The Daily Populous Tuesday June 17th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by ynetnews.com and submitted by NotSoSaneExile

Iranian state television claimed late Monday night that "a new wave of missiles has been launched at Israel," and added: "A combined attack of missiles and UAVs will strike Haifa and Tel Aviv."

Syria reported earlier Monday night that two Iranian UAVs crashed inside the country in the rural area of Daraa, before crossing into Israel. At the same time, the Israeli Air Force intercepted several drones that were launched into Israeli territory, following alerts that were activated in Ramat Magshimim and Hispin in the southern Golan Heights.

Earlier in the evening, the Home Front Command instructed residents in parts of central and northern Israel to remain close to protected spaces due to rockets to be launched from Iran. It will be the second attack in an hour. The areas that received the warning include: the Golan Heights, the Galilee, Wadi Ara, Sharon, Menashe, the Shefelah, Gush Dan and Lachish. About a half hour later, the Home Front Command cancelled the directive.

Key Israeli military and intelligence centers are on Iran's list of targets for airstrikes, Iran's semi-official Student News Network reported on Monday. "In the coming hours, a crushing and proportionate response will be given within the framework of legitimate defense," the news agency said.

8 View gallery Missile damage in Bat Yam ( Photo: Ziv )

The planned visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson to Israel, where he was scheduled to address the Knesset, was announced as cancelled on Monday evening due to the war with Iran.

Iranian state media reported an attack on nuclear facilities in Isfahan on Monday night. According to the report, air defense systems were activated against a "hostile target." According to another report, air defense systems were activated in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the southeastern part of the country

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a report claiming that U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In an interview with ABC network, he said that "Khamenei's elimination would not escalate the war between Israel and Iran, but rather end it." When asked if Israel intends to eliminate Khamenei, he replied: "We'll do what's necessary."

Alert sirens sent Israelis in Haifa and northern Israel to bomb shelters. Moments earlier, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory on Monday evening, and warned Israelis to seek shelter. At least 4 missiles were launched toward Israel. A fire broke out in northern Israel where parts of an interceptor fell.

The attack came shortly after Iranian state media announced that Tehran was "preparing the largest and most intensive missile attack in history on Israeli soil."

The statement came as the IDF officially confirmed the strike on the state television building in Tehran, claiming that "the Iranian regime's communication center was used by Iran's armed forces for military activity." It was also reported that "this center was used by the armed forces to promote military operations under civilian cover, while using its facilities and assets. Before the attack, the IDF effectively warned the population, including through phone calls."

U.S. President Donald Trump confirms Monday evening that he had received messages from Iran, saying: "They would like to talk, but they should have done it first." He said, "I had 60 days, and they also had 60 days, and on the 61st day I said, 'We don't have a deal. They need to reach an agreement.' And it hurts both sides, but I say - Iran is not winning this war. They should talk, and they need to talk immediately, before it's too late."

8 View gallery US President Donald Trump ( Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP )

Earlier, the Revolutionary Guards issued a warning to residents of Tel Aviv on Monday evening, following the evacuation announcement by the IDF spokesman in Persian to residents of Tehran. The Revolutionary Guards' announcement read: "Evacuate as quickly as possible," according to state media in Iran.

The Israeli Air Force intercepted a "suspicious aerial target" that crossed into Israel from the east, as a result of which alerts were activated regarding the intrusion of a drone in a number of communities in the southern Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is making its way to the Middle East from the South China Sea, as confirmed by American officials to the Reuters news agency and Fox News. The aircraft carrier will join the USS Carl Vinson, which is already operating in the region.

The Sabreen News agency, affiliated with pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, reported deaths and injuries in an attack targeting the state television building in Iran. The attack came after Iran's official television announced that the IDF attacked its infrastructure, following a threat from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Attack on the Iran state television building

The three Israelis killed overnight in Haifa were killed after a missile hit the Bazan oil refinery site and, according to the investigation released early Monday evening, they were in an interior room that was the most protected in the facility. A fire broke out at the scene, and it is estimated that they were trapped under the rubble and may have suffocated to death as a result of the thick smoke.

Iran sent "urgent messages" signaling it wants to end the exchange of blows with Israel and return to the negotiating table on its nuclear program, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday afternoon. The report also said that the messages were sent to Israel and the United States through mediators from Arab countries and official figures in Europe and the Middle East. Iran emphasized in its messages that it is open to returning to negotiations on its nuclear program - "as long as the U.S. does not join the Israeli attacks."

Iran reported on Monday afternoon explosions in western and eastern Tehran as a result of IDF strikes. According to a report by the "Fars" news agency, the IDF attacked a military base in the western part of the country and air defense systems were activated.

The strikes come after the IDF Persian spokesperson, Reserve Master Sergeant Kamal Pinhasi, issued a warning to citizens of the capital Tehran to evacuate according to a map he published. In his message, he stated: "Urgent warning to workers and those staying in District 3 in Tehran. In the coming hours, the IDF will operate in the area, as it has operated in recent days throughout Tehran, to strike military infrastructure of the Iranian regime. Dear citizens, for your security and well-being, we ask you to evacuate immediately from the marked area in District 3, according to the map. Your presence in this area endangers your lives."

8 View gallery Warning in Persian to Tehran residents telling them where to evacuate

Meanwhile, the Sabreen News Agency, affiliated with pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, published a photo of Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei - who was reported in Iran to have been killed in an Israeli attack. The report stated that "Shamkhani continues to receive treatment and his condition is stable" with an attached photo of Shamkhani "from these moments." The authenticity of the image is unclear.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, Abraham Cohen, 75, a resident of Bnei Brak, was named as one of the victims of the early morning attack by an Iranian missile.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Tel Nof Airbase on Monday alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, praising the military’s operations against Iran and declaring a strategic shift in the regional balance of power.

"In the name of the people and the State of Israel—you are doing incredible things, simply incredible," Netanyahu told air force personnel. "Our air force not only defends Israel’s skies, it now controls the skies over Tehran. This is a tremendous achievement, a game-changer."

8 View gallery Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Tel Nof Airbase ( Photo: GPO )

Netanyahu said Israel is striking regime targets “precisely and decisively,” focusing on threats to its future. He contrasted the campaign with Iran’s, accusing Tehran of “deliberately targeting civilians—children, women, families.” The prime minister said Israel was warning Tehran’s residents to evacuate before strikes and emphasized two strategic objectives: “Eliminating the nuclear threat and eliminating the missile threat.”

“This is a campaign for victory, and that victory is built on incredible people like you,” Netanyahu said. “The entire nation salutes you, and many around the world are watching you with admiration. It’s a fundamental part of the hope for the victory we will achieve. Continue going forward all the way.”

8 View gallery Airstrike in Shaharan ( Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS )

Defense Minister Katz said the decision to strike Iran had not been taken lightly but was made with full confidence in the air force. “We knew that when the moment of truth came, we could rely on you,” he said. “You are the spearhead delivering results.”

IDF chief Zamir also praised the performance of both air and ground forces in the campaign, noting their effectiveness.

8 View gallery Airstrike in Shaharan ( Photo: AFP )

Meanwhile, Iran’s new Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Mohammad Pakpour, warned that even if Israeli strikes stopped, Iranian operations would continue. “We will carry out our mission to the end,” he said. He claimed Israeli losses were greater than reported and that one targeted building had housed 70 people. “We’ve destroyed critical areas in Israel, and we’ll press on with our response to Israeli aggression.”

Israeli airstrikes continued across Iran, with dozens of new attacks reported. According to Lebanon’s Hezbollah-linked Al Mayadeen network, Iranian air defenses intercepted hostile targets over Tabriz and in Khuzestan province.

8 View gallery Airstrike in Iran's Ahvaz province

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported an Israeli strike on a fire station in Musian, Ilam province, near the Iraqi border—the second such attack on the site, which reportedly caused damage to the station and emergency vehicles.

Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv

Explosions were also reported in Mashhad province in northeastern Iran, more than 2,300 kilometers from Israel.

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effire Defrin said Monday that Israeli intelligence had identified several trucks transporting weapons—including surface-to-air missile launchers—moving from western Iran toward Tehran. The air force quickly intercepted and destroyed the convoy.

Israeli Air Force strikes several trucks transporting weapons—including surface-to-air missile launchers—moving from western Iran toward Tehran ( Video: IDF )

As hostilities continue, the Kremlin said Russia remains willing to mediate between Israel and Iran. A previous proposal by Moscow to store Iranian uranium on Russian soil is still on the table, though “the outbreak of hostilities has complicated the situation,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, that Ankara is prepared to act as a mediator in nuclear negotiations, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

OwlMan_001 on June 16th, 2025 at 17:14 UTC »

I said it before, Iran is in a lose-lose situation - The situation is intolerable but their options to retaliate are limited and prone to backfire. The only way out being an agreement with the U.S. on much less favorable terms than were possible a week ago.

Also, if the U.S. does decide to gets involved (strategic bomber wise), what can Iran actually do about it? What new red line could they possibly draw with their hand even weaker?

DanceFluffy7923 on June 16th, 2025 at 15:18 UTC »

Wow - the "Six Day War: 4 Day Version" joke actually ended up being true.

NotSoSaneExile on June 16th, 2025 at 15:09 UTC »

Iran has sent urgent messages through Arab and European mediators expressing a desire to end the current conflict with Israel and resume negotiations over its nuclear program, on the condition that the US stays out of Israel's attacks.

Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign deep inside Iran, striking multiple sites including near Tehran, Ahvaz, and Mashhad, and warning civilians to evacuate targeted areas.

Also, an even more recent report stated that Iran will agree to flexibility in nuclear talks in exchange for ceasefire with Israel.

> Iran has approached Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to ask U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to immediately agree to a ceasefire. This was reported by Reuters from sources in the region and Iranian sources, who added that in return for the ceasefire, Iran would offer "flexibility in negotiations with the U.S. on its nuclear program."

Meanwhile, other reports indicate the US is sending another aircraft carrier to the middle east.