TEHRAN/TEL AVIV (June 18, 2025) – Israel's military said it launched a strike using 60 fighter jets targeting over 20 military and nuclear-related facilities in and around Tehran. The targets included weapon-production plants, uranium‑centrifuge factories, missile-component factories, and nuclear-research sites .
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Objective: Israel says the raid aimed to halt Iran’s expanding nuclear and missile capabilities, citing intelligence that Tehran was accelerating uranium enrichment to develop atomic weapons.
Iran’s response: Tehran activated air defenses in response to the strikes; Iranian state media did not provide details on interception outcomes.
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| Smoke rises over Iran's capital Tehran on June 18. Photo: AFP |
Broader escalation:
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This strike is part of a series of attacks since June 13, including Israel targeting Iran's Arak heavy-water reactor—a facility capable of producing plutonium—and the underground Natanz uranium-enrichment complex.
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Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes inside Israel, including a hit on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba; Israeli officials say they’ll escalate strikes in response.
🔍 Why It Matters
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Scale & capability: Using 60 aircraft on over 20 high-value targets shows a large-scale, intelligence-backed operation.
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Strategic significance: Hitting facilities tied to centrifuge manufacturing and missile systems may delay Iran’s nuclear and ballistic ambitions—but risks further regional escalation.
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Civilian risk: Iran activated air defenses and previously struck hospitals in Israel. Israel has warned Tehran civilian areas could see more strikes if the conflict continues.
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Regional ripple effects: Russia and China have condemned the action, warning of destabilization. U.S. President Trump has not ruled out deeper American involvement.
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