Breaking Revealed: How Trump ‘backed out of nuking Iran because only a tactical nuclear weapon would destroy Fordow bunker’ – as Kremlin issues nuclear war warning EnglishHeadline

Iran’s overseas minister will handle the UN Human Rights Council on Friday on the sidelines of talks with European counterparts aiming for a diplomatic answer to the Iran-Israel conflict.

Abbas Araghchi ‘will intervene in particular person… at first of the council’s afternoon assembly’ at 1300 GMT, after which the council will resume its regular programme, Pascal Sim, spokesman for the UN’s prime rights physique, instructed a press briefing.

UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci added that Daniel Meron, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, could be outdoors the council chamber at 1230 GMT to ship a ‘press assertion on Iran’.

Araghchi is assembly his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to debate Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israel not participates within the Human Rights Council, boycotting its conferences over ‘anti-Semitism’.

Diplomats are assembly in Geneva in the present day to start talks across the Iran disaster and Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Preliminary talks are usually not anticipated to yield main progress in the direction of peace. However they might carve out an area for dialogue between Iran and the U.S., mediated by Britain and Europe.

Russia, too, has been eyeing a mediating position within the rising disaster.

France’s overseas minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, is claimed to have already spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines.

A French diplomatic supply instructed The Guardian that Rubio emphasised that the U.S. is ‘prepared for direct contact with the Iranians at any second’.

Johann Wadephul, the German overseas minister, sassist forward of assembly with Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s overseas minister, that if in the present day goes effectively, it might pave the way in which for extra talks.

‘This requires Iran’s severe willingness to resign any enrichment of nuclear materials, which might result in nuclear weaponisation,’ he mentioned, based on Reuters information company.

Donald Trump instructed defence officers it will solely make sense for the U.S. to hitch Israel in putting Iran if its ‘bunker buster’ bombs are assured to have the ability to destroy the important thing enrichment web site at Fordow, based on individuals aware of the discussions.

Officers have been mentioned to have been instructed that the U.S. must soften the bottom with typical bombs earlier than dropping a tactical nuclear weapon from a B2 Bomber to fully destroy the positioning, believed to be some 90 metres underground.

However Trump is claimed to have dominated out nuking Iran, insiders instructed the Guardian. The chance was mentioned to not have been raised by defence secretary Pete Hegseth or chairman of the joint chiefs of workers Normal Dan Caine throughout latest conferences within the State of affairs Room.

Trump mentioned late on Thursday that he’ll now resolve within the subsequent two weeks whether or not to hitch in navy motion towards Iran, earlier than British and European diplomats have been to satisfy with Iran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday.

Russia warned in the present day that any use of tactical nuclear weapons in Iran could be ‘catastrophic’ amid fears it might spark wider battle throughout the Center East.

These footage present Israeli bomb specialists on the scene of the newest Iranian ballistic missile assault in southern Israel in the present day.

For the second day in a row Beersheba has come beneath assault because the missile struck a highway close to a number of condo blocks.

The strike has created a big crater and brought about a number of automobiles to catch alight. The Occasions of Israel is reporting seven individuals suffered minor accidents with some substantial harm to houses.

Donald Trump is claimed to be more and more counting on a small group of advisors for enter on Iran as he debates whether or not or to not be part of Israel’s navy motion.

Two defence officers and a senior administration official instructed NBC Information that the U.S. President has closed his internal circle in a report revealed on Friday.

One other senior administrational official mentioned that whereas Trump routinely crowdsources for concepts, he’s listening to solely a handful of officers for decision-making.

These embody his Vice President, chief of workers, deputy chief of workers and Secretary of State, the official mentioned.

Trump was additionally mentioned to have sidelined Nationwide Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who opposes strikes in Iran.

And he has not been leaning on Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, officers mentioned.

The opportunity of kinetic motion towards Iran stays deeply divisive inside the administration and with out.

United States President Donald J Trump on June 18

Iranian overseas minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed Tehran has refused talks with Washington as a result of it’s a ‘associate’ in Israeli ‘crimes’.

Talking on state tv, Araghchi mentioned Iran will not be planning any contact with the US in the meanwhile.

His remarks come simply hours after the White Home indicated Donald Trump will resolve whether or not or not the US will get immediately concerned within the battle inside the subsequent two weeks.

Araghchi mentioned that whereas negotiations with the US are usually not on the horizon, Iran had no difficulty partaking with different nations as officers meet European leaders in Geneva later in the present day.

The minister mentioned these talks have been restricted to nuclear and regional points and that Iran is not going to negotiate relating to its missile capabilities.

The Iranian Khondab heavy water analysis reactor was broken in Israeli strikes on Thursday, however no ‘radiological consequence’ is predicted, the Worldwide Atomic Power Company mentioned.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog assessed that as a result of the ability was nonetheless beneath building and never operational, it contained no nuclear materials.

Rafael Grossi assured that, in consequence, no radiological consequence was anticipated.

Reactors like the ability close to town of Arak can be utilized for scientific functions, however will create plutonium as a byproduct. This may very well be used for nuclear weapons.

Iran’s fragmented opposition teams suppose their second could also be shut at hand, however activists concerned in earlier bouts of protest say they’re unwilling to unleash mass unrest, even towards a system they hate, with their nation beneath assault.

Exiled opponents of the Islamic Republic, themselves deeply divided, are urging avenue protests. Within the borderlands, Kurdish and Baluchi separatist teams look poised to stand up, with Israeli strikes pummelling Iran’s safety equipment.

Whereas the Islamic Republic appears weaker than at almost any level since quickly after the 1979 revolution, any direct problem to its 46-year rule would possible require some type of in style rebellion.

Triggering regime change is actually one conflict objective for Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing Iranians to say ‘we’re additionally clearing the trail so that you can obtain your freedom’.

However whereas Israeli strikes have focused a safety hierarchy that crushed earlier bouts of protest, they’ve additionally brought about nice concern and disruption for strange individuals – and anger at each Iranian authorities and Israel, the activists mentioned.

Smoke rises following an Israeli assault on the IRIB constructing, the nation’s state broadcaster, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025.

The Iranian Pink Crescent ambulance focused within the Israeli assault on June 16 in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, by which two healthcare staff misplaced their lives, is being displayed in Haft-e Tir Sq. in Tehran, Iran on June 19, 2025

‘How are individuals purported to pour into the streets? In such horrifying circumstances, individuals are solely centered on saving themselves, their households, their compatriots, and even their pets,’ mentioned Atena Daemi, a outstanding activist who spent six years in jail earlier than leaving Iran.

One activist, who was jailed for 5 months after the 2022 protests over the demise in custody of Mahsa Amini, mentioned she believed in regime change in Iran however that it was not time to take to the streets.

She and her pals weren’t planning to stage or be part of rallies, she mentioned, and dismissed calls from overseas for protests. ‘Israel and people so-called opposition leaders overseas solely take into consideration their very own profit,’ she mentioned.

British International Secretary David Lammy is to hitch with prime European diplomats and Iran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday to debate Iran’s nuclear programme.

International ministers from France, Germany, Britain and the EU are urging de-escalation, with David Lammy saying the following two weeks are ‘a window… to realize a diplomatic answer’.

Lammy yesterday met with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Center East envoy Steve Witkoff on the White Home.

Al Jazeera, reporting from Washington, studies: ‘We’re instructed that Lammy got here away with a real feeling that Trump does need to see a deal [with Iran]’.

After days of escalatory feedback suggesting the U.S. might be part of Israel in its hitherto unilateral strikes towards Iran, Donald Trump determined in a single day to open a two-week negotiating window earlier than deciding on putting Iran.

‘Primarily based on the truth that there is a substantial probability of negotiations that will or could not happen with Iran within the close to future, I’ll make my choice whether or not or to not go inside the subsequent two weeks,’ a readout from Trump mentioned, shared late Thursday.

Leaders will in the present day convene in Geneva to see if there’s a method again to the negotiating desk, after talks in Oman have been referred to as off.

‘I’ve acquired a number of telephone calls reassuring me that the Zionist regime [Israel] wouldn’t goal’ Araghchi en path to Geneva, his adviser Mohammad Reza Ranjbaran mentioned on X.

Individually, the UN Safety Council can also be on account of convene on Friday for a second session on the battle, at Iran’s request with assist from Russia, China and Pakistan, a diplomat instructed AFP on Wednesday.

International Secretary David Lammy leaves Downing Avenue, London on Wednesday, June 18

‘I’m 200 per cent positive Lebanon is not going to enter the conflict,’ senior politician and parliament speaker Nabih Berri instructed native MTV Information final night time.

‘It has little interest in doing so and would pay a heavy value. Iran doesn’t want us. It’s Israel that wants assist.’

Israel has been cautioning Iranian proxy group Hezbollah to not contain itself as Israel and Iran proceed to trade blows.

Late final yr, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to phrases that may see Hezbollah retract and extra Lebanese military troops introduced in to patrol the border with the U.N.

Israel has nonetheless continued strikes into Lebanon, hitting southern Beirut on the eve of Eid Al Adha earlier this month.

The navy claimed it had recognized a Hezbollah unit producing ‘1000’s’ of drones underground, funded by ‘Iranian terrorists’.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran’s supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is alive and in a secure situation, based on Iranian media, after being reported useless earlier this week.

Shamkhani was mentioned to have been significantly wounded in an Israeli assault every week in the past. Iranian state TV community IRINN reported that he succumbed to accidents and died.

However now the semi-official Tasnim information company, based mostly in Iran, has quoted him as having mentioned ‘I’m alive and able to sacrifice myself’ in a message to the Ayatollah and the Iranian nation.

Shamkhani, a detailed aide to the Ayatollah Khamenei, was reported to have died earlier this week. Now, Iranian media says he’s alive and ‘able to sacrifice myself’.

Iranian missiles struck close to a navy department in Israel’s Beersheba (Be’er Sheva) on Friday, Al Jazeera is reporting.

Strikes have been mentioned to have broken a Microsoft workplace within the Gav-Tam Negev superior applied sciences park.

The park borders Ben Gurion College and the C4i department campus of the Israeli military, its telecoms department, the Qatari outlet says, noting the strikes would have come down earlier than typical enterprise hours.

Seven individuals are reported to have been injured within the assault.

Emergency personnel work subsequent to burnt automobiles and broken residential buildings at an affect web site following Iran’s missile strike on Israel, in Be’er Sheva, Israel, June 20

Israeli troopers work subsequent to a broken residential constructing at an affect web site following Iran’s missile strike on Israel, in Be’er Sheva, Israel, June 20

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah to train warning on Friday, saying Israel’s persistence with ‘terrorists’ who threaten it had worn skinny.

The top of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, mentioned on Thursday that the Lebanese group would act because it noticed match within the face of what he referred to as ‘brutal Israeli-American aggression’ towards Iran.

Hezbollah’s navy management was vanquished late final yr after Israel launched a floor invasion of Lebanon to oust the Iranian-proxy group, citing failure to uphold the phrases of a long-established ceasefire settlement.

An excellent heavier blow to Hezbollah was the autumn in December of Syria’s Bashar Assad when Sunni rebels marched on the capital and eliminated him from energy. Now, a authorities hostile to Iran and Hezbollah guidelines from Damascus.

Supporters of Iraq’s Hezbollah Brigades attend a gathering to sentence Israel’s assault on Iran within the metropolis of Nasiriyah, in Iraq’s southern Dhi Qar province on June 19, 2025

Israel’s navy mentioned on Friday that it had struck dozens of targets in Tehran in a single day, together with what it referred to as a centre for the ‘analysis and growth of Iran’s nuclear weapons undertaking’.

In a press release, the military mentioned it had ‘accomplished a sequence of strikes within the coronary heart of Tehran’ because the disaster entered its eighth day.

‘Dozens of targets have been struck, together with navy missile manufacturing websites and the SPND (Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Analysis) headquarters for analysis and growth of Iran’s nuclear weapons undertaking,’ it claimed.

In line with the Israeli navy the SPND headquarters ‘is used for analysis and growth of superior applied sciences and weapons supporting the Iranian regime’s navy capabilities.’

The military mentioned that in the course of the night time on Thursday greater than 60 fighter jets struck dozens of navy targets.

‘Among the many targets have been websites producing missile parts and amenities manufacturing uncooked supplies utilized in casting missile engines,’ it added.

The navy additionally mentioned it intercepted in a single day 4 UAVs launched from Iran.

American use of tactical nuclear weapons within the Center East would result in catastrophic penalties, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov instructed the Russian TASS information company.

‘There have been a variety of speculations,’ Peskov caveated, responding to media studies that Washington had not but dominated out the use nuclear weapons to assault the entrenched underground Fordow enrichment web site in Iran.

‘This may be a catastrophic growth,’ he mentioned. ‘However there are such a lot of speculations that in reality, it is unattainable to touch upon them.’

Fordow stays essentially the most closely defended recognized enrichment web site in Iran, buried some 80 to 90 metres underground.

Israel is believed to lack the aptitude to destroy the positioning with its present arsenal, although insiders have prompt a number of raids might weaken the positioning.

The American B-2 Spirit bombers, able to carrying GBU-57 Huge Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), might deal heavy harm – although would require U.S. intervention.

Russia has introduced itself as a doable mediating pressure between U.S.-backed Israel and Iran in latest days, although U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly been reluctant to simply accept the supply.

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s stay protection of the Iran-Israel battle because it enters its eighth day.

Russia has in the present day warned America any use of tactical nuclear weapons in Iran could be ‘catastrophic’ because it wades into the state of affairs within the Center East.

Russian information service Tass is reporting the Kremlin has issued a recent plea for Trump to keep away from utilizing bunker busting bombs on Iranian nuclear amenities

It comes as Donald Trump will resolve inside the subsequent two weeks on whether or not the U.S. will conduct a strike on Iran.

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