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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-13 at 08:07
HEADLINES
1. Israel Launches Largest Ever Iran Strike
2. Iran Threatens Harsh Retaliation Amid Escalation
3. Regional Tensions Surge as Middle East Awaits Fallout
The time is now 04:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At four a.m., the region remains in a state of heightened alert and ongoing conflict. Israel's military continues its efforts to counter a significant threat from Iran, confirming that over 100 Iranian attack drones are en route toward Israeli territory. The Israeli Defense Forces are actively working to intercept these UAVs, which launched from Iran and are expected to take several hours to reach Israel. Jordanian airspace was also affected, with sirens activating due to UAVs passing through en route to Israel, and Jordanian authorities reported intercepting some of these aerial threats.
In response to Iran’s aggression, Israel launched a large-scale operation early Friday morning, involving around 200 fighter jets targeting over 300 locations across Iran. These strikes, described by Israeli officials as the largest ever against Iran, targeted military installations, nuclear sites, and command centers. Among those reported killed were high-ranking Iranian military leaders, including the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Chief of Staff. The operation, dubbed “Rising Lion,” is part of Israel’s broader effort to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities and military infrastructure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the operation would continue for as long as necessary to eliminate the threat, asserting that the goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to protect Israeli sovereignty. The Israeli military has also evacuated key infrastructure, including Ben-Gurion International Airport, and suspended flights amid the escalation. Israeli officials warn of the possibility of Iran’s military retaliation, which could include missile launches targeting civilian and military sites.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, promising a harsh response and warning of “bitter and painful” consequences for Israel. Iran’s military has responded with threats of retaliatory action, and reports indicate that Iranian forces have begun military exercises in the region, including a live drill involving tracking enemy forces.
International markets have shown some resilience despite the escalation, with Asian stock markets experiencing declines—Tokyo’s Nikkei down 1.3%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng down 0.8%, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite down 0.75%. In Western markets, some indices saw minor fluctuations: the German DAX fell 0.74%, Madrid’s IBEX 35 declined 0.32%, Paris’s CAC 40 eased 0.14%, while London’s FTSE 100 saw a slight rise of 0.22%. The US markets experienced mixed results, with the Dow Jones rising modestly, the S&P 500 dropping slightly, and the Nasdaq gaining.
Meanwhile, in Jordan, air-raid sirens sounded due to the presence of UAVs, and the Jordanian Air Force reported intercepting some of the drones, signaling regional tension. Across the Middle East, Israel’s military and intelligence agencies continue to carry out covert operations in Iran, including the deployment of advanced weaponry, sabotage missions against missile sites, and the establishment of clandestine drone bases inside Iran. These actions are part of Israel’s strategy to weaken Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
In response to the regional tensions, other countries, including Bosnia, have seen diplomatic complications. A planned European rabbis’ conference in Sarajevo was canceled after local authorities and influential figures expressed opposition, citing concerns over Israel’s military actions and the Palestinian situation. This incident highlights the broader geopolitical sensitivities and the polarization
Published on 4 weeks ago