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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-22 at 04:03
HEADLINES
US Strikes Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Facilities in Bold Operation
Iran Threatens Retaliation Amid Regional Escalation
Israel Launches Lebanon Attack as Tensions Reach Fever Pitch
The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At midnight, the situation in the Middle East remains highly tense following a series of significant military actions. The United States confirmed it carried out extensive precision strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—in what President Donald Trump described as a one-time operation aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity. Trump emphasized that this military effort was a spectacular success, asserting that Iran’s key nuclear sites have been obliterated and warning Tehran to make peace or face even greater retaliation.
Iranian officials have downplayed the damage to Fordow, insisting it was not severely affected despite the American use of twelve bunker-busting bombs. Meanwhile, Israel’s military has continued its strikes, notably targeting defenses around Fordow to pave the way for US forces and attacking a television station in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, calling it unprecedented and historic, and expressed confidence that the threat of Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly diminished.
The regional response remains volatile. Iran has threatened retaliation, with Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen warning they would target US ships in the Red Sea if American assistance continues in Israel. US military officials suggest Iran possesses formidable missile and drone capabilities that could be used against American assets across the Middle East, including bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Some of these targets, such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, are considered highly strategic, though Iran’s ability to strike some of them remains uncertain.
In addition, the White House has issued warnings to Iran, with Trump stating that future attacks will be met with greater force. The US has also begun evacuating American citizens from Israel and the West Bank amid heightened fears of escalation. Israel’s airspace remains closed to both entry and exit, with continued alerts and missile warnings in southern regions, including the Negev and Eilat, amid reports of hostile drone activity.
International reaction includes concern from the United Nations, where Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm over the use of force and called for restraint, emphasizing that the Middle East is on the brink of conflict. Saudi Arabia’s authorities reported no radiation or radioactive residues in the Gulf region following the US strikes, which targeted Iran’s nuclear sites overnight.
The broader geopolitical landscape is also shifting. Iran’s oil exports have sharply declined, and the regime is reportedly moving large quantities of oil to reduce economic vulnerabilities. Reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has designated three potential successors amid growing internal pressures.
In the background, Israel’s security forces remain on high alert, with the national airspace closed and military preparedness at maximum levels. Israeli aircraft have targeted a Hezbollah media building in southern Lebanon, signaling readiness to respond to any further hostilities.
This ongoing military activity underscores a dangerous escalation, with the possibility of retaliation from Iran or its proxies. The coming hours will be critical in assessing whether de-escalation or further conflict will unfold in this volatile region.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
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Published on 3 weeks ago