Tehran: In a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict, which entered its sixth day on June 18, Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Tehran after Iran claimed to have fired the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile at Tel Aviv.
With Iran finding itself increasingly isolated, its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected US President Donald Trump's call for surrender and warned the country of irreparable damage in case it joined Israeli strikes.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected US demand for 'unconditional surrender'. (Photo courtesy: X@fr_Khamenei)
Since late last week, intense Israeli airstrikes have killed 585 people and wounded 1,326 others across Iran, the Associated Press quoted Iran's Health Ministry as saying on June 18. Meanwhile, Iranian attacks have resulted in 24 deaths and over 1,300 injuries in Israel.
Major developments
• Air defence systems were activated in central Tehran, according to a report by Iran’s semi-official SNN news agency. Iranian authorities have also arrested 18 individuals accused of being "enemy agents".
• Yoav Gallant, Israel’s former defense minister, told CNN that US involvement in the Iran conflict could help "create a better future" for the Middle East and the world.
• Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that since the start of the conflict, Iran has launched around 1,000 drones toward Israel, but fewer than 200 have entered Israeli airspace. The Israeli military said on June 18 that 50 Israeli fighter jets struck about 20 targets in Tehran overnight.
• The US has repositioned some of its military aircraft and naval assets from bases in the Middle East that could be exposed to potential Iranian strikes, Reuters reported, citing officials.
• Senior European diplomats from Germany, France, the UK, and the EU will meet Iranian officials in Switzerland on Friday (June 20) for nuclear talks.
• Israel said on June 17 that it had killed Iran's newly appointed military chief, General Ali Shadmani, in an airstrike.
