Iran Israel sees war aims almost achieved after attacks
Following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, Israel has continued to take massive action against Iranian military targets and command centers. More than 50 fighter jets attacked military targets in Tehran in the latest wave of attacks, said an Israeli military spokesman.
23.06.2025, 17:24
SDA
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at an end to the attacks in the not too distant future. Israeli media such as Channel 12 spoke of "days". It remains unclear whether Iran will then also stop fighting.
Netanyahu: close to the goal, but "not stopping too soon"
It is about "eliminating the two concrete threats to our existence: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat", said Netanyahu. "We are getting closer to these goals step by step. We are close to achieving them," he added. But he added that "we will not stop too soon".
Trump came to Israel's aid
On Sunday night, the US forces attacked the Fordo uranium enrichment plant, located deep in a mountain, and the nuclear facility in Natan with particularly powerful bunker-busting bombs that were only available to them. They also fired cruise missiles at facilities in Isfahan.
Netanyahu had thus achieved an important goal that his own military would not have been able to achieve. However, Israeli aircraft bombed access roads to Fordo on Monday.
Israel has been attacking targets in Iran almost continuously since June 13. Iran initially responded with counter-attacks in which hundreds of drones and missiles were used simultaneously. Iran is now reportedly firing fewer missiles at Israel. However, some of these have caused extensive damage.
Casualties and damage on both sides - Internet blocks in Iran
In Israel, 24 people have been killed and 1,361 injured so far, almost 30,000 buildings have been damaged and 15,000 people have had to leave their homes. In Iran, where there is less news due to internet bans, the number of victims is much higher. Human rights activists reported 950 dead and 3,450 injured.
Controversial attack on Ewin prison
According to its own statements, the Israeli air force attacked "regime targets and state organs of repression" in the Iranian capital Tehran. One of the targets was the notorious Ewin prison in the capital. The prison has been feared for decades as a place of serious human rights violations. Iranian activists and former inmates of the prison expressed their dismay at the Israeli attack. The Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who was imprisoned there for more than two years, wrote on Platform X: "I think of the many thousands of prisoners inside who must be terrified and have little information about what is going on."
Israeli army attacks more targets
According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Israeli military also attacked the headquarters of the paramilitary Basij militia and the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard's internal security department. In addition, a clock in a central square in the capital was also targeted, which was supposed to display a cynical countdown to the destruction of Israel.
Missile alert in Israel after Iranian attacks
There were rocket alerts in several areas in Israel during several waves of attacks, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There were initially no reports of casualties. There were power cuts in some areas. According to the Tasnim news agency, dozens of drones of various types were fired at Israel in two waves. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards' mouthpiece later reported that missiles of a new type with several warheads had also been used for the first time.
Putin promises Iran support
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Iran support in view of the airstrikes by Israel and the USA, but left open what form this might take. Following the massive US bombardment of nuclear facilities in Iran, the Kremlin leader received the country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Moscow.
Reza Pahlavi calls on Iranians to overthrow the regime
The son of the Shah who was overthrown in 1979, Reza Pahlavi, called on the people of Iran to overthrow the regime. He is not seeking a political role for himself, the 64-year-old emphasized at a press conference. He called on the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, to resign in order to pave the way for a peaceful transition to democracy. Despite great dissatisfaction in Iran with the current government, observers believe that hopes of an imminent overthrow are misplaced.
Merz clearly backs Israel and the USA
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has once again clearly backed the air strikes on Iran, even after the USA entered the war. "There is no reason for us and also for me personally to criticize what Israel started a week ago and no reason to criticize what America did last weekend," he said at Industry Day. "It's not without risk. But leaving it the way it was was not an option either."
Trump flirts with regime change
US President Donald Trump had previously indicated US support for a change in the leadership of the Islamic Republic on his Truth Social platform. "It is not politically correct to use the term 'regime change'," wrote the Republican. "But if the current Iranian leadership is incapable of making Iran great again, why shouldn't there be regime change???? MIGA!!!"
With the four-letter acronym, Trump alluded to his slogan "Make America Great Again" ("MAGA") - here referring to Iran.
Concerns about trade route - China urges stability
In view of a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for shipping, by Iran, China called on the international community to do more to de-escalate the situation. The People's Republic also called on the international community to prevent regional instability from having a major impact on the development of the global economy, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun in Beijing.
