Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 13th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Israel strikes Iran nuclear sites; blasts reported nationwide
Israel has launched “Operation Rising Lion”, hitting Iranian nuclear, missile-production and military sites—including Natanz—while declaring a state of emergency against expected missile-and-drone retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strikes a turning point, as Tehran confirmed blasts in several cities and the deaths of senior commanders, nuclear scientists and five civilians, with over 20 wounded; Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment” but reported no radiation leak. Washington denied involvement—Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting Israel acted alone—and President Donald Trump, briefed in advance, ruled out US military participation.
2. After Israel strikes Iran, airlines divert flights, airspace closed
Airlines rapidly emptied the skies over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan on Friday after Israel struck Iranian targets. Ben Gurion Airport shut indefinitely, El Al grounded all services and Iran, Iraq and Jordan closed their airspace. Flights from Emirates, Lufthansa and Air India already over Iran diverted, while Air India rerouted or returned multiple long-haul services. Flydubai and Qatar Airways cancelled several Middle-East routes, and many carriers detoured via Central Asia or Saudi Arabia. Many flights are being diverted to pass over Azerbaijan, Baku.
Rising conflict zones are straining aviation safety and finances: six civilian jets have been unintentionally shot down since 2001, with near-misses mounting, Osprey Flight Solutions notes. Last year alone, 1,400 Europe-bound flights crossed Middle-Eastern airspace each day, even as drones and missiles repeatedly skimmed commercial routes.
Friday’s shutdown follows recent shoot-downs in Kazakhstan and Sudan and echoes earlier disasters—MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 and PS752 departing Tehran in 2020—underscoring the growing risks of flying through active conflict areas.
3. IAEA confirms Israeli strike hit nuclear facility
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that the Natanz site in Iran is among the targets struck by Israel, says Director General Grossi. The IAEA said it was closely monitoring the "deeply concerning situation in Iran." The organisation says it's in contact with Iranian authorities, inspectors in the country regarding radiation levels.
4. UN Assembly backs Gaza ceasefire
The UN General Assembly has voted 149–12 (with 19 abstentions) for an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Backed by Azerbaijan and spearheaded by more than 20 sponsors, the resolution condemns the use of starvation as a weapon, demands the lifting of Israel’s blockade to allow unfettered humanitarian aid, urges the release of all hostages and stresses protection of civilians under international law.
Although non-binding, the vote signals broad diplomatic pressure after the United States vetoed a similar Security Council text last week. Assembly president Philémon Yang criticised the Council’s inaction and warned that Gaza’s humanitarian crisis—marked by famine conditions and mounting civilian deaths—has become “unacceptable.”
The measure also endorses full implementation of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), which envisages a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges and an Israeli troop withdrawal, and recalls the Assembly’s request for an ICJ opinion on Israel’s obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Focus now turns to high-level talks in New York next week, led by France and Saudi Arabia, where diplomats will seek momentum toward a durable political settlement, including a two-state solution, while aid agencies plead for immediate access and civilian protection on the ground.
5. Rescuers scour buildings after Air India plane crash kills over 240
Rescuers are scouring the ruins of a doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad after an Air India Boeing 787-8 crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday, killing more than 240 people in the deadliest air disaster in a decade. The London-bound Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, slammed into the newly built hostel at lunch-time, causing additional fatalities on the ground; only one passenger—a British national—survived.
Teams have recovered one of the jet’s black boxes and are still hunting for wreckage and missing persons. Investigators are examining whether a sudden loss of engine thrust caused the crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured the scene and visited the injured, calling the devastation “saddening.” Boeing has dispatched specialists to assist, and Air India warns the inquiry will be lengthy.
The accident is the first fatal crash involving a Dreamliner, delivered to Air India in 2014. Shares in Boeing and Indian rivals IndiGo and SpiceJet fell sharply in early trading.
6. Cyprus ready to assist Middle East evacuations if needed, government says
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Friday that Cyprus has activated a mechanism to help evacuate nationals of third countries from the Middle East, should it become necessary. In the same written statement, he added that President Nikos Christodoulides has convened the National Security Council for later in the day.
7.Over 10 international flights divert to Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Airport
After Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace closed, Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International acted as a diversion hub on Friday, safely landing rerouted flights from AJet, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines. Airport officials said operations ran smoothly, confirming Baku’s readiness to handle regional traffic in any emergency.
Türkiye is pursuing a cautious approach to the escalating Middle East conflict while maintaining regional ties, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğa...
Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, ...
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high des...
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out p...
Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the M...
Türkiye is pursuing a cautious approach to the escalating Middle East conflict while maintaining regional ties, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday, warning against actions that could deepen instability.
Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, data shows, shortly before prices plunged.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high despite reports of possible diplomacy and continued military strikes across the region.
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out plans to establish a buffer zone following its latest invasion.
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.
Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, oil prices continue rising as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues.
Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.
FinaFinal results from Slovenia’s parliamentary elections indicate a near tie between the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and the liberal Freedom Movement Slovenia (GS), leaving neither side with a clear path to power.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
China is raising domestic petrol and diesel prices under temporary measures to manage a sharp surge in global oil costs, aiming to support fuel suppliers while maintaining market stability during a period of heightened volatility.
Russia launched drones and missiles overnight on Tuesday at Ukraine, killing at least three people, damaging houses and triggering fires, Ukrainian officials said.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.
Australia and the European Union signed a trade deal on Tuesday that was eight years in the making, removing tariffs for almost all European goods and for nearly all exports of Australian critical minerals.
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