Iran attacks Israel despite US strikes on nuclear sites, Trump calls for 'peace'

Despite a recent barrage of Iranian missiles targeting northern Israel, there were no immediate reports of injuries or impacts, prompting authorities to announce that civilians could leave bomb shelters.

Meanwhile, the IDF reportedly stepped up attacks on critical targets in Iran, according to the Times of Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF is “currently striking with unprecedented force regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.”

“Images will soon be released, illustrating the depth of the damage,” he said in a statement.

“For every [missile] fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be severely punished, and the strikes will continue with full intensity. We will continue to act to defend the home front and defeat the enemy until all war objectives are achieved."

The IDF reportedly struck six airports across Iran early Monday morning, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The strikes damaged runways, bunkers, refueling aircraft, and a variety of fighter jets, including F-14s, F-5s, and AH-1s.

The IDF further claimed the targeted aircraft were intended to be used to strike Israel.

Additionally, during the operation an Israeli Air Force remotely piloted aircraft was downed in Iranian territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu projected optimism during a pre-recorded press conference Sunday evening, claiming Israel was on course with respect to its dual goals of destroying Iran's ballistic missiles and nuclear facilities, according to the Times of Israel.

Yet, he pledged to avoid a "war of attrition" and emphasized that Israeli action would continue until its objectives had been completed.

“When the objectives are achieved, then the operation is complete and the fighting will stop,” he said, emphasizing that Israel does not seek a protracted conflict.

“I have no doubt that this is a regime that wants to wipe us out, and that’s why we embarked on this operation to eliminate the two concrete threats to our existence: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. We are moving step by step towards achieving these goals. We are very, very close to completing them."

The IDF is reporting that an Iranian missile that struck a public square in Haifa yesterday was due to a failure in missile detection technology, rather than a defective interceptor, as originally thought.

Because of this failure, sirens did not sound and interceptors were not launched. Authorities said that early warning through the cell broadcast system lessened the loss of human life, as many had already sought shelter.

An investigation determined that the missile in question separated mid-air from its warhead, and interceptors struck only the back section, allowing the missile to strike Haifa undetected.

The Israeli Air Force is reporting success in its mission targeting a major ballistic missile launch site, according to a report from The Times of Israel.

The strikes, which were reportedly carried out with over 15 fighter jets, demolished storage and launch sites in the vicinity of the western city of Kermanshah, roughly 300 miles west of Tehran, close to the Iraqi border.

The IDF alleges that the site was being used to target Israel. Israel has enjoyed considerable air superiority and access to Iran's skies as the two perennial enemies have traded missile strikes.

Americans traveling abroad are being urged to exercise caution worldwide, as the war between Israel and Iran has resulted in travel disruptions globally.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning to those traveling around the world, citing the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens.

"The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East," the State Department said in its Worldwide Caution advisory. "There is potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution."

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

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeking assistance from China to exert pressure on Iran in order to prevent their threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route.

Iranian state media had recently reported on such a plan, but emphasized that it would require clearance from the nation's Supreme National Security Council.

China is the world's largest purchaser of Iranian oil, and the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites has sent prices skyrocketing.

Roughly 20% of the world's crude passes through the critical shipping lane.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio stated, "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them (Iran) about that, because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil...it will be economic suicide for them. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department amended and deleted a social media post Sunday where it expressed condolences for the "tragic" U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran," the post on X stated. "While this tragic event happened overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state and federal partners."

The department eventually amended the post, which deleted the sentence regarding the U.S. strikes before it was removed from X altogether. It was not clear if anyone was harmed or killed during the operation. 

A sheriff's department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that he wasn't aware of the initial post expressing condolences. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Louis Casiano.

Preparations to resume outbound flights from Israel are underway, according to the Times of Israel, with carriers publishing flight destinations subject to the approval of authorities.

The flights will have strict 50-passenger limits per plane.

Israel first closed its airspace on June 13 after it began attacking Iranian nuclear assets.

President Trump will hold a closed-press meeting with his national security team at 1 p.m. on Monday, according to a White House schedule made public by Roll Call.

Furthermore, Trump touted "monumental damage" to "all Nuclear sites in Iran" in a Sunday night post to Truth Social, further claiming that "the biggest damage took place far below ground level."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told The Jerusalem Post that “the chance of a Saudi-Israel deal went dramatically up" following President Trump's strikes on Iran.

Graham expressed his belief that the strikes are a show of American might, and prove its standing as a reliable ally for Middle Eastern nations that are “are threatened by Iran."

Graham did, however, acknowledge that Riyadh still wants to see progress on Gaza.

Furthermore, Graham implored the Trump administration to ensure that Jerusalem has "what it needs" for further action against Iranian assets.

New commercial satellite imagery suggests extensive damage to – and the possible destruction of – Iran's Fordow nuclear facility following a U.S. strike earlier this week, according to experts cited by the Times of Israel.

Six craters appear to have been blown in the face of the mountain above the facility.

“I would expect that the facility is probably toast," Institute for Science and International Security President David Albright said.

However, the area housing the centrifuges is “too deeply buried for us to evaluate the level of damage based on satellite imagery,” according to Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at the CNA Corporation.

Former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, meanwhile, estimated that Iran lost “90% of its nuclear abilities” while speaking with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Sunday night.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a week to convince President Donald Trump to go all-out in striking Iran's nuclear facilities, according to The Jerusalem Post.

“Four days ago, there was a phone call between Netanyahu and the US president, during which Trump said, ‘I’ve decided to launch a strike’,” said an Israeli official to the outlet.

Initially, Trump only planned on striking the Fordow enrichment facility.

However, Netanyahu urged that the president "finish the job," an official told the Post, with the U.S. ultimately finding itself able to strike targets that Jerusalem "had trouble reaching."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed support for U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities Monday in a series of radio and TV interviews.

“We support action that the US has taken to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Wong told Seven Sunrise.

“We do not want to see escalation,” she further told reporters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also signaled support for the strikes, but denied that Canberra provided any resources for the "unilateral" action by the Trump administration.

Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, a figurehead of the school's anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian student demonstrations who made national headlines after his ICE detention, is back to protesting after being released on bail.

Khalil appeared Sunday at a rally protesting U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The demonstration reportedly quickly turned into a homecoming rally for the Syrian-born activist.

The Times of Israel contributed to this report.

President Trump shared that the U.S. strikes on three of Iran's main nuclear facilities caused "monumental damage."

“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,” Trump shared in a Truth Social post.

“Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame,” he described.

"The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!'

Iran's supreme leader on Sunday promised “punishment” for Israel as both nations continue to engage in retaliatory strikes.

"The punishment continues," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X. “The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime; it must be punished and it is being punished; it is being punished right now.”

The social media post came as Israel warned of a missile launch from Iran. 

Israeli media reported that one ballistic missile was launched from Iran in the latest attack in the Middle East, according to preliminary Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assessments.

The missile, which triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area in central Israel, was intercepted.

Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst also shared “incoming missile alerts” on his X account prior to the attack.

There are no immediate reports of injuries, according to Israeli media.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke with several governors on Sunday about possible threats linked to Iran.

A few of the governors took to social media following the phone call.

“I appreciate the Administration’s coordination," Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, wrote on X. "Arizona remains vigilant and prepared to protect our communities and critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats.”

“We are coordinating with law enforcement on all levels as we closely monitor any possible threats," wrote Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. "May God continue to Bless our troops and first responders.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe urged residents across the state to report suspicious activity.

“The ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States — including both cyber attacks and retaliatory violence by extremists,” he said.

On Saturday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she received intelligence briefings and was monitoring “the evolving situation in Iran alongside federal and local partners.”

"The New York State Police are working to protect at-risk sites and fight cyberattacks," she wrote on social media.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said state authorities were monitoring for any potential impacts.

“While there are no specific or credible counter threats we are aware of at this time, we urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity,” he said on Saturday.