Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-21 at 20:05
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HEADLINES1. Israel Strikes Iranian Targets Amid Escalating Tensions2. Iran Fires 480 Missiles in Devastating Regional Assault3. Global Divided Over Iran’s Nuclear and Regional ThreatsThe time is now 04:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good afternoon. This is your hourly update on the ongoing conflicts and geopolitical developments in the Middle East and beyond.Tensions remain high as Israel continues its military operations against Iranian targets. Israeli forces have launched a new series of strikes on key Iranian military infrastructure, including missile launch sites and naval facilities in Bandar Abbas. Reports confirm that Israeli fighter jets targeted three Iranian F-14 fighter aircraft in central Iran and struck military installations elsewhere in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces emphasize that these actions are part of a broader campaign to neutralize Iran’s missile capabilities, which they assert are significantly diminished compared to previous levels. Nonetheless, Iran remains resolute in its efforts, with reports indicating that Tehran has fired approximately 480 missiles and over 1,100 attack drones toward Israeli territory since June 13. The barrage has caused casualties, including 25 fatalities, among them children, and injuries exceeding 2,500. Over 8,000 residents have been evacuated, and damages are estimated at over two billion shekels. Despite the destruction, Israeli military officials highlight ongoing efforts to degrade Iran’s offensive capabilities, including the destruction of nearly a thousand attack drones, with only a few reaching Israeli soil.Meanwhile, Iran’s regional proxies continue their aggressive stance. In Lebanon, Hezbollah reportedly rejected Iran’s direct order to join the attack on Israel, fearing that Israeli retaliation would obliterate their remaining forces and infrastructure. In Yemen, Houthi militants persist with missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and other regional targets, while in Iraq, Iranian-backed forces have targeted a military aircraft in Baghdad, resulting in the loss of a fuel tank. Iran’s naval base in Bandar Abbas remains under threat, with Israeli airstrikes targeting its facilities, and the Iranian regime has announced the death of several Revolutionary Guard members in recent strikes in Isfahan and Tehran.International responses remain divided. The Russian Security Council has reiterated its stance that Iran considers its nuclear program essential for its survival and will continue its development regardless of Western or Israeli concerns. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Moscow has no intention of providing military aid to Iran, citing that nearly two million Russian-speaking individuals live in Israel, which complicates direct support. Conversely, the United States maintains its posture of readiness, with President Trump’s administration reportedly considering increased military presence in the Pacific and deploying B-2 stealth bombers to deter Iranian escalation. US officials continue to coordinate with regional allies, emphasizing the importance of a unified response to Iran’s regional aggression.Diplomatically, negotiations between Iran and Western powers have stalled. Iran has demanded that Israel cease airstrikes and intelligence operations over its territory as a precondition for renewed nuclear talks. European diplomats, including those from Germany and the UK, have rejected Iran’s demands, citing Iran’s missile capabilities and regional destabilization efforts. The European Union is cautious about engaging in direct negotiations, fearing that Iran uses such talks to buy time to rebuild its missile arsenal. Meanwhile, US and Iranian officials reportedly maintain indirect communication channels, with Iran warning that US forces in the region could be targeted if hostilities escalate further.In domestic Israeli affairs, security measures remain tight. The Home Front Command has kept its defensive guidelines in place until at least Monday evening. The Israeli military continues to target Iranian military assets and has claimed to have destroyed approximately 950 attack drones and several Iranian fighter jets in recent days. Additionally, an attack in Tehran resulted in the assassination of a senior nuclear scientist, Dr. Seyed Amir Hossein Fakhi, a deputy director of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, raising concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian authorities have responded with increased military activity, including the downing of Israeli aircraft and the destruction of several Iranian F-14 fighters in recent airstrikes.In other regional developments, protests erupted in London against Israeli military actions in Iran and Gaza, with Iranian flags prominently displayed. Meanwhile, in France, public opinion surveys show that nearly 80 percent oppose President Macron’s push to recognize a Palestinian state, citing fears of escalating antisemitism and regional instability. Several European nations, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have expressed skepticism about premature recognition, emphasizing the importance of a negotiated two-state solution.Lastly, tragic accidents continue to occur; in Brazil, at least eight people died in a hot air balloon crash near Praia Grande, with rescue teams still assessing the scene. In Israel, a civilian was injured during an escalation in violence, and security forces have continued operations against Iranian-backed militias in the region.As the situation develops, the international community watches closely. The coming days are likely to be pivotal, with potential for increased military engagements, diplomatic efforts, or further escalation. We will keep you updated as new information emerges.This has been your comprehensive update. Stay tuned for further developments.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. 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