Israeli defense minister says major strikes in Iran are imminent

Iran’s government spokesperson said on Tuesday that there are no issues in the distribution of gasoline, despite public awareness of queues at fuel stations.

The spokesperson acknowledged the existence of lines but emphasized that fuel distribution is being managed effectively and that there is no systemic problem.

Temporary and mobile fuel stations are also under consideration to improve the situation.

Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that the government is taking a local, community-focused approach to address issues with bakeries and essential goods, ensuring a stable supply chain.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for an urgent de-escalation of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, as missile exchanges have intensified since Friday.

Speaking after a meeting with EU foreign ministers, Kallas stressed the EU’s commitment to diplomacy as the only viable solution to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

"We all agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation. Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and diplomacy is the solution to prevent this. And the EU will play its part. I also took note of the support of the EU ministers on the European Union and my involvement in the de-escalation. So I will spare no effort in this respect."

Kallas also highlighted concerns over Iran’s accelerated nuclear program, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s recent declaration that Tehran breached non-proliferation obligations.

"That is why we also agree that the diplomatic solution is the best way to address Iran's nuclear program in the long run, and Europe stands ready to play its part. Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. We cannot be lenient when Iran accelerates its nuclear program."

"Yesterday, we had a call with the E3 ministers, myself, and also the Iranian minister, to see what more we can do to really sit down and de-escalate. As all of us agree, it's a diplomatic solution that is the only one also for the Iran nuclear program."

Iran’s military leadership is “on the run,” an Israeli military official said Tuesday, as Israel escalated its strikes on Iranian targets.

The official said Iran has launched around 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel in recent days, hitting both civilian and military infrastructure.

Israel is taking steps to avoid triggering a nuclear disaster in its strikes on Iran, the official added.

“We do not want to cause any nuclear disaster with our strikes,” the official said, adding that while Israel has not targeted Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility yet, “that doesn’t mean we won’t.”

Former IRGC Quds Force commanderAhmad Vahidi said Iran has not yet deployed its latest generation of missiles and will soon unveil new innovations on the battlefield, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian defense ministry spokesperson the armed forces used a new missile in today’s strike on Israel, adding that Israeli forces "did not detect it before impact."

Twenty-one provinces of Iran’s 31 have been affected by Israeli attacks, the spokesperson for Iran’s Red Crescent Society said on Tuesday.