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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-18 at 17:05
HEADLINES
1. Iran Launches Deadly Missile Barrage on Israel
2. Israel Intercepts Iran’s New Advanced Missile Threat
3. Russia’s Mediation Hints at Tense Middle East Future
The time is now 01:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today’s top story centers on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has drawn regional and international attention. Israel continues to confront a multifaceted threat, with its defenses actively engaged in intercepting missile attacks launched from Iran and its proxies. Recent reports indicate that Iran has launched a salvo of ballistic missiles towards central Israel; however, all were successfully intercepted, with no casualties reported. The Israeli military has confirmed that at least one missile launch was detected over Tehran, with footage showing an unusual trajectory in the atmosphere.
In response, Israel’s defense systems remain on high alert, and sirens have sounded across densely populated regions including the center of the country, prompting residents to seek shelter. Israeli authorities have begun easing some restrictions on daily activities as confidence grows that Iran’s missile capabilities have been limited. Nonetheless, the threat persists, and the Israeli Defense Forces continue targeted operations, including strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. These strikes aim to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program, which Israel alleges is nearing weaponization, despite Iran’s insistence that its nuclear efforts are peaceful.
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has issued defiant statements. Khamenei rejected calls from the United States to surrender and warned that any US military intervention would cause irreparable damage to American interests. Iran has also resumed missile attacks against Israeli targets, firing over 400 missiles and hundreds of drones—some of which have caused civilian casualties and damage in Israel. Despite these attacks, Iran’s latest nuclear facilities targeted by Israeli strikes suggest a continued effort to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Israel and many Western nations believe are aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
On the diplomatic front, there are emerging reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is positioning himself as a potential mediator in the Israel-Iran conflict. Although Moscow has condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and deepened military ties with Tehran, experts remain skeptical about Russia’s neutrality due to its strategic partnership with Iran and its previous support for Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have expressed doubts about Russia’s suitability as an impartial mediator, citing Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine and its alliances in the Middle East.
Adding to the tension, the United States under President Donald Trump has taken a cautious stance. While Trump has acknowledged Iran’s approach to the White House for talks, he has emphasized that Iran remains "totally defenseless" and has dismissed recent diplomatic overtures. The US military has increased its presence in the region, deploying additional aircraft and warships in response to the missile threats. Meanwhile, Trump has called for Iran to surrender unconditionally, signaling a readiness to escalate if necessary, but has avoided confirming specific military plans.
The situation remains volatile. Israeli authorities report that some of the recent missile launches from Iran involved a new type of missile not previously seen, indicating advancements in Iran’s missile technology. Iran continues to assert that its nuclear activities are peaceful and that it will persist with uranium enrichment, despite Israeli claims of nuclear development aimed at military use.
Internationally, Iran’s delegation has
Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago