Israel-Iran attack HIGHLIGHTS: US shut its embassy in Jerusalem after minor damage reported caused by Iran strikes
Updates to this LIVE blog end here
The Iranian foreign ministry on Monday said that the Iranian parliament is preparing a bill to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Tehran remains opposed to the development of weapons of mass destruction.
Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran did not intend to develop nuclear weapons but will pursue its right to nuclear energy and research, reiterating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's religious edict against weapons of mass destruction.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a statement saying, "I would like to clarify the obvious: there is no intention to physically harm the residents of Tehran as the murderous dictator does against the residents of Israel."
He added that "The residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price of dictatorship and evacuate their homes from areas where it will be necessary to attack regime targets and security infrastructure in Tehran."
"We will continue to protect the residents of Israel," he concluded.
Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon".
Iran said its parliament was preparing a bill to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Tehran remains opposed to developing weapons of mass destruction. Passing the bill could take several weeks.
Middle East tensions LIVE UPDATES: Iranian missiles and rockets hit Tel Aviv early Saturday, with blasts also reported in Jerusalem, as tensions between the Middle East’s two leading rivals intensified.
The renewed round of attacks followed Israel’s most extensive assault on Iran to date, which targeted nuclear sites, senior military officials, and vital infrastructure. In response, Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities, prompting further Israeli airstrikes that caused explosions in parts of Tehran.
Iran’s assault on Tel Aviv, dubbed “Operation True Promise,” killed one person and injured around 34 others, according to Israeli police and health authorities. In response, Israel launched strikes on Iran under “Operation Rising Sun,” which reportedly killed at least 78 people, mostly civilians, and left over 320 injured.
- With inputs from agencies
