Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites

From Our Own Correspondent

BBC

News, News Commentary

4.4 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 21 June 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

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Summary

Kate Adie presents stories from Iran, Israel, India, the US and Canada.

Israel's decision to launch strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites has brought more uncertainty to an already volatile region. Several hundred Iranian civilians have been killed in the attacks and thousands more have fled Tehran. Jiyar Gol has spoken to people from across Iran, revealing a country - and a regime - under pressure.

Meanwhile Iran has retaliated with its own strikes against Israel and has at times overwhelmed the country's 'iron dome' defence system. Hugo Bachega travelled to the town of Rishon LeZion, which was hit by an Iranian missile in the early morning, and speaks to locals about Israel's decision to instigate a new conflict.

A man was charged in a Minnesota court with the murder of a Democratic Party lawmaker and her husband this week. The shooting shattered the state's idea of itself as a haven of politeness and respect. Mike Wendling reports from the twin cities. When Air India flight 171 crashed into a residential suburb of the Indian city of Ahmedabad, Zoya Mateen reported from the scene in the immediate hours after the disaster. In the local hospital, she met families still holding out for good news.

And finally, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale has been in Canada where the G7 summit of world leaders gathered this week - and from which Donald Trump made an early exit. He reflects on the fractures beginning to show in these multilateral gatherings and what that could mean for future summits.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Gemma Ashman Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, today as Iran retaliates against Israeli attacks, we hear of the trepidation in Jerusalem about how the conflict could unfold.
0:15.6	In India, we hear how relatives of passengers on board the fatal Air India flight held on to hope in the
0:22.4	hours after the crash. In the US, we hear how a political assassination has shattered the
0:28.8	culture of politeness found in mild-mannered Minnesota. And finally, we're in Canada's Rocky Mountains
0:35.8	for the G7 summit, and hear how the mood shifted following Donald Trump's abrupt departure.
0:42.3	But first, Israel's decision to launch attacks on nuclear and military sites across Iran last week has brought more uncertainty in an already volatile region.
0:53.3	Several hundred Iranian civilians have been killed in the
0:57.4	attacks, along with prominent nuclear scientists and senior members of Tehran's military leadership.
1:04.7	The unfolding chaos has prompted thousands of Iranians to flee Tehran, with food and petrol supplies reported to be running low.
1:14.3	Iran's foreign minister, Abbasarachi, has said it will not resume talks with the U.S. over its
1:20.1	nuclear program while his country is under attack, following efforts by European leaders to urge
1:26.4	a return to negotiations.
1:29.0	US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Iran had a maximum of two weeks to avoid possible
1:35.7	American airstrikes. The Iranian government does not allow the BBC to report from inside Iran,
1:42.7	but our correspondent Gia Gagol made the journey to Jerusalem from inside Iran, but our correspondent Gialg made the journey to Jerusalem
1:46.9	from where he's been in close contact with people across Iran.
1:52.2	The day after Israel launched a strike on Iran, I was trying to fly into Israel via Jordan.
1:58.4	As I headed toward London's Hetro airport, a message appeared on my
2:02.9	phone. Flight cancelled. The airspace over both Jordan and Israel had been shut down.
2:09.6	Chaos was already rippling through the region. I quickly found an alternative route, a flight
2:15.9	to Cairo in Egypt, and then onto the Red Sea
2:18.9	Resort town of Sharmor-Sheikh. From there, I would find a way to reach the Taaba border crossing
	...

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