Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed on social media that no agreement had been reached on a ceasefire, though the country will comply once Israel stops its attacks on Iran.
“As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around,” Araghchi said in a post on X Monday night. “As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.
“However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” he continued. “The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
He later posted, “The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.”
“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute,” Araghchi said.
The foreign minister’s announcement comes nearly two hours after President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Israel and Iran, though the former only agreed to a ceasefire as long as Iran stopped launching attacks on them.
A timeline of the events leading up to the Israel-Iran ceasefire
The timeline of events leading up to the ceasefire between Israel and Iran began on Saturday when the U.S. conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
That was met with Iran’s response in the form of a missile strike targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which was widely condemned across the Arab world.
The move was a “face-saving attempt by the Iranian regime” after the U.S. strikes, Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin said Monday on “Hannity.”
Only one missile struck the military base and the rest were intercepted, officials said. No one was hurt and no significant damage was reported.
As hostilities continued, Trump announced on Monday evening that Israel and Iran has reached a ceasefire deal.
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Massie says he will withdraw war powers resolution if ceasefire holds
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on Monday said he would take “a wait and see approach” regarding his measure to limit U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Massie said he wouldn’t press for a vote on his war powers resolution if a ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump holds.
“If the ceasefire becomes a truce and holds, we won’t press for the vote” he said. “We need to hear from Iran and Israel, and also whether our own President is satisfied that the predicate for his first attack, nuclear weapons, no longer exists.”
Massie, a conservative libertarian who has long been wary of foreign intervention by the U.S., has been one of the most vocal critics of the Trump administration’s recent operation to target Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this post.
White House official: Israel-Iran ceasefire only possible due to Trump’s leadership
A senior White House official told Fox News that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran was only made possible because of President Donald Trump’s “strong leadership and perseverance for peace.”
“The President ordered direct, successful precision strikes to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program and they were a resounding success,” the official said. “Following the strike, the President immediately turned his eyes back on diplomacy to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East.”
According to the official, Israel agreed to a ceasefire as long as Iran stopped attacking them.
Iran agreed to the ceasefire, as confirmed by senior Iranian officials, and President Trump communicated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Also involved in communications were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who all communicated with Iranians through direct and indirect channels, the White House said.
The White House official said Trump’s ordering of a successful mission to bomb nuclear facilities in Iran made the ceasefire deal possible and agreeable, especially by Israeli officials.
Fox News’ Patrick Ward contributed to this report.
Tulsi Gabbard praises Trump’s ‘herculean effort’ in achieving Israel-Iran ceasefire deal
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, praised President Donald Trump after he announced that Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire deal.
“Only President Trump could have achieved this historic ceasefire agreement that brings us closer to peace,” Gabbard wrote on X. “It was a herculean effort that deserves the thanks of all the people of Israel, Iran, Middle East, America—the entire world. Congratulations and thank you, @realDonaldTrump.”
Trump announced the deal on Monday evening, following days of back-and-forth strikes between Israel and Iran, fueled by Tehran’s nuclear program.
250 Americans evacuated from Israel, State Department says
The State Department on Monday said 250 Americans have been evacuated from Israel since its hostilities with Iran began.
The agency began assisted departure flights from Israel on Saturday, a State Department official told Fox News.
Since then, seven flights have departed from Israel with 250 American citizens and lawful permanent residents and their family members.
Flights have arrived in Greece, Rome and Cyprus.
Trump announces historic Iran and Israel ceasefire agreement to end ’12 Day War’
President Donald Trump declared Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire after missile exchanges, claiming the ’12-day war’ will end following a phased implementation over 24 hours.
A diplomat briefed on the ceasefire talks between Israel and Iran said President Donald Trump asked Qatar to help him persuade Iran to agree to a ceasefire after the U.S. got Israel to do the same.
“President Trump spoke with Qatar’s Emir and informed him the U.S. got Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Iran,” the source shared with Fox News. “The President asked Qatar to help persuade Iran to do the same, following that Vice President Vance coordinated with Qatar’s Prime Minister on the details.”
The source added that “this effort proved successful and, following discussions with the Qatari PM, the Iranians agreed.”
TRUMP HAILS ‘MONUMENTAL’ DAMAGE AS EXPERTS AWAIT VERDICT ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
“The deal was coordinated at the highest level by the President and Vice President and the Qatari Emir and Prime Minister directly,” the source continued.
“Despite having been attacked just hours earlier, the Qataris set aside their grievances and prioritized regional security to get the deal done.”
Read more about what led to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News’ Stepheny Price and Trey Yingst.
Trump receives airborne thank you message over Hudson River for Iran operation
A plane flying over the Hudson River near New York City on Monday pulled a banner with a message of thanks for President Donald Trump.
The banner included two Israeli flags, and in between, a message that read, “THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP.”
The message came after Trump ordered U.S. military forces to execute an operation to take out several nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, without Iranian officials knowing.
Following the strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he thanked Trump, the American pilots and the American people for their support.
NETANYAHU CONGRATULATES TRUMP AFTER US STRIKES IN IRAN
“President Trump is boldly leading the free world,” Netanyahu said. “He is a tremendous friend of Israel — a friend like no other. On behalf of myself, the citizens of Israel, and the entire Jewish people, I thank him from the bottom of my heart. And I know, fellow citizens, that I speak from the depths of each and every one of your hearts. We stand together. We fight together.”
Former ambassador praises Trump’s ‘flawless’ strategy behind Iran ceasefire
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman praised President Donald Trump
for executing a successful operation against nuclear facilities in Iran, which was followed up within days with a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
“No one in history has ever engineered such an overwhelming military victory followed up almost immediately with a cessation of hostilities,” Friedman wrote in a post on X. “Words are insufficient to thank @POTUS for his courage, his intellect and his instincts — all of which have proven flawless. The world is a far safer place today because of him.”
TRUMP HAILS ‘MONUMENTAL’ DAMAGE AS EXPERTS AWAIT VERDICT ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
Friedman served as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2021.
During that time, he helped guide unprecedented advancements in the U.S-Israel relationship, which includes the moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords – peace agreements between Israel and five Muslim Nations.
For the latter, Friedman was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and awarded the National Security Medal.
Vice President JD Vance explains Trump’s ‘complete and total ceasefire’ between Iran, Israel
President Donald Trump wants to build a long-term settlement between Israel and Iran to ensure stability in the middle East, Vice President JD Vance said.
“We are now at a place where we weren’t a week ago,” Vance told Fox News’ Bret Baier during a Tuesday appearance on “Special Report.” “We have to talk to Iran, and of course, to Israel about what the future holds because while we have obliterated the Iranian nuclear program, our hope and our expectation is that they’re not going to try and rebuild that program.”
The Trump administration’s goal, aside from regional stability in the Middle East, is to ensure that Tehran doesn’t try and re-start its nuclear program again.
Fore the Iranian’s, I think this is a new opportunity to pursue the path of peace,” said Vance.
Despite Iran’s history of state-sponsored terrorism and its failed effort to build a nuclear weapon, it’s “just not very good at war,” Vance said.
“I think the president really hit the reset button and said ‘Look, let’s actually produce long-term peace for the region.'”
Secret Service boosts White House security after US strikes Iranian targets
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) implemented an enhanced security posture along 17th Street near the White House on Monday, after U.S. military forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
A USSS spokesperson told Fox News Digital there is a truck restriction on 17th Street near the White House complex that is being enforced by the Secret Service.
Additionally, the restriction is indicated with signage, and additional patrols can be seen in the area.
‘OPEN BORDERS’ UNDER BIDEN COULD HELP IRAN RETALIATE WITH US TERROR SLEEPER CELLS: FORMER FBI BOSS
The spokesperson also said there is a more overt enforcement in the area with Uniformed Division vehicles located along the road.
But when it came to specific details and methods, the Secret Service refused to provide additional details.
“The Secret Service does not comment on the specifics of our protective means and methods, including any actions to enhance security efforts,” the agency said. “However, the Secret Service constantly assesses and adjusts our protective posture accordingly to ensure the highest levels of protection.”
Americans must have ‘higher degree of vigilance’ amid Iran terror threat, House Intel chair warns
The chair of the House Intelligence Committee is urging Americans
across the country to practice “a higher degree of vigilance and situational awareness” as concerns about possible terror threats in the U.S. skyrocket over the situation in the Middle East.
Chair Rick Crawford, R-Ark., told Fox News Digital in an interview that people in the U.S. “need to have a sense of situational awareness and understand that there are people outside the United States that do seek to do us harm.”
President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to hit three key Iranian nuclear bases over the weekend in a mission deemed a success by the vast majority of Republicans and some pro-Israel Democrats.
OVER 700 IRANIAN NATIONALS RELEASED INTO US DURING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DESPITE TERRORISM CONCERNS
The targeted strikes, which U.S. officials said are not an act of war, came after a week of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Israel, warning Iran was dangerously close to a nuclear weapon, launched preemptive strikes in and around Tehran earlier this month that killed several of the Islamic regime’s top military officials and nuclear scientists.
Crawford, whose panel oversees the U.S. intelligence community, blamed the former Biden administration’s actions for creating an illegal immigration crisis that he said could have potentially allowed bad actors to enter the U.S. in recent years.
“We know historically, Iran being the leading state sponsor of terror, we also know that during the Biden years, there were hundreds of Iranians that were allowed to come in, pretty much unchecked,” he said, referring to people who crossed the border illegally.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind.
Elite university professor sparks social media backlash after revealing what Iran should do next
A professor at Georgetown University is in hot water on social media over a post where he explained
his “hope” for Iran doing “some symbolic strike” on a U.S. military base, igniting backlash on social media and calls for him to be fired.
“I’m not an expert, but I assume Iran could still get a bomb easily,” Dr. Jonathan Brown, the Alwaleed bin Talal chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, posted on X on Sunday after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night.
“I hope Iran does some symbolic strike on a base, then everyone stops. I’m surprised this is what these FDD/Hasbara people have been auto-erotically asphyxiating themselves for all these years. Ironically, the main takeaways (in my non-expert opinion, and I’m happy to be corrected) from all this have nothing to do with a US attack: 1) Iran can take a licking; 2) if Israel attacks Iranian cities, it gets f—ed up pretty bad. I mean I’ve been shocked at the damage Iranian missiles caused; 3) despite his best efforts, Reza Pahlavi HVAC repair services still only third best in Nova.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller.
Qatar reopens skies after Iran’s brazen missile strike at America’s largest Mideast base
The airspace over Qatar has reopened to air traffic after being closed because of an attack on a U.S. military base in Doha by Iran.
Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, which is located in Qatar and is America’s largest military base in the Middle East, on Monday afternoon.
Officials in Qatar closed the airspace in response to the attacks, and the space has since been reopened.
“The General Authority of Civil Aviation announces the resumption of air traffic in the airspace of the State of Qatar and the return of the atmosphere to normal, after taking the necessary measures in coordination with the competent authorities,” the alert from authorities read.
Breaking News
Trump says Israel and Iran agree to ceasefire
President Donald Trump said Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire after more than a week of missile exchanges.
“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” he wrote on his Truth Social Platform.
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” Trump added.
TRUMP HAILS ‘MONUMENTAL’ DAMAGE AS EXPERTS AWAIT VERDICT ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
Trump praised both countries for their “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” to end what he called “THE 12 DAY WAR.”
“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!” he said.
Cruz says ‘weak’ Iranian regime is ‘lashing out dangerously’
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Iran’s regime is “weak, flailing, and lashing out dangerously” after it attacked a U.S. military base on Monday.
“The Iranian regime is rogue and illegitimate, and is responsible for the murder, injury, and kidnapping of thousands of Americans,” he said in a statement denouncing the attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. “The Ayatollah had come within reach of acquiring a nuclear arsenal until our Israeli allies launched their recent and ongoing operation to end Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”
Cruz also praised President Donald Trump for ordering strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend, which prompted Monday’s response from Tehran.
“The regime is weak, flailing, and lashing out dangerously,” said Cruz. “If harm comes to an American as a result of their continued violence, I have full confidence that President Trump will again respond decisively.”
Fetterman validates Trump’s strategy as Iran launches ineffective attack on Qatar base
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said Monday that Iran’s “attack” on a U.S. military base in Qatar was basically its way of surrendering after B-2 stealth bombers dropped bombs on its nuclear facilities.
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump
said Iran responded to the U.S. bombing of nuclear facilities, noting that no Americans were harmed because of Iran’s notice of Monday’s attack beforehand.
“It appears Iran’s ‘attack’ today continues to validate our strike to destroy their nuclear facilities—essentially a
PROMINENT TRUMP CRITICS LAUD PRESIDENT’S DECISION TO STRIKE IRAN NUCLEAR SITES
He then listed several of Israel’s accomplishments, prefacing each one with an Israeli flag.
The accomplishments included “Air supremacy,” “Damaged Iranian proxies,” “Eliminated top leadership,” and “Precise targeting of infrastructure.”
“Thankfully, our servicemembers are safe,” Fetterman added, followed by an American flag.
Trump’s move to strike Iran have made world a safer place, Rep. Pfluger says
President Donald Trump’s ordering of strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend has made the world a safer place, said Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas.
“Seriously, he’s done the right thing,” Pfluger said Monday on “The Will Cain Show.” “The world is a safer place today and it’s going to be a safer place tomorrow because of the decisions that he’s making.”
US STRIKE DAMAGE TO IRAN’S NATANZ, ISFAHAN NUCLEAR FACILITIES CAPTURED IN SATELLITE IMAGES
“This call was incredibly bold,” he added.
Pfluger, a former Air Force fighter pilot, said the Iranian regime is “very weak right now” following its attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar and may be looking for an “off-ramp” to de-escalate hostilities.
Israel warns residents in Tehran of upcoming operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday warned Iranians living in a portion of Tehran of an upcoming military operation and urged them to leave the area.
“The Israeli army will operate in this area, as it has done in recent days throughout Iran to attack the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure,” the IDF Farsi account wrote on X, accompanied by an image of District 7 in Tehran.
“Dear citizens, for your safety and health, we ask that you immediately leave the designated area on the map and do not approach it for the next few hours,” the post continued. “Your presence in this area puts your life at risk.”
Israel has routinely warned Iranian civilians to evacuate areas where it plans to launch strikes to minimize casualties.
New video shows B-2 stealth bombers preparing for Operation Midnight Hammer
Newly released video shows the U.S. Air Force preparing seven B-2 stealth bombers at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri for Operation Midnight Hammer.
The video shows a B-2 leaving its hangar then taxiing to the runway before taking off and heading to Iranian airspace during the overnight hours.
The final clips show the B-2 bombers returning to Whiteman Air Force Base, after the successful execution of Operation Midnight Hammer.
Former Israeli minister scolds Schumer over reaction to US strikes: ‘It’s always about politics?’
Former Israeli Minister of National Security Gilad Erdan criticized Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., over his reaction to U.S. strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
On Monday, Schumer said he wanted a classified briefing to lay out the full threat behind Iran’s retaliation after it targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar hours earlier.
“I’ve demanded they lay out exactly what measures they’re taking—right now—to keep our servicemembers safe,” Schumer wrote on X. “The Trump administration should not make the same mistake it made this weekend by launching strikes without giving any details to Congress.”
In response, Erdan questioned Schumer’s priorities following the strike, given Iran’s nuclear ambitions and possible threat to stability in the Middle East.
“Chuck Schumer calls himself ‘Shomer Yisrael’- the guardian of Israel. Especially when he speaks with Jews,” Erdan said. “But when President Trump strikes Iran’s nuclear sites to stop a regime openly calling for Israel’s destruction (and responsible for the murderer of many many Americans), Schumer’s only reaction is… complaining about congressional procedure?”
“Seriously, Chuck? Don’t you have anything positive to say about removing an existential threat from Israel and the free world?” Erdan added. “It’s always about politics? So sad.”
Breaking News
Trump touts ‘weak’ Iranian response after bombings: ‘They’ve gotten it out of their system’
President Donald Trump said Iran officially responded to the U.S. bombing of its nuclear facilities, noting that Iran got it out of their “system” and no Americans were hurt in the process.
“Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,” Trump said on Truth Social Monday afternoon. “There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was ‘set free,’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction.”
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” he continued. “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.
Trump thanked Iran for giving an early notice before the strike, making it possible for no Americans to be hurt or killed.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” Trump said. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
State Department says Iran could be pressuring criminal gangs in Sweden to carry out attacks
Iran may be pressuring criminal gangs in Sweden to carry out attacks in the country against Israeli and U.S. interests, the State Department said.
“U.S. citizens in Sweden are advised to exercise increased caution and maintain awareness of their surroundings, particularly near the U.S. Embassy,” the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm said in an alert.
The embassy cited Swedish media reports saying criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, a notorious drug trafficking gang based in Sweden, may be pressured by Tehran to commit attacks.
The State Department urged U.S. citizens in Sweden to monitor local news reports, exercise caution around the embassy in Stockholm, avoid crowds and keep a low profile.
IDF launches massive air campaign against Tehran using 50 fighter jets
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed another round of strikes on Tehran, targeting military assets of the Iranian regime based on intelligence from the Intelligence Directory.
IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin provided an update on Operation “Rising Lion” on Monday, as the operation enters its 11th day with an objective to remove the “existential threat” toward the State of Israel. The operation is targeting Iran’s nuclear program as well as the degradation of Iran’s missile array.
“A few hours ago, the IDF completed its most extensive set of strikes to date in Tehran. As part of these strikes, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets used over 100 munitions in strikes on military targets belonging to the Iranian regime, based on high-quality and precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate,” Defrin said. “The message we are sending through these strikes is clear: We have many more strike plans. We will continue to target every component and layer of the regime that is involved in activities that threaten the State of Israel.”
He continued, saying one of the targets was at Basij Headquarters, which is a security under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which serves as the regime’s primary arm.
Additional targets included the IRGC’s “Sayyed al-Shuhada” headquarters, as well as the Evin Prison, which houses enemies of the regime.
Defrin said the IDF struck access routes to the Fordow enrichment site in order to prevent the regime from reaching the area, and he noted that strikes are continuing across Iran.
“As part of Operation ‘Rising Lion,’ we continue to intensify our strikes against the Iranian regime’s military components,” he said. “We will continue to act to remove the threat from the State of Israel.”
Iran’s supreme leader says nation ‘will not accept any harassment’ after attack on US base
Iran’s supreme leader on Monday said “we didn’t harm anyone” and that the Islamic Republic “will not accept any harassment” following an attack on a U.S. military base in the region.
“We didn’t harm anyone. And we will not accept any harassment from anyone under any circumstances,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X. “And we will not submit to anyone’s harassment; This is the logic of the Iranian nation.”
Iran has been condemned by multiple countries, including many in the Middle East, following its attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Middle East nations condemn Iran attack on US military base in neighboring Qatar
Multiple Middle East countries have come out against Iran following its attack
on a U.S. military base in Qatar, with some calling it a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and airspace, as well as international law.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain affirms its full support for the sisterly State of Qatar following the Iranian attack on its territory,” a statement from Bahrain said following the attack on the Al Udeid Air Base.
“State of Qatar, as required by the bond of brotherhood and blood, which confirms the solidarity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in these sensitive circumstances the region is going through to exert the necessary efforts to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and resolve all disputes through peaceful means,” the statement continued.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry said Iran’s actions constitute “a dangerous escalation that threatens peace, security, and stability in the region.”
“The State of Kuwait also expresses its readiness to harness all its capabilities and energies to support the sisterly State of Qatar, stressing in this regard that the security and stability of the sisterly State of Qatar is an integral part of its own security and stability, while commending the Qatari air defenses for confronting this attack,” the ministry said.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed the need to halt any military escalation in the region. It warned that continued provocation threatens to “destabilize regional security and risk dragging the region into dangerous paths with catastrophic repercussions for international peace and security.”
Developing Story
US military intercepted several Iranian missiles targeting Al Udeid: US official
The U.S. military intercepted several Iranian missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base, a U.S. official tells Fox News.
It is not clear exactly how many missiles were intercepted, and it is not clear if Qatar also shot down Iranian missiles, the official said.
No missiles reached the base, the official said.
Upon initial assessments there is no damage to the base, the official said.
US Embassies in Middle East implement security measures amid Israel-Iran tensions
U.S. Embassies in the Middle East are making operational changes amid heightened tensions and the war between Israel and Iran.
In Bahrain, the U.S. Embassy shifted a portion of its employees to local telework, though the embassy remains open and continues to provide routine emergency services.
That being said, the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain said the public may experience longer than normal wait times for some services.
Passport appointments can be made on the Bahrain U.S. Embassy site, while emergency requests can be sent to manamaconsular@state.gov.
U.S. citizens in Bahrain were also advised by the embassy to exercise increased caution, to limit non-essential travel around the country and to remain up to date on the embassy’s most recent announcements.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait advised its staff to exercise increased vigilance, and for Mission personnel to comply with temporary restrictions imposed by the U.S. military on access to Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Camp Patriot.
Access to the facilities, the embassy said, is limited to essential personnel only at this time.
Travelers are encouraged to review the embassy’s most recent security alerts and be aware of potentially delayed and canceled flights in and out of the region.
Israeli strikes target Iran’s military command centers
Israel targeted the various Iranian military command centers, authorities said.
“This is what the Iranian regime’s command centers and assets targeted in Tehran look like,” Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said.
Among the sites targeted were the Thar-Allah headquarters, which reports to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Sayyed al-Shuhada, which reports to the IRGC and is charged with with homeland defense and the suppression of “internal threats.”
Other sites included the Basij Headquarters, a key IRGC base responsible for enforcing Islamic codes and reporting civilian violations to the authorities.
Saudi Arabia denounces Iran attack on US airbase
Saudi Arabia condemned Iran’s attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law.”
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms possible, the aggression launched by Iran against the brotherly State of Qatar, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness, and an entirely unacceptable act that cannot be justified under any circumstances,” a statement by Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals and have both funded proxy forces on opposite sides in the Middle East.
The ministry said it stands with Qatar, which also condemned Iran’s actions.
Trump says Iran’s nuclear sites ‘totally destroyed,’ shreds media over coverage: ‘ZERO CREDIBILITY!’
President Donald Trump
said the sites U.S. bombs struck on Saturday night were “totally destroyed,” despite reports from some mainstream media companies criticizing the president’s choice of words in which he said they were “obliterated.”
“The sites we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Monday afternoon. “Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible – And even they say they were ‘pretty well destroyed!’”
The president then took aim at specific reports from CNN, ABC and NBC, slamming his view of their credibility.
“Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of ‘Con’cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast’s NBC Fake News,” Trump wrote. “It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that’s why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW — ZERO CREDIBILITY!”
Breaking News
Israel unleashes strikes on Iran following attack on US base in Qatar
Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Iran on Monday night, Fox News has learned.
Sources confirmed the attack with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst. The strikes came after Iran attacked an American base in Qatar.
A senior White House official says both the White House and the Pentagon are monitoring threats against Al Udeid Air Base, America’s largest military base in the Middle East.
Pentagon not aware of any casualties following Iranian missile strike, source says
The Pentagon is not aware of any U.S. casualties resulting from Iran’s missile strike against America’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, a U.S. official tells Fox News.
The statement comes after Qatar says its air defenses thwarted a missile strike aimed at Al-Udeid, America’s largest military base in the Middle East.
“I can confirm that al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran today. At this time, there are no reports of U.S. casualties. We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available,” the official said.
Iranian state television said the strike came in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s weekend attack on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report
Breaking News
Iran launches attack on US base in Qatar, Iranian state TV reports
Explosions were heard over Doha, Qatar, on Monday as intelligence warned that Iran plans to target U.S. military bases in the country.
A senior White House official says both the White House and the Pentagon are monitoring threats against Al Udeid Air Base, which is located in Qatar and is America’s largest military base in the Middle East.
Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were in the Situation Room monitoring potential Iranian retaliation as news of the explosions broke.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attack in a statement, saying there were no casualties.
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter,” the ministry said.
“We reassure that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles. A detailed statement regarding the circumstances of the attack will be issued later by the Ministry of Defense,” the statement continued, adding that they reserve the right to respond to Iran’s strike.
The Iranian strike involved at least six missiles and came after Qatar announced the closure of its air space on Monday, with top Iranian officials vowing consequences for President Donald Trump’s weekend strike on the nation’s nuclear program.
Iranian state media announced that the military response had begun, dubbing the attack “Operation Fatah’s Blessing.”
Officials made the announcement on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
Fox News’ Trey Yingst, Jennifer Griffin and the Associated Press contributed to this report
Iranian president vows US aggression will not go ‘unanswered’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that the U.S. strikes against Iran would not go “unanswered” on Monday.
Pezeshkian made the statement on social media, saying that Iran will defend its security “with all our being.”
“We neither initiated the war nor wanted it, but we will not leave the aggression against Iran unanswered,” he wrote, according to a translation. “We will stand by the security of this beloved nation with all our being and respond to every wound on Iran’s body with faith, wisdom and determination.”
The statement came as the U.S. has heightened security warnings across the Middle East, including a shelter in place recommendation for U.S. citizens in Qatar.
‘Imminent’ threat of Iranian strike on US base in Qatar, sources tell Fox News
The U.S. military is preparing for an “imminent” threat of an Iranian strike on an American airbase in Qatar, Fox News has learned.
Significant intelligence warnings are focused on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, America’s largest base in the Middle East.
The U.S. moved much of its un-hangered aircraft out of the base last week, prior to President Donald Trump’s strike against Iran’s nuclear program. There remains a threat that Iran will target the base with short or medium range cruise missiles or swarming drones, sources tell Fox News.
‘OPEN BORDERS’ UNDER BIDEN COULD HELP IRAN RETALIATE WITH US TERROR SLEEPER CELLS: FORMER FBI BOSS
Al Udeid Air Base currently serves as the headquarters and logistics base for US operations in Iraq and also includes the longest air landing strip in the Gulf region.
Trump himself spoke to U.S. troops at Al Udeid in May.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report
Qatar temporarily closes air space over safety concerns, foreign ministry announces
Qatari authorities announced the temporary closure of the nation’s airspace on Monday as tensions continue to rise in the region following U.S. strikes against Iran.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure on social media, saying they are “continuously monitoring” the situation.
THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF HAMAS’S WAR ON ISRAEL FOR THE US AND GLOBAL SECURITY
“As part of the State of Qatar’s commitment to the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announce the temporary suspension of air navigation in the country’s airspace. This is part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region,” the ministry wrote, according to a translation.
“The Ministry reiterates its emphasis on the safety and security of everyone on Qatari soil as a top priority, and that the State will not hesitate to take all necessary preventive measures within this context,” the statement continued.
Trump bashes Russia for using ‘N-word’ amid Iran tensions
President Donald Trump bashed Russia for suggesting that there are several nations willing to supply Iran with nuclear weapons on Monday.
Trump made the statement on his Truth Social account, calling out former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now leads Russia’s security council.
“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia
, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran? Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY. The ‘N word’ should not be treated so casually. I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS,'” Trump wrote.
“By the way, if anyone thinks our ‘hardware’ was great over the weekend, far and away the strongest and best equipment we have, 20 years advanced over the pack, is our Nuclear Submarines. They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built, and just launched the 30 Tomahawks — All 30 hit their mark perfectly. So, in addition to our Great Fighter Pilots, thank you to the Captain and Crew!” he added.
Earlier this week, Medvedev had claimed that the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program had caused minimal damage and would not stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons.
UK urges citizens in Qatar to shelter in place, joining US
The United Kingdom joined the U.S. in urging its citizens in Qatar to shelter in place on Monday.
The calls come after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, heightening the security situation for many countries in the region.
“Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice,” the U.K.’s foreign travel service wrote on its website.
Governors briefed on potential for threats in the US
Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem and other federal officials have held calls with multiple governors regarding the potential for attacks in the U.S. following strikes against Iran Monday.
The DHS said the calls were not in relation to any specific threat, but rather to encourage governors and law enforcement to be vigilant.
‘OPEN BORDERS’ UNDER BIDEN COULD HELP IRAN RETALIATE WITH US TERROR SLEEPER CELLS: FORMER FBI BOSS
“Secretary Noem has hosted conference calls with Governors nationwide, as well as state and local law enforcement to ensure our partners at every level of government have the information they need to keep their communities safe. It is our duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox News.
“The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,” the DHS said in a statement.
Fox News’ Mark Meredith contributed to this report
Ted Cruz says Biden’s foreign policy ‘accelerated’ Iran’s nuclear program
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argued that President Donald Trump’s strike on Iran’s nuclear program was only necessary because Democrats had allowed that program to flourish.
Cruz made the comments during a Monday morning appearance on “Fox & Friends,” going after the two most recent Democratic presidents in particular.
“Under Barak Obama and under Joe Biden, the Democrat Party has become the party of appeasement, and in particular appeasement of Iran,” Cruz said, noting Obama’s “disastrous” nuclear deal with Iran.
“What happened on Saturday started under Barak Obama, because he flooded the cash into that regime to enable them to start building nuclear weapons, and then under Joe Biden it accelerated,” he said. “Joe Biden lifted all the sanctions, he refused to enforce the sanctions, and over $100 billion flowed into Iran as a result of the Democrats’ foreign policy.”
US service members, diplomats most at risk for physical attack from Iran, expert warns
Former Department of Homeland Security adviser Fran Townsend joined “America’s Newsroom” on Monday to discuss possible retaliation from Iran amid growing fears of sleeper cells and other potential threats.
“I do think the people who are most at risk for a physical attack are our bases overseas and our diplomatic institutions,” Townsend said.
She went on to say that she believes most countries in the Middle East view the strikes on Iran as “good for their security.”
“They don’t want to attract attention because they’re so close to Iran, they don’t want short term or medium term ballistic missiles falling on them, but they support quietly the action the president has taken,” she said.
“It protects not just Israel and us, but the entire region and the world,” she added.
Trump urges ‘KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN’ as Iran threatens to block key trade route
President Donald Trump urged “everyone” to keep oil prices down amid Iran’s threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade route for oil.
Trump made the statement on social media, arguing that raising oil prices would play “right into the hands of the enemy.”
FORMER DEM ADVISOR BLASTS ‘UNHINGED CALLS FOR IMPEACHMENT’ AFTER TRUMP’S IRAN ATTACK ‘TRULY TDS’
“EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!”
“To the Department of Energy: DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!” he added.
Exiled prince looks to lead Iranian people in ending Islamic Republic: ‘Our Berlin Wall moment’
An exiled Iranian prince called on the country to reject Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and instead turn Iran into a “secular” and “democratic” country.
Reza Pahlavi made the statement in a lengthy post on social media, urging Iranians to reject the current regime and calling on nations across the globe not to support Khamenei.
“My fellow compatriots, our beloved Iran has been dragged into a devastating conflict, the architect of which is none other than Ali Khamenei and his corrupt, destructive faction. He has driven our nation’s economy to the brink of collapse, plundered our national infrastructure and resources, squandered the nation’s wealth on developing nuclear weapons, shattered Iran’s security, and stolen the sovereignty of the Iranian people,” Phalavi wrote. “This regime is defeated, teetering on the edge of collapse, and must not be allowed to continue. The time has come to end this ruin and begin a new era for Iran. This is a new dawn for Iran’s Lion and Sun.”
“To the international community: Now is the moment to stand with the Iranian people. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Do not throw this regime a lifeline,” he added.
Pakistan flip flops on Trump Nobel Peace Prize nomination after less than 24 hours
Pakistan condemned President Donald Trump for bombing Iranian nuclear facilities, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India.
The Pakistani government on Saturday credited the “decisive diplomatic intervention” and “pivotal leadership” of Trump in brokering a truce with India, after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April,. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce.
The next day, however, it condemned the U.S. for attacking Iran, saying the strikes “constituted a serious violation of international law” and the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call Sunday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his concern that the bombings had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA, the Associated Press reported. Pakistan has close ties with Iran and supports its attacks on Israel, saying it has the right to self-defense.
Mushahid Hussain, a former chair of the Senate Defense Committee in Pakistan’s parliament, suggested to Reuters last week that Pakistan benefited from currying favor with Trump.
“Trump is good for Pakistan,” he told Reuters. “If this panders to Trump’s ego, so be it. All the European leaders have been sucking up to him big time.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Danielle Wallace
Leavitt denies claims that Democrats weren’t called ahead of strikes
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
rejected claims from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and top Democrats in Congress that they were not contacted ahead of President Donald Trump’s strikes in Iran on Monday.
Leavitt told Fox News on Monday that the White House did make calls to bipartisan members of Congress ahead of the attack.
“First of all, we did make bipartisan calls. Thomas Massie and the Democrats–he should be a Democrat, because he’s more aligned with them than with the Republican Party–were given notice,” Leavitt said.
“The White House made calls to Congressional leadership. They were bipartisan calls. In fact, [House Democratic Leader] Hakeem Jeffries couldn’t be reached. We tried him before the strike and he didn’t pick up the phone, but he was briefed after,” she said, noting that Sen. Chuck Schumer was notified ahead of the strike.
White House has ‘high degree of confidence’ that Iran strike destroyed enriched uranium supply
The U.S. has a “high degree of confidence” that the strikes against Iran’s nuclear program this weekend hit the nation’s stores of enriched uranium, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday.
Leavitt made the statement during an appearance on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” saying the nuclear sites were “completely and totally obliterated.”
“We have a high degree of confidence that where those strikes took place is where Iran’s enriched uranium was stored,” Leavitt said. “The president wouldn’t have launched the strikes if we weren’t confident in that. So this operation was a resounding success.”
Iran’s Fordow nuclear site struck second time as IDF targets access routes
Iran’s nuclear site at Fordow was hit again on Monday as Israel unleashed strikes on roads leading to the underground facility following a massive U.S. attack over the weekend.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out the attack earlier Monday to disrupt access routes to Fordow, one of Iran’s key enrichment sites.
Iranian state TV had earlier said the site at Fordow sustained a second attack following the U.S. strike over the weekend, though its report did not provide information on any damage or who launched the attack.
The latest strike on Fordow comes as the IDF said Israel also launched a series of strikes targeting several Iranian military command centers in an “ongoing effort to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities.” Meanwhile, Iran has been firing missiles into Israel in retaliation following the U.S. strike.
The U.S. launched a surprise strike using B-2 stealth bombers and submarines on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities on Saturday. The underground site at Fordow required the use of sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Fordow is expected to have sustained significant damage from the U.S. strike.
“Given the explosive payload utilized and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi said in Vienna.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Stephen Sorace
Americans vulnerable to lone wolf threats, cyberattacks in wake of Iranian airstrikes: Ex-FBI agent
After U.S. airstrikes on high-value nuclear sites in Iran, Americans could be vulnerable to targeted cyberattacks and terrorist acts from lone wolves, according to one expert.
Bill Daly is a former FBI investigator who worked to thwart terror attacks and dealt with foreign counterintelligence. He told Fox News Digital that while hard infrastructure like rail lines and power plants could be at risk, cybersecurity should be a key focus.
“You also look at things such as power plants, utilities, that type of infrastructure, where if they were able to put a concentrated effort towards a cyberattack, you could diminish the electrical grids, and other kinds of technical infrastructure,” Daly said. “We know they’ve looked at ways to try to get into our infrastructure, or controlling water resources or water systems or [the] electrical grid.”
He said that if Iranian state-sponsored terrorists are looking to attack, rather than just lone wolf terrorists, there is a higher risk of a sophisticated cyberattack.
“I think maybe something to do with the power grid might be something that they could do – try to do – remotely, without sending somebody here,” he said.
Daly said that potential cyberattackers could “overwhelm the internet infrastructure” and turn off systems that are critical to Americans’ everyday lives.
However, Daly is also worried that with the open border policies of the Biden administration, there is no telling how many bad actors are already in the United States.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Peter D’abrosca
US Embassy tells Americans in Qatar to shelter in place ‘out of an abundance of caution’
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar called on all Americans in the country to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution” on Monday.
The embassy did not explicitly say the recommendation was in reaction to tensions with Iran, but it follows a number of similar heightened security announcements throughout the region.
“Out of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice,” the embassy wrote on its website.
Russia condemns US strikes on Iran, says it threatens to plunge region into the ‘abyss’
Russia condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program on Monday, suggesting that President Donald Trump’s intervention threatens to plunge the region into the “abyss.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments to reporters on Wednesday, saying Russia regrets the strike on Iran and offering assistance. Russian ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia similarly claimed that the U.S. has opened “Pandora’s box.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi later Monday.
Reuters contributed to this report
Trump says Iran mission ‘had to be done,’ praises pilots as ‘heroes’
President Donald Trump says the strikes he ordered against Iran’s nuclear program “had to be done,” and he praised the B-2 bomber pilots who carried out the attacks as “heroes.”
Trump made the comments to Fox News’ Steve Doocy, who spoke to the president on Sunday. Doocy visited the air base in Missouri where the B-2 pilots landed after their mission, which lasted a total of 37 hours.
Doocy said the pilots take shifts flying the plane on extended missions like Operation Midnight Hammer, saying there is a small space behind the ejection seats where pilots can rest. Pilots are also known to bring small coolers for snacks, and there is even a small microwave oven aboard the plane, Doocy said.
Israel strikes key Iranian targets with surge of attacks after Trump hits nuclear sites
Israel struck airfields and key military infrastructure across Iran on Monday in a surge of attacks that followed the U.S. targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities this weekend.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF is targeting “state oppression apparatuses in the heart of Tehran,” including the Basij headquarters, Evin Prison for political prisoners and regime opponents, the “Destruction of Israel” clock in Palestine Square, internal security headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideology command center and other targets.
“For every attack on the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be punished, and the strikes will continue with full force,” Katz said.
“We will continue to act to defend the home front and defeat the enemy until all war objectives are achieved,” he added.
No reports of injuries following Iranian missile attack, as defense minister vows retaliation
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.”
