Iran strikes major Israeli hospital after claiming Israel hit its Arak heavy water reactor

Iran's foreign minister is set to meet with European counterparts in Geneva amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, Iranian state media reported Thursday.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Geneva for the meetings on Friday, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In a new security alert issued Thursday morning, the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem directed all government employees and their family members to continue to "shelter in place until further notice."

The embassy cited the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

"The Department of State is planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens’ departure from Israel," the security alert read. "We will alert the U.S. citizen community if there is additional information to share regarding departure options."

The embassy directed U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents to fill out a form on its website to request assistance.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a video that gave an inside look at the extensive damage suffered by the largest hospital in southern Israel after it took a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile.

The video shows people running as smoke fills parts of Soroka Medical Center in the city of Be'er Sheva.

Parts of the hospital's ceiling were also blow out in the strike, the video showed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media Thursday morning to say Israel will “exact the full price” from Iran following its missile barrage on civilians.

In a post to his X account, Netanyahu called out Iran's “terrorist tyrants” for launching missiles at Soroka Hospital and at civilians in the center of the country.

“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran," Netanyahu wrote on X.

Israel Katz, Israel's minister of defense, issued a dire warning to Iran's supreme leader after civilians were targeted in a major missile attack on Thursday.

“The cowardly Iranian dictator sits deep in a fortified bunker and directs deliberate fire at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel," Katz said in a statement translated from Hebrew. "These are the most serious kinds of war crimes – and Khamenei will be held accountable for his crimes.”

Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israel Defense Forces to intensify strikes against "strategic targets in Iran and against regime targets in Tehran, in order to remove the threats to the State of Israel and to undermine the Ayatollah regime.”

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Arak heavy water reactor in Iran on Feb. 15, 2025. (Maxar Technologies via AP)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday morning it struck “key sites” connected to Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.

“These facilities fuel Iran’s drive for nuclear weapons and its attacks on Israeli civilians,” the IDF wrote on X.

The sites included a nuclear weapons development site near the city of Natanz, an inactive nuclear reactor in the city of Arak, radar systems and missile storage sites, and ballistic missile and air defense production facilities, according to the IDF.

“The IDF will continue operating to eliminate threats and defend the State of Israel,” the armed forces of Israel wrote.

A view of Soroka Hospital in the aftermath of a major missile barrage by Iran on Thursday morning. (Credit: @Isaac_Herzog via X)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a message of “strength and support” to the victims of Iran’s latest missile attacks in a post to his X account Thursday morning.

“A baby in intensive care. A mother by their bedside. A doctor rushing between beds. An elderly resident in a nursing home. These were some of the targets of Iran’s missile attacks on Israeli civilians this morning," Herzog shared to X along with an image of Soroka Hospital, which was struck by Iran during a major missile barrage on Thursday morning.

Herzog called Soroka Hospital, which serves the entire Negev region of Israel, one of the country's “finest.”

“Its devoted staff — Jews and Arabs — work side-by-side in extraordinary harmony, united by the mission to heal," Herzog said. "I send strength and support to the medical teams, to the patients, and to the residents of Be’er Sheva and all cities attacked across Israel this morning. In moments like these, we are reminded of what’s truly at stake, and the values we are defending.”

An urgent search and rescue effort was underway in Tel Aviv Thursday morning after Iran unleashed a large missile barrage on Israel.

A high-rise apartment building in Tel Aviv was hit by separate Iranian strikes, among other locations in central Israel, according to AP.

The main rescue service in Israel, Magen David Adom, said at least 40 people were wounded in the aftermath of the attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a warning about "hostile aircraft infiltration" in an early Thursday morning post on X.

The tweet included a map of areas in northern Israel and said sirens were sounding. The IDF also said millions of Israelis across the country were "running to shelter as sirens sound due to a missile launch from Iran."

Israel’s military also warned people Thursday to evacuate the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor.

Thursday marks the seventh day of conflict between Israel and Iran.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In this photo provided by @ridewithian, Ian Andersen poses for a selfie near the Turkey-Iran border, on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (@ridewithian via AP)

A Minnesota man with a dream of cycling across all seven continents was forced to come up with alternative plans after Israel launched a barrage of air strikes on Iran’s military leaders and nuclear facilities, close to where he was riding.

The Associated Press said 32-year-old Ian Andersen of Minnetonka, Minnesota did not plan to get stuck in a real war zone, so he rode to neighboring Azerbaijan on Monday.

"The bombs started falling," Andersen told the wire service on Wednesday, while speaking on Zoom from a hotel in Baku. "It was extremely scary."

Andersen was touring through Iran as part of a yearslong mission to ride his bike across all seven continents. While in Iran, Andersen had a local guide, and he had shared videos of his adventure with tens of thousands of followers on social media, since the beginning of June.

"The day the bombs started falling" was Friday, and Andersen and his guide were heading south along the Caspian Sea coast, from Chalus toward the capital of Tehran.

Andersen had reportedly hoped to apply for a visa to Afghanistan in Tehran, with ambitions of crossing into Central Asia and onto Russia.

"It was really just, like, the worst timing possible," he told the AP.

Once the bombs started falling, Andersen and his guide sheltered in place and spoke Spanish to avoid people suspecting he was from the U.S.

He also said he saw long lines of vehicles fleeing Tehran, and at the same time, his own family, friends and social media followers had concerns for his safety.

The U.S. State Department notified Anderson in an email that he should leave for Azerbaijan or Turkey.

A friend of Andersen’s in Los Angeles applied for a visa to Azerbaijan on his behalf, which was ultimately granted by the U.S. Embassy in Baku.

Biking, Andersen said, was his dream and escape, and in the past, he had struggled with addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

And while his dream of cycling the seven continents may have hit a speed bump, he has no regrets from going on the journey.

The bombs in Iran were not his only brush with death. In fact, he said he was in northern Kenya in 2023 when a tribesman threatened to chuck a spear at him while biking through a rural area.

"There’s always going to be risk, and you have to accept it," he said.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Greg Wehner.

President Trump told reporters Wednesday he has not yet made a final decision on whether the U.S. will take direct military action against Iran, reiterating that while he doesn’t want a new war, his top priority is preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

“I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven’t made a final [decision],” Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office. “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due… because things change, especially with war.”

The president confirmed he plans to huddle with national security officials in the Situation Room and has been keeping lines of communication open, but stressed that “I would have preferred having just an agreement—a strong agreement, a verifiable agreement.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations denied reports of outreach to Washington, calling Trump’s comments “lies” and rejecting what it characterized as threats and coercion.

“Iran does not negotiate under duress,” its statement said.Trump emphasized his consistent stance, saying, “I don’t want to get involved either, but I’ve been saying for 20 years… that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And I think they were a few weeks away from having one.”

In response to critics within his own base, Trump made clear where he stands: “My supporters are for me. My supporters are America First. If they think that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, then they should oppose me.”

The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with Iranian officials on Friday in Switzerland, according to reports.

However, the ministers will first meet with Kaja Kallas, the European Union 's top diplomat, at Germany's permanent mission in Geneva before holding a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, Reuters reported.

The European leaders are hoping to persuade Iran to guarantee that it will use its nuclear program solely for civilian purposes.

Israel has stated that its goal behind its constant airstrikes is to degrade Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon.

A growing number of Israelis are calling on President Donald Trump to ramp up U.S. involvement in the war with Iran, with new billboards in Tel Aviv sending a blunt message: “Mr. President, finish the job.”

As the Israeli Security Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss next steps in the widening conflict, Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported live from Tel Aviv that “there’s no end in sight to the war between Israel and Iran.”

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Trump today,” Yingst said on Special Report, “as the region waits to see if the U.S. will get more directly involved in the fight.”

Netanyahu, in a televised statement, said: “I wish to thank President Trump, a great friend of the State of Israel. I thank him for standing by us, and I thank him for the support the United States is providing us in defending Israel's skies.”

The prime minister’s praise comes as Iranian missile fire continues to pound central Israel. “Tel Aviv, like many other Israeli cities, came under fresh missile fire this afternoon,” Yingst reported.

“Millions of people [were] sent into bomb shelters.”The Israeli Air Force responded with more trikes on Tehran, including against ballistic missile launchers.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence with a defiant message: “Threats do not affect the behavior of the Iranian nation… telling the Iranian nation to come and surrender is not a wise thing to do.”

“More Iranian missiles targeted central Israel tonight. The IDF telling Fox News they were shot out of the sky," Yingst concluded in his report.

The Israeli Air Forces launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday morning.

"The Air Force intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iran," the Israeli Air Force wrote on X. 

The Pentagon is seen from above. The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters and one of the world's largest office buildings. Built during World War II, it symbolizes U.S. military power. Despite its vast size, its layout allows travel between points in under 10 minutes, and it houses a memorial for 9/11 victims. (Photo by Jen Golbeck/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A senior U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News that Army Col. Nathan McCormack, expert for the Joint Chief's J-5 planning directorate on the Middle East and Israel at the Joint Chiefs of Staff J‑5 planning directorate, has been removed from his role and sent back to the Army following a review of public social media posts.

The posts, including calling Israel the “worst ally” and referring to “Netanyahu and his Judeo‑supremacist cronies," were widely circulated online by McCormack under a semi‑anonymous X account. Many posts have since been deleted.

According to a Pentagon official, “He will no longer be on the joint staff while the matter is being investigated,” and an investigating officer is being assigned to review the content and its implications. The official emphasized that “The information on the X account does not reflect the position of the Joint Staff or the Department of Defense” and said the matter is under active investigation.

McCormack’s critics, including a Pentagon contractor quoted by JNS, described his posts as “mind‑boggling” and said the views are “dangerous,” especially for a senior planner. The contractor warned that his public criticisms “open the door for bad actors to exploit” and questioned what he might be saying behind closed doors.

Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) originally broke the story, prompting both a Pentagon statement and McCormack’s removal from his position.

Vance defends Gabbard as 'critical part' of Trump team after president dismissed Iran nuke threat comments

Vice President JD Vance insists Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is still an essential team member in Trump's "coalition" after President Donald Trump said he "didn't care" what she'd previously told lawmakers about Iran's nuclear threat.

"DNI Gabbard is a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of President Trump and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024," Vance said in a statement Wednesday to Fox News Digital.

"She is an essential member of our team, and we’re grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats."

Vance and Gabbard have both historically been outspoken leaders of the non-interventionist camp making up the Trump administration. Both historically have backed a foreign policy doctrine that supports minimal interference with other nations' affairs.

By comparison, other, more hawkish members of Trump's Cabinet, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have historically backed military intervention in foreign conflicts.

Vance has publicly supported Trump as the administration contemplates next steps to address Iran, though. Vance said Tuesday that while those worried about foreign intervention are right to be concerned, Trump has "earned some trust on this issue."

"And having seen this up close and personal, I can assure you that he is only interested in using the American military to accomplish the American people's goals," Vance said in a Truth Social post Tuesday. "Whatever he does, that is his focus."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Diana Stancy.

An Iraqi youth holds a picture of Major General Mohammad Rabbani, a commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who was killed in the Israeli bombing of Tehran, during a pro-Iran protest in Baghdad near the green zone, the ultra secured neighborhood hosting the US embassy on June 16, 2025, amid the Israel-Iran escalating conflict. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

As Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets continue, a new Fox News Poll released Wednesday shows that American voters overwhelmingly view Iran as a real threat to U.S. national security but remain divided over Israel’s actions.

According to the poll, conducted June 13–16, 2025, 73% of registered voters believe Iran poses a real national security threat to the United States.

Majorities across the political spectrum now view Iran as a threat, including 82% of Republicans, 69% of Democrats, and 62% of independents. Each group registered notable increases since 2019.

While there is bipartisan agreement on the danger posed by Iran, public opinion splits when it comes to Israel’s preemptive military action.

The poll finds 47% of voters approve of Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, while 45% disapprove, which is within the 3-point margin of error.

Republicans overwhelmingly support the Israeli strikes (70% approve), while Democrats are largely opposed (60% disapprove). Independents are more closely divided, with 44% approving and 46% disapproving.

The Fox News Poll was conducted under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R) and surveyed 1,001 registered voters nationwide.

As Israel’s battle to take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities continues, Iran’s most heavily-protected nuclear facility at Fordow, two hours from Tehran, remains intact.

Many military analysts believe that a two-ton precision bunker buster developed by and in sole possession of the U.S. is the only means of eliminating the Fordow site, which some claim may be capable of producing a nuclear warhead in as little as two to three days.

Jonathan Ruhe, Director of Foreign Policy for JINSA, spoke with Fox News Digital about bunker-busters, and how Israel or the U.S. might use them to eliminate the Fordow nuclear threat. 

Ruhe said bunker busters are munitions designed to use the force of gravity to "penetrate through any mixture of earth, rock, and concrete before the bomb itself then explodes" underground. The explosion may either take out the target fully, or "collapse the structure" around the target "without necessarily obliterating it," he explained.

Bunker busters come in multiple weight classes. Israel possesses 2,000- and 5,000-pound varieties. Only the U.S. possesses the 30,000-pound GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP).

Developed under President George W. Bush, Ruhe says the MOP was "designed specifically" for targets like Fordow, where nuclear sites or command and control bunkers are hidden far underground.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Beth Bailey.

The United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting over Israel's strikes on Iran on Friday, June 13, 2025, in New York City, United States. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency session at the request of Iran and its allies to discuss Israel's military operation against the Islamic Republic.

The session was called after Iran, Russia, China, Pakistan and Algeria requested the special meeting to discuss “Operation Rising Lion,” Israel's military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran's military and nuclear capabilities.

“We will attend and make the facts clear: Israel not only defended itself, it eliminated a major threat facing the entire free world,” said Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. "While the nations spoke, we acted. The Islamic Republic’s intentions were never innocent and the world knows it."

The session will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday.

A letter from the families of the 53 hostages still held in Gaza, addressed to President Donald Trump, urges him to use the current crisis as an opportunity to secure their release. The letter was published June 18, 2025, by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum HQ)

As missiles fly across the Middle East, the families of 53 hostages held in Gaza are pleading with President Donald Trump to act now to bring their loved ones home.

In a heartfelt letter released Wednesday by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, the families asked Trump to use the current conflict between Israel and Iran as an opportunity to pressure Hamas for a full release.

“We are at a critical moment with a time window that is essential for bringing them all home,” the families wrote. “We must seize the opportunity while Iran and Hamas are at their weakest point.”

The letter comes as Israel continues military operations against Iran and its proxies. Families of the hostages say now is the time to push for a deal, and they want all 53 hostages released at once.

“They must come home together, all 53 in one phase that leaves no one behind,” they wrote.The families praised President Trump’s leadership, saying, “Your unwavering dedication has been a beacon of hope in our darkest hours.”

They added, “Bringing our loved ones home... is inseparable from your grand vision for transforming the Middle East.”

They also acknowledged the administration’s past efforts to free hostages, but urged the president not to stop until all are home.“

With your leadership, the impossible becomes possible,” the letter said. “The window of opportunity you've worked so hard to create must not close without our loved ones walking through it.”

The full letter was posted publicly on Truth Social and addressed directly to the president.

“The world is watching,” the letter concludes, “but more importantly, all the families are praying.”

From the Moskva River, the Kremlin and the high-rise and business district of Moskva City (background) can be seen behind the bridge. Photo: Ulf Mauder/dpa (Photo by Ulf Mauder/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Russia is reportedly uneasy after President Donald Trump's comments about the United States possible involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, according to media reports.

Russia has long allied itself with Tehran, ties that have grown stronger in recent years.

Sky News asked Russian foreign affairs ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova how her country would react if the U.S. joined Israel's military campaign.

“This is a nightmare for the whole international community,” she said of Israel's strikes against Iran while at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

 Zakharova did not say whether it would constitute an escalation.

The news outlet said Russia has switched into “crisis mode” after Trump's remarks about the possible death of Iran's supreme leader. In addition, Moscow is reportedly fearful of losing a second key ally in the Middle East following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

The first flight of Operation "Safe Return" landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on June 18, 2025. The operation, led by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety together with the Israel Airports Authority and the Israel Air Force, is designed to bring home Israeli passengers who were forced to remain abroad due to flight cancellations. (Israel Airport Authority/TPS-IL)

An emergency flight carrying Israelis stranded overseas due to the fighting with Iran landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, part of a special government operation to get them home.

Some 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis were abroad when Israel Defense Forces fighter jets began striking Iran overnight on Thursday - seeking to destroy the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and its cache of conventional weapons.

Israel immediately closed its airspace, halting all flights into the country, but some people have been so desperate to get home - despite the volleys of deadly ballistic missiles that have caused widespread damage and fatalities – that they have found some unconventional routes.

Yaakov Katz, an author and former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, had his flight from the U.S. rerouted to Cyprus on Thursday night as Israel launched its opening strike on Iran. In a lengthy social media post, he described being stuck for two days before finding a tugboat to take him and eight others back to Israel.

"Nine of us squeezed onto a vessel captained by Eli, a veteran Israeli sailor who didn’t ask questions - just took the wheel," he wrote in the post.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Katz said the boat ride was not simple."I can't say it was the best conditions, but it was definitely doable for 17 hours," he described, adding that he wanted to be with his wife and four children while "our country is at war."

"The thought of not being at home and not being with my family was very difficult, and despite the risks and, of course, the war itself, there’s no place I think any Israeli would want to be at a time like this," said Katz.

Shimi Grossman, a volunteer with rescue agency Zaka, also said he could not wait.He has spent the last two days making his way from the U.S. to London, then to Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt.

Speaking to Fox News Digital from there, Grossman said he was now planning to take a taxi to Israel’s southern border crossing in Taba."I needed to get back so I could help the people in Israel," said the medical volunteer.

Others have waited tensely, watching as the missiles hit the country, sending civilians running into shelters, toppling buildings and killing more than 20 people.

"It’s torture," Josh Hantman, who was watching from London, told Fox News Digital.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Ruth Marks Eglash.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. (Getty Images)

Nonessential diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and their families started being evacuated this week as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies.

Two U.S. officials told The Associated Press that a government plane evacuated a number of diplomats and family members who asked to leave the country Wednesday.

“Given the ongoing situation and as part of the embassy’s authorized departure status, mission personnel have begun departing Israel through a variety of means,” the State Department said.

It wasn't clear how many diplomats and their family members departed on the flight.

Israelis evacuated from a crowded beach to safety earlier today after a missile alert was sent to local cellphones in a dramatic video shared on social media.

"Hundreds of Israelis evacuate from the beach earlier today after an incoming missile alert is sent to local cellphones," Yingst posted on X, along with video of crowds quickly dispersing.

The video shows some civilians running away from the shore.The alert is part of Israel’s nationwide emergency warning system designed to provide civilians with seconds of notice before a missile impact.

As lawmakers debate what role, if any, the United States should play in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, progressive "Squad" member Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-Minn., made the curious claim that no one has "attacked" the United States. 

"No one is attacking or has attacked Americans. It’s time to stop dragging Americans into war and letting Israel once again get America involved in their chosen war. Stand up for the Americans who believed you wanted peace and don’t commit another generation of Americans into a costly war," Omar said in response to President Donald Trump. 

Trump called for Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" on Truth Social on Tuesday, and said the United States won't strike Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei "at least not for now," but signaled America's "patience is wearing thin." 

A Fox News Digital report published Wednesday morning refutes Omar's claim that Americans have not been attacked, including extensive examples of Iran’s direct and proxy strikes on U.S. forces, support for terror groups and assassination efforts.

Omar's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's inquiry about the validity of her claim. 

This post is an excerpt from an article by Deirdre Heavey and Beth Bailey.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he's open to meeting with Iranian officials at the White House as Israel continues to bombard Tehran with airstrikes, targeting the country's military and nuclear facilities.

Trump was speaking with reporters in the Oval Office when he was asked about meeting with Iranian government representatives.

“They want to see me in the White House. That's a big statement,” Trump said. "They asked if they could come. We'll see what happens."

Trump said “it's not easy” for Iranian officials to leave the country.

“In one case, a guy wanted to come so badly but he can't get out because there's bombs dropping all over the place,” he said.

Israel has dominated the sky above Iran, dropping munitions that have damaged missile production sites and nuclear facilities.

Israel said it targeted 20 Iranian sites in a wave of airstrikes. (IDF)

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes targeting 20 Iranian military targets, officials said Wednesday.

“More than 20 military targets were attacked by 60 fighter jets: The IDF completed another wave of attacks in the Tehran area against sites of the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons project and missile production sites," the Israel Defense Forces said. "60 Air Force fighter jets, under precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Branch, have in recent hours completed a wave of attacks on more than 20 military targets in Tehran.”

The strikes targeted weapons production sites, centrifuge production sites, and research and development sites for the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons project, the IDF said.

Other sites included factories that produce “raw materials” and components for assembling missiles and sites for producing Iranian air defense systems.

The sites are designed to expand the scope and pace of uranium enrichment for the benefit of nuclear weapons. Iran has been enriching uranium far beyond the amount required for civilian use, with an emphasis on enrichment to high levels, the IDF said.

"The View" co-hosts clashed fiercely during a discussion about the Middle East on Wednesday as co-host Whoopi Goldberg compared living in the United States to Iran, receiving pushback from Alyssa Farah Griffin.

"Let’s remember too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings. They don’t adhere to basic human rights," Griffin said, as she and co-host Sara Haines argued they weren't going to "defend" a terrorist nation, Iran.

The co-hosts discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran as fighting between the two continues. Co-host Sunny Hostin ripped Israel earlier during the discussion for preemptively striking Iran, calling the move illegal under international law.

Goldberg pushed back and invoked historic racism against Blacks in the United States."Let’s not do that, because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car. Listen, I'm sorry, they used to just keep hanging Black people," Goldberg insisted as Griffin pushed back and said the situations weren't comparable.

Griffin said, "In the year 2025 in the United States, is nothing like if I step foot wearing this outfit into Iran right now."

"It is the same," Goldberg said. "Murdering someone for their difference is not good whoever does it."

Griffin reiterated her point and repeated that living in the U.S. in 2025 was "very different" than living in Iran.

"Not if you're Black," Goldberg insisted and Hostin added, "not for everybody."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Hanna Panreck.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a forceful statement Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, expressing his government’s commitment to stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid the ongoing military campaign.

“We will not let the world’s most dangerous regime get the world’s most dangerous weapon,” Netanyahu wrote.

The post comes as Israeli airstrikes continue to target Iranian nuclear and military sites in and around Tehran in what the IDF calls a strategic campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capabilities.

The statement quickly drew a flood of responses online, including support from some Iranian users.

One reply read: “As an Iranian I want to thank you for the incredible hard and important task you’ve took on. From Cyrus the Great to Benjamin Netanyahu. What times to be alive.”

The Israeli government has framed its strikes in Iran as both defensive and preemptive. Netanyahu’s comment adds to a growing list of official declarations positioning the conflict not just as a matter of national defense, but global security.

France's President Emmanuel Macron attends a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 Leaders' Summit on June 16, 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada. Keir Starmer is attending his first G7 leaders' summit, where issues on the table for discussion are the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as well as the failure to bring peace to Ukraine. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett-Pool/Getty Images)

France, backed by its European partners, is spearheading a diplomatic initiative to end the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Agence France-Presse announced Wednesday, citing the office of French President Emmanuel Macron.During final G7 discussions in Canada,

President Macron sounded a measured warning, saying: “We do not want to see Iran acquire nuclear weapons or ballistic capabilities,” but urged caution over military escalation, adding, “the greatest mistake today would be to pursue regime change in Iran through military means, as that would lead to chaos.”

A joint release from G7 leaders expressed that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon” and backed Israel’s right to defend itself, while urging broader de‑escalation throughout the region.

France’s proposed initiative aims to unite European diplomacy in calling on both Iran and Israel to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table.

This picture released on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, by the Iranian armed forces claims to show an Israeli drone after being targeted in the central city of Isfahan area, Iran. (Iranian Armed Forces via AP)

An Israeli strike hit a police station in Tehran on Wednesday and wounded some officers, according to media reports.

“Some buildings around the headquarters of the National Police were attacked, and a number of our colleagues were injured,” the state media IRNA news agency said, the Times of Israel reported.

Information about the number of people injured wasn't immediately available.

Senator Cruz minced no words when pressed by the AP regarding the potential of U.S. troops in Iran amid escalating conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, speaking to the Associated Press, made it clear that the U.S. will not be deploying boots on the ground in Iran amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

Cruz told the AP, “In terms of U.S. involvement in military action, there is zero possibility of American boots on the ground in Iran.”

Still, the senator said he’s discussed the situation with President Trump and believes there’s room for targeted U.S. strikes "quite reasonably" hitting an Iranian nuclear facility that's deep underground, without full-scale invasion.

The Texas Senator argued Iran was working to build a nuclear bomb intended to threaten America, but declined to comment on whether strikes could escalate into a broader regional war.

An aerial tanker is seen refueling an Israeli military fighter plane. (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces said aerial tankers have performed more than 600 refuelings of fighter jets over the Middle East, allowing them to operate above Iran.

“Aerial refueling is a necessary component of the Air Force's operations in Iran, through which it is possible to maintain air superiority in the region,” the IDF said in a news release. "The IDF will continue to act as necessary to protect the security of the citizens of the State of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu delivers an address to the people of Israel, Wednesday, June 18. Credit: GPO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a national address Wednesday night, marking the sixth day of “Operation Am KeLavi” (“Rising Lion”), Israel’s ongoing military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

In remarks translated from Hebrew, Netanyahu said the operation is aimed at eliminating “two existing threats to the State of Israel: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat.”

He declared that Israel is “making progress, step by step, in removing these threats.”

“We have control over the skies of Tehran,” Netanyahu said. “We are striking the Ayatollah regime with tremendous force. We are hitting nuclear sites, missiles, headquarters, and symbols of power.”

The prime minister also praised Israeli citizens for their resilience, saying he had heard “tremendous admiration” from world leaders for the Israeli public and for the accomplishments of the military.

“The people are strong, and the State of Israel is stronger than ever,” he said.He acknowledged that Israel is suffering “painful losses” and confirmed that fierce fighting continues in the Gaza Strip, where the IDF remains focused on two objectives: defeating Hamas and securing the return of all hostages.

“We will not relent,” Netanyahu vowed.Addressing the Israeli families mourning recent battlefield deaths, he added: “We send condolences on behalf of the government and the entire nation. We embrace them.”

Netanyahu also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him “a great friend of the State of Israel.” He said the United States has been instrumental in supporting Israel’s air defense efforts. “We are in continuous communication, including last night. It was a very warm conversation.”

Concluding the speech, Netanyahu told citizens: “Together we will fight—and with God’s help, together we will prevail.”

Israeli fighter jets attacked Iranian missile productions sites, according to a video released by the Israeli Air Force. (Israeli Air Force)

Israeli fighter jets attacked an Iranian missile production site, the air force said Wednesday.

“During the night, Air Force fighter jets, under the direction of the Intelligence Branch, attacked a site in Iran for the production of anti-tank missiles, which were transferred by the Iranian regime to its proxies via foreign countries for the purpose of terrorist activity against the State of Israel," the Israeli Air Force wrote on X.

“For years, the Iranian regime has armed the terrorist organizations surrounding the State of Israel, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the GNA, and the Houthi terrorist regime. These organizations were severely damaged by the IDF during the war,” a separate post states.

Israel is continuing to target missile production sites across Iran as the back-and-forth strikes continue to escalate.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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.