Israel and Iran are moving to a war footing, with renewed strikes leading to evacuations, emergency shelter plans and frantic efforts to contain the Middle East conflict.
The Israeli military said it was hitting “dozens more targets” in Tehran, hinting at a lengthy campaign as warplanes bombed military sites, laboratories and a tanker aircraft in Iran. Iranian state media said car bombs had blown up near government buildings on Sunday.
Iran retaliated with missile attacks, prompting Israel to order its citizens to take shelter. Yemen's Houthi rebels also launched missiles in an operation “co-ordinated” with Iran, with sources saying the rebels were considering strikes on US targets.
US President Donald Trump threatened to retaliate with America's “full strength and might” in the event of an attack by Iran. Mr Trump and his fellow G7 leaders are in Canada for a summit that concludes on Tuesday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to several Middle East leaders in a diplomatic push on Sunday, warning that Israel's attacks could “drag the whole region into the fire”. US-Iran talks scheduled to have taken place in Oman on Sunday and intended to ease the situation by peaceful means, did not take place.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at potential regime change in Iran, saying in an interview with Fox News that it “could certainly be the result”. He would not be drawn on reports that Mr Trump vetoed an Israeli strike on Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani said metro stations and mosques would be available as bomb shelters for the public from Sunday night, state media reported. It said plans were being made to supply food and medicine as the conflict widens and civilian areas come under attack.
In Tehran, residents heard warplanes and explosions overhead, with one reporting that drones flew “very low” over the capital. Local media said air defences were activated in several areas of the city.
The exchange of fire stretched into a fourth night as sirens and air defences were triggered in both countries late on Sunday. A ban on public gatherings was extended to Tuesday in Israel, which said it had meanwhile begun a strikes on “dozens of surface-to-surface missile targets” in western Iran.
Flights were cancelled across the Middle East. Etihad Airways cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until June 22, while Egyptair suspended routes to Beirut, Amman, Baghdad and Erbil. Egyptian authorities held air defence drills nationwide.
The Israeli air force announced late on Sunday that it had struck an Iranian refuelling plane at an airport 2,300km from Israel, in its longest-range strike so far. The Israeli military said it was “operating to establish aerial superiority over Iranian airspace”.
Israel said 14 people had been killed and 400 injured since Friday, when its military launched a surprise attack on Iran that killed several senior military leaders. Israel says it is acting to prevent Iran from advancing a nuclear weapons programme, something Tehran says it has no intention of doing.
Israelis were told to avoid gatherings and minimise “movement in public areas” as sirens signalled incoming fire. The army said about 20 drones had been intercepted, with more Iranian retaliation expected.
“We are removing an existential threat and reinforcing our security,” said Israel's army chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir. Iranian media, meanwhile, reported that at least 128 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday and Saturday.
The conflict could consolidate Mr Netanyahu's hold on power, just days after his coalition had appeared on the brink of collapse over exceptions to military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the operation against Iran was a “necessity”.
In Israel's first apparent attack on energy infrastructure, Iran's Tasnim news agency said production was partially suspended at South Pars, the world's biggest gasfield. Russia was drawing up plans to evacuate citizens from Iran, as Mr Trump suggested President Vladimir Putin could help to mediate in the conflict.
“Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” Mr Trump wrote on social media. He added that “we will have peace, soon".
President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus said his country had been asked to convey “some messages” to Israel, which Iran later denied.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, urged neighbouring Iraq to show “greater vigilance” in preventing Israel from using its airspace for attacks. Iraq, in turn, called on the US to prevent that.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said his country is “keen to prevent the war from expanding” and assured Mr Pezeshkian of Iraq's solidarity “in the face of the blatant Zionist aggression”.
The Iranian government insists its nuclear activities are peaceful and civilian in nature. UN inspectors said they cannot verify that and the US and Europe have accused Iran of enriching uranium to a level close to weapons grade.
Mr Trump abandoned a deal in 2018 that limited Iran's enrichment. The US and Iran have held five rounds of talks since April to try to find a path to a new accord.
Napoleon
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What should do investors do now?
What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?
Should I be euphoric?
No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.
So what happened?
It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.
"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."
Should I buy? Should I sell?
Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.
"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.
All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.
Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.
Will the rally last?
No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.
"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Al Baher, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Talento Puma, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,950m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Stakes Listed (TB) Dh500,000 1,950m; Winner: Mark Of Approval, Patrick Cosgrave, Mahmood Hussain.
4pm: Conditions (TB) Dh125,000 1,400m; Winner: Dead-heat Raakez, Jim Crowley, Nicholas Bachalard/Attribution, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Jebel Ali Sprint (TB) Dh500,000 1,000m; Winner: AlKaraama, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
