Israel-Iran conflict LIVE | I may, or may not: Trump on joining 'war' against Iran
US President says Iran is trying to negotiate, but he says it's unlikely
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (June 18) hinted at potential negotiations with Iran but insisted that the country must agree to "unconditional surrender''.
Interestingly, Trump remained ambiguous US' future plan, saying, "I can't say that. I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I want to do. But I can say this: Iran's got a lot of trouble and wants to negotiate."
He claimed that Iranian negotiators had floated the idea of visiting the White House, though he described the prospect as uncertain.
Iran's warning to Trump
Iran issued a stern warning to Donald Trump, declaring that any form of American military intervention would result in "irreparable harm," according to an official statement.
The statement by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Iran would not yield to threats, asserting that the nation and its people have a long history of resilience. "Wise individuals who understand Iran, its people, and its history never address this nation with threats, because Iranians do not surrender," it read.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, though no specific military action has been indicated by the U.S.
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Live Updates
- 18 Jun 2025 3:19 PM IST
Khamenei to address the nation soon: Report
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to address the nation soon, reports BBC quoting Iranian state television.
- 18 Jun 2025 3:05 PM IST
Iranian diplomat warns Israel, US of "strong" response to aggression
A top Iranian diplomat says his country will “respond strongly” to Israel's “aggression” and will do so likewise against the United States if US forces join the conflict between the rival Middle East powers as it moved into a sixth day on Wednesday.
Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador in Geneva, sought to project a defiant message from Tehran and defended its nuclear program as purely peaceful and designed for civilian use at a long-planned news conference with the United Nations press corps in the Swiss city.
Overnight, the United States moved air force refuelling tankers and C17s to European bases in Prestwick, Scotland, and Aviano in Italy, according to Aurora Intel, a group that reviews open source information in real time in the Middle East. AP
- 18 Jun 2025 2:55 PM IST
Iran says it launched hypersonic missiles at Israel
Within hours after the US President’s demand of “complete surrender” from Iran, Tehran said that it had fired hypersonic missiles in its latest overnight strikes on Israel.
Although the US president has said that Washington has no role to play in the airstrikes on Iran, conducted by its ally Israel, he warned that his patience was wearing thin.
- 18 Jun 2025 2:49 PM IST
Iran-Israel conflict: Bunker-busting bomb missing from Israel's arsenal
The powerful US-made bunker-busting bomb is the only weapon that can destroy Iran’s fortified underground nuclear facilities is missing from Israel’s arsenal, reports AFP. It further states that in case the US decides to join the strikes on Iran, the bomb would be the “weapon of choice” for President Donald Trump.
The report states that the bomb officially known as the GBU-57 weighs a whopping 13,607 kg and has a warhead capable of penetrating 200 feet underground before detonating.
- 18 Jun 2025 2:40 PM IST
Israel running short of interceptor missiles: Report
At a time when it is trading airstrikes with Iran, Israel is reportedly facing a shortage of “Arrow” interceptor missile. A report in the Wall Street Journal quotes a US official as expressing concern about Israel’s current ability to counter the long-range ballistic missiles of Iran.
- 18 Jun 2025 1:16 PM IST
US mulling to join Israel’s strike, attacking Iran’s nuclear facility: CBS report
CBS report says Trump is considering joining Israel’s strikes on Iran. A potential target is Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility.
While the nuclear facility is situated deep underground, only the US has a 30,000lb bomb that could penetrate and destroy it.
Trump’s advisors, however, are said to be divided over the move.
- 18 Jun 2025 12:18 PM IST
Iran-Israel conflict may not be very good for India: CEA Nageswaran
India’s Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict may not be very good for India.
He said the global growth drop could also stretch on for years.
However, Nageswaran, speaking to news agency ANI, refused to equate the impact of the present situation with the global financial crisis in 2008. He said this time it could be a slow-moving event that lasts several years.
The CEA said the rise in crude oil prices raises essential risks for India. He said a lot depends on how much further the crude oil prices could rise and how long that period lasts.
But he also clarified that in 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war began, crude oil prices went above $100 per barrel, and yet the Indian economy was able to sustain a 7 per cent growth rate.
