Israel-Iran latest: Israel begins another wave of strikes as Trump warns ‘next week is going to be very big’

Israel’s military warned people today to evacuate the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor.

In a post on X, the military shared a satellite image of the plant in a red circle like other warnings that preceded strikes.

Israel’s seventh day of airstrikes on Iran came a day after Iran’s supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage to them”.

Israel also lifted some restrictions on daily life, suggesting the missile threat from Iran on its territory was easing.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged de-escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict and issued a warning to any other countries looking to intervene.

“Any additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for those involved but for the whole region and for international peace and security at large,” he said.

“Diplomacy remains the best and only way to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues,” he added.

A new poll by The Washington Post reveals 45 percent of Americans oppose potential U.S. airstrikes against Iran, while 25 percent support the idea and 30 percent are unsure.

The Post polled 1,000 Americans who also gave brief statements explaining their stances.

A 62-year-old Nevada Republican who supports a potential U.S. strike on Iran told the Post that the U.S. “cannot allow Iran to have nukes.”

“Israel is our friend, Iran is the main sponsor of terrorism,” the woman added.

A 74-year-old Washington Republican who is opposed to a potential strike said she hopes President Donald Trump’s administration will “continue negotiations and alternatives before the U.S. bombs Iran and starts a World War III.”

Israeli officials are ordering people to evacuate from the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, located in the country’s northeast, according to the Associated Press.

The plant was built to produce heavy water, which is used in nuclear reactors.

The Israeli Air Force is currently conducting “a series of strikes” around Iran’s capital, Tehran, CNN reports.

This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that air defense systems over Tehran have been activated.

Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people, the Associated Press reports.

The AP cited a report from the Washington-based nonprofit Human Rights Activists.

The strikes are estimated to have wounded an additional 1,329 people, the nonprofit said.

Air defense systems over Tehran have been activated, CNN reports, citing an announcement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued minutes ago.

But he warned that a decision could happen in the coming days.

Catch up on Trump’s comments from The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg:

Iran’s nuclear program may have been set back months because of Israel’s airstrikes, NBC News reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

On Wednesday evening, the Israeli military said it had launched “three major waves of strikes” against Iran in the last 24 hours with the latest attack starting “just a short while ago.”

Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and leading Democrats on the Intelligence, Armed Services, and Appropriations committees, have penned a statement emphasizing the need for Congressional involvement in any potential conflict with Iran.

“By law, the president must consult Congress and seek authorization if he is considering taking the country to war. He owes Congress and the American people a strategy for U.S. engagement in the region,” the lawmakers wrote.

“We need a clear, detailed plan outlining the goals, risks, cost, and timeline for any proposed mission, as well as how he will ensure the safe evacuation of Americans in harm’s way all across the region,” they continued.

The Senators added that they “urge President Trump to prioritize diplomacy and pursue a binding agreement that can prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.”