EconoTicker

Beersheba—An Iranian ballistic missile struck Soroka Medical Center moments ago with a loud boom. Evacuations of patients and staff are underway.

• Impact area: main emergency building

• Backup medical teams mobilized; alternate care sites activated

• Casualties and damage assessments pending; rescue crews on site

Beersheba—An Iranian ballistic missile hit Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel, inflicting extensive structural damage and disrupting critical hospital services.

• Main emergency building heavily damaged

• Patient wards and operating rooms evacuated to backup facilities

• Casualty figures not yet confirmed, rescue and repair teams on site

Washington—Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for a nationwide uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic, declaring the regime’s collapse irreversible.

• He urged citizens to take to the streets and “reclaim Iran.”

• He appealed directly to security forces and government personnel not to defend a “decaying regime.”

• He said a 100-day transition plan is in place to establish a democratic government.

Tehran/New York—Iran’s mission to the United Nations refuted President Trump’s assertion that Iranian officials offered to visit the White House, declaring “No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House.” The statement also called Trump’s threat to “take out” Iran’s Supreme Leader cowardly and despicable.

• Trump said Iranian officials “suggested” a White House visit.

• Iran’s UN mission published a social-media statement denying any such request.

• The statement condemned Trump’s lies and his threat against the Supreme Leader.

Israel—The Israeli military urged residents to seek shelter after detecting new missile launches from Iran. Earlier Wednesday, some civilian movement restrictions were eased as previous Iranian attacks had waned.

• Sirens sounded in major population centers, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

• Military intelligence tracked multiple missile launches from Iranian territory

• Authorities reinstated shelter orders despite recent easing of restrictions

Washington/Tel Aviv—The U.S. State Department will evacuate American citizens from Israel using charter flights and cruise ships, Ambassador Mike Huckabee announced.

• Evacuees should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates.

• A special task force has been set up to assist Americans leaving Israel and other Middle East countries.

• Approximately 700,000 Americans—many dual U.S.–Israeli citizens—are in Israel, with thousands more across the region.

Tehran—Human Rights Activists said it has identified 239 civilians and 126 security personnel among those killed in recent Israeli strikes. The group, known for detailed casualty figures during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, crosschecks local reports against its network of sources within Iran.

• Civilians killed: 239

• Security personnel killed: 126

• Methodology: crosschecks local reports with network of sources; previously provided detailed Amini protests data

Tehran—Iran’s leadership announced it will keep enriching uranium, while Israel defended its recent strikes as necessary to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon after two months of stalled U.S.–Iran talks. President Trump said Israel acted once the 60-day window he set for negotiations expired.

• Iran will maintain uranium enrichment despite international pressure.

• Israel launched airstrikes to halt Iran’s weaponization efforts.

• U.S.–Iran diplomatic talks showed little visible progress over two months but remain ongoing.

• Trump framed the strikes as following the 60-day deadline he imposed.

This standoff underscore the breakdown of diplomacy and raises the likelihood of further military escalation.

Washington—President Trump suggested a U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying “I may do it, I may not, nobody knows.” He stressed that “nothing is too late” for negotiations and warned that Iran has been given “the ultimate ultimatum” as his patience has run out.

• Possible Military Action: “I may do it, I may not, nobody knows.”

• Diplomatic Door Open: “Nothing is too late” for talks.

• Ultimatum Issued: Patience with Iran has run out.

Isfahan—State-run Iranian television broadcast footage showing an Israeli Hermes reconnaissance drone being shot down near Isfahan. The report claims air defenses engaged and destroyed the UAV after it violated Iranian airspace.

Washington—US officials told ABC that the next 24–48 hours could determine whether diplomacy with Iran succeeds or fails. Insiders warn that President Trump may abandon talks in favor of military action if progress isn’t swift. Conversely, if Tehran returns to the table and agrees to halt all enrichment, a critical meeting led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance could convene as early as this week. Earlier, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” claiming America has “total control of the skies over Iran.”

Washington—While US officials warn the next 24–48 hours will be critical for deciding American military involvement in the Iran–Israel conflict, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he’s installing new flagpoles at the White House. “It is a GIFT from me of something which was always missing from this magnificent place,” he wrote, drawing attention to domestic pageantry as tensions abroad mount.