Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Israel says it struck over 100 Iranian military targets early Friday. Iran appears to have retaliated. The Israeli military reportedly started to intercept its drones. Reuters news agency says this black smoke is rising from the direction of Iran's uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. Israel said it's taking aim at Iran's nuclear agenda.We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb.
Al Jazeera says this video, taken around 3:30 a.m., shows smoke in multiple locations in northeastern Tehran.Iranian state-run TV reports that explosions were heard and air defense systems were activated. Another state-run news agency claims women and children in residential areas were among those injured or killed. Israel's defense minister called it a preemptive strike.
He says there's a state of emergency in effect and he expects counterattacks.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says the strikes killed the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami. And the state-run network says the country's top military official, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohamed Bagheri, was also killed.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Israel will definitely receive harsh punishment following the attack. He said Israel has prepared a bitter fate for itself.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned the US. It said Israel's actions could not have been carried out without the coordination and permission of Washington. The US Secretary of State says Israel took unilateral action and the US is not involved in the strikes. Marco Rubio says his country's top priority is protecting American forces in the region.
The Japanese government says it's aware of Israel's announcement and is working to confirm the facts.
Iran and world powers reached a nuclear deal in 2015. Tehran agreed to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for an end to sanctions. But Trump, in his first term, unilaterally pulled the US out of that deal, and Iran has since accelerated its nuclear development, fueling concerns in the international community. Trump, in his second term, has been expressing A willingness to negotiate with Iran. Trump had told reporters in late May that they were very close to a solution, suggesting that progress was being made. But he said on Wednesday that he was losing confidence that Tehran would agree to stop enriching uranium, and indicated that negotiations were facing difficulties.
The Japanese government says it's aware of Israel's announcement and is working to confirm the facts.
We will make utmost efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals and will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening further.
One factor behind the attack is Iran's nuclear development program. The attack came amid talks with the US on that nuclear program.Iran and world powers reached a nuclear deal in 2015. Tehran agreed to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for an end to sanctions. But Trump, in his first term, unilaterally pulled the US out of that deal, and Iran has since accelerated its nuclear development, fueling concerns in the international community. Trump, in his second term, has been expressing A willingness to negotiate with Iran. Trump had told reporters in late May that they were very close to a solution, suggesting that progress was being made. But he said on Wednesday that he was losing confidence that Tehran would agree to stop enriching uranium, and indicated that negotiations were facing difficulties.
Multiple media outlets repeatedly said that Israel is planning to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. The New York Times on Wednesday quoted US and European authorities as saying Israel appeared ready to attack Iran. Iran has warned that if attacked, it would retaliate with strikes on nuclear-related facilities in Israel. CNN and other media outlets reported that Trump spoke by phone on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him to stop talk of an attack on Iran. But on Thursday, Trump was more cautious.
Well, I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen.
There's been a development regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Iran to launch new enrichment center in response to IAEA resolution
The International Atomic Energy Agency has adopted a resolution condemning the country, saying it did not cooperate with inspections.Iran responded by announcing it would build a new uranium enrichment facility.
There are concerns that plan could threaten the future of nuclear talks.
NHK's correspondents in Tehran and Jerusalem are following these developments. They spoke on our domestic programming.I'm currently broadcasting from NHK grant in the Northern Terran.
Nothing unusual is felt in this area, but some explosions can be heard in the capital.
Statewide TV reported that important nuclear development sites, such as Natanz in the center and Oslo and Hondav in the west, have been attacked.
And those important development sites have been attacked. For now, there is no signs of nuclear contamination, but the extent of damage is unknown.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards head of the elite military unit, and some scientists involved in nuclear development were killed.
For Iran, nuclear development is a project that puts the country's first stage on the line, so the heart of the project has been attacked. According to the local media, senior military official has already indicated to take a decisive action, so it is definite that some kind of countermeasures will be taken. I'm reporting from Jerusalem from the NIHK branch. It seems that Israel wanted to halt Iran's nuclear development even if it means overriding the restraint imposed by the Trump administration and the army chief justified there was no other option. A state of emergency has been declared throughout Israel, but since it is now just after 6 a.m. in Jerusalem, there is no major confusion in the city. Israel media is emphasizing the Israel-side achievement, saying that attacks targeted Iran's nuclear development facilities. However, when speaking to citizens, there are concerns there will be a literary attack in the future.
Analysis: Why Israel attacked Iran and what's next?
Why did Israel decide to carry out the attack now?Earlier, I spoke with Professor Tanaka Koichiro from Keio University. He's an expert on the Middle East.
Well, I think there are multiple reasons behind this attack, the timing of the attack. And first of all, when President Trump initiated this indirect talks with Iran back in April, he mentioned that the timeline is just like 2 months. And exactly two months after the initial meeting with the Iranians, this attack happened. So I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu would try to use this as sort of a justification to say to Mr. Trump that, OK, we gave you two months, the two months is over. So that was one thing.
The other part is that the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency,His Board of Governors met this week and they have adopted a resolution against Iran on Thursday evening. And I believe that also had an impact because the resolution did state that Iran was in noncompliance of its safeguard agreements, but at the same time it failed short of referring the matter to the United Security Council, United Nations Security Council.
So I think then that again, Mr. Netanyahu could use this as a, say, way of saying.
That we gave diplomacy a chance, but the international communities was not ready to act on that. So they would take the matters in their own hands, meaning that as they wished, they are now launched a military strike against Iran.
The other part is that the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency,His Board of Governors met this week and they have adopted a resolution against Iran on Thursday evening. And I believe that also had an impact because the resolution did state that Iran was in noncompliance of its safeguard agreements, but at the same time it failed short of referring the matter to the United Security Council, United Nations Security Council.
So I think then that again, Mr. Netanyahu could use this as a, say, way of saying.
That we gave diplomacy a chance, but the international communities was not ready to act on that. So they would take the matters in their own hands, meaning that as they wished, they are now launched a military strike against Iran.
Right. And one of the nuclear facilities that was targeted was the largest uranium enrichment centre. So what's your take on that?
Well, of course, yes. Even Mr. Trump was quite adamant in saying that Iran could not have a nuclear nuclear enrichment facility or uranium enrichment facility because to acquire a nuclear weapons they need, I mean everybody would, anybody would need a fission material. And one of the most important fission materials here is enriched uranium. And without an enriched uranium enrichment facility, you cannot have that in hand.
So that is the chief target of any military strike if it was to happen against Iran or any other country that would go after nuclear weapons or any nuclear capability, rather call it, yeah.
So that is the chief target of any military strike if it was to happen against Iran or any other country that would go after nuclear weapons or any nuclear capability, rather call it, yeah.
Right. And so how will the attack affect the Israel Iran relationship and the general situation in the Middle East?
Well, I'm 100% certain that as you have already reported that Iran will retaliate against Israel and they would certainly target their nuclear facilities in Daimona as well as the military air bases in the Nagab desert like Nevatim and elsewhere. I think they will also try to target the. Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv as well. So I think there are multiple locations that is likely to be targeted by the ballistic missiles sent from Iran, not only by not only by UAVs, but also ballistic missiles, I think which could be extremely difficult without the help of the United States or others to intercept in mid-air. And I think this would only add to this, say, certain amount of tension. add fuel to the tension that already existed, and that we could see a retaliatory attack from both sides in the future. I mean, I I think Israel is still not ready to put an end to their attacks against Iran, and Iran certainly will not be satisfied until the day that see that the all the Israeli nuclear facilities are torn down.
Right. So what do you think will be the focus next?
I mean, how likely will the US be to respond?
Yes, I think the United States plays a very critical role here because now that the Iranians have the, say, legal right to retaliate against Israel, how will the United States respond to that? Are they going to allow and acknowledge and allow Iran to hold and exert its inherent right for self-defence or not? And if they do, would they just leave the Iranians attack Israeli targets? Or would they try to intercept them in midair, just like they've done so last year in April and October?Or would they even go further by attacking military installments inside Iran, not only by Israel but also? The American forces in in the region associated with them. So if that is to happen, then the Iranians would have no other choice other than to attack the US military bases or its interests in the Middle East. And that's going to look very, very, very ugly. And I think this was sort of a plan that Prime Minister Netanyahu held for a long time that. drag the Americans into a regional war against Iran or any other country in the region that Israel considers it as hostile to them, or that they would say, consider that they are an existential threat to them. And back in 2003, we already saw that against Iraq. Now, I think this time the turn has come to Iran, and whether that, it's up to, whether or not the United States is going to lay their hands in this or not. It's it all depends on how Mr. Trump is going to act or not.
Plane crash in India kills more than 240
Authorities in India are trying to find out what caused the crash of a passenger plane carrying hundreds of people. They say the accident happened shortly after takeoff in the western city of Ahmedabad.241 people on board the plane were killed. Surveillance footage captured the jet taking off and gradually losing altitude. The pilots reportedly issued a Mayday call. This was followed by an explosion and a fireball.
The plane was being operated by Air India. Company officials say it was a Boeing 787 bound for London Gatwick Airport. 242 people were on board. They include 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Air India says one British passenger survived and is being treated in hospital. The plane crashed onto the dining area of a medical college building. Reuters says there may have been casualties on the ground.
The plane was completely torn apart. It was a disaster.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the accident as heartbreaking. He says he's been in touch with the relevant authorities. Officials at Boeing say they've contacted the airline and are ready to support the investigation. Their 787 model planes had a series of battery problems in 2013 and were temporarily grounded worldwide. But this is believed to be the first crash of a 787 since the jet went into service 14 years ago.
People overseas are reacting to the crash. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he's being kept updated as the situation develops.
People overseas are reacting to the crash. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he's being kept updated as the situation develops.
We've dispatched an investigation team that's been deployed. The foreign secretary is leading on this and we'll obviously update as soon as we can. But we're working with the Indian authorities on this to establish the facts.
And Rishi Sunak, Britain's first Prime Minister of Indian descent, says he's deeply shocked and distraught. addressed by the news. He also notes there's a unique bond between the two nations.People living in Indian communities in western London expressed their shock.
I feel very bad because it's our state, our country. Yeah, yes, it's far away from our state, but still we feel bad because it's our people.
It's very bad news for the humanity. Maybe the Air India needs to compensate their families about this.
US President Donald Trump says the crash was horrific.
The plane crash was terrible. I've already told them anything we can do. It's a big country, a strong country. They'll handle it, I'm sure. But I let them know that anything we can do, we'll be over there immediately.
The US National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, is also sending a team of investigators to India to assist with the probe. The US Federal Aviation Administration says when an international incident occurs, the country where it happens leads the investigations, but is ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB if India asks for assistance.
Trump blocks California's ban on sales of new gasoline-powered cars
More friction has broken out between US President Trump and the state of California. The president has signed congressional resolutions to block the state's ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars.In 2022, California decided to ban the sale of gas-powered and hybrid cars entirely in the state by 2035.
The administration of former President Joe Biden approved the bill in December last year. But the Republican-led Congress passed the resolutions in May.
And Trump signed them on Thursday, calling the California plan a disaster.
The state's governor, Gavin Newsom, said the moves by Trump and the Republicans were illegal. He also stressed the policy was for cleaning air, protecting the health of children and competing on the global stage. The governor has reportedly directed state officials to find new ways to promote electric and other clean energy vehicles. Trump and Newsom have also been at odds over a federal roundup of immigrants in California.
Poll shows 70% of South Koreans expect new president to perform well
A South Korean opinion poll shows that 70% of respondents expect President Lee to perform well during his five-year term. Gallup Korea has released the results of a survey of 1,000 people conducted Tuesday through Thursday. Asked how Lee will perform over the coming five years, 7 out of 10 respondents said they expect him to manage well. 24% answered otherwise. Lee took office on June 4.Expectations are higher than for Lee's predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, at the beginning of his term in 2022.
Just 60% expected Yoon to do well soon after taking office. But Lee's figure is lower than for other recent presidents.
Moon Jae-in had a figure of 87% in 2017. Park Geun-hye had 79% in 2013, the same as for Lee Myung-bak in 2008.
The new president had virtually no transition period before being sworn in.
Former President Yoon was removed from office after being impeached over a martial law declaration. President Lee has yet to fill all his cabinet posts.
the world of business
Now let's see what's happening in the world of business. Here's Ramin Mellegard from the biz desk.Thank you very much indeed.
Nikkei 225 falls, oil futures rise as Israel strikes Iran
Now, Japan's stock benchmark fell on Friday as Israel's military strike on Iran raised investors concerns that Middle East tensions will escalate. The Nikkei 225 finished at 37,834, down 0.9 percent. News of the attacks followed soon after the opening of trade, leading to a sell-off to reduce risk. Now, analysts say a prolonged Middle East conflict would damage the global economy significantly. The benchmark WTI crude oil futures briefly climbed to $74 per barrel in New York on Thursday. That's the highest since late January. They had been trading at the 68th Dollar level before the military strike was reported. Now the Strait of Hormuz through the Persian Gulf is a key shipping lane for crude oil.Analysts say prices are rising over concerns that increased tensions in the Middle East may crimp crude supplies. And Japanese shipping companies are mapping out possible responses to Friday's Israeli attacks on Iran. The companies may need to adjust to any escalation of military action in the Middle East, which Japan relies on for about 90% of its crude oil imports.
Tokyo-based NYK Line operates about 20 oil tankers and automobile carriers in the region. It says its vessels travel through the Persian Gulf dozens of times a month. Mitsui OSK Lines and Kawasaki Kisen, also known as K Line, will alert ships traveling through waters around the Gulf. They'll also consider how to ensure the safety of crews and cargoes. Japan's transport ministry says vessels operated by major Japanese shipping companies navigated through the Gulf about 3,500 times in 2024.
Energy-related carriers accounted for more than 40% of all the trips. The ministry says it will provide shipping companies with the latest information on the ground and urge them to take safety measures.
Trump says 'golden share' in US Steel gives him control
US President Donald Trump says the government has a golden share in US Steel that he describes as under his control. Now, such a stake could let the president veto some decisions by Japanese firm Nippon Steel after his planned takeover of the American steelmaker.We have a golden stock. We have a golden share, which I control or president controls.
Trump also said that there would be a 51 percent ownership by Americans after the acquisition. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States finished its re-examination of Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel last month. The parties face a June 18 deadline to complete the deal. Japan's Industry Minister Mutoyoji said he was aware of the comment, but will wait for the US government's official announcement.We are aware that concrete investment plans have been considered and adjusted by relevant officials in the private sector. The Japanese government will do its best in promoting communications between relevant officials when it's necessary.
Nippon Steel said that it won't comment on Trump's remark. The company aims to turn US Steel into a wholly owned subsidiary and is watching any decisions made by the US President closely.Next, NHK World's Yanaka Maria is here with BizPicks.
BOJ to focus on inflation, JGB buying
Let's look at the topics we'll be tracking in the week ahead. Japan will release key economic gauges one after another. This week's BizPix feature is on the Bank of Japan's policy meeting, scheduled to wrap up on Tuesday. Mizuho Securities chief economist Kobayashi Shunsuke says for insight on the BOJ's thinking, we should pay attention to changes in the quality of inflation.Recent inflation trends show price rises do not necessarily derive from external factors, like higher material prices or a weaker yen. Instead, chances are high that internal or structural factors are now pushing up prices. Salaries are rising due to a labor shortage. On the other hand, supply and demand imbalances are pressuring prices, such as soaring costs of daily necessities like rice.
Kobayashi says the BOJ will likely forego hiking interest rates at its June meeting. He explains policymakers need to wait until later this summer to first assess the economic impact of upcoming events such as possible US tariffs.By early July, the US is supposed to conclude its tariff talks, including those with Japan. The outcome will clarify the likely impact of Trump's tariffs on Japan and the global economy.
So I think the BOJ could possibly hike rates at its end-of-July meeting at the earliest.
Kobayashi notes another factor that could affect the timing of BOJ rate hikes is the US Federal Reserve, which might start lowering rates. Now another focus of next week's meeting is the BOJ's plans to buy Japanese government bonds. Last July, the central bank announced a key JGB buying strategy.
The BOJ said it intended to roughly halve its monthly purchases to around 3 trillion yen, or about $21 billion, by the first quarter of 2026. The move is part of its exit from its ultra-easy monetary policy.
What to do from the second quarter of 2026 will be up for discussion.
But Kobayashi warns smaller bond purchases could have unexpected effects on the financial marketdepending on how the plan is implemented.
Reducing JGB purchases, or reducing the central bank's total assets, means that the reserve funds commercial banks deposit with the BOJ will also be reduced. If those funds are too low at some point in the future, the financial markets could suffer a shortage of short-term funds.
The BOJ must keep inflation in check while avoiding any moves that could cause excessive market volatility. A delicate balance as it proceeds towards its goal of ending its easy monetary policy.
I'm Yanaka Marie, and that wraps it up for this week's BizPicks.
And that is it for Business News.
the world weather
It's now time for a check on the world weather. The first tropical storm of the year in the western Pacific is currently affecting southern China. Our meteorologist Yumi Hirano has the details.Root dip has been upgraded to a severe tropical storm and now is approaching China's Hainan Province. The system has already caused many disruptions.Ruletip triggered emergency responses in Hainan Province on Friday. Over 16.000 people evacuated and over 30.000 fishing boards moved to safety, according to the government. A video showed water flowing on roads and many trees falling along the roads.
Gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour were reported, according to the Associated Press. The system is expected to keep bringing stormy conditions to Hainan on Friday and make landfall on the mainland of China by Saturday. Not only strong winds but also widespread downpours are a concern. Up to 400 millimeters of rainfall is possible in Hainan by Saturday. Heavy rain is also likely in central Vietnam and Laos. Danan has already received over 450 millimeters in the past few days and more is expected over the weekend, so please watch out for fresh flooding.
In the bigger picture across Asia, we have to monitor two more systems.
One is a tropical deflation that is bringing heavy downpours to Taiwan and the other is a frontal system stretching from eastern China to Japan.
The system is likely to be active due to ample moisture from the deflation. Heavy downpours are expected in western and eastern Japan on Saturday and Sunday.
Kyushu has especially high risks of floods and landslides. Showers are also expected in Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. The high in Beijing will drop to 26 due to wet weather. But heat is a concern in Chongqing with a high of 38
That's it for now. Take care.
♫～
That wraps up this edition of NHK Newsline. I'm Kanako Sachno in Tokyo.
Thanks very much for joining us.
Thanks very much for joining us.
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