Israeli airlines evacuate to European countries

Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa have evacuated their aircraft from Ben-Gurion Airport, diverting them to airports in Cyprus and other European destinations, according to Israeli media. 

In a further sign of heightened alert, Flight 1 — the aircraft designated for use by Israel’s prime minister and president — has also left Israeli airspace.

Early on June 13, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes targeting multiple locations inside Iran. 

The strikes focused on strategic targets in several major cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Arak, Tabriz, and Kermanshah. Significant damage was reported at the Natanz nuclear facility — a cornerstone of Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts — as well as along the Tehran–Isfahan highway. Iran later stated that no increase in radiation levels has been recorded at the Natanz nuclear facility.

Among the high-profile casualties named were Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri; IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami; Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid; and two prominent nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi.

By Sabina Mammadli