Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-21 at 20:05

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HEADLINES
1. Israel Strikes Iranian Targets Amid Escalating Tensions
2. Iran Fires 480 Missiles in Devastating Regional Assault
3. Global Divided Over Iran’s Nuclear and Regional Threats

The time is now 04:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good afternoon. This is your hourly update on the ongoing conflicts and geopolitical developments in the Middle East and beyond.

Tensions remain high as Israel continues its military operations against Iranian targets. Israeli forces have launched a new series of strikes on key Iranian military infrastructure, including missile launch sites and naval facilities in Bandar Abbas. Reports confirm that Israeli fighter jets targeted three Iranian F-14 fighter aircraft in central Iran and struck military installations elsewhere in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces emphasize that these actions are part of a broader campaign to neutralize Iran’s missile capabilities, which they assert are significantly diminished compared to previous levels. Nonetheless, Iran remains resolute in its efforts, with reports indicating that Tehran has fired approximately 480 missiles and over 1,100 attack drones toward Israeli territory since June 13. The barrage has caused casualties, including 25 fatalities, among them children, and injuries exceeding 2,500. Over 8,000 residents have been evacuated, and damages are estimated at over two billion shekels. Despite the destruction, Israeli military officials highlight ongoing efforts to degrade Iran’s offensive capabilities, including the destruction of nearly a thousand attack drones, with only a few reaching Israeli soil.

Meanwhile, Iran’s regional proxies continue their aggressive stance. In Lebanon, Hezbollah reportedly rejected Iran’s direct order to join the attack on Israel, fearing that Israeli retaliation would obliterate their remaining forces and infrastructure. In Yemen, Houthi militants persist with missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and other regional targets, while in Iraq, Iranian-backed forces have targeted a military aircraft in Baghdad, resulting in the loss of a fuel tank. Iran’s naval base in Bandar Abbas remains under threat, with Israeli airstrikes targeting its facilities, and the Iranian regime has announced the death of several Revolutionary Guard members in recent strikes in Isfahan and Tehran.

International responses remain divided. The Russian Security Council has reiterated its stance that Iran considers its nuclear program essential for its survival and will continue its development regardless of Western or Israeli concerns. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Moscow has no intention of providing military aid to Iran, citing that nearly two million Russian-speaking individuals live in Israel, which complicates direct support. Conversely, the United States maintains its posture of readiness, with President Trump’s administration reportedly considering increased military presence in the Pacific and deploying B-2 stealth bombers to deter Iranian escalation. US officials continue to coordinate with regional allies, emphasizing the importance of a unified response to Iran’s regional aggression.

Diplomatically, negotiations between Iran and Western powers have stalled. Iran has demanded that Israel cease airstrikes and intelligence operations over its territory as a precondition for renewed nuclear talks. European diplomats, including those from Germany and the UK, have rejected Iran’s demands, citing Iran’s missile capabilities and regional destabilization efforts. The European Union is cautious about engaging in direct negotiations, fearing that Iran uses such talks to buy time to rebuild its missile arsenal. Meanwhile, US and Iranian officials reportedly maintain indirect communication channels, with Iran warning that US forces in the region could be targeted if hostilities es

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Published on 3 weeks ago