Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran, attacks that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a regional war. Iranian state television reported the sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Karaj, Tabriz and Tehran, without immediately elaborating. A witness in Tehran described hearing at least one large blast somewhere to the west of the country's capital city. Iran closed the airspace around Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's main airfield, after the Israeli attack.
Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.04:15 PM, 8 June 2026Iran still open to talks with US, says Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran has not abandoned negotiations with the US following renewed exchanges of strikes with Israel.He also stressed that Iran remains active militarily, saying the Islamic Republic has not left “the battlefield.”“Diplomacy and defence are the two wings of national power,” Pezeshkian wrote on X, adding: “We have neither left the battlefield nor abandoned the negotiating table.”04:14 PM, 8 June 2026Schools across Israel will remain closed for a second dayEducation Minister Yoav Kisch said in a post on X Monday afternoon that schools would not open on Tuesday.On Sunday evening, Israel’s military updated its guidelines for civilians, limiting large gatherings and canceling school across the country for the first time since the earlier round of fighting with Iran in April.Kisch said the Ministry of Education aims to reopen classrooms on Wednesday under guidelines that would ensure students have access to close shelter.04:08 PM, 8 June 2026Iraq reopens airspace after Iran ends operation against IsraelIraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that the country’s airspace has reopened after earlier announcing a 72-hour closure in response to the renewed exchange of fire between Israel and Iran.03:45 PM, 8 June 2026EU sanctions Iran Guards over closure of Hormuz
