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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-18 at 22:04
HEADLINES
1. Israel Strikes Tehran Nuclear Sites, Escalating Tensions
2. US Deploys Largest Aircraft Carrier Amid Iran Threats
3. Syrian Regime Insider Sparks Mystery in Moscow
The time is now 06:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At six PM, this is your hourly news update. Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as Israel’s military reports a significant series of strikes targeting Iran. Over sixty Israeli fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence, have carried out more than twenty targeted attacks in Tehran. These operations focused on key sites associated with Iran’s nuclear weapons development, including uranium enrichment facilities, missile production plants, and research and development centers. The Israeli Defense Forces emphasize that their aim is to hinder Iran’s capacity to expand its nuclear arsenal, which Tehran has been accused of enriching well beyond civilian needs, risking regional stability.
Meanwhile, Iran responded to Israel’s strikes with a second missile volley within hours, though reports indicate there were no casualties. Iran’s military asserts the missile attacks targeted Israeli interests, but no significant damage or casualties have been confirmed. The Iranian regime also blames Israel for hacking its state television, airing anti-regime footage, and showing symbols linked to Israeli operations. This digital assault has been accompanied by images of street protests in Iran calling for regime change.
In related developments, the United States continues to bolster its military presence in the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced aircraft carrier in the US fleet, is preparing to deploy to the Mediterranean, joining the USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz, as part of a broader show of force amid the rising tensions. The US also reports increased aerial refueling operations and the movement of additional naval vessels in the area. President Donald Trump has hinted at potential military involvement against Iran, although no final decision has been announced. US officials warn that any American engagement could provoke retaliatory attacks on US forces already stationed in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other strategic locations across the Middle East.
On the ground in Syria, social media reports suggest that Maher al-Assad, brother of the ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has been seen in Moscow. While unconfirmed, this sighting raises questions about his whereabouts amid ongoing accusations of war crimes and his reported flight to Russia during the final days of the Syrian civil war. The younger Assad faces arrest warrants from French authorities over alleged involvement in war crimes, including the 2013 chemical attack near Damascus. His current location remains uncertain, but reports suggest he may be in Russia, possibly linked to the Russian-supported Syrian regime.
In Israel, the military reports successful interception of three unmanned aerial vehicles that attempted to breach Israeli airspace. Additional drones are believed to be en route, prompting further alertness along the borders. Meanwhile, Israel’s diplomatic efforts continue as the country prepares to send athletes to upcoming international competitions, prioritizing their safe transportation amid ongoing regional instability.
International diplomacy also persists. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to hold nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Friday, amid concerns over Iran’s advancing nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran has halted inspections and can no longer verify the location of its uranium stockpile—enough for about ten nuclear warheads—following Israeli strikes on the Isfahan nuclear site.
In the broader context, the United States maintains a significant military footprint acr
Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago