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ConflictsMiddle East

Germany's Merz says Israel doing 'dirty work for us' in Iran

Richard Connor | Timothy Jones | Kate Hairsine with AP, Reuters, AFP, dpa
Published June 17, 2025last updated June 18, 2025

The German chancellor's support comes amid fresh strikes launched by both Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, in Gaza, dozens were reported killed near a GHF aid distribution site. Follow DW for more.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w2nA
Iranian Red Crescent Society members search through the rubble for victims after Israeli strikes, at an unspecified location in Iran, in this undated image released June 17, 2025
Israeli strikes have continued to rain down on military and nuclear sites across Iran, as well as residential areasImage: IRCS via REUTERS
Skip next section What you need to know

What 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.

Skip next section 'Mixed feelings' in Iran — journalist Gilda Sahebi
June 18, 2025

'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.

Journalist Gilda Sahebi describes 'mixed feelings' in Iran

https://p.dw.com/p/4w79B
Skip next section Why the Strait of Hormuz is critical to global oil supplies
June 17, 2025

Why the Strait of Hormuz is critical to global oil supplies

Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018.
The US Energy Information Administration describes the Strait of Hormuz as the 'world's most important oil transit chokepoint'Image: Hamad I Mohammed/REUTERS

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w79C
Skip next section How close is Iran to getting a nuclear bomb?
June 17, 2025

How close is Iran to getting a nuclear bomb?

Andreas Illmer
Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant on November 10, 2019.
Iran has in the past years expanded its nuclear program which it claims is for civilian purposesImage: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6wa
Skip next section Russia says Israeli attacks on Iran nuclear sites 'illegal'
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w78m
Skip next section US establishes Mideast task force for citizens' support
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w77b
Skip next section Trump convenes National Security Council — reports
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w76r
Skip next section Turkey's Erdogan, UAE say efforts exerted to halt the conflict
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w76q
Skip next section Loud, intense blasts heard across Tehran — reports
June 17, 2025

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.

Fear deepens in Tehran as Israel targets Iran's capital

https://p.dw.com/p/4w71b
Skip next section Why Russia hesitates to help Iran in conflict with Israel
June 17, 2025

Why Russia hesitates to help Iran in conflict with Israel

Sergey Satanovskiy
ussian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian shake hands on 17 Jan, 2025.
Despite the Kremlin's newly minted defense pact with Iran, Russia is unlikely to directly assist the Islamic Republic in the conflict with IsraelImage: IMAGO/SNA

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6wY
Skip next section Iran calls on residents in major Israeli cities to evacuate
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6yu
Skip next section WATCH — Israel says it's close to dismantling Iran's nuclear program
June 17, 2025

WATCH — Israel says it's close to dismantling Iran's nuclear program

Ralph Martin

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.

Israel says it's close to dismantling Iran's nuclear program

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6wU
Skip next section Trump says Iran's Khamanei 'easy target' but won't 'take him out' just yet
June 17, 2025

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."

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6u1
Skip next section Macron says attacking a country to change regime 'strategic error'
June 17, 2025

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."

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6tz
Skip next section Iran launches new wave of attacks on Israel, Iranian state media report
June 17, 2025

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. 

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6qm
Skip next section Trump says 'we' have control over Iran's skies
June 17, 2025

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.

https://p.dw.com/p/4w6sU
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Richard Connor Reporting on stories from around the world, with a particular focus on Europe — especially Germany.
Timothy Jones Writer, translator and editor with DW's online news team.
Kate Hairsine Reporter and senior editor