Iran strikes major Israeli hospital after claiming Israel hit its Arak heavy water reactor
Soroka Medical Center, the largest hospital in southern Israel, took a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile on Thursday morning. Several other sites were also hit across Israel. The attack came after Iranian state television said Israel attacked Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Fox News coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict continues Thursday
Fox News will continue its coverage of Israel's conflict with Iran in a new Thursday liveblog.
Iran claims its foreign minister will meet with European counterparts in Geneva
Iran's foreign minister is set to meet with European counterparts in Geneva amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, Iranian state media reported Thursday.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Geneva for the meetings on Friday, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
US Embassy Jerusalem directs all government employees to continue to shelter in place
In a new security alert issued Thursday morning, the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem directed all government employees and their family members to continue to "shelter in place until further notice."
The embassy cited the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
"The Department of State is planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens’ departure from Israel," the security alert read. "We will alert the U.S. citizen community if there is additional information to share regarding departure options."
The embassy directed U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents to fill out a form on its website to request assistance.
Soroka hospital still on fire after suffering direct hit in Iranian missile attack
Fox News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst was outside Soroka Medical Center on Thursday after it was hit by Iran in a major missile attack.
Yingst reported that the hospital was still burning. It is located in the city of Be'er Sheva in southern Israel.
The hospital suffered a direct hit from Iranian ballistic missiles.
At least 65 people were injured in Israel during the missile barrage that began Thursday morning.
IDF shares inside look at major hospital hit in Iranian missile attack
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a video that gave an inside look at the extensive damage suffered by the largest hospital in southern Israel after it took a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile.
The video shows people running as smoke fills parts of Soroka Medical Center in the city of Be'er Sheva.
Parts of the hospital's ceiling were also blow out in the strike, the video showed.
Netanyahu says Israel will 'exact the full price' from Iran following strikes on civilians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media Thursday morning to say Israel will “exact the full price” from Iran following its missile barrage on civilians.
In a post to his X account, Netanyahu called out Iran's “terrorist tyrants” for launching missiles at Soroka Hospital and at civilians in the center of the country.
“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran," Netanyahu wrote on X.
Israel's defense minister instructs IDF to intensify strikes against 'strategic targets' in Iran
Israel Katz, Israel's minister of defense, issued a dire warning to Iran's supreme leader after civilians were targeted in a major missile attack on Thursday.
“The cowardly Iranian dictator sits deep in a fortified bunker and directs deliberate fire at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel," Katz said in a statement translated from Hebrew. "These are the most serious kinds of war crimes – and Khamenei will be held accountable for his crimes.”
Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israel Defense Forces to intensify strikes against "strategic targets in Iran and against regime targets in Tehran, in order to remove the threats to the State of Israel and to undermine the Ayatollah regime.”
Israel Defense Forces says it struck ‘key sites’ tied to Iran's nuclear weapons and missile programs
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday morning it struck “key sites” connected to Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.
“These facilities fuel Iran’s drive for nuclear weapons and its attacks on Israeli civilians,” the IDF wrote on X.
The sites included a nuclear weapons development site near the city of Natanz, an inactive nuclear reactor in the city of Arak, radar systems and missile storage sites, and ballistic missile and air defense production facilities, according to the IDF.
“The IDF will continue operating to eliminate threats and defend the State of Israel,” the armed forces of Israel wrote.
Israeli President Herzog sends message of support to victims of Iranian strikes
Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a message of “strength and support” to the victims of Iran’s latest missile attacks in a post to his X account Thursday morning.
“A baby in intensive care. A mother by their bedside. A doctor rushing between beds. An elderly resident in a nursing home. These were some of the targets of Iran’s missile attacks on Israeli civilians this morning," Herzog shared to X along with an image of Soroka Hospital, which was struck by Iran during a major missile barrage on Thursday morning.
Herzog called Soroka Hospital, which serves the entire Negev region of Israel, one of the country's “finest.”
“Its devoted staff — Jews and Arabs — work side-by-side in extraordinary harmony, united by the mission to heal," Herzog said. "I send strength and support to the medical teams, to the patients, and to the residents of Be’er Sheva and all cities attacked across Israel this morning. In moments like these, we are reminded of what’s truly at stake, and the values we are defending.”
Israeli hospital takes 'direct hit' from Iranian ballistic missile
The largest hospital in southern Israel was bombed by Iran during a major missile barrage on Thursday morning.
Fox News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported that Soroka Hospital in the city of Beer Sheva took a "direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile."
Yingst said the hospital suffered significant damage.
According to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical organization, as many as 25 people were wounded, with at least one severe injury.
Another three sites in central Israel were also impacted by Iran's missile attack.
At least 25 missiles were launched in the attack, Fox News' Greg Palkot reported.
The missile barrage came after Iranian state television said Israel struck Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor. Israel had warned earlier Thursday morning it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
Fox News' Yael Rotem-Kuriel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Rescuers search for survivors in Tel Aviv after city struck in Iranian missile attack
An urgent search and rescue effort was underway in Tel Aviv Thursday morning after Iran unleashed a large missile barrage on Israel.
A high-rise apartment building in Tel Aviv was hit by separate Iranian strikes, among other locations in central Israel, according to AP.
The main rescue service in Israel, Magen David Adom, said at least 40 people were wounded in the aftermath of the attacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Israel strikes Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, Iranian state media says
Israel struck Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor on Thursday, according to Iranian state television.
The report said there was “no radiation danger whatsoever” and that the facility had already been evacuated before the attack.
Israel's military had warned earlier Thursday morning it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area.
In what appeared to be a retaliatory attack, Iran hit the largest hospital in southern Israel.
Fox News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst said the hospital took a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile and suffered "significant damage."
At least four sites were impacted by strikes, according to Israeli media.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Israel under fire in 'large barrage'
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said millions of Israelis across the country were seeking shelter as Iran launched a Thursday morning attack.
Fox News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported there was another wave of incoming missiles, calling it a "large barrage."
He reported big explosions over Tel Aviv.
IDF warns of 'hostile aircraft' in northern Israel
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a warning about "hostile aircraft infiltration" in an early Thursday morning post on X.
The tweet included a map of areas in northern Israel and said sirens were sounding. The IDF also said millions of Israelis across the country were "running to shelter as sirens sound due to a missile launch from Iran."
Israel’s military also warned people Thursday to evacuate the area around Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor.
Thursday marks the seventh day of conflict between Israel and Iran.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
American cyclist's global adventure derailed when 'bombs started falling' in Iran
A Minnesota man with a dream of cycling across all seven continents was forced to come up with alternative plans after Israel launched a barrage of air strikes on Iran’s military leaders and nuclear facilities, close to where he was riding.
The Associated Press said 32-year-old Ian Andersen of Minnetonka, Minnesota did not plan to get stuck in a real war zone, so he rode to neighboring Azerbaijan on Monday.
"The bombs started falling," Andersen told the wire service on Wednesday, while speaking on Zoom from a hotel in Baku. "It was extremely scary."
Andersen was touring through Iran as part of a yearslong mission to ride his bike across all seven continents. While in Iran, Andersen had a local guide, and he had shared videos of his adventure with tens of thousands of followers on social media, since the beginning of June.
"The day the bombs started falling" was Friday, and Andersen and his guide were heading south along the Caspian Sea coast, from Chalus toward the capital of Tehran.
Andersen had reportedly hoped to apply for a visa to Afghanistan in Tehran, with ambitions of crossing into Central Asia and onto Russia.
"It was really just, like, the worst timing possible," he told the AP.
Once the bombs started falling, Andersen and his guide sheltered in place and spoke Spanish to avoid people suspecting he was from the U.S.
He also said he saw long lines of vehicles fleeing Tehran, and at the same time, his own family, friends and social media followers had concerns for his safety.
The U.S. State Department notified Anderson in an email that he should leave for Azerbaijan or Turkey.
A friend of Andersen’s in Los Angeles applied for a visa to Azerbaijan on his behalf, which was ultimately granted by the U.S. Embassy in Baku.
Biking, Andersen said, was his dream and escape, and in the past, he had struggled with addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
And while his dream of cycling the seven continents may have hit a speed bump, he has no regrets from going on the journey.
The bombs in Iran were not his only brush with death. In fact, he said he was in northern Kenya in 2023 when a tribesman threatened to chuck a spear at him while biking through a rural area.
"There’s always going to be risk, and you have to accept it," he said.
This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Greg Wehner.
White House weighs options as Trump says ‘Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon’
President Trump told reporters Wednesday he has not yet made a final decision on whether the U.S. will take direct military action against Iran, reiterating that while he doesn’t want a new war, his top priority is preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven’t made a final [decision],” Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office. “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due… because things change, especially with war.”
The president confirmed he plans to huddle with national security officials in the Situation Room and has been keeping lines of communication open, but stressed that “I would have preferred having just an agreement—a strong agreement, a verifiable agreement.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations denied reports of outreach to Washington, calling Trump’s comments “lies” and rejecting what it characterized as threats and coercion.
“Iran does not negotiate under duress,” its statement said.Trump emphasized his consistent stance, saying, “I don’t want to get involved either, but I’ve been saying for 20 years… that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And I think they were a few weeks away from having one.”
In response to critics within his own base, Trump made clear where he stands: “My supporters are for me. My supporters are America First. If they think that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, then they should oppose me.”
European ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday: report
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with Iranian officials on Friday in Switzerland, according to reports.
However, the ministers will first meet with Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, at Germany's permanent mission in Geneva before holding a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, Reuters reported.
The European leaders are hoping to persuade Iran to guarantee that it will use its nuclear program solely for civilian purposes.
Israel has stated that its goal behind its constant airstrikes is to degrade Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon.
Israel asks U.S. to 'finish the job' as war with Iran escalates, more missiles target Tel Aviv
A growing number of Israelis are calling on President Donald Trump to ramp up U.S. involvement in the war with Iran, with new billboards in Tel Aviv sending a blunt message: “Mr. President, finish the job.”
As the Israeli Security Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss next steps in the widening conflict, Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported live from Tel Aviv that “there’s no end in sight to the war between Israel and Iran.”
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Trump today,” Yingst said on Special Report, “as the region waits to see if the U.S. will get more directly involved in the fight.”
Netanyahu, in a televised statement, said: “I wish to thank President Trump, a great friend of the State of Israel. I thank him for standing by us, and I thank him for the support the United States is providing us in defending Israel's skies.”
The prime minister’s praise comes as Iranian missile fire continues to pound central Israel. “Tel Aviv, like many other Israeli cities, came under fresh missile fire this afternoon,” Yingst reported.
“Millions of people [were] sent into bomb shelters.”The Israeli Air Force responded with more trikes on Tehran, including against ballistic missile launchers.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence with a defiant message: “Threats do not affect the behavior of the Iranian nation… telling the Iranian nation to come and surrender is not a wise thing to do.”
“More Iranian missiles targeted central Israel tonight. The IDF telling Fox News they were shot out of the sky," Yingst concluded in his report.
Israel launches fresh wave of airstrikes
The Israeli Air Forces launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday morning.
"The Air Force intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iran," the Israeli Air Force wrote on X.
Pentagon removes colonel after anti‑Israel, antisemitic social media posts surface
A senior U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News that Army Col. Nathan McCormack, expert for the Joint Chief's J-5 planning directorate on the Middle East and Israel at the Joint Chiefs of Staff J‑5 planning directorate, has been removed from his role and sent back to the Army following a review of public social media posts.
The posts, including calling Israel the “worst ally” and referring to “Netanyahu and his Judeo‑supremacist cronies," were widely circulated online by McCormack under a semi‑anonymous X account. Many posts have since been deleted.
According to a Pentagon official, “He will no longer be on the joint staff while the matter is being investigated,” and an investigating officer is being assigned to review the content and its implications. The official emphasized that “The information on the X account does not reflect the position of the Joint Staff or the Department of Defense” and said the matter is under active investigation.
McCormack’s critics, including a Pentagon contractor quoted by JNS, described his posts as “mind‑boggling” and said the views are “dangerous,” especially for a senior planner. The contractor warned that his public criticisms “open the door for bad actors to exploit” and questioned what he might be saying behind closed doors.
Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) originally broke the story, prompting both a Pentagon statement and McCormack’s removal from his position.