Israel Iran LIVE: Trump rushes US warships and jets to region

Around a dozen US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jets have been spotted travelling over the UK, flanking refuelling tankers believed to be en route to the Middle East.

Images posted on social media appear to show four F-35s flanking each tanker following the sudden and mass deployment of refuelling aircraft from the United States to Europe, at the weekend.

Dozens of KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 Pegasus tankers made their way across the North Atlantic as the Irsael-Iran conflict, now in its fifth day, continued to escalate with further airstrikes by both nations.

US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth confirmed he had authorised the deployment of "additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility," adding that "Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a bold appeal to the Iranian people, urging them to overthrow their government as Israel continues an unprecedented military operation against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in light of escalating tensions, Netanyahu declared that ongoing Israeli operations “could certainly” pave the way for regime change, as reported by Newsweek.

His remarks have coincided with calls from a range of Iranian opposition groups — both within the country and abroad — for a mass uprising against the regime. These factions span a wide political and ideological spectrum, including secular dissidents, ethnic militias, Islamist groups, and royalists.

However, despite their shared opposition to Iran's leadership, they remain fractured and have historically failed to gather the momentum necessary to pose a serious threat to the Islamic Republic.

Donald Trump's stance on Iran has notably hardened in recent days, shifting from diplomatic engagement to aggressive rhetoric and military posturing.

On June 17, 2025, Trump demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender," asserting U.S. control over Iranian airspace and warning that Tehran's leadership was an "easy target," though he stated there were no immediate plans to act . This followed a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Trump praised as "excellent" and "very successful," urging Iran to negotiate or face "even more brutal" attacks .

Earlier, Trump had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, offering a new nuclear deal but warning of military action if negotiations failed. Despite initial diplomatic overtures, Trump's recent statements signal a shift towards a more confrontational approach, with increased US military presence in the region and a clear ultimatum to Iran.

This escalation has prompted bipartisan concerns in Congress over the potential for broader conflict and calls for limiting presidential war powers.

Explosions were heard in Tehran early Wednesday as intense Israeli airstrikes again targeted Iran’s capital in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others.

Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimised casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the death toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded.

Iran has retaliated against Israel’s airstrike campaign by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel.

Residents in northeastern Tehran awoke to a loud bang this morning, after Israeli jets struck a key target in Iran's nuclear programme.

A fire could be seen raging at the heavily sanctioned Imam Hossein University, where nuclear scientists work on producing weapons of mass destruction, under the close administration of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to experts at the Gulf International Forum.

The facility has been pointed to as a key centre for Iran's development and production of biological and nuclear weapons by alarmed governments.

Imam Hossein University was designated as centre for weapons of mass destruction manufacturing by the US Treasury in 2012 for “providing, or attempting to provide technological, and or other support for and services in support of the IRGC.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a “strong response” against Israel, calling the country a “terrorist Zionist regime” in a post on X.

He said: “We will show the Zionists no mercy,” hours after US President Donald Trump signalled on Truth Social that the US was considering deeper involvement in the war.

The Supeme Leader's post appears to be a direct challenge to Washington’s warnings, amid signs the Pentagon is preparing for possible strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The escalation comes as both Tehran and Washington weigh their next moves in the widening conflict.

Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility is buried beneath up to 90 metres of rock, making it immune to conventional airstrikes.

Only the United States possesses the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator—a 30,000lb bunker-busting bomb capable of reaching the site.

The weapon can only be deployed by B-2 stealth bombers, which have not yet been publicly spotted in the region but were last seen in May at Diego Garcia, a key launch base.

US refuelling aircraft have recently been repositioned, suggesting preparations for long-range missions. Experts say any effective strike would require multiple B-2s hitting the same spot in sequence to destroy the facility.

A severe radiation alert has been sounded following Israel's Defence Minister's declaration that his nation is "on the verge" of obliterating "more than 10 nuclear targets" in Iran. Israel Katz announced that the Israeli Air Force is set to strike "very significant targets, strategic targets, targets of the regime and infrastructure" in Tehran.

Among the targets is the subterranean Fordow facility, which Katz affirmed will "an issue that will certainly be addressed.

The Natanz nuclear facility has already felt the brunt of Israeli strikes, and following this latest warning from Israel, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, highlighted the extensive risks associated with attacks on such facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of both radiological and chemical contamination risks within Iran's primary nuclear enrichment facility.

"Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz," the agency reported on X. "No change to report at Esfahan and Fordow," the IAEA added.

The US is believed to be weighing whether to intervene directly in the Israel-Iran war to destroy Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear site using 30,000lb bunker-busting bombs.

While B-2 bombers capable of carrying the weapons have not yet been publicly deployed, the Pentagon has moved more than 30 refuelling aircraft into position—strongly hinting at preparations for a possible long-range airstrike.

Officially, Washington is keeping operational details vague to preserve flexibility for President Trump as he considers ordering a strike.

President Trump has ramped up pressure on Iran by demanding its “unconditional surrender” as US military assets flood into the Middle East. Two aircraft carriers—the USS Vinson and USS Nimitz—are being deployed alongside destroyers already intercepting Iranian missiles near Israel.

Dozens of US fighter jets and refuelling tankers have also been repositioned, signalling a sharp escalation in readiness. While Washington insists the buildup is defensive, the scale of force suggests preparations for broader conflict if Tehran refuses to yield. Mr Trump warned Iran's leaders they face total defeat unless they back down immediately.

Posting on Truth Social, he said: "We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.

"But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"