Israel and Iran continued their exchange of heavy strikes as the conflict entered its sixth day, prompting international concern and emergency measures. Israel launched a major aerial offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, while Iran responded with hypersonic missile attacks on Israeli cities.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed firing Fatah-1 hypersonic missiles at Israel, claiming they “repeatedly shook the shelters” in Tel Aviv. These missiles, which exceed five times the speed of sound and can maneuver mid-flight, are difficult to intercept.
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that over 50 fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the Tehran area, targeting a centrifuge production facility allegedly used to enhance Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities for nuclear weapons, reports DW.COM
Several weapons factories, according to the report, were also struck, including sites manufacturing components for surface-to-surface missiles.
Early Wednesday, the IDF confirmed that Israeli forces were striking targets in Tehran, while simultaneously detecting new Iranian missile launches toward Israel. Air raid sirens were activated, and the public was urged to follow emergency instructions.
Iranian military leadership also warned residents to evacuate Tel Aviv and Haifa, signaling possible further attacks.
In the face of all this, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely civilian.
The Washington-based Human Rights Activists (HRA) reported at least 585 deaths and 1,326 injuries in Iran since the conflict escalated, including 239 civilians and 126 security personnel. Iran’s Health Ministry last cited a toll of 224 deaths, though it has not issued recent official figures. HRA relied on independent sources for its count.
Meanwhile, Israel Transport Minister Miri Regev and airline El Al said its rescue flights for between 100,000 and 150,000 stranded Israelis will begin Wednesday from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris, according to.
El Al has confirmed flights are already fully booked; passengers will be notified during the day. In the meantime, a ship carrying about 100 Israeli doctors and medical staff arrived in Haifa Tuesday evening.
Amid rising security concerns, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed from Wednesday (June 18) through Friday (June 20). No evacuation plans for American citizens have been announced. The closure follows guidance from Israel’s Home Front Command.
The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Israel’s strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex directly impacted its underground enrichment operations.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered reinforcements and defensive assets to the Middle East to prepare for possible regional spillover.
As global powers monitor developments with growing concern, the situation between Israel and Iran shows no signs of de-escalation, raising fears of a broader regional war.
