The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its sixth day, with both nations exchanging missile strikes and air raids that have intensified tensions across the Middle East. As the violence unfolds, the involvement of the United States and the reactions of global powers have added new layers of complexity to an already volatile situation.
On June 18, 2025, the Israeli military announced a wave of strikes targeting missile launch and storage sites in Tehran, Iran's capital. Residents of District 18, near Mehrabad International Airport, were ordered to evacuate immediately as Israeli forces prepared to attack the area. Iranian news agencies reported that Israel targeted the Imam Hossein University, linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in eastern Tehran. A major explosion was heard in Tehran around 5 a.m. local time, with smoke billowing across the city.
Meanwhile, Iran retaliated with missile barrages aimed at Israel. Early on June 18, two barrages of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel, triggering explosions over Tel Aviv. The Israeli air defenses intercepted many of these missiles, but some penetrated, striking a bus terminal in Herzliya and causing significant damage. Despite the attacks, no casualties were reported in the Herzliya strike. However, the Israeli Health Ministry reported that 154 people were hospitalized overnight, mostly due to injuries sustained while rushing to shelters or suffering anxiety.
The human toll of this conflict is mounting rapidly. Iranian and Israeli authorities reported at least 224 deaths in Iran and 24 in Israel since the conflict erupted on June 13, 2025. Thousands have been injured on both sides, with civilians in flashpoint areas facing waves of attacks. A Washington-based human rights group, Human Rights Activists, identified 585 people killed across Iran due to Israeli strikes, including 239 civilians and 126 security personnel. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that four aid workers with the Iranian Red Crescent Society have been killed since the conflict began, emphasizing the dangers humanitarian workers face amid the violence.
Amid the intensifying air war, the United States has taken a more assertive stance. President Donald Trump, who initially indicated that the U.S. would not directly intervene, has ramped up his rhetoric dramatically. On social media, Trump proclaimed, "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran," asserting American air superiority. He also claimed to know the location of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling him an "easy target" but stating, "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now." Trump warned that "our patience is wearing thin" and threatened that "the gloves are off" if Iran attacks American soldiers in the Middle East.
Following a meeting with his national security advisers in the White House Situation Room, Trump is reportedly considering a range of options, including a possible U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Two U.S. officials told CNN that the president is warming to the idea of military action aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear program, with Israel awaiting confirmation of American support to "finish the job." The Pentagon is expediting the deployment of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and other warships to the Middle East, enhancing both defensive and offensive capabilities in the region. Additionally, at least 30 aerial refueling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, have been deployed to strategic bases across Europe, such as Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Morón Air Base in Spain, underscoring the heightened state of readiness.
Despite these preparations, U.S. officials have indicated there are no signs of an imminent Iranian strike on American bases, though they remain on high alert. Senator Tim Kaine cautioned against unilateral military action, calling it a "catastrophic blunder," and introduced a resolution requiring Congressional approval before U.S. troops could engage in hostilities against Iran. Conversely, Senator John Fetterman expressed strong support for pre-emptive strikes to neutralize Iran's nuclear capabilities, emphasizing the pursuit of peace through military means.
The conflict has also triggered significant cyber warfare. A pro-Israel hacker group known as Predatory Sparrow claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Bank Sepah, a major Iranian bank, boasting about deleting key files. Iranian authorities accused Israeli hackers of disrupting their digital infrastructure, leading to widespread internet outages and ATM malfunctions across Iran. On June 18, Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout, reportedly to counter cyberattacks from Israel, severely limiting communication and information sharing within the country.
International reactions have varied. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed "deep concern" over Israel's military actions in Iran during a summit in Kazakhstan, urging all parties to de-escalate tensions and work towards restoring peace and stability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia, which signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran earlier this year, finds itself in a delicate position. Russian officials described the escalation as "alarming" and "dangerous," recognizing potential benefits such as rising global oil prices and distracted global attention from Russia's war in Ukraine. However, political analyst Andrei Kortunov warned of serious risks to Moscow, noting Russia's inability to prevent Israeli strikes on Iran and its reluctance to provide military assistance, given the partnership is not a military alliance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg this week, an event now overshadowed by geopolitical tensions. Moscow's loss of Bashar al-Assad as a key Middle Eastern ally last December and the prospect of regime change in Iran compound its strategic concerns.
On the ground, the conflict has deeply affected civilians. In Israel, residents took shelter in underground train stations in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, while in Iran, evacuations are underway, although the size and population density of Tehran—home to around 9.5 million people—make full evacuation challenging. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Iranian people to rise up, implicitly signaling a desire for regime change, although this has not been officially declared as a war aim. The conflict's human cost continues to rise, with thousands displaced and infrastructure damaged on both sides.
As the situation remains fluid, security and defence analysts Michael Clarke and Dominic Waghorn are scheduled to host a live Q&A on June 19, 2025, to address public questions about the Israel-Iran conflict. The world watches closely as diplomatic, military, and humanitarian developments unfold in this dangerous chapter of Middle Eastern history.
