Germany's Merz says Israel doing 'dirty work for us' in Iran
Published June 17, 2025last updated June 18, 2025What you need to know
- Germany's chancellor defended Israel's attacks on Iran, saying it was 'dirty work Israel is doing for all of us'
- US President Donald Trump says he wants a "real end" to the conflict, rather than a ceasefire
- Trump seemingly threatens to 'take out' Khamenei if civilians, US soldiers are targeted
- Israel's defense minister has issued a warning to Iran's supreme leader
- The IAEA says Israeli strikes have directly hit enrichment halls at the Natanz nuclear complex
- Israel has reported a fresh wave of Iranian missiles
This was a roundup of the latest developments on the Israel-Iran conflict and the wider crisis in the Middle East on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
This blog is now closed. For the latest on Wednesday, please click here.
'Mixed feelings' in Iran — journalist Gilda Sahebi
People in Iran are mostly scared, fearing for their lives, says German-Iranian journalist Gilda Sahebi.
They may be hoping that this may be the end of the regime, but although the regime is obviously weak, it is still as repressive as ever.
Why the Strait of Hormuz is critical to global oil supplies
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway that lies between Oman and Iran, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) describes it as the "world's most important oil transit chokepoint."
Read more on the critical waterway, which the conflict between Israel and Iran has put under the spotlight.
How close is Iran to getting a nuclear bomb?
According to Tehran, its nuclear program is purely civilian, though Israel thinks it's aimed at making a nuclear bomb.
Iran's high levels of uranium enrichment mean that the step to weapon-grade uranium is very short.
DW tries to explain just how close Iran is to actually getting a nuclear bomb.
Russia says Israeli attacks on Iran nuclear sites 'illegal'
Russia's Foreign Ministry has called Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites "illegal," stressing that diplomacy was the only way forward.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called Iran's nuclear program "peaceful," noting Tehran's "clear statements" on its commitment to adhere to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its willingness to meet with US representatives.
It also slammed a June 12 resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors, which condemned Iran's "non-compliance" with its nuclear obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Moscow argued that the "biased, anti-Iranian" resolution paved the way for Israel's attacks.
Throughout its war on Ukraine, for over three years now, Russia has been accused of striking the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant repeatedly, and condemned by the IAEA for the danger such attacks could pose.
US establishes Mideast task force for citizens' support
The US Department of State has announced a Middle East task force to help coordinate support for US citizens amid the conflict.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce announced the task force's establishment in a press briefing on Tuesday.
She said any citizens in the region can get in touch with the task force and they will be redirected to the concerned embassy.
"We continue to monitor the complex and rapidly evolving situation on the ground as we continue to assess and address the needs of US citizens," she told reporters.
Trump convenes National Security Council — reports
US President Donald Trump has convened the National Security Council to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict, news agencies reported, citing unnamed White House officials.
Reports had suggested earlier on Tuesday that Trump planned to meet with the Council after cutting his G7 trip short.
Turkey's Erdogan, UAE say efforts exerted to halt the conflict
In separate statements on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said they were exerting every effort to de-escalate the conflict. Both warned of a regional spillover.
"Noting that he has been holding intensive diplomatic contacts regarding the clashes triggered by Israel’s attacks on Iran, President Erdogan said that he will continue his efforts to end the spiral of violence, and that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has once again demonstrated that he is the greatest threat to the region’s security," a statement by the Turkish presidency read.
The UAE Foreign Ministry meanwhile warned against "uncalculated, impulsive steps that could spillover beyond the two countries' borders."
The UAE called on the United Nations and its Security Council to take the necessary steps to end the fighting.
Loud, intense blasts heard across Tehran — reports
Loud, continuous and intense explosions were heard across the Iranian capital Tehran, media reported on Tuesday.
Journalists with the French AFP news agency said the blasts were heard in north, west and central Tehran. It wasn't immediately clear whether the blasts were caused by incoming Israeli strikes or Iranian air defense fire.
Why Russia hesitates to help Iran in conflict with Israel
Russia and Iran have long been economic and strategic partners.
But despite a new defense pact, the Kremlin is unlikely to offer military aid to Iran in the conflict with Israel.
Read more about why Russia is hesitant to support Iran militarily here.
Iran calls on residents in major Israeli cities to evacuate
Iran's armed forces called on Tuesday for residents of major cities in Israel to evacuate, amid warnings of imminent "punitive" attacks on the country.
"Punitive operations will be carried out soon," armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi said, urging residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to leave "for the sake of their lives."
Both Israel and US President Donald Trump have previously called on Iranian civilians to evacuate the Iranian capital Tehran.
WATCH — Israel says it's close to dismantling Iran's nuclear program
Satellite images of the Natanz nuclear site show destroyed equipment above ground.
But many components are buried deep underground, raising questions about how much damage airstrikes can do.
Trump says Iran's Khamanei 'easy target' but won't 'take him out' just yet
US President Donald Trump continued to send threats to Iran via his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, warning that "our patience is wearing thin."
"We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] 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," Trump said.
He added that the US doesn't "want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers."
Macron says attacking a country to change regime 'strategic error'
French President Emmanuel Macron seemed to criticize Israel's strikes on Iran, telling reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit that any attempt to change the regime ruling a country from the outside was a "strategic error."
"I think that anyone who thinks that bombing a country from outside will save it, despite itself and against its will, has always been mistaken," the French president said.
He stressed that "the people are sovereign, and they change their leaders themselves," adding that anyone who had attempted in the past to change regimes through military attacks made "strategic errors."
Iran launches new wave of attacks on Israel, Iranian state media report
Iran has launched yet another wave of missiles toward Israel, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.
The Tasnim news agency reported that the new barrage consisted of "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Trump says 'we' have control over Iran's skies
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday "we have complete and total control of the skies over Iran," amid speculation over Washington's level of involvement in the Israeli strikes on Iran.
"Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff,'" Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA."
So far, Trump has insisted the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes on Iran, despite reiterating his support for Israel.