June
13 June
In the early hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked dozens of Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and infrastructure installations, and key military commanders, including some targets, Israeli officials said, that were not anticipated by Tehran. [1] By 06:30 IDT, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) had launched five waves of air strikes, [2] using more than 200 fighter jets to drop more than 330 munitions on about 100 targets. [3] The fighter jets included multiple F-35I Adir fighters, [4] the Israeli variant of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter. The F-35I's were reportedly modified with low-observable conformal fuel tanks to enable them to have the range and endurance to conduct operations over Iran without compromising stealthy characteristics or requiring mid-air refueling. [5] [6] Israeli targets included the Natanz Nuclear Facility and other infrastructure of Iran's nuclear program. [7] No nuclear accidents occurred as a result of the airstrikes, as operational nuclear reactors, such as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor, were not attacked. Although damaged nuclear centrifuges can release low-level radiation and industrial chemicals that can threaten on-site personnel, they can neither trigger nuclear explosions nor cause large-scale contamination of an area. [7]
Meanwhile, the Mossad sabotaged Iran's air defense systems and missile infrastructure. [8] An Israeli official said Mossad had smuggled precision weapons and established a covert drone base near Tehran, [9] which were used to disable air defenses, securing air superiority for Israeli aircraft. [9]
Around 03:00 local time, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of an imminent missile and drone retaliation. [10] Warning sirens were activated across Israel in anticipation of a possible Iranian counterattack, though Iran would launch no ballistic missiles until the following evening. [1] Katz further described Israel's attack on Iran as a "preemptive strike". [11] According to the IDF, the action was prompted by intelligence indicating Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium that they would be able to further enrich it to weapons grade in an amount sufficient for 15 nuclear weapons in a matter of days. [1] However, estimates of the time required to make an actual weapon varied from 7 to 12 months at the time of the IDF's statement. [1]
Explosions were reported across Tehran, including near military bases and in neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Eyewitnesses described enormous flames and repeated blasts. [12] [13] Fars News Agency, which is linked to the IRGC, reported that multiple homes were struck in Shahrak-e Mahallati, a neighborhood in eastern Tehran where high-ranking Iranian military officers and their families reside. [13] The attack reportedly set on fire the IRGC headquarters in Tehran. [14] Some residential complexes were hit during the attack, including ones that housed Iranian officers and officials. Reportedly, the strength of the explosions caused some buildings[ which? ] to collapse. [15]
Blasts were reported at the Natanz Nuclear Facility, in Isfahan province, where one of Iran's most critical nuclear facilities is located. Iranian state TV confirmed "loud explosions" near the site, which houses two enrichment plants: the large underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) above ground. [16] Nuclear sites at Khondab and Khorramabad were also targeted. [13] [17]
After the initial wave of attacks, Iran promised a "harsh response" against Israel. It said that they were going to attack Israeli and US forces stationed in military bases across the Middle East. Shortly thereafter, Iran initiated retaliatory strikes, under the codename Operation True Promise III, which targeted military bases and air bases, as well as indirectly targeting residential areas and public infrastructure. According to IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin, roughly more than 100 Shahed drones were launched by Iran towards Israel. [18] [19] The US evacuated some of its soldiers in Iraq and also authorized the evacuation of family members of US soldiers across the region. [11] [20] At around 9 p.m. local time—10 minutes before dozens of missiles hit—Israeli citizens were given phone alerts warning about an incoming attack. Citizens were authorized to leave their shelters at around 10:10. Tel Aviv was targeted with Iranian missiles following during attack; while some missiles were intercepted by Israel, others were able to hit their targets in Tel Aviv, [21] including an apparent direct hit on The Kirya military headquarters near Begin Road. [22] Sirens were activated in Amman, Jordan's capital. [23] [24] Some of the drones were intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force over Jordanian air space and some by the IAF over Saudi Arabia and Syria. [25] Later, various Israeli sources said that an order for Israeli civilians to seek shelter was lifted, suggesting that a majority or all of the drones were destroyed. [11] An intercepted drone fell on a house and wounded three people in Irbid, Jordan. [26]
Israel conducted strikes in Tabriz in the early afternoon, reportedly targeting an area near Tabriz Airport. [27] Shiraz and the Natanz Nuclear Facility were struck by Israel as well. [14] Explosions also occurred at the Hamadan Airbase [28] [29] and the Parchin military base. [30] Two explosions also occurred near the subterranean Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, [31] where an Israeli drone was reportedly shot down by Iranian air defenses. [32] The IDF later confirmed striking the Hamadan and Tabriz airbases, asserting that it had "dismantled" the latter airbase and also destroyed dozens of Iranian drones and surface-to-surface missile launchers. [33]
The Houthis fired a ballistic missile from Yemen targeting Jerusalem, [34] with it landing in Hebron, West Bank, injuring five Palestinians. The IDF estimated that around 150 ballistic missiles were fired in two waves during the attack. [35] Magen David Adom reported that at least 63 Israelis were injured – one critically, one seriously, eight mildly, and the rest lightly. [36] A civilian woman critically injured later succumbed to her wounds. [37] Seven soldiers were among the injured, receiving light wounds. [38] The Israel Fire and Rescue Services rescued two people from a building struck in Tel Aviv, [39] while the IDF's Home Front Command rescued another civilian from a building in the city. Despite this, there were no reports of significant damage from Iran's retaliatory strikes. [40] On 17 June, Al Jazeera English reported that some Palestinians were excluded from Israeli bomb shelters. [41]
At 18:46 GMT, the IDF confirmed striking the Isfahan Nuclear Technology/Research Center, saying it was involved in the "reconversion of enriched uranium." [21]
Iranian media reported that at least two Israeli fighter jets were downed over Iranian airspace and a female pilot was captured. [42] [43] The IDF denied this. [44]
U.S. president Donald Trump warned Iran against attacking American personnel or infrastructure, saying "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before." [45] Rachel Reeves, British minister of finance told Sky News that Britain may help in Israel's protection. [46]
14 June
In the early morning, Iranian media reported two projectiles, an explosion, then a fire, at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. [47] It also reported Iranian air defenses engaging Israeli projectiles above Isfahan [48] and exchanging fire with Israeli drones on reconnaissance missions in northwestern Iran. [49] IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and IAF Commander Tomer Bar declared that "the way to Tehran has been paved." [50] The IDF later said that it bombed an underground facility in western Iran used to store dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles. [51]
At around 1 a.m., Iran launched another barrage consisting of dozens of missiles, most of which were intercepted, according to an IDF spokesperson. [52] Seven people were injured in the attack, one mildly. [53] Two MDA ambulance workers were lightly hurt by broken glass after shrapnel hit their intensive care unit. [54]
Iran confirmed the deaths of General Gholamreza Mehrabi, deputy head of intelligence for the armed forces general staff, and General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy head of operations. [55] Iran also claimed to have downed a total of three Israeli F-35 jets and captured two pilots. The Iranian army claimed to have downed a total of three Israeli F-35 fighter jets, allegedly killing one pilot and capturing the other. [56] To date, no evidence has surfaced confirming these claims, while at least one video and one image purporting to show the downing of Israeli F-35's have been debunked as disinformation. [57] [58] The IDF has repeatedly denied claims of air force casualties or damage. [44] [59] Iran's Ministry of Petroleum announced attacks on two oil fields in Bushehr province—the Phase 14 platform of South Pars Gas field and the Fajr Jam gas refinery [60] [61] —where fires halted the production of at least 12 million cubic meters of gas. [62] The Red Crescent Society said Israel had attacked 18 of the 31 provinces of Iran. [63]
There were reports of a fifth missile barrage launched by Iran as Israel, with help of the US, intercepted incoming missiles. [64] [18] The number of injured civilians increased over 60, as several homes were reported heavily damaged. As a result of a direct hit on a building in Rishon LeZion at least two civilians were killed and over 20 others injured, [65] [66] [64] including a 3-month-old baby who was rescued from the debris. [67] The IDF later announced that Iran had fired 200 ballistic missiles since the night of 13 June, with around 25% of them hitting open areas. It asserted that a "small number" of missiles evaded air defenses and struck residential areas in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion, causing casualties. [68]
In the night, Iran fired another barrage of missiles targeting northern Israel, killing five people and injuring at least 23 others. The Home Front Command put out phone alerts at 11 p.m., and citizens were cleared to leave shelters at 11:45. [69] A ballistic missile hit a two-story house in Tamra, killing a woman and wounding 14 others. [70] Four members of a family, including a woman and her two daughters, were killed in a separate missile strike. [71] A fire also broke out near the BAZAN oil refinery in Haifa, where pipes and transmission lines were damaged. [72] [73]
According to Xinhua News Agency, several Iranian missiles transited Syrian airspace en route to Israel, with at least two missiles falling in Daraa Governorate (southern Syria), prompting Damascus to halt flights due to regional instability. [74] Reportedly, several Arab states have participated in shooting down Iranian drones, or sharing radar information to help in destroying them. [75]
The IDF announced a new wave of strikes on "military targets" in Tehran. [76] These attacks struck oil and gasoline depots, cut off electricity in the Shahran neighborhood, [77] and hit the Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters and the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research building. [78]
15 June
In the morning, Iran and the Houthis in Yemen launched ballistic missiles simultaneously, which led to impacts on buildings in Bat Yam and Rehovot, a mall in Kiryat Ekron, and in Tel Aviv. [79] The strike in Bat Yam killed nine people, including three aged eight, 10 and 18, and one missing. Sixty-one buildings were damaged according to mayor Tzvika Brot. [80] Around 200 people were injured, according to the MDA, several of which were serious. [81] [82] Five of the civilians killed in Bat Yam were Ukrainian nationals. [45] Israel later declared that it intercepted most of the missiles and that the remainder failed to enter Israeli territory. [83]
A strike was reported on the Ministry of Justice building in Tehran. [84] The IAF said that it bombed a refueling plane at the Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport—around 2,300 kilometres (1,400 mi) from its territory—in what was possibly the most distant operation in its history. [85]
The Weizmann Institute of Science, a postdoc scientific research center in Rehovot, was hit by Iran, destroying an unoccupied building and a life science center, where 45 labs were damaged. Dozens of other buildings were also damaged. [86] [87] The Israeli Defense Ministry reported that central Israel was attacked by missiles coming from Yemen, which was later confirmed by the Houthis, stating that they used a number of Palestine 2 ballistic missiles in coordination with the Iranian military. [88] Germany warned that Iran may target Jewish or Israeli communities in Germany, following which Germany increased security around relevant institutions. [89]
Debris from Iranian missiles also hit two sites in the West Bank. At around 11:20 a.m., a rooftop fire was caused by a Shahab-class missile in al-Bireh, a few meters from the home of Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. Three children were wounded by broken glass after debris from a missile intercepted over central Israel landed outside Sa'ir around 90 minutes later. [90]
Later in the day, Iran fired a barrage consisting of several ballistic missiles at Israel, [91] but no impacts or casualties were reported. [92] Iran later fired a missile at an area in Caesarea, near the family home of Netanyahu. The IDF announced that the missiles were intercepted, with at least 50 rockets downed. [93]
Israel struck surface-to-surface missiles in Iran as well as military bases. Israel also struck the Iranian foreign ministry. [45] Missiles struck and killed the intelligence chief and the intelligence deputy chief of the IRGC. [94]
In the evening, Iran fired several barrages of missiles at Israel, injuring seven people in Haifa and one in Kiryat Gat, while also causing fires and property damage. An additional nine people were treated for panic attacks. [95]
Along with the airstrikes five car bombs detonated across Tehran, with explosions taking place next to government and nuclear-related sites. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA, citing informed sources, claimed that the operation was executed by Israel, even though an Israeli official denied any involvement. [96] [ better source needed ] [97]
The IDF warned Iranian civilians to evacuate from the areas surrounding weapon factories and military bases in Shiraz. [13] [98]
It was reported that Iran had sought mediation from Oman and Qatar to engage with the United States, aiming to halt the strikes and revive the stalled nuclear negotiations. [99] Iran stated that they had arrested two individuals whom they claimed were members of Mossad. [100]
16 June
Iran launched another barrage of missiles against Israel. Missile fragments were reported to have caused damage to the US Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. [101] [102] [103] A school in Tel Aviv as well as homes in Bnei Brak, Haifa and Petah Tikva were hit. Eight civilians were killed and over 90 were injured. [104] [105] Israel reported 287 people were hospitalized overnight. [104] An elderly person was found dead beneath debris in Bat Yam. [106] Haifa's oil refinery was also targeted, [107] causing significant damage that forced it to shut down and killing three workers. [108] According to Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft executive vice president Trita Parsi, successive Iranian missile attacks may have eroded Israeli defenses, allowing a larger percentage of missiles to get through than before. [109] Following the attacks, Israel confirmed 24 fatalities to date, the majority of which occurred outside bomb shelters, and had tallied 350 Iranian missiles, clustering around 30–60 at a time. [110]
The IDF hit the command center of the Quds Force in Tehran. [111] An Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal that there were indications that the underground nuclear facility in Natanz had "imploded". [112] Iran International reported explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Fordow nuclear facility. [113] IDF strikes were said to have taken place in the vicinity of the Parchin military installations. [114] The IRGC's Ansar al-Mahdi Corps reported that one of its commanders and a soldier was killed in an attack in Ijrud County of Zanjan province. [115] A news agency affiliated with the Iranian judiciary reported that an alleged agent for Israel, Ismail Fikri, was executed by hanging; the news agency reported that Fikri was in contact with two Mossad officers before his arrest. [116]
The IDF said it has destroyed 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran and had achieved "full air supremacy" in Tehran's airspace. Brigadier-General Effie Defrin said that 30% of Iran's missile launchers have been destroyed. Netanyahu also said that Israel controls the skies of Tehran. [117] He also did not rule out assassinating Khamenei, saying "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end it." [118] The IDF said it destroyed a weapons convoy between Tehran and Qom. [119]
IRNA reported that Israeli forces struck the Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, causing significant damage to the hospital and the buildings surrounding it. [120] At least 15 buildings in the Kermanshah missile factory were hit by Israel. [117] Israel bombed the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB during a live broadcast, sending anchors fleeing. It claims that the headquarters of the IRIB was used by the Iranian Armed Forces to promote military operations under civilian cover, [121] which was denied by Iran. [122] At least one IRIB employee was killed in the attack, [123] while the station said its offices were struck by four bombs. [124]
A drone fired toward the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq, was intercepted. [125] Iran fired ballistic missiles at Petah Tikva again, killing four people. One person was seriously injured, and 14 were moderately injured, including two children. Two missiles also hit Tel Aviv, destroying a number of buildings. [126]
Israel issued evacuation orders to residents of some areas of Tehran. [104] Israel hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran. [127] The IDF said one of its drones destroyed two Iranian F-14s. [128] Nour News reported that Iranian forces claim to have shot down an F-35 over Tabriz. [129] The IDF hit a building where several senior officials of Iran's intelligence organizations were staying, was targeted, killing Iran's intelligence chief and other key senior officials. Mohammad Kazemi, Hassan Mohaqeq, and Mohammad Khatami were confirmed to have been killed by the airstrike. [130] [131]
CNN reported Iran said it will not negotiate with the United States until it finishes its retaliation against Israel. [117]
According to Iran International, Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, was removed from his position of making important strategic decisions by his senior commanders due to "severe deterioration in his mental health" related to the Israeli strikes. Khamenei was allegedly removed by members of IRGC intelligence and the Supreme National Security Council. [132] [133] and moved to a bunker located in the town of Lavizan, along with his family. [134]
In an interview with Sky News, Israeli president Isaac Herzog stated that Israel had "no other choice" but to attack Iran, and that the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, amid rumors that Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei. [135] [136]
17 June
In the morning, Iran launched about 20 missiles at Israel, lightly injuring five people. [137] CNN reported that the missiles struck targets across Israel, hitting Tel Aviv as well as residential neighbourhoods in Bat Yam and Tamra. [138] Ynet reported that an Iranian missile struck the city of Herzliya, damaging a eight-storey building and setting an empty bus on fire. [139] Explosions were heard in the Dan district of Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. [140] The Times of Israel reported Israel shot down 30 Iranian drones during the night between the 16 and 17 June. [141] The IRGC claimed to have hit a military intelligence centre and a Mossad operations planning centre in Israel. [142] The Washington Post verified four impacts in Tel Aviv, none hit the Mossad headquarters, however Camp Moshe Dayan, which houses the headquarters of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate and Unit 8200, was directly struck. [143] An Iranian ballistic missile attack toward northern Israel during the evening was successfully intercepted by Israel. [144]
The IDF said 40% of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed. The IDF also said they believe that Iran is not able to mount large missile salvos against Israel because they are unable to coordinate large attacks due to the IDF hunting of missile launchers. [145] The Institute for the Study of War in the US, noting that the five morning attacks had less fire than previous salvos, posited a degradation of Iran's missile forces. [146]
The IDF assassinated Major-General Ali Shadmani just days after he was appointed as a commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters. [147] After replacing Lt. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid following his death, Shadmani became the highest ranking Iranian military commander, serving as Iran's "war chief of staff" and heading both the IRGC and the Iranian Armed Forces, according to the IDF. [148] [149] According to The Jerusalem Post, Shadmani was killed alongside dozens of IRGC officers after they evacuated to a secret base hidden inside the mountains outside Tehran. [150]
Israel said that it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran, targeting missile launchers and UAV storage facilities. [151] The IDF posted a video of their aircraft destroying Iranian F-14 fighter jets on the ground. It also showed a video of them destroying a rocket launcher holding three missiles. [152] According to Mehr News Agency , an Israeli rocket hit a checkpoint in Kashan, killing three people and injuring four others. [153] Israeli forces struck a residential building in Tehran, according to IRNA, which also reported that three people were rescued from the rubble by the Red Crescent. [154] Fars News Agency reported that the state-owned Bank Sepah was targeted in a cyberattack. [155] According to reports from Iran International and other news outlets, the hacker group Predatory Sparrow has officially claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on the bank. Bank Sepah is reported to have deep connections to the IRGC and the Iranian Army. [156] [157] [158]
The IAEA said that it is likely that underground facilities in Natanz were damaged by Israeli attacks. [159] Israeli jets hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran. [160]
The Iranian Army claimed to have shot down 28 "hostile aircraft" including a spy drone. Israel denied the claims. [161]
The IDF announced that it conducted heavy strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers in Isfahan using 60 fighter jets, saying that missile sites in western Iran had been evacuated due to earlier attacks. [162] The IDF said that 12 missile storage and launch sites were hit during the attacks. [163]
Trump called for the complete evacuation of Tehran, [164] [101] declared that "we [ sic ] now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran", and called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" while threatening to assassinate Khamenei. [165] He also convened the US national security council. [166] Vice president JD Vance indicated that the United States may join the war against Iran. [167]
18 June
In the morning, a loud explosion was reportedly heard in Tehran, but Iranian officials did not confirmed an attack. [168]
The IDF said that 50 fighter jets struck around 20 buildings in Tehran, including factories producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for ballistic missiles. Iranian media said that IDF struck an IRGC-affiliated university and a missile factory in Khojir. [169] The IDF also claimed to have destroyed 70 missile batteries. An unmanned IAF drone fell on Iran after it was shot down; no injuries were reported. [170] [171] [172] Israel also attacked nuclear centrifuge production sites, with the IAEA confirming strikes on Karaj's TESA Complex and the Tehran Research Complex. [173] [174]
Iranian secret agents arrested five people allegedly affiliated with Mossad, accusing them of being "mercenaries" who "sow fear among the public". [175]
The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to an unnamed US official, Israel was running out of Arrow missile interceptors. [176]
Israel hit sites in Tehran and issued an evacuation order for people in district 18 of Tehran. [177] Iran's internal security headquarters was destroyed during the attacks, according to Israel. [178] An Iranian Red Crescent building was also reportedly struck. [179]
Iran fired a single ballistic missile at Israel in the evening, setting off sirens in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area. [180] [181] According to the IRGC, the long-range Sejjil missile was used in the attack. [182] One man was lightly injured when a fragment fell on his car after the missile was intercepted. [183] According to the Washington Post, without resupplies or greater involvement from the United States, some assessments project Israel can maintain its missile defense for 10 or 12 more days if Iran maintains a steady tempo of attacks; in contrast an IISS assessment notes that the depths of Israel's remaining interceptor stockpiles is unknown but its arsenal depth is bolstered by US missile defense support. [143] [184] Iranian salvo sizes have consistently decreased in number of ballistic missiles since the beginning of the war. [185] [186] [187]
Iranian media reported that Iranian forces shot down a "hostile" F-35 jet in the Javadabad area of Varamin. [188]
IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said "There is significant and direct learning here from the events of October 7, we are not waiting, we are preventing threats". [189]
The IDF published a message in Farsi saying that it is receiving a lot of messages from Iranians which include "fear, despair, and anger over what is happening in Iran" and asked those who wished to avert a similar fate to Gaza and Lebanon to contact Israeli officials through a link on the Mossad website. [190]
In the afternoon, the IDF said that it had struck 40 military targets in western Iran, including a primed Emad missile launcher, missile storage sites, and soldiers, with 25 fighter jets. To date, IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said that 1,100 targets in Iran had been struck by Israel. He added that five AH-1 helicopters were struck in Kermanshah in the morning. Later, the IDF said that it destroyed three more AH-1 helicopters. [191] The IDF later announced that 60 fighter jets participated in a wave of strikes against 20 targets in Tehran, including weapon manufacturing facilities, centrifuge production sites, and nuclear research and development locations. [192]
Israel downed three Iranian drones during the night between 17 and 18 June. [193]
By this date, the IDF estimated that Iran launched 400 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel since the conflict began. It added that only 20 missiles impacted urban areas, causing far fewer casualties than Israel anticipated. Of the drones, less than 200 entered Israeli airspace, but none of them hit any targets. [194]
19 June
In the early morning, Iran fired a barrage of around 20 ballistic missiles at Israel, striking at least four sites in central and southern Israel, including the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon. [195] [196] According to Israel's Ministry of Health, 271 people were injured in the attacks—among them four seriously and 16 moderately. [197] A hospital spokesperson reported "damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas". [198] A cluster bomb was also used in the attack, dropping around 20 smaller munitions across an 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) area in central Israel, with one hitting a home in Azor. [199]
The IAF hit Tehran with airstrikes during the night of 18 June. [200] In the morning, Israel dozens of military facilities in Iran including air defense and missile production sites. [201]
The IR-40 reactor containment building at the Arak Nuclear Complex was destroyed by a direct hit as were distillation towers at the adjacent heavy water production plant. [202] Earlier in the day, Israel had told told residents of the surrounding areas of Arak and Khonddab to evacuate. [203] Israel said there was no danger of radiation leakage. The IAEA said that the reactor was "not operational and contained no nuclear material". [204] [205]
The Soroka Medical Center suffered a direct hit, causing extensive damage and a suspected chemical leak. [206] [207] Seventy-one people were lightly injured there, along with another person treated for acute anxiety. [208] [197] IRNA claimed that the hospital was accidentally struck, with the nearby Gav-Yam technology park being the "principal target" because it was allegedly used by the IDF. [209] [210] The Israeli president said the hospital hit was a "beacon of coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians". [211] In Ramat Gan, two people were seriously injured and 20 others were lightly injured. A missile impacted near several high-rise buildings, and according to the Israeli education minister, a kindergarten was also hit. [212] Several apartment buildings were damaged after a missile hit a residential area in Holon, where 16 people were injured, including four seriously. [213] Following the strike on the hospital the Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said "The Iranian regime deliberately targets civilians... is committing war crimes," and "has no red lines". [214] Following the attacks, Israeli opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman said "Imagine what Iran would do with nuclear weapons," and urged Israel to continue to fight Iran. [215] Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called Iranian leader Ali Khamenei "the modern Hitler", adding that he "cannot continue to exist" and stating that eliminating Khamenei aligns with the IDF's war objectives. [216]
Later, Iran fired at least ten missiles at northern Israel, with no reports of impacts or casualties. [217]
The IDF said it believes it has destroyed two thirds of the Iran's missile launchers. [218] The IDF claimed that their drones struck Iranian soldiers who were repairing ballistic missile launchers. [219]
Iran fired a ballistic missile salvo at Israel about midnight between 18 and 19 June. It was intercepted by the IDF. [220] Israel downed two Iranian drones headed towards northern Israel. [221] [222]
Israeli prime minister Netanyahu said that Israel's cooperation with the United States is "remarkable". [209] Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate Khamenei in retaliation for the strikes on Soroka Medical Center, saying that he "will pay for his crimes". [223]
20 June
Following another Iranian missile barrage toward Israel, missiles struck Beersheba. One of them hit a street surrounded by apartment blocks which were damaged, [224] causing fires to erupt near the Microsoft office in the Gav Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park and other high tech facilities. [225] [226] [227] The central rail station was damaged and temporarily shut down. [227] Seven civilians were lightly injured. [228]
Later, Iran fired 25 missiles at Israel, with some striking areas in Haifa, central Israel, and southern Israel. [229] After the strikes, the shipping company Maersk announced that it would be pausing vessel calls to Haifa. [230] In Haifa, three people, including a 16-year-old boy, were seriously wounded by shrapnel, while 20 others were lightly injured. A woman died from a heart attack while sheltering in Karmiel. Several small munition impacts were reported in Beersheba, including one that hit a daycare, indicating that a cluster bomb was used. [231] There were explosions reported in Tel Aviv and at least one missile strike reported in Jerusalem. [232] [233] In Haifa, the Al-Jarina Mosque was struck while Muslim clerics were gathering inside. [234]
The IDF reported that it targeted numerous military sites in Iran overnight, including missile production facilities and a nuclear research center in Tehran. Among the key targets hit was the headquarters of the SPND program, an agency focused on defense research and development, which was reported to being involved in Iran's nuclear weapons development. [235] [225] The IDF claimed that it has destroyed 35 Iranian missile launchers in the morning. [236]
Among the buildings hit was the home of Dan Naveh, the CEO of Israel Bonds and a leader in Israel's war economy. [237] [238]
An Iranian news outlet reported that an Israeli drone targeted a residential building in Tehran's Gisha district. Reportedly, the attack targeted a military base belonging to the Basij. [239] [240] According to Iranian media, an unnamed nuclear scientist was assassinated by Israel in Tehran. [241] In a short statement, the IDF said that they are targeting military infrastructure in western and central Iran. [242]
According to Israeli cabinet secretary Yossi Fox, the IDF assesses that Iran has so far fired 520 ballistic missiles at Israel with only 25 having made impact with the ground (though not necessarily striking their intended targets), equaling roughly a 5% impact rate. [243]
21 June
Israel struck three buildings in Isfahan, with Iranian media reporting that a nuclear facility was targeted. [244] Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF killed Quds Force commander Saeed Izadi, who was the head of the "Palestine Branch" and played a role in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel, after striking an apartment in Qom, and IRGC commander Behnam Shahriyari after striking his vehicle. [245] [246] Iran confirmed the killing of a tenth nuclear scientist, Isar Tabatabai-Qamsheh. [247] [248]
The IAEA stated that a centrifuge workshop in the nuclear research complex in Isfahan was destroyed by the Israeli strikes, without danger of any hazardous material leakage. The IAEA said that originally, the workshop had manufactured a machine that was used to enrich uranium. [249] [250]
An Israeli aircraft struck a residential building in Qom, while explosions were reported over Najafabad, Malard, Isfahan and Tehran. [251] Israeli airstrikes targeted a nuclear site in Isfahan, according to the deputy provincial governor who spoke to the Fars new agency. [252] [249] [253] Fars reported that the air defense system in Isfahan had been activated. [252] The IDF said that it hit a military installation in Shiraz, no casualties were reported. [254]
Khamenei, reportedly sheltering with his family in a bunker, [255] made an "unusual decision" to choose a successor. Notably, his son, Mojtaba, a cleric with close ties to the IRGC and long rumored to be a leading contender, was not among the list of candidates. [256] [257]
Following an Israeli airstrike, the headquarters of the Iranian Cyber Police (FATA) in Tehran sustained significant damage. FATA, according to Iran International, has been central to the Iranian government's efforts to suppress by surveilling social media and prosecuting citizens over digital content. The force has pursued thousands of cases against individuals, journalists, and businesses over alleged "unethical" or "anti-state" content. [258]
The IDF announced that it attacked dozens of military targets in the Ahvaz area, using 30 fighter jets that dropped around 50 munitions. Among the targets were a ballistic missile storage facility and a radar site. [259] A strike in Tehran killed a former bodyguard of assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah alongside a member of Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada. [260] Later, the IDF said that around 60 fighter jets conducted strikes in central Iran in the evening, destroying three F-14 fighter jets. [261]
Fires broke out in Tel Aviv and Holon after Iran launched a new wave of missiles. [262] [263] [252]
The Israel Fire and Rescue Services confirmed in a statement on Telegram that they were working to extinguish a blaze on the roof of a three-story building in Gush Dan, the wider metropolitan area around Tel Aviv. According to CNN, the statement however did not specify the city, while the fire was caused by shrapnel after a missile was intercepted. Magen David Adom said that no injuries were reported. [252] Iran struck a residential building in Beit Shean, no injuries were reported. [264]
Cyprus police caught an Iranian suspected of being a spy from the IRGC who according to Cypriot police was surveilling British and Cypriot bases. The suspect was charged with "suspicion of terror-related offenses and espionage". [265]
The IDF claimed that it intercepted 40 Iranian drones between 20 and 21 June, and added that 470 drones were shot down since the war began, a 99% interception rate. An Iranian Shahed-136 managed to strike a home in Beit She'an, causing damage, while another hit an open area near Highway 90 in the Arabah area. [266]
22 June
The United States, which had been helping Israel fend off Iranian missiles and drones since the beginning of the war, committed to an attack on Iran and sent B-2 bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. [267] [268] According to three Iranian officials who spoke to The New York Times , the strikes occurred at 2:30 a.m. IRST (23:00 the previous day UTC). [269] President Trump said that the targeted facilities were “totally obliterated”, [270] despite this, the Iranian government said that the Fordow site was not seriously damaged. IRIB said that only Fordow’s exit and entry tunnels were destroyed but not the facility itself. [271]
Satellite images of the Fordow facility were released by the Associated Press shortly after the strikes. [272] The images showed damage to the mountain which the facility was under and gray smoke flying in the air. They also showed damage to the entrances of the facility which are blocked by dirt, several large holes/craters were also seen. [273] [274] Prior to the strikes, satellite images of the facility appeared to show increase in logistics, with multiple trucks/heavy machinery gathering near the site, suggesting possible move of Iran's nuclear material. [275] Later, an Iranian source informed Reuters that they have moved majority of enriched uranium out of the facility to unknown location prior to the strikes. [276]
According to the IAEA, no radiation has been detected from Iran's nuclear facilities since the US attack. [277] Iranian media also said that all US civilians and soldiers in the region will become a target. [278] Israel said that it was in "full coordination" with the US in planning the strikes. Defense minister Israel Katz said that alliance between the United States and Israel is "stronger than ever, in the interests of the peace and security of both states and the entire free world”. [279] [280]
Iranian media reported that an alleged Mossad agent, Majid Mosayebi, was convicted and executed by hanging. [281] According to the IDF, 20 fighter jets conducted overnight strikes on dozens of military targets in central Iran, including weapons production and storage sites, air defenses, and infrastructure at Isfahan International Airport. In the morning, the IDF said that it destroyed two Iranian F-5 fighter jets at Dezful Airport alongside eight ballistic missile launchers, killing nearby soldiers. [282] [283] Strong explosions were heard in Tehran, Isfahan and Bandar Lengeh, with Iranian air defense systems being activated. Reportedly, "powerful explosions" were heard in central and northern Tehran. [284]
Explosions were also heard in Bushehr. Iranian media reported that Israel struck a power plant and a military garrison in Yazd. [285] The IDF confirmed conducting simultaneous strikes in the areas of Isfahan, Bushehr, Ahvaz, and Yazd, using 30 fighter jets that dropped around 60 munitions. Among the targets were the 'Imam Hussein' strategic missile headquarters in Yazd, an Iranian drone regiment headquarters, air defense battery factories, missile launchers, and drone storage sites. The strikes killed several Iranian military personnel who were operating at launch platforms. [286] [287] At least nine IRGC personnel were killed in Yazd, and a separate attack in Zanjan province killed three more soldiers. [288]
Later, the IDF said that 20 warplanes dropped 30 munitions against targets that included ballistic missile sites, satellites, and radars in Kermanshah and Hamadan, and an air defense system in the center of Tehran. [288]
23 June
Israeli strikes hit six airfields located in western, eastern, and central Iran, targeting runways, underground facilities, and a refueling aircraft. The strikes destroyed 15 Iranian fighter jets and helicopters such as the F-14, F-5, and AH-1. Israel also targeted missile launchers and storage facilities in Kermanshah. [289] [290] The IRGC shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone in Khorramabad. [291]
Iranian state-controlled media reported that an alleged spy, Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, was convicted and hanged for his connections to the Mossad. [292]
Over 50 Israeli aircraft conducted extensive strikes in Tehran, dropping over 100 munitions. The strikes targeted military command centers and infrastructure and internal security forces, with the IDF saying it hit the IRGC's Thar-Allah Headquarters, its Sayyid al-Shuhada Corps, the headquarters of the information security unit of Iran's internal security forces, the Basij headquarters, missile production and storage sites, and radars. [293] Hundreds of IRGC fighters were killed in the attacks, according to an Israeli official. [289] Other strikes hit the entrance of Evin Prison and the Palestine Square Countdown Clock, [294] with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar posting " ¡Viva la libertad, carajo! ", in response. [295] [296] [297] Iranian sources said that Israel struck an electric station in Evin, causing power cuts, and Shahid Beheshti University, although the university itself denied it. [298]
Iran launched 15 missiles toward Israel with shrapnel from Israeli interceptors falling in several cities. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem, causing sirens to sound for 30 minutes. The IDF said that the attack consisted of five separate barrages, each made of several projectiles. It also said that most of the missiles were shot down by air defenses. [299] [300]
Iran launched ten missiles at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base in retaliation to the US strikes on its nuclear sites. No US casualties were reported. [301]
Around 15 Israeli fighter jets conducted extensive strikes in western Iran, targeting underground military bases and missile and drone storage facilities. A primed ballistic missile launcher was also struck in central Iran. [302] The IDF later announced a second wave of strikes in western Iran that hit IRGC underground missile infrastructure, as well as an earlier attack on an air defense system. [303]
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Israel and Iran. [304]
