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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-18 at 21:04
HEADLINES
Israel Strikes Tehran Nuclear Sites in Escalating War
Iran Responds with Drones and Missiles from Yemen
US Deploys Carrier as Middle East Tensions Soar
The time is now 05:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today at five in the evening, we observe a landscape of heightened tensions and ongoing military activity across the Middle East, with Israel at the center of a complex and escalating conflict involving Iran and its proxies.
Israel’s military has conducted a significant series of strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile development infrastructure in Tehran. Over twenty military sites, including weapons production facilities, centrifuge research centers, and missile manufacturing plants, have been hit by sixty Israeli fighter jets, guided with precise intelligence. These operations aim to disrupt Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons, which Iran has continued to enrich beyond civilian use, raising international concerns. Israeli officials emphasize the importance of these actions in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear armament, with some indicating that the military has not yet decided on further strikes but remains prepared.
Meanwhile, Iran’s response has been forceful. Iranian missile and drone attacks persist from Yemen, and Israeli military positions in Gaza continue to be targeted in ongoing hostilities. In a recent incident, a reservist was severely wounded during combat in southern Gaza, and Israel reports intercepting multiple hostile UAVs, with sirens sounding in the Golan Heights, signaling ongoing aerial threats. Additionally, Israeli fighter jets have struck over twenty targets in Tehran, including missile production and research sites, further escalating the conflict.
Internationally, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany’s foreign ministers are scheduled to hold nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva this Friday, amid fears of further nuclear escalation. The United States has deployed its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Mediterranean, joining other carrier groups near Iran, signaling a show of force and readiness to support its allies. The Pentagon has also increased aerial refueling capabilities and repositioned several warships in the region. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States is weighing military options but has not yet committed to direct intervention, emphasizing that the goal remains to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
On the ground, Israel continues to target Iranian-backed proxies. Israeli aircraft have struck over twenty military sites in Tehran, aiming to weaken Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. In Lebanon, the Lebanese Army has confiscated weapons and military equipment in Baalbek and Aarsal, amid reports of ongoing clandestine arms trades and military activity linked to Hezbollah. In Yemen, the Houthis continue missile and drone assaults against Israeli interests and regional targets, contributing to the volatile atmosphere.
Domestically within Israel, the government remains alert to threats, with military and civilian preparedness ongoing. Security forces have successfully intercepted multiple hostile UAVs over the past hours, and efforts continue to prevent infiltrations. The political landscape is also responding; there are discussions about prioritizing the evacuation and safe passage of Israeli athletes and civilians in international events, including upcoming sports competitions.
In the broader regional context, disruptions in commercial and civilian aviation are evident. Airlines such as Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines have canceled flights to Iraq, and airports across the Middle East experience delays and cancellations due to security concerns. These logistical challenges reflect the spillover effects of the conf
Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago