Israel-Iran live: Blast 'destroys prison gates' as Israeli strikes target 'heart of Tehran'; Iran's supreme leader sends letter to Putin

Plans to proscribe protest group Palestine Action 'irrational', member says

UK government plans to proscribe Palestine Action, effectively branding it as a terrorist organisation, are "irrational", a member of the protest group has said.

The group targeted RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last week, and vandalised two military planes.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is preparing a written ministerial statement which would make becoming a member of the group illegal.

Palestine Action member Saeed Farouk told Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast earlier it was a "knee-jerk reaction from the government".

It is trying to "rush" the ban through based on the fact the group "was able to humiliate them and show serious flaws in the defences of the RAF base itself," Farouk argued.

He said the proposal was "absurd" and he could not speculate at this point what the plans were for the group if proscribed.

"It is a Britain-based, civil society-based action group. It will put the group on a list of people like ISIS, which is irrational. It makes no sense whatsoever," he added.

Asked if the group regretted the decision to target the RAF base, Farouk said: "Not at all.

"We're in the middle of one of the most widely documented genocides, not only in my lifetime, but in history. 

"The British people have made it absolutely clear that they won't accept the government's role in the genocide, the government's role in supporting Israel, and the only way that the British people have found to stop it is to be directly involved in breaking the material chain. 

"This is what was necessary."

Kremlin says Iranian minister had good meeting with Putin

After meeting with Vladimir Putin, Iran's foreign minister has said he had a good meeting with the Russian leader, Russia's state news agency RIA reports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Abbas Araghchi discussed developments in the Middle East in detail, with a particular focus on steering the regional situation toward a peaceful resolution.

As we reported earlier, during their meeting today Putin condemned the "unprovoked aggression" towards Iran.

He also said the strikes on the country had "no basis and no justification."

He added that Russia - one of Iran's key allies - was making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people.

Germany adapting precautions in case of Iran retaliation

The German government is adapting its precautions in case of possible retaliatory strikes by Iran in close consultation with partners, a government official has said.

After the US attacked key Iranian nuclear sites this weekend, there have been fears over how Iran will respond.

Iran has vowed to defend itself after the US dropped 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs onto the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site.

In a post to the Truth Social platform, Donald Trump also raised the idea of regime change in Iran. 

Speaking on its adaptation of precautions today, a German official said: "We have done so since before the operations began. We will continue to do so. 

"But we are making ongoing adjustments and are in very close and very constructive consultation with our partners".

NATO chief: Iran must not develop nuclear weapon

NATO chief Mark Rutte is speaking ahead of the NATO summit.

Addressing the situation in Iran, he says that NATO allies have long agreed that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon.

"Allies have repeatedly urged Iran to meet its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he says.

Rutte goes on to say the alliance's new defence investment plan will be 5% of GDP and this will help ensure security and defence.

"As leaders begin to gather for the summit here, this is our focus - ensuring we have all we need to deter and defend against any threat," he adds.

He notes the most "significant threat" facing the defence alliance is Russia.

Exiled son of Iran's last shah calls on supreme leader to step down

As the Israel-Iran conflict continues, a news conference in Paris might not seem hugely significant.

But today the son of the last shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, has been pitching himself as the steward of a "democratic transition" in his homeland, and has called on the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to "step down" - saying he will "receive a fair trial" if he does.

Pahlavi's father was deposed in 1979 by the Islamic Revolution, which led to today's Islamic republic in the country.

Speaking at the Maison de la Chimie conference centre in Paris, Pahlavi said Iran is at a "crossroads", with one path offering "bloodshed and chaos", and the other a "peaceful democratic transition".

Asked during pre-selected questions from journalists whether he'd like regime change to be a goal of the US and Israel, Pahlavi said it was "not any foreign government’s job" to "define regime change" but to "recognise that this is the ask of the Iranian people", according to our US partner NBC News.

"Where do Western democracies stand?" he asked. "Are they going to continue throwing the regime a lifeline, or recognise that this is a golden opportunity?"

Why does this matter?

It might not - there will undoubtedly be scepticism about Pahlavi's actual influence, intentions and democratic credentials.

But since the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities at the weekend, there has been debate about Donald Trump's long-term ambition for the country.

Pete Hegseth, his defence secretary, said in a news conference at the Pentagon yesterday that the US did not want regime change in Iran. JD Vance, Trump's vice president, also said the US is not at war with Iran but with its ambition to have a nuclear weapon.

As is his way, Donald Trump has muddied the waters on Truth Social, though. He suggested overnight he could be open to a change of government in Iran.

"If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!," the US president wrote. 

Despite protests in Iran in recent years, if the current rulers were overthrown - a big if, given the control exerted by the current regime, even in its now weakened state - there would be uncertainty about whatever came next.

Pahlavi, though, is one of the few figures able to oppose the supreme leader publicly.

Iran says prison 'under control' despite Israeli strikes

Earlier, we brought you footage of an Israeli strike apparently blowing the entrance gates off at Evin Prison in Iran (see 11.49 post).

Despite the strikes, the jail in Tehran is "under control", according to the Iranian authorities.

The Iranian Judiciary Media Centre said the situation at the jail is "now stable" and "all resources have been mobilised to manage the situation".

The prison is known for incarcerating dissidents, political activists and journalists.

Israel said earlier it was explicitly targeting the "heart of Tehran".

Israel's attack damaged parts of the prison, the Iranian Judiciary Media Centre said, adding that it was "clearly carried out in violation of international law".

Qatar: Embassy advice doesn't reflect threats here

We have just heard from the Qatari government after the US embassy in Qatar told its citizens in the country to "shelter in place" until further notice (see post at 12.17pm).

Dr Majed Al Ansari, Qatar's official foreign ministry spokesperson, has said the security situation in the country is "stable" and the advisories issued by a number of embassies to their nationals "do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats".

The official also said the authorities are closely monitoring the situation and remain "fully prepared" to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens, residents and visitors.

Air France suspends Tel Aviv flights until 14 July

Air France has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until 14 July, a spokesperson for the airline has said.

The operator has also cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until 24 June.

Flights to and from Beirut in Lebanon are also suspended until 25 June, the airline has said.

Separately, Finland-based airline Finnair said on Monday it had cancelled its flights to and from Qatar's capital Doha until 30 June due to the security situation in the Middle East. 

Impact of Israeli and American attacks on Iran's nuclear programme 'huge'

The impact of the Israeli and American attacks on Iran's nuclear programme has been "huge", the former UK ambassador to Iran has said.

Rob Macaire told Sky's presenter Leah Boleto that when it came to the Fordow nuclear site it was unclear what was happening under the ground and it may take some time to know.

"The cumulative impact of the Israeli attacks and the US attacks on Iran's nuclear programme has seen huge damage," he said.

"The question is whether Iran comes out of this determined to rebuild that programme and to try to get towards a nuclear weapon as a result of this - or whether it comes out of it recognising that's not going to be an option and seeing if there is a negotiation route for them

"That is what is to play for now."

Strikes in Iran and Israel

Israel has said today it hit Iranian government targets in Tehran in a series of strikes, including the notorious Evin Prison in the Iranian capital and the security headquarters of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.

Meanwhile, Iran described its attack on Israel as a new wave of its operation, saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. 

Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem. 

It follows US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, which prompted fears of a wider regional conflict. 

Putin hosts Iran's foreign minister - as supreme leader asks for help

We have reporting today on Vladimir Putin meeting with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, in which the Russian leader condemned the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

During the meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Putin also said Russia was "making efforts to assist the Iranian people".

Earlier, a source told Reuters that Iran's foreign minister would hand a letter to Putin from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei seeking Russia's support.

Iranian sources did not elaborate on what assistance Tehran wanted but it is reported that Iran is not impressed with its long time ally Russia's support so far and the country wants Putin to do more to back it against Israel and the US.

UK's focus 'is on diplomacy' in Iran, Downing Street says

There have been many questions directed to the UK government over whether it is in agreement with US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.

And now a Downing Street spokesman has issued the following statement...

"We're clear that the prevention of Iran getting nuclear weapons is a good thing for this country.

"But our focus is on diplomacy. That is the priority and that is what every member of this government is working towards and that's been the focus of the calls with international partners over the weekend."

The spokesman added: "Iran should take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks."

China evacuates more than 3,600 citizens from Iran and Israel

More than 3,000 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Iran, according to China's foreign ministry as Israeli attacks continue.

Some 3,125 Chinese nationals have left the country, with another 500 departing from Israel, which is being hit by retaliatory Iranian strikes.

The Chinese foreign ministry said all of its citizens who wanted to evacuate have now left safely.

Israeli ambassador challenged on deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza

Israel's ambassador to the UK was challenged on the deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza on Sky News Breakfast earlier.

Asked about the number of deaths in Gaza, particularly of children, Tzipi Hotovely told Sky's Wilfred Frost that Israel was "not interested in wars" and Israel "never targets civilians".

She said Israel is "not there to kill anyone" and "never targeted the children" in hospitals.

"For every life lost in Gaza, you need to blame Hamas for committing the crimes on 7 October and for committing the war crimes by using people as human shields," she said.

'A great service for the whole world'

Speaking about the weekend's US strikes on Iran and the recent conflict, she also said the "world is a safer place" because Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

She said the US helping Israel was "one of the most brilliant co-operations" between American and Israeli armies, and the "coordination was intimate to achieve the goal of preventing Iran having nuclear power".

"Israel is doing a great service for the whole world," she added.

"We are fighting an existential threat to our country, but at the same time, we are fighting a regime that was spreading death and terrorism all around the world.

"We made the world a much safer place."

US embassy in Qatar tells citizens to shelter

The US embassy in Qatar has issued a message to US citizens in the country, recommending they "shelter in place" until further notice.

The message notes the recommendation is "out of an abundance of caution" but offers no further information.

IDF says it struck Fordow to 'obstruct access routes'

We have more to bring you now on the latest strike at the Fordow nuclear site.

The IDF has now confirmed reports that there was another strike on the facility and said it was "in order to obstruct access routes" to the sites.

Earlier, an Iranian spokesperson for Qom province's crisis management headquarters told the Tasnim news agency that Fordow had been hit once more.

This came after the US dropped the biggest conventional bombs in its arsenal on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday to try to eliminate nuclear sites, including the Fordow uranium-enrichment plant dug into a mountain.

Donald Trump and members of his government said the sites had been "obliterated" and that they could not accept a nuclear-armed Iran.

-SKY NEWS