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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-22 at 18:05
HEADLINES
1. Israel Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites Amid Escalating War
2. Iran Threatens Strait Closure, Sparks Global Oil Crisis
3. Deadly Damascus Bombing Highlights Regional Instability
The time is now 02:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today at two in the afternoon, we continue to observe a rapidly intensifying conflict involving Israel, Iran, and their respective allies. Israel remains engaged in a direct military confrontation with Iran, following a series of aggressive strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Over recent days, Israel and Iran have exchanged heavy fire, with Israel asserting it has achieved significant damage to key Iranian nuclear sites, including the Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan facilities. President Trump’s administration announced that US bombers and submarines launched a coordinated attack, dropping bunker-buster bombs and firing Tomahawk missiles, destroying the targeted sites and signaling a decisive shift in the regional tensions.
Iran responded with fierce rhetoric and threats, with the Iranian parliament reportedly approving a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passes daily. Such a move could cause a substantial upheaval in global energy markets, potentially driving oil prices to new heights. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that they will respond “whenever necessary,” raising concerns about wider escalation. Iran has also threatened to retaliate against US and Israeli military actions, with senior officials stating that the game of strategic deterrence remains ongoing, and that escalation is likely if perceived red lines are crossed.
Meanwhile, Iranian proxies in the region continue to pose threats. Iranian drones and missiles have been launched toward Israel, with reports indicating a swarm of drones and ballistic missiles being prepared or launched, aiming to challenge Israeli air defenses. Hezbollah has condemned recent US strikes, reaffirming its alliance with Iran and warning of broader regional conflict. In Syria, a deadly suicide bombing at a church in Damascus, attributed to ISIS, has resulted in at least 25 fatalities and dozens wounded, underscoring ongoing instability across the neighboring country.
Israel’s military leadership remains steadfast, with the Chief of Staff emphasizing that the campaign against Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities is ongoing. Israeli defense officials have announced that their preparedness and resilience continue to support a strategic posture aimed at achieving clear objectives. The Israeli government has also maintained its defense posture, with policies remaining unchanged, and continues efforts to recover hostages taken by hostile groups.
On the international front, Iran’s senior political advisor, Ali Shamkhani, who was reportedly wounded in the initial attack, has issued a statement from his hospital bed warning that Iran’s resolve remains strong and that the “game is not over,” suggesting Iran’s intentions to continue its resistance. The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and has warned Iran against any further attacks, emphasizing that any assault on American forces would be met with overwhelming force.
In the broader context, the escalation comes with significant regional and global implications. The threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, combined with ongoing missile and drone attacks, threatens to choke vital shipping lanes, potentially triggering a wider conflict that could disrupt global energy supplies. As the situation develops, international actors and allies are closely monitoring the potential for further conflict, with diplomacy appearing increasingly strained amid these critical moments.
This is the situation as it stands. We will contin
Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago