Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates, June 15-16, 2025 - Israel-Iran Conflict

   Updated: June 16, 2025 | 12:38 am IST

The direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran continues to intensify for a third consecutive day, with both sides exchanging strikes and strong rhetoric. International efforts to de-escalate the volatile situation are ongoing, even as nuclear talks face new setbacks.

Latest Developments

Military Actions & Casualties:

• Air Defence Systems Activated: Air defence systems have been activated in northwest Iran after the country launched an attack on Israel.
• Residential Building Struck in Israel: Israel's military reported several sites were hit by the latest Iranian missile barrage, with firefighters reporting a residential building struck on the country's Mediterranean coast. Homefront Command Search and Rescue teams have been dispatched to several hit sites.
• New Missile Attacks by Iran: Iran has launched another series of missile attacks against Israel, with Israeli military sounding sirens and Iran's state TV calling for Israeli citizens in "vital areas" to take shelter. Explosions have been heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and Israel has activated its air defenses.
• Israeli Strikes on Missile Targets: The Israeli military has begun a wave of fresh strikes against dozens of surface-to-surface missile targets in western Iran.
• Casualties in Tehran: Iranian state TV has reported that at least five people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a residential building in Tehran. Two explosions were also heard in central Tehran.
• Casualties from Israeli Strikes (Human Rights Group): A Washington-based human rights group stated that Israeli strikes in Iran have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654, covering the entirety of Iran. Iran's government has not offered overall casualty figures. Iran media earlier reported at least 128 killed in Israeli strikes on Friday and Saturday. A majority of the death toll caused by Israeli strikes has been attributed to women and children, according to Iran's health ministry.
• "Furthest Strike" on Iran: The Israeli military described its attack on an Iranian refueling plane at Eastern Iran's Mashhad Airport as the "furthest strike" since the start of its Operation Rising Lion. Iran's state media reported no damage to Mashhad Airport's runway or buildings.
• Tehran Police Headquarters Hit: Iranian media reported that Tehran police headquarters in the city center was hit during an Israeli strike, causing "minor damage" and injuring "a number" of police personnel.
• Fuel Depots Targeted in Tehran: Iran’s oil ministry confirmed two fuel depots in Tehran were struck in Israeli airstrikes, marking what appears to be the first direct hit on the country’s energy infrastructure. Operations at the Isfahan refinery remain unaffected, denying online claims of any incident or attack.
• Air Defence Activated in Tehran: Iran has activated its air defense systems in Tehran as a measure to intercept any incoming Israeli drones and projectiles.
• Israeli Death Toll Rises: The death toll in Israel has climbed to 10 following overnight Iranian missile strikes. Rescue teams continue search operations amidst the third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks. Earlier reports indicated three more killed in Tel Aviv and four in northern Israel, bringing the total casualties to 7 and then 10.
• IDF Intercepts Iranian UAVs, Strikes Missile Sites: The Israeli military released video footage showing the successful interception of multiple Iranian UAVs by both the Air Force and Navy. In separate operations, the Israeli Air Force also targeted and struck several ballistic missile launch sites in Iran.
• Israeli Military Completes Major Strike on Nuclear-Linked Targets: The Israeli military announced it completed an "extensive series of strikes on targets in Tehran related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project," including the Ministry of Defense headquarters and the SPND nuclear project.
• Iranian Strikes Damage Buildings in Tel Aviv: Israeli emergency teams responded to multiple missile strikes from Iran that damaged several buildings near Tel Aviv, including an eight-story building in the Dan district.
• Tehran Rocked by Blasts, Four Killed in Northern Israel: Fresh explosions echoed across Tehran as Iranian missiles entered Israeli airspace, killing four people in a Galilee apartment building.
• Sirens and Booms Heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: Air raid sirens and loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as the exchange of fire entered its third day, with millions of Israelis taking shelter.
• Iran Reports 78 Killed, Scores Wounded (from Saturday): Iran reported that 78 people were killed on the first day of Israel’s offensive, with dozens more casualties the following day, including 60 deaths when a missile struck a 14-story apartment building in Tehran.

Diplomatic & Political Reactions:

• Public Safety Guidelines Extended: Israeli military said that public safety guidelines, including closure of schools, have been extended until June 17. Israeli military later allowed to leave protected spaces across country. The Israeli government has extended the state of emergency until June 30.
• Netanyahu on Iran's Intelligence Chief and Regime Change: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel "got" Iran's intelligence chief. He also suggested that a change of regime in Iran could be a result of Israel's military strikes on Tehran.
• Trump Vetoed Plan to Kill Ayatollah: Two U.S. officials told Reuters that President Donald Trump, in the last two days, vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Netanyahu declined to comment on this report.
• G7 Leaders Plan Joint Statement: A Senior G7 official stated that the G7 leaders are planning to issue a joint statement on Iran's conflict with Israel, calling for de-escalation of the war. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Middle East conflict will be a key issue at the upcoming G7 Summit and reiterated that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.
• Arrests for Iranian Intelligence: Israeli police said that two persons have been arrested for working for Iranian intelligence. Iran also stated it arrested two individuals accused of being members of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad in Alborz province.
• IndiGo Flight Adjustments: IndiGo flights to Tbilisi and Baku are now making a technical stop for refueling at Doha due to the closure of Iranian airspace.
• Goal of Israel Mission: An Israeli military spokesperson said the goal of their operation in Iran is not changing the regime, but "to remove the capabilities of this regime to annihilate the US".
• Trump Open to Putin as Mediator: U.S. President Donald Trump told ABC that he is "open" to Russian President Vladimir Putin as mediator for the Israel-Iran conflict and stated it is "possible" Washington will get involved. He reiterated that Israel and Iran "should make a deal."
• Etihad Cancels Flights: Etihad Airways has cancelled its flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until June 22. Israel's El Al Airlines also cancelled flights to and from many European cities, Tokyo, and Moscow until June 23.
• Kataib Hezbollah Warns US: Iran-aligned Iraqi outfit Kataib Hezbollah warned it would resume attacks on US troops in the region if Washington intervenes in the conflict.
• Russian Embassy Evacuating Citizens: The Russian embassy in Tehran is working towards evacuating its citizens from Iran by land.
• Tehran Police Headquarters Hit (Diplomatic Context): Iranian media reported the Tehran police headquarters was hit during an Israeli strike.
• India Issues Fresh Advisory: The Indian embassy in Israel issued a fresh advisory for its nationals, urging vigilance. The Indian embassy in Iran also issued hotline numbers for Indian nationals.
• Germany and Oman Call for De-escalation: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said have called for an urgent de-escalation, emphasizing diplomatic means.
• Iran Asks Cyprus to Convey Messages: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said Iran has asked the country to convey "some messages" to Israel.
• Israel Calls on Civilians to Evacuate Near Military Sites: The Israeli military has called on civilians living near military sites in Iran to evacuate, citing risk to life.
• UK Sends More Jets: The UK is sending more RAF jets to the Middle East as tensions escalate after Iran threatened to target UK, French and US bases.
• Iran Accuses Israel of Sabotaging Nuclear Talks: Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that the latest Israeli assault on Iran was intended to "derail" nuclear discussions with the US. He criticized the "indifference" of the UN Security Council and Western governments for condemning Iran instead of Israel. Araghchi asserted that Tehran possesses "solid proof" of U.S. forces and bases in the region backing Israel's attacks.
• Israel Keeps Airspace Shut for Third Day: Israeli officials announced that the country’s airspace remained closed for a third straight day due to the security situation following two nights of Iranian missile strikes.
• Jordan Lifts Airspace Restrictions: Jordan reopened its airspace after a night of missile exchanges, following a careful risk assessment. This marks Jordan's second airspace closure since direct hostilities escalated.
• Tel Aviv Stocks Dip: Tel Aviv stocks fell as markets reopened for the first time since missile exchanges began on Friday, with the benchmark Tel Aviv 35 index slipping.
• Iran Offers Conditional Halt to Response: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran would halt its retaliation if Israel stops its attacks. He emphasized, "If the aggression stops, our responses will also stop."
• Germany, France, and UK Invite Iran to Resume Nuclear Talks: Germany, France, and Britain have expressed readiness to engage in immediate talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program in an effort to ease Middle East tensions.
• Trump Distances US, Issues Warning: U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the US "had nothing to do with the attack on Iran" but issued a stern warning: "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before." He added that a deal could "easily" end the conflict.
• Pakistan Expresses Solidarity with Iran: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to convey Pakistan’s firm support for Iran, condemning Israeli airstrikes as "blatant provocations" and violations of international law. Sharif stressed Iran's right to self-defense.
• Iran Unprepared for Early Israeli Strikes: A New York Times report suggested Iran was caught off guard by Israel's strikes on its nuclear facilities ahead of planned US-Iran talks, contributing to the operation's effectiveness.
• Russia's Potential Role as Mediator: Russia, maintaining ties with both Israel and Iran, is positioned to play a strategic role as a mediator in the conflict. Some analysts suggest the shifting global focus could benefit Moscow by diverting attention from the war in Ukraine.
• Iran Slams Nuclear Negotiations as 'Unjustifiable': The sixth round of indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran, scheduled for Sunday, was called off, with Iran calling negotiations "unjustifiable" due to the ongoing Israeli assault.
• Netanyahu Vows Heavy Price: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran will pay "very heavy price" for the civilian deaths in Israel.
• Iran Denies Sending Message to Israel: Iran denied reports of sending any message to Israel via a third country.
• Mosques, Schools as Shelters: Iran has stated that mosques, metro stations, and schools will serve as shelters from Israeli strikes.

Broader Implications:

The escalating conflict has led to significant disruptions in the region. Delta Air Lines announced the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv through August 31, and Turkish Airlines cancelled flights across Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan until Monday. Concerns are rising about energy supplies, with reports of increased jamming of signals for vessels in crucial oil-producing regions. Global markets have reacted sharply, with oil prices surging and stock futures plummeting, though India has assured it possesses adequate energy provisions. Indian students in Tehran have appealed to their government for evacuation, citing an "unpredictable" situation.

As the situation continues to unfold, the full extent of the damage and casualties on both sides remains under assessment. World leaders are intently monitoring the volatile situation, with calls for de-escalation dominating diplomatic efforts, as the region grapples with the profound implications of this unprecedented direct military confrontation.