escalated on Thursday night after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, with Iran confirming missiles struck nuclear facilities, ‘martyred’ top commanders and killed dozens of civilians.

Iran has vowed to take revenge, launching waves of missiles at Israel on Friday and Saturday night, as world leaders scramble to de-escalate the conflict.

Follow along for updates. 

Britons have been warned not to travel to Israel as the conflict with Iran ramps up today.

The Foreign Office is now advising ‘against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories’.

Planning is also believed to be under way to evacuate UK nationals if the situation deteriorates further.

The stark message came as Israel and Iran continued to bombard each other overnight.

Read the full story below.

US-led coalition ‘shot down drones’, says Iran

Two drones launched from Iran towards Israel were shot down over Iraq by the US-led international coalition to defeat the Islamic State group, two Iraqi military officials told news agency AFP.

‘The international coalition at Ain al-Asad (military base) shot down two Iranian drones that were en route to Israel,’ one official said, referring to an Iraqi airbase housing foreign troops in western Iraq.

The drones were shot down overnight Saturday to Sunday, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The other official said the drones were targeted because they entered the defensive perimeter of the anti-jihadist coalition, where troops are instructed to engage any potential threat.

Breaking:Two explosions heard in central Tehran

Two explosions have been heard in central Tehran.

Unverified footage posted on X shows three pillars of smoke rising in the city.

According to the Tasnim news agency, missile-like projectiles hit two locations today.

Netanyahu: ‘Iran will pay heavy price’

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Iran ‘will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women, and children’.

The Israeli Prime Minister warned ‘it will happen soon’ after he said Tehran had targeted the civilians deliberately in a barrage of missile attacks that were launched overnight.

Netanyahu made the comments on X alongside photos of the PM visiting the city of Bat Yam where flats were destroyed in the strikes.

Iran will pay a very heavy price for the murder of women, children, and innocent civilians – and it will happen soon. I am here at the scene together with the rescue forces and the Home Front Command. On behalf of the people of Israel – we send a hug to the families and once again call on every citizen: obey the instructions – it saves lives.

We are in an existential battle, facing a cruel enemy who is planning destruction. Our soldiers and pilots are operating bravely – above the skies of Iran. This is a war of salvation. We will strike them with one blow – and we will win.

New footage shows IDF striking Iran’s ‘nuclear programme HQ’

Israeli airline cancels flights to and from major cities

El Al, Israel’s national airline, has cancelled flights going to and from major European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow.

It said today that all flights have been cancelled up to and including June 17.

The carrier said: ‘Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel.’

Iran admits seven more top air force officials killed in Friday strikes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has released a list of seven further air force commanders who were killed in Israel’s strikes.

The list includes its head, Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Explosions hear in Tehran’s northwestern neighbourhoods

The BBC has reported that explosions have been heard in Tehran’s Shahrak-e Gharb and Saadat Abad neighbourhoods.

Iranian officials have told local media that the capital’s air defence systems have been activated.

Iran says mostly women and children killed and injured by Israeli strikes

Iran’s health minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghand has today said that the majority of those killed by Israeli airstrikes since Friday are women and children.

While no official tally has been given for the entire weekend’s violence, Iran’s UN agency said on Friday that at least 78 had been killed, while 320 were wounded.

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Iran claims Israel has ‘mainly’ killed women and children in escalating air strikes as IDF releases footage of ballistic missile attack on Tehran’s ‘nuclear programme HQ’ – live updates



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