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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-18 at 20:05
HEADLINES
Israel Launches Massive Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
Iran Fires Sejjil Missile in Bold Escalation
Ukrainian Family Killed in Iranian Missile Attack
The time is now 04:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today, the escalation in Israel’s military operations against Iran and its proxies continues to dominate the headlines. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli aircraft launched a series of intensified strikes across Iran, targeting key military and nuclear infrastructure. Among the sites hit was Iran’s police headquarters in Tehran, which Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described as "the main arm of the regime’s repression." The Israeli military reports over 50 fighter jets involved in overnight operations, destroying facilities related to uranium enrichment and missile production, including a centrifuge plant in Tehran, and missile launch sites in western Iran. These actions mark the sixth consecutive day of open hostilities, with more than 1,100 Iranian assets reportedly targeted since the initial strikes began early last Friday.
Meanwhile, Iran’s response has been aggressive and multifaceted. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced the launch of a Sejjil medium-range ballistic missile for the first time in the current operation, claiming a range of approximately 2,000 kilometers. The missile is a two-stage solid-fuel weapon, 18 meters tall and weighing around 23 tons, equipped with a 650-kilogram warhead. Iran also claims to have launched a missile salvo as part of its "Truth Promise 3" operation, with at least one missile intercepted by Israeli defenses. Iran’s military doctrine appears to be shifting towards a strategy of smaller, more targeted missile salvos, including increased use of cruise missiles, which are harder to detect and intercept, in an effort to conserve their dwindling missile stockpile.
The conflict’s toll extends beyond military targets. In a tragic incident, five members of a Ukrainian family—who had immigrated to Israel seeking urgent medical treatment for their child's leukemia—were killed by an Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam. The family’s young daughter, Nastya Burik, was among the victims. The attack also claimed the lives of four other Israeli civilians and has sent shockwaves through both communities, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of these hostilities.
On the political front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, reaffirming Israel’s determination to neutralize threats posed by Iran. He stated, “We are controlling the skies over Tehran and striking symbols of the regime’s power. Our forces are achieving significant milestones in dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. We will continue until Hamas is defeated and all hostages are returned.” Netanyahu expressed gratitude for international support, particularly from the United States, citing ongoing consultations with President Trump and allies.
International reactions are mounting. French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to cease strikes on targets unrelated to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, expressing concern over rising civilian casualties. Macron suggested initiating diplomatic negotiations and a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians. Similarly, European nations are increasingly worried about the potential for broader escalation, especially as Iran’s missile and drone attacks from Yemen and Lebanon persist, and reports emerge of Iranian efforts to destabilize the region further.
In Iran, protests and acts of defiance have been reported. Hackers reportedly took over broadcasts of the Iranian state television, broadcasting messages encouraging Iranians to rise up against their regime, including images of women cutting their hair in solidarity with protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death. These acts of re
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