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.

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