The Israel-Iran conflict escalated aggressively on Thursday after relentless strikes rocked both nations on day seven of the military showdown. Israel struck Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, a key nuclear site, hours after issuing evacuation warnings. Iran also unleashed a barrage of missiles, one of which hit southern Israel’s largest hospital Soroka Medical Center, causing “extensive damage”, said officials.
🔴 Top Headlines – June 19, 2025
🕒 3:29 PM IST | Iran to Join Nuclear Talks in Geneva
Despite the escalation, Iran’s Foreign Minister announced the country will participate in nuclear discussions in Geneva alongside France, Germany, the UK, and the EU. This move signals Tehran’s openness to diplomacy amid rising hostilities.
🕒 3:01 PM IST | IAEA Confirms No Radiation Risk from Arak Reactor Strike
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Israel’s strike on Iran’s Arak (Khondab) heavy water reactor caused no radiological threat. The reactor was “not operational” and had “no nuclear material” at the time of impact.
🕒 2:58 PM IST | China Evacuates Over 1,600 Nationals
Amid the deepening crisis, China has evacuated more than 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds more from Israel. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that coordination with Iran, Israel, Egypt, and Oman is ongoing to ensure safe repatriations.
🕒 2:37 PM IST | Dutch Embassy in Tel Aviv Hit by Iranian Missile
The Netherlands’ foreign ministry reported minor damage to its embassy in Tel Aviv after it was hit during Iran’s latest barrage of missile strikes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among embassy staff.
🩺 Casualties and Damage
- 47 injured in Iranian missile attacks on Israel, including civilians.
- Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, southern Israel, sustained “extensive damage” after being directly hit.
- Multiple key infrastructure sites in Iran and Israel have come under fire.
🧪 Nuclear Concerns
- Israel’s strike on Arak reactor has raised international alarm.
- IAEA is monitoring the situation closely but confirms no immediate radiological danger.
- The reactor, pivotal in Iran’s former plutonium production efforts, was non-operational and undergoing redesign under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA).
🌍 Global Reaction & Evacuations
- Several countries including China have begun mass evacuations of citizens.
- The European Union and UN are pushing for urgent de-escalation.
- Russia and the US are reportedly in back-channel talks to prevent further escalation.