Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-18 at 11:04
HEADLINES
1. Israel Bombs Iran’s Missile Sites Amid Escalation
2. Iran Launches Hypersonic Missiles Toward Tel Aviv
3. Khamenei Vows Ruthless Revenge as Region Tears Apart
The time is now 07:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At seven a.m., the situation in the Middle East remains tense and volatile. Israeli military sources confirm ongoing airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure inside Iran, including missile launchers and operational units. Reports indicate that approximately twenty-five Israeli fighter jets carried out over forty strikes across western Iran, specifically targeting missile production sites and military personnel aligned with the Iranian regime. Footage shows strikes on a missile launcher loaded with the "Emad" missile, which was positioned to threaten Israeli civilians.
Meanwhile, Iran responds aggressively. Iranian state media reports that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have launched hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles towards Tel Aviv, claiming to have carried out multiple waves of missile strikes. Despite these claims, Israel reports intercepting most of the incoming projectiles, with some falling in open areas in Israel, causing casualties and damage. Notably, at least twenty-four Israelis have been killed and over eight hundred injured since the escalation began last Friday.
In Tehran, Israeli air operations have also targeted nuclear-related facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms damage to two centrifuge production sites—one in Tehran and another in Karaj—raising concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The Israeli military states that its strikes are aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, with the UN noting impacts on underground enrichment halls at Iran’s Natanz facility.
Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has issued stern warnings. Khamenei has declared that Iran will respond with "no mercy" to any attack, emphasizing that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to defend the homeland with support from the Iranian people. In a televised address, Khamenei accused Israel of a “grave mistake” and vowed that Iran would not forgive the violation of its airspace. He also warned that any American military intervention would result in "irreparable harm," asserting Iran’s resilience and readiness to counter all threats.
International reactions include the Russian Foreign Ministry warning that American involvement in Israel’s military actions against Iran would be highly destabilizing for the region. The United States, under the Trump administration, has indicated that it is aware of Iran’s leadership location but is not currently targeting Khamenei. President Trump’s social media posts suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader is a “soft target,” yet he remains safe. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that eliminating Khamenei would not escalate but could potentially end the conflict with Iran.
The escalation has also led to civilian evacuations and widespread disruptions. In Iran, thousands have rushed to stock up on supplies, and reports from Tehran describe parts of the city becoming increasingly deserted. Israeli civilians continue seeking shelter, with some in underground metro stations. Israeli authorities report over five thousand residents evacuated from their homes, and compensation claims from damages have surpassed twenty-two thousand.
Adding to the chaos, reports from Syrian opposition outlets reveal that Iran’s military drone, a UAV shot down over southern Syria, was part of recent Iranian activity. Iranian state media claims Mossad agents have infiltrated Iran’s freight network by posing as truck drivers, a covert operation ongoing for over three years.
The situation remains precarious, with Iran warning of severe consequences for any Israeli
Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago