Last Update June 18, 2025, 1:55 PM EDT

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is closed until Friday as Iran and Israel trade strikes. Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Ali Bahreini warned that his country would respond firmly if the U.S. directly entered the conflict.

Covered by: Rachel Wolf, Anders Hagstrom, Danielle Wallace and Louis Casiano

Fast Facts

•  President Donald Trump convened a Situation Room meeting Tuesday to consider U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. 
•  Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar tells the U.N. Security Council that Iran “crossed every red line.” 
•  Iran is warning it will respond if the U.S. joins Israel’s fight against Tehran. 
•  Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei responded to President Trump’s threats on social media, saying the U.S. will suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if it joins the conflict. 
•  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claims the IDF has destroyed Iran’s Internal Security Headquarters. 
•  Trump mocked Iran as ‘defenseless’ in comments to reporters on Wednesday and said he may order strikes against the regime alongside Israel. 

20Posts Sort by Newest Sort by Oldest 

incoming update…

2 hour(s) ago

PINNED

Trump says he gave Iran the ‘ultimate ultimatum’

President Donald Trump says he has given Iran the “ultimate ultimatum” regarding his demand for an unconditional surrender.

Trump made the comments to reporters during Wednesday press conference during which he also said the U.S. may or may not join Israel in striking Iran in the coming days.

“Have you given Iran an ultimatum?” a reporter asked.

“You could say so, the ultimate ultimatum,” Trump responded.

Earlier, Trump had emphasized that the U.S. would never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He also mocked Iran as “defenseless,” and said he has not made up his mind about striking Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

24 min(s) ago

UN Secretary General calls for ‘immediate de-escalation,’ ceasefire between Israel and Iran

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on Wednesday reiterated his call for a cease-fire between Israel and Iran.

“I remain profoundly alarmed by the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. I reiterate my call for immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire,” Guterres said in a statement. “I strongly appeal to all to avoid any further internationalization of the conflict.”

He continued, “Any additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for those involved but for the whole region and for international peace and security at large.”

“I condemn the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives and injuries to civilians and damage to homes and critical civilian infrastructure,” Guterres said. “Diplomacy remains the best and only way to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues.”

He said the UN Charter “remains our shared framework to save people from the scourge of war” and urged all member states “to comply fully with the Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law.”

Fox News’ David Hammelburg contributed to this report.

Posted by Danielle Wallace Share

36 min(s) ago

Fetterman says US intervention ‘absolutely appropriate’ to destroy Iranian nuclear sites

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told reporters on Wednesday that U.S. military intervention in Israel’s operation would be “absolutely appropriate” to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities.

“I really think it’s absolutely appropriate to use our capabilities to destroy the nuclear facilities in Iran,” Fetterman said. “‘The polling has shown that I think it’s effectively 80% of Americans think that we should, Iran should never acquire a nuclear weapon. So like this isn’t shocking, you know, it’s like this is not warmongering, this is peace-mongering.”

“I mean that’s not controversial, it definitely shouldn’t be controversial for Democrats,” he added.

Posted by Danielle Wallace Share

1 hour(s) ago

Hegseth declines to say whether he has advised Trump on Iran strike options

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to say whether he has advised President Donald Trump about strike options for Iran.

Hegseth made the comment under questioning from lawmakers at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.

“My question for you is whether you have been asked actively to provide options for the president regarding a strike in the Middle East,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., asked.

“If I had or I had not, I wouldn’t disclose that in this forum, Senator,” Hegseth responded.

“My job, our job the chairman and I, at all times is to make sure the president has options and is informed of what those options might be and what are the ramifications of those options. I appreciate that you mentioned the troops in the region with maximum force protection at all times is being maintained,” he added.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

1 hour(s) ago

USS Ford to deploy to US European Command, no plans to go to Middle East

The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier is set to deploy to the U.S. European Command, but there are not yet any plans to send it to the Middle East amid Israel’s conflict with Iran, a U.S. official told Fox News.

The U.S. currently has two aircraft carriers stationed or on their way to the middle east, including USS Carl Vinson and the USS Nimitz.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he may or may not order strikes against the Iranian regime in the coming days.

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

2 hour(s) ago

Mike Huckabee issues notice to Americans in Israel wanting to evacuate

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee advised U.S. citizens who are seeking to evacuate from Israel on Wednesday.

He directed Americans to a program that guides those who wish to depart toward evacuation flights as well as cruse ships.

“Urgent notice! American citizens wanting to leave Israel–The U.S. Embassy in Israel is working on evacuation flights & cruise ship departures. You must enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) You will be alerted w/ updates,” he wrote, providing a link to the program.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

3 hour(s) ago

Khamenei vows to reject ‘imposed peace’ as Iran’s UN delegation says they refuse to ‘grovel’

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected President Donald Trump’s demands for an “unconditional surrender” on Wednesday.

Khamenei, speaking out on social media, said his regime rejects the “imposed peace” put forward by the Trump administration.

“The Iranian nation also firmly stands against any imposed peace. The Iranian nation will not capitulate to anyone in the face of coercion,” he wrote.

Trump demanded a ceasefire during a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the U.S. may or may not join Israel in striking Iran.

Iran’s delegation to the United Nations also lashed out at Trump’s demands.

“Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” the delegation wrote.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

3 hour(s) ago

Trump says he may or may not strike ‘defenseless’ Iran

President Donald Trump speaks as a flag pole is installed on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump called Iran “defenseless” on Wednesday and said he is still considering whether the strike the country.

“Well, I don’t know how much longer it’s going to go on. They’re totally defenseless. They have no air defense whatsoever. Totally captured. You know we’ve totally captured the air, right?” Trump told reporters as he took questions.

Trump went on to say that he is demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” noting the nation’s decades of conflict with Israel and the U.S.

“For 40 years they’ve been saying death to America, death to Israel, that to anybody else that they didn’t like. They were bullies. They were schoolyard bullies. And now they’re not bullies anymore. But we’ll see what happens. Look, nothing’s finished until it’s finished. You know, war is very complex,” he added.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

4 hour(s) ago

IDF destroys Iran’s Internal Security Headquarters, Israeli defense minister says

Israeli forces destroyed Iran’s Internal Security Headquarters in a series of airstrikes on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says.

Katz made the announcement in a public statement, vowing that Israel would continue to combat the Iranian regime.

“The tornado storm continues to strike Tehran,” Katz said, according to a translation from Hewbrew. “Air Force fighter jets have just destroyed the Iranian regime’s Internal Security Headquarters – the Iranian dictator main branch of repression.”

“As we promised – we will continue to strike at symbols of power and hit the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be,” he added.

Katz’ statement comes amid a war of words between President Donald Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump has called on Khamenei to enter a ceasefire, and Iran has in turn vowed retaliation if the U.S. intervenes on Israel’s behalf.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

4 hour(s) ago

Iran warns US joining conflict would mean ‘all-out war,’ refuses demands to give up nuclear program

Iran warned that the United States joining forces with Israel would mean an “all-out war,” as Israel bombarded sites overnight that it says would have allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium, as well as attack Israeli forces.

“Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned Wednesday during an interview with Al Jazeera English.

He did not elaborate, but thousands of American troops are based in nearby countries within range of Iran’s weapons. The U.S. has threatened a massive response to any attack.

Another Iranian official apparently ruled out demands for the country to give up its disputed nuclear program.

Iran’s ambassador to Geneva, Ali Bahreini, told reporters that Iran “will continue to produce the enriched uranium as far as we need for peaceful purposes.”

He rejected any talk of a setback to Iran’s nuclear research and development from the Israeli strikes, saying, “Our scientists will continue their work.”

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Danielle Wallace

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

5 hour(s) ago

In Iran’s ‘forever war’ against the US, regime has targeted, killed Americans worldwide

While the U.S. weighs its future involvement in the conflict between Iran and Israel, many leaders are looking with fresh eyes at Iran’s activities targeting Americans worldwide over four decades.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., posted on Tuesday, “The forever war is the war that Iran has waged against the U.S., Israel, and the civilized world since 1979.” 

The examples of Iran’s involvement in attacks on Americans include direct and proxy attacks on U.S. forces, support for terror groups, and assassination efforts.

1979 US Embassy hostage crisis

In the early days of the Islamic revolution in 1979, radical Islamic students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran’s first supreme religious leader, took hold of the situation, spurning international appeals to release the hostages. The last U.S. hostages were released 444 days later.

1983 Beirut bombings

In 2023, Sayyed Issa Tabatabai, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s representative in Lebanon, admitted during an interview with the state-controlled Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the Islamic Republic was involved in two 1983 bombings that killed Americans in Lebanon.

The bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut resulted in the deaths of 63 people, including 17 Americans. When two suicide truck bombs exploded at the barracks of multinational forces in Lebanon, 220 Marines, 18 U.S. Navy sailors and three U.S. Army soldiers were killed, and 58 French troops were murdered.

1996 Khobar Towers bombing

On June 25, 1996, 19 U.S. Air Force members were killed when a truck bomb exploded outside the Khobar Towers. Al Jazeera reported that in 2006, a U.S. court found the Iranian government responsible for the attack, committed by Saudi members of Hezbollah. The court ordered Iran to pay $254 million to victims of the attack. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Beth Bailey

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

5 hour(s) ago

Nikki Haley urges US not to ‘engage in regime change in Iran’

Former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is warning the U.S. against getting involved in regime change in Iran as President Donald Trump appears to mull joining Israel’s fight against Tehran.

“The Iranian people should decide who they want to be their leader. That’s their decision, not ours. Stay focused,” Haley said.

However, Haley also encouraged the U.S. to support Israel in taking out the Nanatz and Fordow nuclear sites, pointing out the regime’s nuclear threats against the U.S.

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

5 hour(s) ago

Khamenei rejects Trump’s demand for an unconditional surrender

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected President Donald Trump’s call for an “unconditional surrender” from Iran.

“The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him.They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats,” Khamenei wrote in a post on X.

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

6 hour(s) ago

Iran is playing ‘cat-and-mouse diplomacy’ with the Trump admin, expert says

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

6 hour(s) ago

El Al announces additional recovery flights, says over 70,000 registered

El Al, an Israel-based airline, is operating “recovery flights” from Larnaca, Paphos, Budapest, Athens, Milan, Rome and London with the goal of getting Israelis home. The airline said that the flights were already full and it would alert passengers who were booked on one of the recovery flights.

Israelis have been stranded across the globe after Jerusalem launched Operation Rising Lion, which led to the closure of Ben Gurion Airport. According to El Al, more than 70,000 people registered on its website to get one one of these recovery flights.

“Flights will be carried out gradually, subject to government approval,” El Al wrote in a statement on X. “The recovery flight schedule is subject to change and relevant approvals.”

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

6 hour(s) ago

Iran has menaced that region of the world for ’50 years’: Sen. John Thune

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

7 hour(s) ago

Israel releases video of strikes on Iranian attack helicopters

The Israeli Air Force struck five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters on Wednesday as tensions between Jerusalem and Tehran grow. According to the IDF, the helicopters were at a military base in the Kermanshah area.

Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF announced that it hit a a centrifuge production site in Tehran.

“So far, we have struck over 1,100 different components across Iran. We are systematically working to neutralize all elements of the nuclear threat. We are also deepening the significant damage to surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. IAF jets also struck several weapons and missile production sites in Tehran,” IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin said.

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

7 hour(s) ago

Iran warns it will respond if US gets involved with Israeli strikes

As President Donald Trump considers getting involved with Israel’s war against Iran, the Islamic Republic is warning that it will respond firmly.

Iranian U.N. Ambassador Ali Bahreini told reporters that he sees the U.S. as being “complicit in what Israel is doing,” according to Reuters.

There has been speculation over whether the U.S. coordinated with Israel before the launch of Operation Rising Lion.

So far, the U.S. has stayed out of the conflict, but it has helped Israel shoot down missiles from Tehran. There are some indications, however, that the Trump administration could move to get more directly involved in the war, as it is the only one with a bomb that can destroy Fordow, often called Iran’s most dangerous nuclear site.

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

7 hour(s) ago

‘Iran has crossed every red line,’ Israeli official tells UN Security Council

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar outlined the threat posed by Iran in a letter to the U.N. Security Council explaining the crucial nature of Operation Rising Lion.

“Iran has crossed every red line. It has expanded its uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels and maintained weapons-related nuclear infrastructure in defiance of international demands,” Sa’ar wrote.

He also accused Iran of using diplomacy as a stalling tactic to buy time for advancing its nuclear program. Sa’ar said that, in light of developments in Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, Israel was left with “no choice but to act.”

Posted by Rachel Wolf Share

7 hour(s) ago

US Embassy in Jerusalem closes, tells government employees to shelter in place

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced that it will be closed June 18-20 as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to heat up. U.S. government employees and their families have been instructed to shelter in place in and near their residences.

It also noted that it did not have any updates on getting U.S. citizens out of Israel, though the embassy said that it is aware of third parties helping people leave, but it was “not able to endorse any providers.”

“The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, such as mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning. The security environment is complex and can change quickly,” the embassy wrote in a statement.

Additionally, the embassy warned that U.S. government employees and their families may face further restrictions on where they can travel in Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem as tensions flare.

Posted by Rachel Wolf