IDF: Iran fired 1,000 drones at Israel, none hit targets; over 400 missiles launched
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Iran-Israel war: latest developments
Israel and Iran exchange fire again on Wednesday, the sixth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history. Israel’s army said it had detected new missiles launched from Iran, adding that its defensive systems were operating to intercept the threat. Iran issued an evacuation warning for residents of the Israeli city of Haifa, with state TV reporting launches of Fattah hypersonic missiles. Iran announced last week that it was placing temporary restrictions on the internet, with the communication ministry saying heavier limits were being imposed due to Israel’s “abuse of the country’s communication network for military purposes” Israel briefly hacked the state television broadcast, airing footage of women’s protests and urging people to take to the streets. Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech read on state television: “This nation will never surrender” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday his country was committed to “diplomacy” but was acting in “self-defence” against Israel’s assault. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in the afternoon that air force jets had “destroyed the internal security headquarters of the Iranian regime”
Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on Wednesday, the sixth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East.
Here are the latest developments:
– New missile salvo –
Israel’s army on Wednesday said it had detected new missiles launched from Iran, adding that its defensive systems were operating to intercept the threat.
The announcement came after Iran issued an evacuation warning for residents of the Israeli city of Haifa, with state TV subsequently reporting launches of Fattah hypersonic missiles.
The Israeli military later said it was “flying over surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites… (and) striking those attempting to reactivate sites that have already been hit”.
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Israel’s air defence systems appear to have been largely successful in intercepting the daily barrages of Iranian missiles and drones.
An Israeli military official, who asked not to be named, said that Iran had fired around 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones since Friday.
About 20 missiles had struck civilian areas in Israel, the official added.
– Near-total internet blackout –
Iran was in a “near-total national internet blackout”, London-based watchdog NetBlocks wrote on X.
Iran announced last week that it was placing temporary restrictions on the internet, with the communication ministry saying Wednesday that heavier limits were being imposed due to Israel’s “abuse of the country’s communication network for military purposes”.
Iranian media later reported that Israel briefly hacked the state television broadcast, airing footage of women’s protests and urging people to take to the streets.
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Numerous sites and apps have remained at least partially inaccessible.
State television appealed to Iranians on Tuesday to delete WhatsApp from their phones, charging that the messaging app gathers users’ location and personal data and “communicates them to the Zionist enemy”.
A WhatsApp spokesperson hit back against the claims, expressing concern the “false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked”.
– Trump on strikes, talks –
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was considering whether the United States would join Israel’s strikes, and said that Iran had reached out to seek negotiations on ending the conflict.
“I may do it, I may not do it,” Trump told reporters. “I can tell you this, that Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.”
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Trump said Iran had even suggested sending officials to the White House for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program in a bid to end Israel’s air assault.
Asked if it was too late for negotiations, he said: “Nothing is too late.”
In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump a “great friend” of Israel, and thanked him “for the support of the United States in defending Israel’s skies”.
– Khamenei warns US –
Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech read on state television: “This nation will never surrender.”
He added: “America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage.”
Trump had said on Tuesday that the United States knows where Khamenei is located but will not kill him “for now”.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday his country was committed to “diplomacy” but was acting in “self-defence” against Israel’s assault.
– Israel says hit security HQ –
AFP journalists reported hearing blasts across Tehran throughout the day on Wednesday, with smoke billowing over parts of the city.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in the afternoon that air force jets had “destroyed the internal security headquarters of the Iranian regime — the main arm of repression of the Iranian dictator”.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to end strikes on targets in Iran not linked to nuclear activities or ballistic missiles, his office said.
– ‘Painful losses’ –
Foreign governments have scrambled to evacuate their citizens from both countries, with US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announcing plans on Wednesday to get Americans out by air and sea.
Israel’s attacks have hit nuclear and military facilities around Iran, as well as residential areas.
Residential areas in Israel have also been hit.
Netanyahu acknowledged suffering “painful losses” on Wednesday, but added: “The home front is solid, the people are strong.”
The prime minister’s office said Monday that at least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded since Iran’s retaliatory strikes began Friday.
Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.
– Putin eyes ‘solution’ –
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a deal to end the fighting between Israel and Iran was possible.
He also claimed Israel’s strikes on Iran had led to a “consolidation” of support in Iranian society around its leaders.
“We see that today in Iran there is a consolidation of society around the country’s political leadership,” Putin told foreign journalists, including AFP, in a televised event.
“This is a delicate issue, and of course we need to be very careful here, but in my opinion, a solution can be found,” he added, referring to a possible deal that was in the interests of both Israel and Iran.
He had previously proposed to act as a mediator in the conflict, prompting both Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to question his suitability given Russia’s war in Ukraine.
bur-rlp/gv
IDF: Iran fired 1,000 drones at Israel, none hit targets; over 400 missiles launched
In addition to the missile barrage, Iran launched roughly 1,000 drones at Israeli territory but only about 100 breached Israeli airspace. “This aligns closely with our assessment of both their offensive capabilities and our air defense systems,” IDF officials said. On the casualties, they added: “There were fewer than we had anticipated.”
In addition to the missile barrage, Iran launched roughly 1,000 drones at Israeli territory but only about 100 breached Israeli airspace—and none successfully hit their targets.
In addition to the missile barrage, Iran launched roughly 1,000 drones at Israeli territory but only about 100 breached Israeli airspace—and none successfully hit their targets.
“This aligns closely with our assessment of both their offensive capabilities and our air defense systems,” IDF officials said. On the casualties, they added: “There were fewer than we had anticipated. That’s significant—and it’s due in large part to the public’s adherence to safety instructions.”
“This aligns closely with our assessment of both their offensive capabilities and our air defense systems,” IDF officials said. On the casualties, they added: “There were fewer than we had anticipated. That’s significant—and it’s due in large part to the public’s adherence to safety instructions.”
“This aligns closely with our assessment of both their offensive capabilities and our air defense systems,” IDF officials said. On the casualties, they added: “There were fewer than we had anticipated. That’s significant—and it’s due in large part to the public’s adherence to safety instructions.”
Iran has launched 400 ballistic missiles at Israel — but only 20 hit urban targets as stockpile quickly dwindles
Iran is rapidly burning through its ballistic missiles after having launched more than 400 since the start of the conflict on Friday. The strike rate of 400 fired to just 20 urban hits is largely due to the efficacy of Israel’s Iron Dome system, which is made up of multiple types of air-defense systems. 26 people have been killed and more than 500 have been wounded in the Iranians’ strikes, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Iran’“likely only has the ability to launch two to six more large barrages before it needs to preserve its launchers and stockpile,” a report by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America said. “The longer the exchange of fire continues, the greater the likelihood that Iran will be unwilling or unable to mount large ballistic missile barrages as it loses its launchers, missile stockpile, and potentially seeks to preserve capabilities for the future,’ it said.
Prior to the start of Operation Rising Lion, Israeli officials estimated Tehran had roughly 2,000 missiles — meaning it has launched nearly a quarter of its stockpile in just six days.
The strike rate of 400 fired to just 20 urban hits is largely due to the efficacy of Israel’s Iron Dome system, which is made up of multiple types of air-defense systems that work in conjunction to eliminate missiles often before they reach Israeli airspace.
5 Residential homes were damaged following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 16, 2025. REUTERS
Iran’s drones have an even worse strike rate, with none of the 1,000 launched having impacted Israel, according to the latest data from Israeli military officials.
In fact, just 200 of the 1,000 drones even entered Israeli airspace at all.
“All were either intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Navy, or fell short before reaching Israel,” an Israeli military official said.
Still, 26 people have been killed and more than 500 have been wounded in the Iranians’ strikes, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
However, an Israeli military official told The Post that the total casualties “are far below what the IDF anticipated when it planned the operation against Iran.”
5 An explosion erupts from a missile fired from Iran in Tel Aviv, Israel, 16 June 2025. ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
5 Rescuers evacuate an injured woman from an impacted residential building following a missile attack from Iran on Israel. REUTERS
Iran’s barrages have shrunk dramatically as the war rages on, according to a report by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
While Tehran came out of the gate on June 14 by firing 200 missiles, it launched less than half as many the next day with 75 launches, according to the report. That was followed by just 30 on June 15 and 65 on June 16.
Read the latest on the conflict between Israel and Iran
“Iran’s missile stockpile could be reduced to less than 500 ballistic missiles as soon as June 23,” the report said. “Iran likely only has the ability to launch two to six more large barrages before it needs to preserve its launchers and stockpile.”
Contributing to the dwindling number of launchers is Israel’s consistent strikes on missile launchers. Since June 12, the IDF has eliminated roughly 40% of Iran’s estimated 360 total launchers.
5 Israeli special forces check the apparent remains of a ballistic missile before it is evacuated from the location where it was found lying in northern Israel, following missile attacks by Iran on Israel. REUTERS
5 Prior to the start of Operation Rising Lion, Israeli officials estimated Tehran had roughly 2,000 missiles — meaning it has launched nearly a quarter of its stockpile in just six days. AFP via Getty Images
“The longer the exchange of fire continues, the greater the likelihood that Iran will be unwilling or unable to mount large ballistic missile barrages as it loses its launchers, missile stockpile, and potentially seeks to preserve capabilities for the future,” the report noted.
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Israel’s proven capability to target Iran’s missile launchers may be another reason why Iran has dramatically reduced the number of missiles launched each day, according to the report, as every missile fired gives up a launcher’s location.
“Iran faces a dilemma because each missile launch gives away the location of a missile launcher,” the report also stated. “Even if Iran is using mobile launch platforms, persistent Israeli surveillance and attack aircraft presence would allow it to identify, track, and target the launchers.”
Israeli Hermes Drone Shot Down In Iran, Trump Ramps Up Threats To Tehran
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Israel and Iran continue to trade blows as speculation mounts about whether the U.S. will increase its military support to Israel or even take part in kinetic operations. Iran appears to have finally managed to down its first aircraft with the Israel Air Force, a “Hermes 900” Long-Endurance Tactical Drone, which they claim to have downed last night over the Isfahan Province of Central Iran. Despite Israel declaring its control of the skies, road-mobile surface-to-air missile systems and even man-portable air defense systems remain a threat. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday morning, warning residents in parts of the city to urgently evacuate. The exodus out of Tehran has ramped up, with roads out of the capital blocked and queues outside gas stations.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
Israel and Iran continue to trade blows as speculation mounts about whether the United States will increase its military support to Israel or even take part in kinetic operations. While Iranian air defenses have been severely depleted, they are still capable of bringing down Israeli aircraft, evidenced by the loss of an Israeli Air Force (IAF) Elbit Systems Hermes 900 over the Isfahan province in central Iran.
The IDF confirmed today that one of its drones was downed by a surface-to-air missile while operating over Iran. An IDF statement said the drone “fell in Iran. No injuries were reported, and there is no risk of an information breach.”
Referring to the Hermes 900 drone loss in Ishfahan https://t.co/f1j1DFYxOA pic.twitter.com/yOrPigaZWm — Doha (@Doha104p3) June 18, 2025
Footage of the crash site confirms the drone was a Hermes 900, known in IAF service as Kochav (‘star’).
Iran appears to have finally managed to down its first aircraft with the Israel Air Force, a “Hermes 900” Long-Endurance Tactical Drone, which they claim to have downed last night over the Isfahan Province of Central Iran. Footage from Iranian state-run media appears to confirm… pic.twitter.com/rAgF7tHo6G — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 18, 2025
As evidenced by the U.S. experience of operating the MQ-9 Reaper against the Houthi militants in Yemen, medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones remain vulnerable to even relatively low-level air defense threats. Despite Israel declaring its control of the skies, road-mobile surface-to-air missile systems and even man-portable air defense systems remain a threat.
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Regardless, it is likely that many of the strikes attributed to IAF fighters were actually carried out by MALE drones, including but not limited to the Hermes. As we have discussed in the past, MALE drones like the Hermes are certainly being actively used in the hunt for Iranian missiles.
Apparently located among the wreckage of the Hermes 900 was this miniature glide bomb, which looks to be a Mikholit. This Israeli-developed weapon is tailored for use by drones and is typically used to attack small ground targets, such as personnel or vehicles, aircraft sitting idle, and air defenses.
Small Israeli-made guided glide bomb Mikholit, designed for UAVs, also spotted on wreckage site of Hermes-900 drone.
It is used for precision strikes on light targets such as exposed personnel or unarmored vehicles. https://t.co/MjXfbTA8kM pic.twitter.com/pHaXwp5ZiR — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2025
You can catch up on the war between Israel and Iran in our previous coverage here.
LATEST:
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday morning, warning residents in parts of the city to urgently evacuate. “Dear citizens, for your safety and well-being, we urgently request that you immediately evacuate the designated area in Tehran’s Area 18. Your presence in this area puts your life at risk,” the IDF posted on social media.
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A series of explosions were reported in eastern and western parts of Tehran early this morning, while residents continued to flee the capital. The exodus out of Tehran has ramped up, with roads out of the city blocked and queues outside gas stations.
Two Iranian men check the news while standing next to their vehicles in line at a petrol station several kilometers west of Tehran, Iran, on June 17, 2025, amid the war between Iran and Israel. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images NurPhoto
At least one of the Israeli strikes appeared to target Tehran’s eastern neighborhood of Hakimiyeh, where the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has an academy.
There are reports that Israel has hit further targets associated with Iran’s nuclear program.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Israel struck the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center.
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The IAEA posted on X:
“At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured.”
The IAEA has information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit. Both sites were previously under IAEA monitoring and verification as part of the JCPOA. — IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛ (@iaeaorg) June 18, 2025
The two facilities are understood to produce parts for centrifuges, used to enrich uranium.
Posting on X, the IDF said it had attacked “a centrifuge production site and several weapons manufacturing sites” overnight.
The IDF wrote:
“Over 50 Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, completed a series of strikes on military targets in the Tehran area in recent hours.”
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“During the wave of attacks, several weapons manufacturing sites were targeted. Among the weapons production facilities attacked was a site for producing raw materials and components for assembling surface-to-surface missiles that the Iranian regime has launched and continues to launch toward the State of Israel.”
The IDF also continues to remove Iranian airpower from the order of battle. After releasing footage showing the destruction of F-14 Tomcat fighters, the IAF has now provided a video showing the targeting of another Shah-era asset: AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA). The service was assessed to have only around a dozen AH-1s still active before the current conflict, and the footage suggests that at least five were destroyed, although they may also have been non-operational airframes.
This morning, the Israeli Air Force attacked the Iranian Army helicopter base at Kermanshah Airport.
Israeli fighters appear to have destroyed at least 5 Iranian AH-1J Cobra/Toufan attack helicopters. pic.twitter.com/jGsNi1D939 — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 18, 2025
The location of the strike on the IRIAA AH-1s appears to have been Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani Airport in Bakhtaran, Kermanshah Province, where fires can be seen in the following satellite image.
Imagery collected today shows the aftermath of Israel’s strike on Kermanshah Airport in Iran targeting its helicopter base, multiple attack helicopters have reportedly been destroyed as evidenced by the ongoing fires visible on site pic.twitter.com/bcVys4nklU — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 18, 2025
New satellite imagery has meanwhile emerged showing the extent of damage caused by previous Israeli strikes on the Iranian missile base at Tabriz. Here, it appears that the underground tunnel entrances were deliberately targeted, closing off access to the subterranean part of the base.
A satellite image from before airstrikes showing the tunnel opening at the Tabriz missile base, dated May 29, 2025. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
After the airstrikes, the tunnel opening is seen collapsed. This image is from June 17, 2025. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
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Another post-airstrikes image shows destroyed vehicle tunnel openings at the Tabriz missile base, June 17, 2025. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
Before and after of Iran’s Tabriz missile base.pic.twitter.com/OW5STxLv2w — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 17, 2025
Reflecting the increasingly distant Iranian targets that the IAF is now hitting, this photo, released by the IDF, shows an F-15 Baz fighter in its longest-legged configuration. This combines three external fuel tanks with conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) scabbed onto the fuselage sides. CFTs have been an option for F-15-series jets since the 1970s, and Israel was a pioneer in their use, transforming fighters into long-range strike platforms, as you can read more about here.
Single seat Baz with 3 bags and conformals. The longest reaching config of the original Eagle. https://t.co/7G6Y6y3tfv — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 18, 2025
For its part, Iran continues to strike back at Israel, although, as we reported yesterday, Israel’s campaign against Iranian ballistic missiles and their launchers appears to be having an effect, with a significant drop-off in Iranian missiles launched over the last two days.
Among the Iranian missiles that have been launched, the Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that it has fired “hypersonic missiles” as part of the latest round of overnight strikes.
IRGC:
Our Fattah missiles broke through Israeli defenses and held complete domination over Israeli airspace. — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2025
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Iran unveiled what it described as a hypersonic missile back in 2023. However, missile experts have long been highly skeptical that the missile, named Fattah (‘conqueror’), is a genuine hypersonic weapon.
It’s also worth noting that most ballistic missiles achieve a speed greater than Mach 5, which is considered the threshold for a hypersonic weapon. However, true hypersonic weapons comprise hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs), which are able to maneuver significantly during atmospheric flight as well as maintain hypersonic speeds over large portions of their flight trajectories. Instead, the Fattah likely employs endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric maneuverability to increase its survivability and accuracy.
Iran presents the Fattah ballistic missile in Tehran, Iran, on June 6, 2023. Photo by Sepah News / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Anadolu
So far, according to the latest IDF figures, Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles and some 1,000 drones at Israel since the start of the conflict on Friday. Of the ballistic missiles, the IDF claims just over 20 struck urban areas in Israel, killing 24 people and leaving more than 500 wounded. Of the 1,000 drones, fewer than 200 entered Israeli airspace, and all were either intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Navy or fell short before reaching Israel.
Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles and some 1,000 drones at Israel since the start of the conflict on Friday, according to fresh data from the IDF.
Of the ballistic missiles, just over 20 impacted urban areas in Israel, causing casualties and extensive damage. 24… — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 18, 2025
The Iranian leadership is pledging to continue to attack Israel, with the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, taking to X today to write: “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
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In another post on the same platform, Khamenei made an apparent threat to Israel, with the words, “The battle begins.”
“Ali returns to Khaybar,” the post added, in a reference to the first imam of Shia Islam and his conquest of the Jewish town of Khaybar in the 7th century.
Further hawkish words came from the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini. He told reporters that Iran will respond to Israeli strikes “strongly” and “without restraint.”
“We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security, and land,” he added.
Reflecting the kind of rhetoric now coming out of Tehran, Iranian state media posted the following video, showing a hand stroking a mock-up nuclear bomb accompanied by the caption “Maybe.”
Iranian state media posts video with an image of a miniature nuclear warhead and the caption: “Maybe”pic.twitter.com/Ozn98uX8fx — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2025
Khamenei’s declaration of intent comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could easily assassinate the Iranian leader.
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According to multiple reports, Trump is considering entering the conflict and joining Israel’s strikes on Iran.
In particular, there’s been speculation that the U.S. Air Force could use B-2 stealth bombers to assist Israel in its attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The deep-lying nuclear enrichment site at Fordow is one key target that could require Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, which are only carried by the B-2. However, even the MOP would not necessarily guarantee the total destruction of hardened targets like this.
So far, however, the U.S. Air Force has apparently committed only to the new deployment of tactical fighters and refueling tankers to the Middle East. This is an important contingency measure and one that gives the president multiple options, as we outlined in our previous feature on the tanker movements. Today, flight-tracking software revealed more U.S. Air Force tankers heading south, including passing over Israel, as well as over Jordan, close to the Syrian border.
Two U.S. ���� KC-135R Stratotanker planes are flying over Israel ���� . pic.twitter.com/zGIpq8wvfK — ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) June 18, 2025
Pair of tankers working just south of the Syrian border over Jordan.
���� KC-135R 58-0069 #AE04F6
���� KC-135R 63-7985 #AE036Apic.twitter.com/FPsI4YXKAD — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 18, 2025
Meanwhile, further tanker and transport assets are headed across the Atlantic, with at least seven KC-135s and three C-17s noted in the air today, bound for Europe.
MORE: Seven U.S. C-17 transport planes and three KC-135 tankers are en route to Europe. pic.twitter.com/C666xIKIbs — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2025
The United States has also ordered a second carrier group, centered around the USS Nimitz, to the Middle East, as you can read about here.
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In the meantime, Trump’s patience with Tehran appears to be wearing thin.
“I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate with Iran,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, as he returned early from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada. The U.S. president added that his objective in Iran was “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire”.
Trump then posted to his Truth Social channel, calling for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” While warning that the United States knew the location of Iran’s supreme leader, Trump added that they would not kill him “for now.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, who said that Iran’s supreme leader could face the same fate as Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was toppled in a U.S.-led invasion and was eventually hanged after a trial.
Trump’s stance has already gotten pushback from some U.S. lawmakers.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine has introduced a war powers resolution that would prohibit the U.S. military from taking direct action against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress or a declaration of war.
When asked today whether the U.S. military would strike nuclear facilities in Iran, Trump said, “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.” Trump was also asked to provide a message to the Supreme Leader of Iran, to which he responded, “I say good luck.”
When asked it the US would strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump said: “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do”
Trump also asked what his message is to the Supreme Leader of Iran and said: “I say good luck.” — Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) June 18, 2025
Trump today again called for Iran’s unconditional surrender, saying, “I’ve had it.”
In an indication of the gravity of the situation in the Middle East, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, today announced that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem was urgently working on organizing evacuation flights and cruise ship departures for the several thousand American citizens currently trapped in Israel.
This is a developing story. Stay with The War Zone for updates.
Update: 1:41pm eastern
A gaggle of Iranian government airliners — including the A340 used for presidential travels — flew to Oman today, which is a very strange thing to happen considering Israeli claims of air superiority over Iran. You can read our post on the mysterious flights here.
Khamenei continues to make dark warnings to the U.S.:
The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Iran sends second missile volley, no casualties; Trump OKs strike, awaits Iran’s move | Live updates
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Wednesday that he has not closed the door on a meeting with Iran. Iran’s public television had its broadcasts hacked and its viewers were shown images of protests along with calls to rise up against the regime. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted Israel with a Sejjil, a long-range ballistic missile, in the recent attack on Wednesday. Iran launched one ballistic missile toward central Israel in the evening hours, which was intercepted by aerial defenses. One man was slightly injured when shrapnel fell on his car. The launch triggered sirens, sending millions into shelters. The location of Iran’s near-bomb-grade stockpile of enriched uranium cannot currently be verified, the IAEA said Wednesday. The IDF said earlier that Iran had launched 1,000 drones toward Israel, and that it had intercepted one of the drones, according to a report in the New York Times. The U.S.-based USS Ford is expected to be deployed to Europe next week, CNN said on Wednesday, citing sources.
The IDF intercepted a hostile aircraft Wednesday overnight that was launched from Iran, after sirens sounded between 1:55 a.m. and 1:59 a.m. in several areas of northern Israel due to a hostile aircraft infiltration.
U.S. President Donald Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he approved attack plans for Iran but has withheld a final order to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program , the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the deliberations.
Iran late Wednesday launched a second volley of missiles aimed at central Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the region . Magen David Adom said shortly after alarms blared that no injuries had been reported during the latest attack at the time of writing.
Interceptions over central Israel following barrage from Iran ( Raanan Ben Tsur )
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Wednesday that he has not closed the door on a meeting with Iran. ‘I may do that,’ he said ahead of a scheduled meeting at the White House, to discuss Israel’s operation. ‘A deal could still be done.’
U.S. President on the Israel-Iran conflict ( FoxNews )
Iran’s public television ( IRIB) had its broadcasts hacked and its viewers were shown images of protests along with calls to rise up against the regime , the UK-based opposition outlet Iran International reported. The Iranian public broadcaster said in a message to viewers that the pictures on their screens were the result of disturbances to the satellite signals, caused by the “Zionist enemy.” Read the full story here .
Iranian television broadcast hacked by calls for protest, uprising against the regime
A new video showed the moment when the IRGC-affiliated television channel was attacked by the IDF on Monday, while on air. Full story – here .
Watch IDF strike on IRGC-linked TV channel
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted Israel with a Sejjil, a long-range ballistic missile , in the recent attack on Wednesday.
6 View gallery Iran’s Sajjil long-range ballistic missile ( Photo: AP )
Iran launched one ballistic missile toward central Israel in the evening hours, which was intercepted by aerial defenses. One man was slightly injured when shrapnel fell on his car. The launch triggered sirens, sending millions into shelters.
Few munitions were launched from Iran
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice,” the IDF said in a statement.
France announced it would facilitate the departure of French citizens from Israel and Iran. President Emmanuel Macron asked France’s foreign affairs ministry to take the necessary measures, the presidential palace said on Wednesday. “We strongly advise against all travel to these two countries,” it added.
Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said in an urgent message that it was preparing the extraction of American citizens wishing to leave Israel, using rescue flights and cruise ships. The embassy urged Americans to sign up at the embassy and await updates.
The IDF said on Wednesday that its Air Force conducted an overnight strike against an anti-tank missile production facility in Iran that supplied Iran’s proxies for use against Israel. “The Iranian regime has for years armed terrorist organizations surrounding Israel, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and the Houthi terrorist regime,” the military said.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Defrin said the Air Force attacked 20 targets in Tehran during the day, three of them connected to the production of missiles that were destined to be used against Israel.
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The USS Ford Carrier Group is expected to be deployed to Europe next week , CNN said on Wednesday, citing sources. This would be the third aircraft carrier deployed in the proximity of the conflict between Israel and Iran .
According to the report, the USS Ford, which was scheduled to arrive in Europe, would likely be diverted to the Mediterranean Sea.
6 View gallery USS Gerald Ford carrier group ( Photo: Maxwell Orlosky / US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE / AFP )
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not know where Iran’s enriched uranium is, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. ” The location of Iran’s near-bomb-grade stockpile of enriched uranium cannot currently be verified,” the report said.
The IDF said on earlier that Iran had launched 1,000 attack drones toward Israel , 100 reached Israeli territory, but none hit their target . The military also said that 20 of the 400 ballistic missiles Iran fired landed in populated areas, causing casualties and damage. “This was very close to our estimates, considering their capabilities and our aerial defenses.” Full story – here .
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U.S. President Donald Trump would not say if the United States had plans to attack Iran and its nuclear facilities. The president said on Wednesday that it was not too late for Iran to negotiate with the United States, but that ‘there’s a big difference between now and a week ago .’ Trump said the Iranians had proposed to come for talks at the White House, but did not provide details. Full story – here .
U. S. President Donald Trump speaking at the White House ( Reuters )
6 View gallery Donald Trump ( Photo: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters )
“Next week will be big, maybe even before that.” Trump said, adding that Iran had “bad intentions”
Israel’s Home Front Command has slightly relaxed some of its restrictions, which will take effect as of Wednesday at 6 p.m. and will last until Friday at 6 p.m. Updated Home Front Command guidelines – here .
6 View gallery IDF strikes Karaj
6 View gallery Explosions in Tehran as the IDF strikes the Iranian capital
Groups of up to 30 are allowed to gather if there is quick access to shelters, and workplaces can operate if they have protected areas available on site.
6 View gallery People seek shelter in Ramat Gan train station ( Photo: Ronen Zvulun / Reuters )
Areas along the border with Lebanon, the Golan Heights, the Beit She’an Valley, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the Arava, Eilat, and communities near the Gaza Strip allow gathering of up to 100 where shelters are available. Schools, educational institutions to remain shut.