US President Donald Trump said he will decide within a fortnight whether to become directly involved in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

“Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump as saying in a statement during a press briefing. 

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani led a high-level meeting to assess the country's preparedness for potential nuclear and radiological emergencies, amid growing concerns over radioactive contamination following Israel’s recent targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities.

According to a statement from his office, Sudani chaired a meeting with Baghdad’s Central Emergency Operations Room for Radiological and Nuclear Incidents to “review the 2023 National Plan for Responding to Radiological and Nuclear Accidents and assess the nation’s preparedness for potential emergencies.”

The meeting thoroughly reviewed existing precautionary measures and protocols, along with the responsibilities of all entities involved in the response plan, the statement elaborated.

Sudani was reportedly briefed by specialists on the "limited potential impact" on Iraq from any emergency affecting enrichment facilities, specifically addressing the ongoing "Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Since Friday Israel has launched attacks on several Iranian nuclear sites, including the Natanz enrichment facility, the Isfahan nuclear site, the Fordow facility, and the Khondab Heavy Water Reactor - formerly known as Arak. While these strikes have reportedly caused damage, no radiological risks have been confirmed to date.

Sudani’s Thursday meeting also confirmed that "no increase in background radiation levels had been detected across Iraq," and affirmed the "full readiness of response teams."

The Iraqi premier further instructed authorities to maintain “ongoing coordination” with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to ensure timely and accurate information during any potential crisis.

He further emphasized the need to sustain all essential emergency requirements across Iraq’s provinces in preparation for any exceptional circumstances.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist." His remarks came hours after an Iranian missile attack struck a medical center in southern Israel on Thursday.

"Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed,” Katz told reporters, accusing the Iranian supreme leader of personally giving “the order to fire on hospitals.

“He [Khamenei] considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal,” the Israeli defense minister added, charging that “such a man can no longer be allowed to exist."

Earlier in the day, Katz said that both he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran, including government sites in Tehran” in response to the strike.

In a statement posted on X, Netanyahu condemned the missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, vowing, “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s state-run news agency (IRNA) reported that the missile strike primarily targeted “the Israeli army’s leadership and intelligence headquarters” in Kaf Yam, near Soroka Hospital.

 

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran’s Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor (KHRR), struck by Israel earlier on Thursday, was “not operational and contained no nuclear material.”

In a statement on X, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasized that the research reactor was inactive and posed no risk of radiological impact.

"At present, the IAEA has no information indicating the Khondab Heavy Water Production Plant (HWPP) was hit," the agency added.

While the KHRR is designed to use heavy water for nuclear research and isotope production, the HWPP is responsible for producing the heavy water itself. A strike on an operational reactor would pose a far greater risk due to the potential for radioactive release and long-term health and environmental consequences.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s state-owned broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported that Israel had targeted the KHRR. The facility, which is part of Iran’s broader nuclear program, remains under construction and has not yet been activated.

 

Israeli officials are vowing a strong response after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a major medical center in southern Israel.

In a statement posted on X, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This morning, Iran's terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the center of the country.

“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Iran’s leadership of orchestrating the attack from “the depths of a fortified bunker,” targeting hospitals and residential areas. He warned that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, “will be held accountable for his crimes.”

He warned that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “will be held accountable for his crimes.”

Katz added that both he and Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran,” to eliminate threats posed ahead of Israel.

For his part, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the attack, accusing Tehran of “deliberately targeting civilians” and committing war crimes.

“The Iranian regime has no red lines,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state-run news agency (IRNA) reported that “the main target” of the missile strike was “the Israeli army’s leadership and intelligence headquarters” in Kaf Yam, a site located near Soroka Hospital.

Iraq’s supreme Shiite religious authority, represented by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, warned against any attempt to target Iran’s “supreme religious and political leadership,” calling it a “criminal act" with grave consequences for the entire region. The statement comes amid increased threats by US and Israeli officials about the possible assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Sistani strongly condemned “the ongoing [Israeli] military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and any threat to target its supreme religious and political leadership.”

He warned that carrying out “such a criminal act” portends “extremely dire consequences,” potentially leading to “a complete loss of control and widespread chaos” in the “entire region.” Such an act is also “a clear violation of religious and moral standards and a blatant breach of international norms and laws,” Sistani added.

The warning follows Tuesday comments by US President Donald Trump, who recently wrote on Truth Social, “We know” the whereabouts of Khamenei, adding, “He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out, at least not for now.”

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News that assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader “would not escalate the conflict” but rather “end it.”

In an earlier interview with Fox News on Sunday, when asked about reports that Trump had rejected an Israeli proposal to assassinate Khamenei over fears of regional escalation, Netanyahu declined to confirm, saying only, “We’ll do what we need to do.”

In his statement, Sistani also urged the international community to act swiftly to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict.

"We appeal to all active international actors and countries of the world, especially Islamic nations, to exert their utmost efforts to end this unjust war and to find a fair and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue in accordance with the rules of international law,” the statement concluded.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Israel-Iran conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with the latest attack being an Iranian “ballistic missile” strike that targeted Soroka Medical Center, the largest hospital in southern Israel.

In a statement on its official X account, the Israeli government said that “the Iranian regime targeted Soroka Hospital in Beersheba with a ballistic missile - hitting a major medical center.”

“We will not stand by. We will continue doing what must be done to defend our people,” it added.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also noted on X that “several hits were identified” in the Iranian missile barrage. Less than an hour prior, the IDF said that “millions of Israelis across the country are currently running to shelter as sirens sound due to a missile launch from Iran.”

According to Israel’s National Emergency Service, the attack left 44 people injured, three critically.

For its part, the state-run Iranian news agency (IRNA) said that “the main target” of the attack was “the Israeli army’s leadership and intelligence headquarters” in Kaf Yam, a site located adjacent to Soroka Hospital.

Hours earlier, the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) had reported that Israel struck the Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, previously known as Arak. The partially-constructed facility is part of Iran’s nuclear program that has not yet been activated.

Ahead of the Israeli strikes, the IDF issued an “immediate warning” in Farsi to “employees and all people” in Arak and Khondab, urging them to evacuate the area. It added that the Israeli forces were “operating in this area” and that citizens should leave “as soon as possible.”

“Your presence in this area puts your life at risk,” the IDF concluded.

Over the night, Iranian missiles also caused fires in central Israel, including buses ablaze in Herzliya. Iranian media claimed a military target, while Fars News Agency named Meron Airbase in northern Israel.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its Fattah hypersonic missile penetrated Israeli air defenses, declaring "complete control over the country’s skies." Iranian outlets reported explosions over Tel Aviv, along with a parking lot fire.

Concurrently, explosions were reported in Tehran, where Israel said it targeted a centrifuge production site and several weapons manufacturing facilities.

On Tuesday night, over 50 Israeli Air Force jets carried out what the IDF described as a “massive attack,” striking facilities believed to produce missile raw materials. Iranian media reported attempts to intercept Israeli air raids over Tehran, Tabriz, and Bushehr.

Israel also issued forced evacuation warnings for District 18 of Tehran and previously for the vicinity of Arak and Khondab.

Iranian media also reported on internet outages in Iran which they claimed were caused by a cyberattack, complicating public access to evacuation information.

Since the escalation began last Friday, Iran reports that approximately 224 people – mostly civilians - have been killed and 1,300 injured in Israeli strikes across the country. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities say at least 24 civilians have been killed and 600 injured since the conflict began.