US president Donald Trump has denied that he left a G7 leaders summit in Canada early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in a social media post in which he also derided Emmanuel Macron as “publicity seeking”. The US president said Macron had “no idea” why he was returning to Washington and that the reason was “much bigger” than a ceasefire. Earlier, Macron had suggested that Trump had made a ceasefire “offer”.
G7 leaders have affirmed that “Israel has a right to defend itself”. The leaders said that they reiterate their support for the security of Israel, in a statement in which they called Iran “the principal source of regional instability and terror”.
Trump also said he wanted a “real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran “giving up entirely” on nuclear weapons, according to comments that were posted by a CBS News reporter on X. Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday.
Heavy traffic could be seen from Tehran after Trump told Iranians to ‘immediately evacuate’. The comments from the president came not long after Israel told people to evacuate a large part of Tehran ahead of a bombing campaign – similar to its tactics in Gaza where it has killed tens of thousands of civilians.
The Israeli military claimed on Tuesday to have assassinated Ali Shadmani, who it identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff, Reuters reports. The Israelis described Shadmani as Iran’s “most senior military commander”. Shadmani was appointed to his role after the assassination of Gholamali Rashid last week by Israeli forces, who was the former head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
At least 47 Palestinians have been killed as they awaited aid trucks in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the territory’s civil defence agency said in a statement. The agency added that over 200 had been wounded as a result. The reports come after five Palestinian civilians were killed and several others injured after Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting for aid in north-west Gaza city.
Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, said 300 casualties had arrived after being attacked by “tanks” while waiting for food. He added that the hospital could “no longer deal with such high numbers of cases”.
A staffer at the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB has died after an Israeli attack on the building during a live broadcast, Iranian media has reported. Masoumeh Azimi succumbed to severe injuries caused by the shockwave from the attack, Press TV, which is owned by IRIB, reported. Several other journalists were also injured, it said. It was not possible to independently confirm the report.
US defence ministry spokespeople have denied reports online that the US has joined attacks on Iran. “This is not true”, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X in response to one such post.
Key events
China has said some of its citizens have been able to leave Iran, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Bejing:
At present, some Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated to neighbouring countries.
Israel and Iran have both closed their airspace since the conflict broke out when Israel began striking military and nuclear targets in Iran on Friday.
The Thai government has ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran, a spokesperson said Tuesday, as the two sides exchanged missile fire for a fifth day, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.
There are an estimated 40,000 Thai nationals currently living in Israel, most working on farms under a government labour scheme, and about 300 nationals living in Iran.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters after a cabinet meeting:
We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare planes to bring them home from Israel and Iran.
He said Thai embassies in both countries have prepared evacuation plans for nationals.
The Thai embassy in Tehran announced on its official Facebook page that it had set up a temporary shelter for citizens outside the capital.
Summary
US president Donald Trump has denied that he left a G7 leaders summit in Canada early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in a social media post in which he also derided Emmanuel Macron as “publicity seeking”. The US president said Macron had “no idea” why he was returning to Washington and that the reason was “much bigger” than a ceasefire. Earlier, Macron had suggested that Trump had made a ceasefire “offer”.
G7 leaders have affirmed that “Israel has a right to defend itself”. The leaders said that they reiterate their support for the security of Israel, in a statement in which they called Iran “the principal source of regional instability and terror”.
Trump also said he wanted a “real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran “giving up entirely” on nuclear weapons, according to comments that were posted by a CBS News reporter on X. Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday.
Heavy traffic could be seen from Tehran after Trump told Iranians to ‘immediately evacuate’. The comments from the president came not long after Israel told people to evacuate a large part of Tehran ahead of a bombing campaign – similar to its tactics in Gaza where it has killed tens of thousands of civilians.
The Israeli military claimed on Tuesday to have assassinated Ali Shadmani, who it identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff, Reuters reports. The Israelis described Shadmani as Iran’s “most senior military commander”. Shadmani was appointed to his role after the assassination of Gholamali Rashid last week by Israeli forces, who was the former head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
At least 47 Palestinians have been killed as they awaited aid trucks in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the territory’s civil defence agency said in a statement. The agency added that over 200 had been wounded as a result. The reports come after five Palestinian civilians were killed and several others injured after Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting for aid in north-west Gaza city.
Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, said 300 casualties had arrived after being attacked by “tanks” while waiting for food. He added that the hospital could “no longer deal with such high numbers of cases”.
A staffer at the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB has died after an Israeli attack on the building during a live broadcast, Iranian media has reported. Masoumeh Azimi succumbed to severe injuries caused by the shockwave from the attack, Press TV, which is owned by IRIB, reported. Several other journalists were also injured, it said. It was not possible to independently confirm the report.
US defence ministry spokespeople have denied reports online that the US has joined attacks on Iran. “This is not true”, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X in response to one such post.
Gaza’s civil defence agency has said that the earlier tank shellfire from Israeli forces has killed at least 47 people gathered near an aid distribution site in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at least 47 people were killed and more than 200 wounded as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive flour at a charity aid centre in the morning.
He said:
Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded.
The shellfire did not appear to be related to a new Israeli and US supported aid delivery network that rolled out last month, which has been marred by controversy and violence, reports the Associated Press (AP).
Iran said it destroyed strategic targets in Israel overnight using drones, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.
The move comes as intense strikes between the arch-foes raged for a fifth day on Tuesday.
General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the army’s ground forces, was quoted as saying by state television:
Various types of destructive drones, equipped with precise destruction and targeting capabilities, destroyed strategic positions of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The Gaza Health Ministry has stated that the 45 Palestinians killed while awaiting aid trunks in Khan Younis died as a result of Israeli tank shellfire, Reuters reports.
The health ministry added that dozens of other individuals were wounded as a result.
Medics said residents said Israeli tanks fired shells against crowds of desperate Palestinians awaiting aid trucks along the main eastern road in Khan Younis.
The medics said they expected the number of fatalities to rise as many of the wounded were in critical condition.
A ministry statement added that the Nasser hospital, where the casualties were rushed to, had been overwhelmed by the number of deaths and injuries.
There was no immediate comment by the Israeli military on the incident.
Nearly 300 casualties arrive at Nasser hospital
Julian Borger
Nearly 300 casualties have been reported by a staff member of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza strip, as shared by my colleagues Julian Borger and Lorenzo Tondo.
Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at the hospital, said the individuals arriving at the hospital had been attacked by “tanks” while waiting for food.
He said:
Nearly 300 mortalities and casualties have just arrived at Nasser Hospital… The situation is now out of control.
The hospital can no longer deal with such high numbers of cases.
Wounded Palestinians are being brought to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Trump seeking ‘real end’ to Iranian nuclear issue – reports
US president Donald Trump said he wanted a “real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran “giving up entirely” on nuclear weapons, according to comments that were posted by a CBS News reporter on X.
Trump made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada, where he attended the Group of Seven nations summit on Monday, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday.
Trump predicted that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran.
He said:
You’re going to find out over the next two days. You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far.
The president added that he “may” send US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff or vice-president JD Vance to meet with Iran.
However, he added that “it depends what happens when I get back”. Asked on whether US involvement would destroy the Iranian nuclear programme, he said he hoped their programme would be “wiped out long before that”.
Israeli fire kills at least 45 Palestinians in Khan Younis
Reuters reports that Israeli fire killed at least 45 Palestinians as they awaited aid trucks in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the territory’s health ministry said in a statement.
The health ministry added that dozens of others were wounded as a result.
The event comes after five Palestinian civilians were killed, along with several others wounded, after Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting for aid in north-west Gaza City on Monday evening.
Monday also saw 37 people being killed in shootings near food distribution centres run by private US contractors guarded by Israeli troops,
Local media have stated that two explosions were heard on Tuesday in Iran’s northwestern city of Tabriz, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Ham Mihan newspaper reported two explosions occurring in the city “five minutes apart”.
“Thick smoke was seen around Tabriz Tuesday morning after the explosion,” Mehr news agency reported, publishing a video from the city, which lies more than 600 kilometres (375 miles) from Tehran.
India has urged its citizens to leave Tehran, while some nationals have already fled across the Iranian border as the country comes under Israeli bombardment, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
With Israel vowing to keep up its attacks four days after launching its assault on Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes, New Delhi said Indian students have already left Tehran.
The foreign ministry said in a statement:
Residents who are self sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation.
New Delhi said “some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia”, hundreds of kilometres northwest of Tehran.
The foreign ministry did not share how many of its citizens have been affected in Iran, while government data last year stated there were around 10,000 Indians in the country.
Thousands of Indians are also in Israel, and New Delhi has issued warnings for its citizens there to “stay vigilant”.
The Israeli military has released a statement saying people have been told they can leave protected spaces in several areas across the country, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
It said search and rescue teams were operating in several locations where “reports of fallen projectiles were received.”
In a statement on Telegram, the Israeli police reported that “missiles and shrapnel fell in the Tel Aviv area, causing material damage but no injuries.”
The fire and rescue service said there was an initial report of a “missile strike and fire” in the Dan district, an area surrounding Tel Aviv.
The service said in a statement:
Around 08:45 (0545 GMT), numerous calls were received … regarding a missile strike and a fire in the Gush Dan area. Firefighting forces are on their way to the scene.
Israeli military assassinates Iran’s wartime chief of staff
The Israeli military claimed on Tuesday to have assassinated Ali Shadmani, who it identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff, Reuters reports.
The Israelis described Shadmani as Iran’s “most senior military commander”.
Shadmani was appointed to his role after the assassination of Gholamali Rashid last week by Israeli forces, who was the former head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
Major General Ali Shadmani who was purportedly killed by Israel Photograph: www.khamenai.ir
Loud booms were heard over Tel Aviv as well as Jerusalem on Tuesday, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The explosions came after air raid sirens sounded in several parts of Israel and the military warned of incoming Iranian missiles.
The military said in a statement that the air force was “operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat.”
They said:
A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel
Explosions have been heard in Jerusalem, while emergency services are reporting a direct hit in central Israel, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported shortly after the Israeli military warned of an incoming wave of Iranian missiles.
The Israeli military says another wave of missiles has been launched from Iran and warned Israelis to find shelter.
Trump says he did not leave G7 summit to work on Israel-Iran ceasefire
Donald Trump has denied that he left a G7 leaders summit in Canada early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in a social media post in which he also derided Emmanuel Macron as “publicity seeking”.
Trump said the French president had “no idea” why he was returning to Washington and that the reason was “much bigger” than a ceasefire. Earlier, Macron had suggested that Trump had made a ceasefire “offer”. Trump’s post in full:
Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a “cease fire” between Israel and Iran. Wrong!
He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, centre, and US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Canadian Press/Shutterstock
The Israeli military claims it destroyed “dozens of ground-to-ground missile storage and launch facilities, as well as ground-to-air missile launchers” in western Iran overnight. In a post on X it added:
Air Force fighter jets completed several waves of strikes last night targeting dozens of military targets of the Iranian regime in western Iran.
It was not possible to verify the claim.
As we reported earlier, one target of Israeli strikes on Monday night was the state broadcaster. Journalists are considered civilians under international humanitarian law and deliberately targeting them is a war crime.
Here’s our latest gallery from the Israel-Iran conflict:
