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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-21 at 12:05
HEADLINES
1. Israel Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites Amid Escalating Tensions
2. Iran Claims Connectivity Restored Despite Israeli Attacks
3. Erdogan Supports Iran as Regional Alliances Shift Rapidly
The time is now 08:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 8 a.m., the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile and complex. Israeli military sources confirm that the Israeli Air Force has conducted targeted strikes on military infrastructure in southwestern Iran, including the recent attack on the nuclear reactor site in Isfahan. These strikes aim to delay Iran’s nuclear program and degrade its military capabilities, particularly its UAV launchers and facilities for uranium enrichment. Israeli defense officials report intercepting over 470 UAVs launched from Iran since the beginning of the operation, with a success rate of approximately 99 percent, demonstrating the effectiveness of their aerial defenses.
In response to the ongoing hostilities, Israel’s military has also targeted missile launchers and UAV launch sites in Iran, including in Shiraz and Isfahan. Reports indicate that Iranian forces attempted to launch around 40 UAVs overnight toward Israeli territory, most of which were successfully intercepted. One residential building in Beit Shean was hit directly, causing significant damage but no casualties, thanks to residents’ adherence to emergency protocols. Israeli aircraft also struck in southern Iran, including in Shiraz and Kerman, further escalating the campaign against Iranian military assets.
Meanwhile, Iran claims that the internet services across the country are gradually being restored, with communications minister asserting full connectivity by evening. However, Iranian officials have acknowledged recent disruptions, which Iran attributes to Israeli military actions. The country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly appointed three senior clerics as potential successors, reflecting concerns over his security and the current precariousness of his regime.
Iranian officials also report that several military flights loaded with equipment have entered Israel, and Iranian authorities continue to claim that their military posture remains strong despite Israeli strikes. On the diplomatic front, French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, urging Iran to provide guarantees that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. Macron emphasized the importance of transparency and security assurances amid ongoing negotiations with European powers.
In the broader regional context, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for Iran, stating he is optimistic about Iran’s ability to prevail over Israel, and comparing current tensions to historical global conflicts. This statement underscores the shifting alliances and regional dynamics at play. Simultaneously, Cyprus authorities reported the arrest of an Azeri national linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, suspected of planning an attack against Israelis, prompting increased security measures around Jewish communities and institutions there.
In the United States, strategic military movements continue, with reports of two to three B-2 stealth bombers taking off from Missouri, possibly heading toward Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, accompanied by refueling aircraft. These developments suggest a heightened state of readiness and potential escalation in US military posture in the region.
Additionally, Syrian security forces captured Wasim al-Assad, a cousin of the ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, while attempting to flee to Lebanon. Al-Assad is known as a significant drug trafficker and part of the Assad regime’s network, highlighting ongoing instability and the intersection of security and illicit activity in the region.
Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago