Iran has fired at least four ballistic missiles and several drones at US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation against Donald Trump's renewed attacks on Tehran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said its Aerospace Force launched long-range missiles at an airbase in Jordan, which hosts US military personnel. The Guard said the attack damaged critical command centres and F-35 fighter jet hangars.
The Kuwaiti army said its air defence systems were “intercepting hostile aerial targets”, while Bahrain, for the second time on Wednesday morning, sounded air raid sirens.
The escalation comes after Donald Trump’s military launched retaliatory strikes against Iran, hitting its air defence infrastructure, after the US president accused the country of shooting down an American helicopter.
Trump had warned earlier that the US “must, of necessity, respond” to the downing of an Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. Two US pilots were rescued, uninjured, from the vital waterway after the $40m gunship went down, US officials said.
US Central Command announced the “self-defence strikes” were “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”.
Key Points
- Iran attacks US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan
- Kuwait 'intercepting hostile aerial targets' as Iran fires drones
- Bahrain activates air raid sirens for second time
- US retaliatory strikes hit Iranian air defense infrastructure: military
- Trump launches retaliatory strikes against Iran after helicopter downing
Jordan says it intercepted five missiles launched from Iran
04:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Jordanian armed forces said this morning that they shot down five missiles launched from Iran towards the al-Azraq area.
The military added that debris from the interception operation fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or material damage.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted four sites at the US's al-Azraq base using long-range missiles.
US military says nearly all drones fired by Iran intercepted
04:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US military has claimed that nearly all drones launched by Iran towards Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan were intercepted.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said they fired drones and ballistic missiles at 21 targets spanning across US air and naval bases in the Gulf.
Bahrain activates air raid sirens for second time
04:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Bahrain's home ministry activated air raid sirens for the second time in the day. "Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," it said in a post on X.
Iran has launched strikes at US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation against Donald Trump's renewed attack on Tehran.
Kuwait 'intercepting hostile aerial targets' as Iran fires drones
04:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Kuwaiti army said its air defence systems are “currently intercepting hostile aerial targets” after Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted Ali al Salem base in Kuwait with drones.
The Kuwaiti army has urged its residents to “adhere to the security and safety instructions and guidelines issued by the competent authorities, and to obtain information from authorised official sources”.
Iran attacks US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan
03:57 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran has fired at least four ballistic missiles and several drones at US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation against Donald Trump's renewed attacks on Tehran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said its Aerospace Force launched long-range missiles at an airbase in Jordan, which hosts US military personnel.
The Guard claimed its missiles destroyed four critical targets at the base, including F-35 fighter jet hangars and a primary command and control centre.
UN inquiry finds Israeli forces shield settlers during attacks on Palestinians
03:45 , Reuters
Israeli authorities are directly involved in settler attacks that have killed, injured and displaced Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, while Israeli security forces provide protection to settlers, a U.N. inquiry said on Tuesday.
The report by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found that Israeli authorities had enabled settler attacks through financial and military support, in a climate of impunity fostered by judicial and law-enforcement bodies. It also found that the Palestinian militant group Hamas had committed war crimes against both Palestinians and Israelis.
The report said Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages and agricultural land had surged since 2023, rising by 130%, including incidents involving groups of masked assailants. Israeli security forces routinely accompanied settlers and acted as a shield for the violence, it said.
The Israeli mission in Geneva rejected the report's findings accusing the body of drawing a “false moral equivalence” between Hamas militants and Israeli civilians and of relying on what it called unsubstantiated allegations. It said Israeli authorities including the president and prime minister had repeatedly condemned violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli army said its mission was maintain security and conduct counterterrorism operations, that it condemned "any form of violence that undermines security", and that any alleged misconduct by Israeli soldiers was thoroughly reviewed.
US lawmaker bashes Trump's 'recklessness' in Iran war
03:30 , Rachel Dobkin
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has bashed US President Donald Trump after Iran was accused of shooting down an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
“American soldiers were shot down in Iran as Trump was wasting taxpayer dollars to fall asleep while watching the Knicks”, the top Democrat wrote on X Tuesday, referring to the president’s appearance at a basketball game.
“Each day this illegal war drags on further exposes this President's recklessness”.
Watch: Trump says he expects to sign peace deal in ‘two or three days’
03:00 , James Reynolds
Sirens sounded in Bahrain after Iran's paramilitary targets country
02:43 , Rachel Dobkin
Sirens have sounded in Bahrain after Iran's paramilitary said it targeted the US Navy in the country.
“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior wrote on social media.
The siren has been sounded .Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) June 10, 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps reportedly said it launched a drone attack on the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in retaliation for US strikes against Iran.
The US hit Iranian air defense infrastructure after accusing the country of downing an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's paramilitary says it targeted US Navy in Bahrain
02:24 , Rachel Dobkin
Iran’s paramilitary has said it targeted the US Navy in Bahrain in retaliation for strikes that American forces launched against the country.
The Revolutionary Guards Corps said in a statement shared by The New York Times that it launched drone attacks on US Fifth Fleet.
The US hit Iranian air defense infrastructure after accusing the country of downing an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
US retaliatory strikes complete after hitting Iranian air defense infrastructure: military
02:13 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command has announced that its retaliatory strikes against Iran are complete.
The US military said it hit “Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets”.
Central Command said the strikes were ”a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters”.
Recap: Eight dead in Israeli attack on Lebanon as Netanyahu ignores Trump’s plea
02:00 , James Reynolds
Israel conducted fresh attacks in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of eight people, despite calls from US president Donald Trump for de-escalation.
An Israeli airstrike hit a popular housing district in Tyre, an ancient southern Lebanese city, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for the entire city, including its Christian quarter.
These actions follow a recent agreement between Iran and Israel to halt attacks after an exchange of fire, with Tehran explicitly stating it would resume hostilities if Israel did not cease its bombardment in Lebanon.
Donald Trump confirmed that negotiations with Iran are ongoing and expressed optimism that a peace deal could be signed within a few days, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Republican senator backs Trump's threat to respond to helicopter attack
01:30 , Rachel Dobkin
US Senator Ted Cruz has backed US President Donald Trump's threat to retaliate after Iran was accused of shooting down an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
“Enough is enough. President Trump and our Armed Forces decimated Iran militarily, but the Iranian regime has been trying to rebuild and now they've taken down an American Apache”, the Republican wrote on X Tuesday.
Enough is enough. President Trump and our Armed Forces decimated Iran militarily, but the Iranian regime has been trying to rebuild and now they've taken down an American Apache. Thank God the two American servicemembers are safe.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 9, 2026
President Trump is absolutely right. There is a…
“Thank God the two American servicemembers are safe. President Trump is absolutely right. There is a pressing necessity for the U.S. to respond to this attack”, he added.
Armed Iranian drone used in US helicopter downing: report
01:00 , Rachel Dobkin
An armed Iranian Shahed drone was used to down a US helicopter flying over the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported, citing two unnamed sources.
Shahed drones are relatively inexpensive, costing just tens of thousands of dollars each, and are said to be able to fly more than 1,000 miles, The Wall Street Journal reported. The downsides of the drones are that they are slower and less destructive than traditional missiles, per the Journal.
US strikes hit Iran's water reservoirs, Iranian state media reports
Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:46 , Rachel Dobkin
The fresh US strikes against Iran have hit two water reservoirs in the south of the country, CNN reported, citing Iranian state media.
The water supply in the Bamani district, near the city of Sirik, was reportedly cut off by the retaliatory attack.
Trump has said the Iran war would end soon at least 37 times: report
Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:30 , Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has said the Iran war would end soon at least 37 times, CNN reported Tuesday.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump told reporters a deal to end the conflict could be reached “in two or three days.”
Iranian radar sites targeted in US strikes: report
Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:06 , Rachel Dobkin
Iranian radar sites were targeted in the retaliatory strikes American forces launched against Tehran for the downing of a US helicopter, two US officials told CBS News.
Iranian official says Tehran 'will leave no attack or threat unanswered'
Wednesday 10 June 2026 00:03 , Rachel Dobkin
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said Tehran “will leave no attack or threat unanswered” after the US launched retaliatory strikes against the country.
“Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination. Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered.
“Leave our region if you want to be safe. History of the Persian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders”, the foreign minister wrote on social media.
Recap: Trump claims there are no more ‘sticking points’ in Iran peace talks
Tuesday 9 June 2026 23:30 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran are "still ongoing" and expressed optimism about signing a peace deal within "two or three days" on Tuesday, saying he expected a deal would lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump claimed there were no more "sticking points" in the talks, anticipating a "very good, strong, powerful deal" soon.
His comments followed an agreement between Iran and Israel to halt attacks after the two sides exchanged fire, which had threatened to escalate the conflict in the Middle East.
Trump says Iran strikes 'should be very strong, very powerful'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 23:03 , Graeme Massie
The president was on the phone with Jonathan Karl of ABC News when the US retaliatory strikes against Iran began.
Karl took to X to describe his conversation with Trump as the fresh attacks started on Tuesday.
“I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” Trump reportedly told Karl.
“This is a response to what they did they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is.”
Trump downplays helicopter downing, says it 'wasn't a big deal'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 23:00 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has downplayed the downing of an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, telling The Wall Street Journal it “wasn't a big deal”.
Trump accused Iran earlier Tuesday of shooting down the helicopter, adding that the two pilots involved in the incident were “safe and uninjured”. The US president vowed to “respond to this attack”.
During his call with the Journal Tuesday, Trump stressed that “the pilot is fine”.
Explosions heard along Iran's Persian Gulf coast: Iranian state media
Tuesday 9 June 2026 22:43 , Rachel Dobkin
Iranian state media have reported explosions heard along Iran's Persian Gulf coast, per The New York Times.
The blasts and air defense sirens were reportedly heard in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Sirak.
US launches retaliatory strikes against Iran after helicopter downing
Tuesday 9 June 2026 22:40 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command has announced that it began launching “self-defense strikes” against Iran Tuesday evening, Washington time, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter”.
“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”, the military said.
Trump to massively expand US intelligence sharing with Israel
Tuesday 9 June 2026 21:30 , James Reynolds
The US is driving ahead with legislation that massively expands defence and intelligence sharing with Israel and eclipses the English-speaking Five Eyes espionage alliance.
It also legally ties America to a nation accused of crimes against humanity.
A mandatory expansion of the already close ties with Israel will give men like Benjamin Netanyahu, indicted for alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, access to the most sensitive secrets held by the US intelligence community. It is being passed through the Congress with bipartisan backing.
Read the full story:
Trump to massively expand US intelligence sharing with Israel
In pictures: Israel continues operations in Lebanon on Tuesday, after trading blows with Iran
Tuesday 9 June 2026 21:00 , James Reynolds
Britain has spent almost £1m of taxpayers’ cash holding stalker at centre of Iran prisoner swap plea
Tuesday 9 June 2026 20:00 , James Reynolds
Britain has spent almost £1m of taxpayers’ cash holding an Iranian stalker at the centre of a prisoner swap debate for almost 16 years longer than his original minimum term, The Independent can reveal.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman have called for Britain to deport Richard Jan, who was once described as Britain’s worst stalker, because they believe he could be the key to their release from an Iranian jail.
Jan, 59, was first eligible for deportation to Iran after his seven-and-a-half-year minimum tariff expired in August 2010. Despite multiple requests from Iranian officials for his return to the country, Britain has so far refused to remove him.
Britain has spent almost £1m holding stalker at centre of Iran prisoner swap plea
Iran tells foreign forces in the area to leave
Tuesday 9 June 2026 19:55 , James Reynolds
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said foreign forces in proximity to Iranian territory were at "constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents or potentially being caught in crossfire," asking them to leave.
"To reduce risk, best solution is for them (foreign forces) to leave," he said in a post on X.
His statements come after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was responsible for the downing of a U.S. apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz overnight which he said Washington must respond to.
British couple imprisoned in Iran could be exchanged for UK's 'worst stalker'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 19:00 , James Reynolds
A British couple jailed for 10 years in Iran has issued a plea for the UK government to deport an Iranian stalker who has spent two decades in a maximum security jail, claiming he is their best hope of securing freedom.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman have accused the government of failing to act on clear signals from Iranian officials that Richard Jan, who was once described as Britain’s worst stalker, is the key to their release.
A joint investigation by The Independent and Sky News has uncovered a 15-year campaign by high-ranking Iranian officials for Jan to receive urgent healthcare in prison and be returned to the country.
Watch: Indian crew rescued after US disables Iran-bound tanker in Gulf of Oman
Tuesday 9 June 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
Trump says US 'must respond' to helicopter downing
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:41 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump says the US “must, of necessity, respond” to the Iranian downing of an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” he writes on Truth Social.
“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Christian leaders in Tyre urge for action after Israel's evacuation warning
Tuesday 9 June 2026 17:00 , James Reynolds
Christian religious leaders from Lebanon’s southern port city of Tyre called on the international community and Lebanese officials on Tuesday to act quickly to prevent Israel from attacking the Christian district of the city, as airstrikes on nearby neighborhoods killed eight people and wounded dozens of others.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning for the port city, including the Christian quarter, which has been spared so far.
Read the full story:
Christian leaders in the Lebanese city of Tyre urge for action after Israel's evacuation warning
US energy sec says Hormuz traffic improving
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:30 , James Reynolds
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is rising “very meaningfully”.
“I would say rising very meaningfully,” he said today when asked how ship traffic is flowing through the Strait compared to a week or two ago.
Wright made the remarks during an Atlantic Council conference and added that it would take many months to get back to normal flows of energy once the war is over.
Vessel movements on the strait have been largely blocked February, interrupting around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
But some vessels have since begun transiting the narrow waterway bordering Iran, often with transponders turned off and under cover of darkness.
'Shelter in place' order for US officials in Jerusalem ends
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:01 , James Reynolds
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem says the ‘shelter in place’ order for US government employees and their family members has ended.
Criminals working for Iran proxies to face 14 years in jail
Tuesday 9 June 2026 16:00 , James Reynolds
Criminals who commit arson and criminal damage on behalf of state-linked proxies will face up to 14 years behind bars under tough new laws.
New powers proposed in the State Threats Bill will allow ministers to list organisations they believe are front groups for hostile foreign states, such as Iran or Russia. Anyone then found to be assisting or receiving payment from these groups will face longer behind bars if they are convicted.
A new offence of supporting hostile proxy groups will also be created if the bill, presented to parliament today, is approved. Ministers hope the tough powers will act as a deterrent to lower-level criminals, many of whom are teenagers, who are being commissioned by state-linked proxies to carry out acts of intimidation and vandalism.
Criminals backed by Iran and Russian-state proxies to face 14 years in jail
Full report: Iran says entire ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:45 , Alex Croft
Iran's football federation (FFIRI) have claimed that its ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before football's global showpiece kicks off.
This leaves supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches, with the FFIRI calling it a decision “to sabotage the presence of Iranian fans” at the tournament.
“This is despite the fact that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches,” it added in a statement.
Read more here:
Iran says entire ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament
UN chief 'deeply concerned' over Gaza border crossings
Tuesday 9 June 2026 15:21 , Alex Croft
We can bring you more from UN chief Antonio Guterres, who said Israel should open crossings it has closed into Gaza to allow for the flow of humanitarian aid.
"I'm also deeply concerned by Israel's decision to close crossings into Gaza & reiterate my call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe & unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza," he said.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid.
Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce. Israeli strikes have killed more than 950 people since the truce, health officials say, while Israel says four soldiers were killed by militants during the same period.
UN chief 'deeply alarmed' by escalation of violence in Middle East
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:54 , Alex Croft
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply alarmed" by a renewed escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on Israel to reopen crossings into Gaza.
"All attacks must stop immediately. The ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran & Gaza must be fully respected," he said in a post on X.
Israel struck targets in Iran on Monday for the first time since a ceasefire in April, after Iran fired missiles at Israel in what Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital.
Israel and Iran both called a halt to the exchange on Monday shortly after Trump told them to stop shooting, although they each left the door open to a possible resumption.
The most direct confrontation between the two countries since April threatened to wreck Washington's efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran to end their more than 3-month-old war.
Israeli military said it killed one after troops under fire in northern Israel
Tuesday 9 June 2026 14:25 , Alex Croft
The Israeli military has said it received a report about gunfire being directed at its forces in the Ramim Ridge area of northern Israel.
It said in a statement that its soldiers returned fire and eliminated someone in the area, who it described as a “terrorist”.
It said no Israeli soldiers had been wounded in the incident, which was ongoing, with troops conducting searches of the area supported by the air force.
A very online Israeli army spokesman is the face of war for millions of Arabs
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:40 , Alex Croft
For more than two years, hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza and Lebanon have lived in dread of Avichay Adraee’s next social media post.
Israel’s Arabic-language military spokesman has been the animated face of its campaigns and the main source of warnings ahead of strikes and major offensives. That has made him one of the most recognizable Israelis in the Arab world and a focus of fury as well as some fascination.
In social media videos shared to his 2.5 million followers across platforms, the colonel appears in military fatigues, gesticulating as he delivers official statements and mocks Israel’s enemies, often using satire or pop culture references, all in fluent Arabic.
Read more here:
A very online Israeli army spokesman is the face of war for millions of Arabs
China’s exports jump 19.4% in May despite Iran war
Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:19 , Alex Croft
China’s exports picked up pace in May, rising 19.4 per cent from a year earlier, its customs agency said today, as technology-related shipments remained robust despite impacts from the Iran war.
The stronger-than-expected performance was an improvement from April’s 14.1 per cent year-on-year increase.
Imports in May jumped 27.4 per cent, also at a faster pace compared with April’s 25.3 per cent year-on-year expansion.
Exports to the US in May surged more than 35 per cent from the year before, after an 11 per cent increase in April.
Watch: Iranian journalist stabbed on London street on 'orders of Tehran'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:58 , Alex Croft
British government joins 19 nations in condemning ban on aid groups in Gaza
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:37 , Alex Croft
The UK, along with 19 other Asian and European countries, has issued a joint statement criticising Israel's new registration laws for aid groups working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
"The aid entering Gaza has remained largely insufficient, both in quantity and in quality, while nearly the entire population depends on life-saving services," the statement read.
Israel’s top court last week upheld the restrictions, which have banned 37 aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, for refusing to provide lists of their Palestinian and international employees to the Israeli government.
"The registration law will affect and severely limit the INGO’s capacity to respond inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," the countries said.
"We again strongly urge Israel to not implement the registration law in its current form."
Iran struck by magnitude 5 earthquake
Tuesday 9 June 2026 12:17 , Alex Croft
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Sargaz in Iran's southern Hormozgan province early on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported.
The quake was at a depth of 22 km (13.67 miles), it said.
US navy drone rescued two crew members in Apache crash
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:57 , Alex Croft
A US Navy surface drone found and rescued the two crew from a US Apache attack helicopter from the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, the US military’s Central Command told Reuters on Tuesday.
We earlier reported that a US Apache helicopter has crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, hours after hostilities in the region escalated with Iran and Israel exchanging their first direct strikes in two months.
Donald Trump said both pilots are “fine”.
In pictures: Israel launches fresh attacks on Tyre despite Trump pleas
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:29 , Alex Croft
Israel 'kills eight' in fresh attacks on Lebanon threatening Iran truce: report
Tuesday 9 June 2026 11:07 , Alex Croft
Israel has killed eight people in new attacks on southern Lebanon, officials said according to a report, despite Donald Trump pleading with Benjamin Netanyahu to halt strikes on Iran and Lebanon.
An Israeli airstrike hit a popular housing district in the ancient southern Lebanese city of Tyre, civil defence officials told Al Jazeera Arabic.
The Israeli military earlier had issued an evacuation order for the entire city, including its Christian quarter which has previously been excluded from evacuation zones.
Tyre, the fifth largest city in Lebanon with a peacetime population of around 200,000, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Israel’s attack comes after it agreed to halt their attacks after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time since the April truce, threatening to plunge the Middle East back into full-scale war.
Vance says US in strong position to secure Iran deal - ICYMI
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:45 , Alex Croft
Vice president JD Vance earlier claimed the US is in a good position to secure a peace deal with Iran.
"The Iranians don't want this war to continue. It's not in their best interest, and I think they're coming to the table, putting some real things on the table, we're of course going to verify," Vance told Fox News.
Vance claimed that recent negotiations had moved in a positive direction. "If we get to this deal, it's going to be a home-run win for the American people," he said.
Fresh pictures emerge of Israeli interceptions of Iranian missiles
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:24 , Alex Croft
Full report: US Apache helicopter crashes near the Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday 9 June 2026 10:05 , Alex Croft
As we reported earlier, a U.S. Apache helicopter has crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, hours after hostilities in the region escalated with Iran and Israel exchanging their first direct strikes in two months.
The helicopters, which cost around $35 million to $40 million, have been used by the U.S. military to police a blockade of Iranian ports near the strait, as part of its large military presence in the region.
Apache aircraft have been previously used to attack Iranian small boats - but the U.S. military has not said whether the helicopter was shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical failure or encountered some other problem.
Read our full report here:
US Apache helicopter crashes near the Strait of Hormuz
Iran says World Cup ticket allocation has been pulled days before it starts
Tuesday 9 June 2026 09:45 , Alex Croft
Iran's football federation (FFIRI) has said that its ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before football's global showpiece kicks off.
The move has left supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches.
"This is despite the fact that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially announced process, had already made the necessary plans to attend the matches," the FFIRI added in a statement.
Watch: Indian crew rescued after US disables Iran-bound tanker in Gulf of Oman
Tuesday 9 June 2026 09:15 , Alex Croft
A US fighter jet fired at a tanker in the Gulf of Oman to prevent it from violating the American blockade of Iran, sparking a fire and forcing the vessel’s Indian crew to evacuate.
The MT Marivex was sailing in international waters towards Iran when it was struck by an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Centcom said. The attack caused a fire onboard, but all 24 Indian crew members of the Palau-flagged vessel were able to evacuate safely with help from the Omani authorities, Indian and US officials said on Monday.
The jet fired into the ship's engineering and steering spaces to disable it after the crew failed to comply with directions from US forces, Centcom said. "Marivex is no longer sailing to Iran," it added.
The unladen oil tanker reported a fire at around 1.30pm local time on Monday, with the crew requesting immediate evacuation.
The attack reportedly damaged the tanker’s lifeboats, leaving the crew unable to escape without help.
Indian crew rescued after US attacks Palau-flagged tanker
Tuesday 9 June 2026 08:57 , Alex Croft
All 24 Indian crew members of a Palau-flagged tanker were rescued after it was attacked by the US Navy off the coast of Oman.
US troops attacked MT Marivex, which was blacklisted and sanctioned by the US treasury department, according to reports.
On three occasions, the vessel turned away after repeated warnings by the US Navy, India's PTI news agency reported.
The vessel made another attempt to run past the blockade by using Omani territorial waters and switched off its signal devices to go undetected, the report found.
The Indian embassy in Oman thanked the local authorities for rescuing the Indian crew members.
Bel Trew | When is a ceasefire no longer a ceasefire?
Tuesday 9 June 2026 08:20 , Alex Croft
Editorial | Danger has not passed in the Middle East
Tuesday 9 June 2026 07:59 , Alex Croft
The latest threat of a new Middle East conflagration seems to have been averted in the final minutes of the eleventh hour.
After launching strikes on northern Israel that broke a six-week-long ceasefire, Iran announced that it was halting what it had said would be a week-long operation. Within the hour, Israel had announced that it would be halting its retaliatory strikes on Iran, at Donald Trump’s request.
It would be premature in the extreme, however, to believe that the danger has passed. Iran’s strikes on northern Israel, and Israel’s response, which included targeting Tehran, represented not just a resumption of the conflict that began with the US-Israel attack on Iran some 100 days ago, but a risk that the war would spread beyond those countries, including the Gulf states, already affected.
With the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen renewing their threat to target ships linked to Israel traversing the Red Sea and Iran continuing to block the Strait of Hormuz, the spectre was raised of all north-south traffic in the whole region being brought to a halt. All too predictably, oil prices rose. Of the many perilous points in the conflict over the past five months, this was the most perilous to date.
Read more of The Independent’s view.
Israel issues evacuation order for Lebanon's Tyre, including Christian quarter
Tuesday 9 June 2026 07:41 , Alex Croft
We’re just hearing news that the Israeli military has issued an evacuation order for the Lebanese city of Tyre.
The evacuation order will include the city’s Christian quarter, the military said.
Previous evacuation orders had excluded the Christian quarter, but the military said Hezbollah militants were operating there, without providing evidence. It had warned residents that the area could be subject to evacuation orders if Hezbollah remained present.
The ancient city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is the fifth largest in Lebanon, and in peace time has had a population of around 200,000.
Iran’s World Cup players wear #168 lapel pins as they arrive in Mexico
Tuesday 9 June 2026 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran’s World Cup team arrived in Mexico this weekend wearing lapel pins that paid tribute to the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school at the start of the war with the US and Israel.
The gold-colored pins, worn by players on their jackets upon arrival in Tijuana, Mexico, bore the number "168."
The number refers to the victims, predominantly children, who were killed in a February 28 strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran, an attack widely attributed to the US.
More here.
Why Iran squad wore #168 badges as they arrived in Mexico for the World Cup
China’s exports jump 19.4% in May despite Iran war
Tuesday 9 June 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
China’s exports picked up pace in May, rising 19.4 per cent from a year earlier, its customs agency said today, as technology-related shipments remained robust despite impacts from the Iran war.
The stronger-than-expected performance was an improvement from April’s 14.1 per cent year-on-year increase.
Imports in May jumped 27.4 per cent, also at a faster pace compared with April’s 25.3 per cent year-on-year expansion.
Exports to the US in May surged more than 35 per cent from the year before, after an 11 per cent increase in April.
Trump told Netanyahu of need for ‘a lot of common sense’
Tuesday 9 June 2026 06:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Donald Trump said Israel had already launched retaliatory strikes against Iran before his call for restraint.
The US president insisted if he tells the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do something “he does it”, after he appeared to ignore Trump’s demand to hold back from responding militarily.
In a phone interview with the BBC, Trump said he stressed the need “to use a lot of common sense” when he spoke to the Israeli leader, amid ongoing negotiations aimed at securing an end to hostilities.
More here.
Trump told Netanyahu of need for ‘a lot of common sense’ amid Iran strikes
Trump says pilots fine after US helicopter crashes near Hormuz
Tuesday 9 June 2026 06:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Donald Trump said two crew members from a US Apache helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz were "fine".
News of the crash emerged with the Middle East still reeling after Iran and Israel exchanged fire the previous day in the biggest blow yet to the straining ceasefire in the Iran war. The cause of the helicopter incident remained unclear.
Trump told reporters: "The pilots are fine. Yeah. Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow. But the pilots are fine."
Trump claims Israel and Iran agreed to halt fighting 'for another week’
Tuesday 9 June 2026 06:18 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Donald Trump has said that Israel and Iran have agreed to leave each other alone for another week after he had a “very good conversation” with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.
“He [Netanyahu] was hit, and he hit back, and I can’t blame him for that,” Trump told reporters as he departed from New York.
“But he was hit, he hit back, and now they’ve called it quits. So they’re going to just leave each other alone for another week or something,” Trump added.
Iran and Israel have agreed to halt their attacks after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time since the April truce, threatening to plunge the Middle East back into full-scale war.
Watch: Trump says he expects to sign peace deal in ‘two or three days’
Tuesday 9 June 2026 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
British government joins 19 nations in condemning ban on aid groups in Gaza
Tuesday 9 June 2026 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The UK, along with 19 other Asian and European countries, has issued a joint statement criticising Israel's new registration laws for aid groups working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
"The aid entering Gaza has remained largely insufficient, both in quantity and in quality, while nearly the entire population depends on life-saving services," the statement read.
Israel’s top court last week upheld the restrictions, which have banned 37 aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, for refusing to provide lists of their Palestinian and international employees to the Israeli government.
"The registration law will affect and severely limit the INGO’s capacity to respond inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," the countries said.
"We again strongly urge Israel to not implement the registration law in its current form."
Trump says deal could be reached with Iran in 'two or three days'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 05:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Donald Trump confirmed that negotiations with Iran were "still ongoing" as he departed New York for the White House last night.
The US president told reporters: "We have a good chance of doing it, we're very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal."
He added that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as soon as they sign a ceasefire deal, which he said could be in "two to three days".
Trump had earlier claimed that the blockade could continue until Labour Day in September.
US helicopter crashed near Strait of Hormuz - report
Tuesday 9 June 2026 05:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A US Army Apache helicopter gunship went down near the Strait of Hormuz yesterday and its two crew members were safely rescued, The New York Times reported.
It was not immediately clear whether the Apache was shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical failure or encountered some other problem.
A projectile is seen near the town of Najha in Syria
Tuesday 9 June 2026 05:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Senior Iranian lawmaker says Lebanon issue is 'very important to us'
Tuesday 9 June 2026 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A senior Iranian lawmaker says Tehran views the negotiations with the US as "part of the battle".
"We have said many times that we accept negotiation as a continuation of the battlefield. We consider negotiation to be part of the battle," Ebrahim Rezaei told CNN.
The spokesperson for parliament's national security committee added that Tehran would have "no problem" negotiating once it was convinced that the US was abiding by the rules of diplomacy.
"The issue of Lebanon is very, very important to us," he said. "We will by no means back down on the issue of the resistance front, its members, and especially Lebanon," he added.
Iran’s U-23 team withdraws from friendly match with Bahrain
Tuesday 9 June 2026 05:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran’s U-23 national football team is reportedly withdrawing from a friendly match with Bahrain after Tehran struck US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The team has withdrawn from friendlies with “Bahrain and several other countries”, Tasnim news agency reported.
The team is currently holding a training camp in Turkey, it added.
Indian crew rescued after US attacks Palau-flagged tanker
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
All 24 Indian crew members of a Palau-flagged tanker were rescued after it was attacked by the US Navy off the coast of Oman.
US troops attacked MT Marivex, which was blacklisted and sanctioned by the US treasury department, according to reports.
On three occasions, the vessel turned away after repeated warnings by the US Navy, India's PTI news agency reported.
The vessel made another attempt to run past the blockade by using Omani territorial waters and switched off its signal devices to go undetected, the report found.
The Indian embassy in Oman thanked the local authorities for rescuing the Indian crew members.
Vance says US in strong position to secure Iran deal
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Vice president JD Vance has claimed the US is in a good position to secure a peace deal with Iran.
"The Iranians don't want this war to continue. It's not in their best interest, and I think they're coming to the table, putting some real things on the table, we're of course going to verify," Vance told Fox News.
Vance claimed that recent negotiations had moved in a positive direction. "If we get to this deal, it's going to be a home-run win for the American people," he said.
Trump booed at the Knicks game
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Donald Trump was loudly booed inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden as he watched his hometown Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the NBA Finals.
The crowd first began to boo when the president appeared on the jumbotron during the singing of the national anthem.
President Trump took in the opening ceremonies from a private box with a smirk and saluted.
More here.
Crowd boos Trump during national anthem at NBA Finals in Madison Square Garden
Tehran reopens its main international airport
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Tehran's international airport reopened after flight operations were suspended on Sunday due to Israeli missile strikes.
Local media reported that flights carrying hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia were among the first to land at the reopened Imam Khomeini Airport.
Oil prices slightly up after Israel and Iran halt strikes
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil prices inched up in early trade after Iran and Israel left the door open to a possible resumption of attacks on each other, though they had called a halt to hostilities following an appeal from president Donald Trump.
Brent crude futures rose 13 cents, or 0.14 per cent, to $94.38 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate was up 11 cents, or 0.12 per cent, at $91.41 a barrel.
Prices climbed as much as 5 per cent in the previous session after renewed Israeli strikes on Iran and attacks in Lebanon reduced hopes of an imminent end to the wider war, but pared gains after Iran's armed forces announced the end of military operations against Israel.
Trump says Israel and Iran both want immediate ceasefire
Tuesday 9 June 2026 04:04 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Donald Trump has claimed that Israel and Iran wanted an immediate ceasefire after both sides halted strikes.
"Final negotiations on 'Peace' are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way," he wrote on social media.
In an interview with Axios published yesterday, Trump said he warned Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu that if the Israeli leader went back to war with Iran, he might find himself fighting alone.
"I said, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,'" Trump said.
Lebanese president appeals to Israeli government to pursue talks, not war
Tuesday 9 June 2026 03:00 , James Reynolds
Lebanese president Joseph Aoun made a rare direct appeal to Israel to come to the negotiating table to end the war, warning that a military solution "will never provide you with security and safety."
"We are ready, we are willing, we are committed. Are you? If you are, let's sit and talk," said Aoun in a CNN interview aired Monday.
The Lebanese government is in direct talks with Israel, mediated by Washington, to reach a full cessation of hostilities, despite opposition by armed group Hezbollah, which is fighting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
Aoun said he would not meet Netanyahu before reaching an agreement to end the war. He said any deal would be a non-aggression pact and not a full peace deal.
"We need to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel. Forever. And this (pact) could be a path forward for a just and lasting peace," Aoun said.
Aoun said Lebanon would move in line with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which offers normalization with Israel across the Arab world in exchange for Palestinian statehood and Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories.
"But we cannot jump from A to B directly. We have to go through different steps," Aoun said.
Watch: When is a ceasefire no longer a ceasefire?
Tuesday 9 June 2026 02:00 , James Reynolds
The Independent View: Donald Trump’s ‘stop shooting’ demand is no substitute for a ceasefire
Tuesday 9 June 2026 01:00 , James Reynolds
Editorial: More than 100 days into a conflict he initiated, the US president has halted a cycle of retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel. How long that holds is as uncertain as the dwindling influence he still commands:
Donald Trump’s ‘stop shooting’ demand is no substitute for a ceasefire
In full: Iran and Israel pause strikes after desperate Trump plea – but vow to resume attacks if ceasefire breached
Tuesday 9 June 2026 00:00 , James Reynolds
Iran and Israel have called off strikes following a desperate plea by Donald Trump, as a escalation of violence between the countries threatened peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
More than three months after the US and Israel launched war on Iran on 28 February, and two months into a ceasefire, the latest tit-for-tat escalation prompted fears that a full-blown conflict could resume.
Trump, who has been wrangling with Tehran for weeks over a long-term ceasefire, lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and agreeing a new nuclear deal, urged both sides to hold their fire or risk a collapse in talks.
Iran and Israel pause strikes after desperate Trump plea – for now
In full: A timeline of how strikes between Israel and Iran over the conflict in Lebanon almost reopened the hot conflict in the Middle East
Monday 8 June 2026 23:42 , James Reynolds
All times are in UK time (BST) unless otherwise stated. Times are taken from contemporary reporting on events and public announcements.
Iran launches waves of missiles at Israel
15:50 Sunday: An Iranian lawmaker says Iran will deliver ‘painful response’ for Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
19:55: The IDF says it is preparing for fire towards Israel in the coming hours.
20:03: IDF says it has identified missiles launched towards Israel from Iran ‘a short time ago’.
20:15: IDF detects additional launches from Iran.
20:35: Israel reports additional launches from Iran.
20:40: Iran says it targeted an Israeli airbase with ballistic missiles, which could fly between the countries potentially in under 15 minutes.
Israel responds to Iranian attack
21:05: Axios reports Trump says he will call Netanyahu and urge him not to strike back.
21:55: Israeli media reports Trump has called Netanyahu. Axios corroborates soon after.
00:20: US official says they do not believe an Israeli strike is imminent.
00:50: US State Department reports indication of missiles, drones or rockets over Jordanian airspace, to Israel’s east.
02:23: Witnesses report the sound of explosions in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan, followed by reports of an explosion near Iran’s Karaj.
02:30: Israel says it struck targets in western and central Iran.
Iran fires back at Israel
03:50: The IDF says it identified a missile launch from Yemen towards Israel.
05:00: Israel reports that it had intercepted more missiles fired from Iran.
05:35: Iran says a petrochemical plant in the southeast was hit.
05:37: Israel working to intercept missiles launched from Iran.
06:10: IRGC says they hit more Israeli bases in response to Israeli attacks.
07:00: Yemen’s Houthis say they have attacked Israel.
08:35: IRGC says they responded to attack on chemical plant with similar attack on Haifa.
09:10: Reports of explosions in Tehran, followed by reports of drone downing over capital.
10:30: IDF says it is prepared for short conflict or ‘as long as it takes’
Trump mediated de-escalation
10:37: Trump says both sides must stop shooting immediately.
10:54: Iran also says it is ready for a prolonged conflict.
12:15: Iran announces end of military operations against Israel.
12:50: An Israeli source says Trump and Netanyahu also spoke on Monday.
13:20: Israeli media reports Israel has agreed to halt strikes on Trump’s request.
The Latest: Trump dismisses idea that Iran betrays his ‘no new wars’ campaign message
Monday 8 June 2026 23:00 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran this year betrayed his refrain of “No new wars” that he made repeatedly as he campaigned again for the White House.
It came hours before Israel and Iran traded fire in retaliatory strikes that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a full-scale regional war.
The Latest: Trump dismisses idea that Iran betrays his ‘no new wars’ campaign message
Iran struck by earthquake
Monday 8 June 2026 22:52 , James Reynolds
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Sargaz in Iran's southern Hormozgan province early on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported.
The quake was at a depth of 22 km (13.67 miles), it said.
Netanyahu did not defy me on striking Iran, says Trump
Monday 8 June 2026 22:49 , James Reynolds
Speaking to the BBC, Donald Trump insists that Benjamin Netanyahu did not defy him by firing back at Iran.
“No, no. They had already gone. They had already gone. They were already on their way," he told the broadcaster.
Trump also said of the Israeli prime minister: "If I tell him to do something, he does it."
I don't think Israel will go back to war with Iran, says Trump
Monday 8 June 2026 22:27 , James Reynolds
Asked whether the US would back Israel if Netanyahu reopens the war with Iran, Donald Trump tells Sky News: “I don't think it'll happen. It's all working out very well. Iran is doing what they have to do; I don’t think that's going to happen, ok?”
Asked what he would do if Netanyahu goes against his wishes, the president reportedly hung up.
Earlier, he told Axios that in his call to Netanyahu, he said “Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Watch: PM Netanyahu says Israel will strike Iran again if attacked
Monday 8 June 2026 22:00 , James Reynolds
Trump warned Netanyahu he might end up fighting alone if he escalated with Iran, Axios reports
Monday 8 June 2026 21:30 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump reportedly told Benjamin Netanyahu that if he went back to war with Iran, he might find himself fighting alone.
He told Axios: “I said, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon.'”
🚨NEW: Trump told me that he'd warned Netanyahu that if he went back to war with Iran, he might find himself fighting alone. "I said, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,'" Trump said https://t.co/KkjUmfPzoi
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 8, 2026
