israelAMJune 16 2025
The war between Israel and Iran continues, with Israeli jets striking military and strategic targets including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile launchers and storage facilities, strategic oil and gas facilities and top military commanders, and Iran firing over 350 ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli major population centers. Israel has made it clear that its attacks are not directed against the Iranian people, only against the regime.
[Interestingly, the name Rising Lion, which is what the military operation is called, is also an allusion to the Iranian flag under the Shah, which featured a lion. This could be the Iranian peoples best chance to overthrow the evil regime and win their freedom back.]
While over 90% of the Iranian missiles and drones have been intercepted, the few missiles that have gotten through have cause 24 deaths and several hundred injured (most lightly). Israeli jets have been specifically targeting missile launchers, which has prevented Iran from launching more than 30 50 missiles at a time. Iran is thought to have between 2 to 3 thousand ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel. The IDF has reportedly destroyed one third of Irans launchers.
Last night, an airstrike in Tehran eliminated Mohammad Kazemi, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence unit, and his deputy, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq. Kazmi was responsible for internal surveillance, espionage and neutralizing opponents of the regime. Mohaqiq played a key role in the regimes terrorist operations against Israel, the West and countries in the Middle East.
New satellite images released today showed damage to several of Irans nuclear facilities, including Natanz and Fordow. The Fordow facility, a centerpiece of Irans nuclear program, is considered one of the most difficult targets for Israel to neutralize due to its location inside a mountain and the multiple layers of reinforced concrete protecting it.
Jordan said that it would shoot down or intercept missiles and drones flying over their airspace. Hezbollah announced that it would not take any action in the current conflict. Britain, Germany and France have been supportive of Israel's right to defend itself against the Iranian nuclear threat.
President Trump has warned Iran not to attack the U.S. in any way, anywhere in the world, or face an overwhelming U.S. military response. He has called on Iran to come back to the negotiating table rather that continue to face more destruction. Last nights Iranian missile attack against Tel Aviv caused damage to the US Embassy compound in the city. Ambassador Mike Huckabee announced the embassys response to the attack stating, Our US Embassy in Israel & Consulate will officially remain closed today as shelter in place still in effect. Some minor damage from concussions of Iranian missile hits near Embassy Branch in Tel Aviv, but no injuries to US personnel.