The latest from the Middle East as we sign off for the evening

Thanks for being with us as we've covered another day of exchanges between Israel and Iran. 

Here is a summary of key events from the day: 

Thanks for your company throughout today, and stay with us here at ABC News. We'll be covering the latest developments from the Middle East in the morning.

Why the Iran-Israel conflict could 'last for quite some time'

The conflict between Iran and Israel has entered its fifth day and there are no signs that either side is willing to de-escalate.

Javed Ali, an associate professor at the University of Michigan and former US security official, tells The World the conflict has the potential to last "for quite some time".

Iranian and Israeli energy sites impacted by conflict

Military strikes between Iran and Israel have prompted concern about potential damage and disruption to the region's important oil and gas fields and infrastructure.

Below are details about these sites and about how they have been affected so far:

South Pars Gas Field 

Israel struck an installation at the South Pars offshore gas field on June 14 where Iran has partially suspended production. South Pars is part the world's largest natural gas reserve which Iran shares with Qatar.

The attack struck four units of Phase 14 of South Pars, about 200 kilometres from Qatar's installations, many of which are joint ventures with international firms, including US giants ExxonMobil and ConocoPhilips.

Tehran Fuel Depot and Refinery

Israel struck a Tehran fuel depot and an oil refinery near the capital on June 14, Iran said, but authorities said the situation was under control.

Haifa Oil Refinery

Israel's Bazan Group shut down its Haifa oil refinery, the country's largest, on June 16 after its power station was damaged in an Iranian attack. The refinery has a crude processing capacity of 197,000 barrels per day (bpd).

With Reuters

Explosions across Israeli cities, top Iran military commander killed

In Israel, civilians have heard multiple explosions ring out over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while emergency sirens were triggered in both cities and further north towards the border with Syria.

In Iran, state media has reported that at least three people were killed in Israeli air strikes that targeted an Iranian broadcaster's headquarters. Middle East correspondent Matt Doran reports for The World.

Japan mulls evacuating citizens by bus

Countries around the world are considering how to keep their citizens in Iran safe, with many plans being drawn up to get people out.

Japan is the latest country to confirm such a move.

The government says it could evacuate Japanese national from Iran as early as Thursday, local time.

Logistics are still being worked through, but the Japanese embassy said it was considering moving people by bus to a neighbouring country.

Reporting with Reuters

Iran announces limited ban on smartphones and laptops

Iran has banned government officials and their bodyguards from using all communication devices linked to the networks.

 The ban, announced Tuesday, includes mobile phones, smart watches and laptops.

Iran did not elaborate on the reason for the ban, which was reported by the semi-official Fars news agency. 

However, it suggests Iran suspects Israel used digital signatures from electronics to launch its strikes, which have decimated Iran's military leadership.

Reporting with AP

Cyberattack targets Tehran banks

Bank Sepah, the first bank established in Iran, saw its online services disrupted in an apparent cyberattack. 

The semi-official Fars news agency said that will likely cause a disruption at some gasoline stations.

The hackers identified themselves as Gonjeshke Darande, or Predatory Sparrow.

The group has claimed hacking a major steel mill in 2022 and disrupting gas stations in 2023.

Iran, long sanctioned by the West, has difficulties in getting up-to-date hardware and software, often relying on Chinese-manufactured electronics or older systems no longer being patched by manufacturers. 

Pirated versions of Windows and other software are common across Iran.

With AP

Iran says it destroyed strategic targets overnight

Iran says it destroyed strategic targets in Israel overnight using drones. 

"Various types of destructive drones, equipped with precise destruction and targeting capabilities, destroyed strategic positions of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv and Haifa," General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the army's ground forces, was quoted as saying by state television.

Reporting with AFP

Fire erupts at Iranian state TV broadcaster

Israel's strike on the headquarters of Iran's state TV broadcaster continues to have consequences.

A day after a strike on the building during a live broadcast killed three people, a fire has broken out at the site.

"The smoke seen in the Iranian radio and television building is due to a fire that reignited due to the wind," the broadcaster said.

Reporting with AFP

UN watchdog now says Israeli strikes had 'direct impacts' on Natanz enrichment site

The International Atomic Energy Agency says it now believes Israeli airstrikes on Iran's Natanz enrichment site had "direct impacts" on the facility's underground centrifuge halls. It did not elaborate.

It's the first time the UN nuclear watchdog has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran's program.

Earlier, it was clear that Natanz's above-ground enrichment hall had been destroyed, as well as electrical equipment that powered the facility.

Iran has not discussed the damage done in depth at Natanz as the country is reeling from the ongoing Israeli strikes that are dismantling its air defense and killing its top military commanders.

Reporting with AP