Iran's Plane At Mashhad Airport BLOWN TO BITS By Israeli Missile Fired From 2,300 Kms Away
In a dramatic escalation, the Israeli Air Force struck an Iranian refuelling aircraft at Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran - the deepest strike yet in Operation Rising Lion. The IDF confirmed the jet was targeted to weaken Iran's long-range aerial capabilities, with the operation taking place over 2,300 kilometres from Israeli territory. Massive flames were seen at the airport following the hit.
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New Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
As an Iranian I am not happy with my government, but I won't allow Israel to dictate my future
When you're on the brink of death, when only a few seconds separate you from survival or annihilation, it no longer matters whether the person in front of you is a friend or foe, guilty or innocent, a strong man or a frail teenage girl. In that moment, the only thing that matters is survival. In 'Nothing and So Be It,' Oriana Fallaci recounts, time and again, how soldiers across various frontlines confessed to a shameful yet deeply human feeling: a wave of relief and even joy when a comrade was killed instead of them. 'When the bullet hit my friend and not me,' one soldier said, 'I was happy. Shamefully, I was truly happy he died and I lived.' Fallaci herself describes a similar moment: flying in a military helicopter above villagers under fire, whispering a desperate prayer to survive, even if it meant others had to die. This, precisely, is where we now stand. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalates direct military attacks on Iranian soil under the pretext of halting Iran's nuclear program, radar sites in Germi, Tabriz, and Subashi in Hamadan have been hit. The attacks have claimed the lives of several air defense and air force officers, as well as many civilians and civilian infrastructure. These attacks reportedly used internal Mossad assets to devastating effect, bolstered by deep infiltration of Iran's intelligence apparatus and modeled after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia. Drones, micro-drones, and man-portable "Spike" missiles killed over 20 senior Iranian military commanders. The intelligence penetrated so deeply that it pinpointed the exact locations of these commanders' residences, meeting rooms, and even sleeping quarters months before the strikes. The post-operation discovery of trucks carrying micro-drones only underscores the terrifying extent of Mossad's reach into Iran's security systems. Only the beginning Iran's nuclear and military sites have come under intensified attack. Though Iran reportedly maintains around 5,000 air defense positions and nearly a hundred underground facilities, key sites such as Khondab (Arak), Fordow, and Natanz have been targeted. The Israelis obliterated Natanz's surface-level facility and inflicted significant damage on Isfahan. Over the weekend, Israeli strikes extended to fuel refineries and energy infrastructure, threatening to push Iran into an energy crisis. Attacks on refineries in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and even Abadan suggest a broader plan: not merely targeting military capacity, but delivering direct pain to the civilian population. Netanyahu's goal appears to have shifted from destroying Iran's nuclear infrastructure to breaking the country's backbone through sustained bombardment and psychological warfare. We have seen this strategy before — in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. But Iran is not Syria. Israel now aims to create the preconditions for civil conflict within Iran, a country of 90 million people marked by deep ethnic, religious, and political divisions. Armed opposition groups in Kurdistan and Baluchestan, millions of Afghan refugees, and the looming threat of ISIS-Khorasan have exposed Iran's internal vulnerabilities to dangerous levels. The central government, instead of tackling inequality and dissent, has heavily relied on repression. In response, Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting parts of Israel, despite the latter's advanced defense systems and regional coordination. However, the vicious cycle continues unabated. Israel now appears to be drawing the United States into the conflict, though such escalation still legally requires Congressional approval. However, Netanyahu's ultimate objective might extend beyond simply stopping nuclear enrichment. It may well be to reduce Iran to rubble. Let's be clear: airstrikes alone cannot eliminate Iran's nuclear program. But by pushing Iran toward social collapse and internal unrest, a regime change from within becomes more plausible. At the same time, the Iranian state seems unwilling — or unable — to manage the political fallout. Society is split: some mourn fallen Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, others celebrate. Rather than healing this division, the government persists in repression, arrests, and silencing dissent. Despite shocking evidence of Mossad infiltration, Tehran has failed to reassess its security structure. Political prisoners remain behind bars. Streets remain policed, especially against women. There is no sign of reconciliation in sight. Ironically, many Iranians, despite their grievances with the regime, oppose foreign military intervention. There was a fleeting sense of unity in the face of invasion. But this fragile cohesion cannot endure amid continued governmental mismanagement and authoritarianism. That very fracture is what Israel may exploit in its next move: turning external pressure into internal implosion — firepower and deprivation to enforce a silent regime change. Perhaps some of Iran's younger generation, unfamiliar with the horrors of war and bombardment, initially viewed Netanyahu as an external counterweight to their oppressive state. But as airstrikes level homes and kill children, it becomes increasingly clear that an occupying army does not deliver peace or democracy. The deaths of children in Tehran, regardless of their parents' ideology, reveal a painful truth: occupation doesn't distinguish between governments and people. The Islamic Republic is tyrannical, yes, but Netanyahu is even more ruthless. Some try to portray him as a friend of the Iranian people. That narrative is false. We've seen it in Lebanon. In Iraq. In Gaza. This is a lie presented as "humanitarian bombing". This war, sparked by Tehran's miscalculations and Netanyahu's ambition, risks turning into a war among the people. And that would be a tragedy for every Iranian, whether Turk, Kurd, Persian, Lor, Arab, or Baluch. All of them, long oppressed, must understand: real change will not come from above or abroad. It must come from within. It comes when governments realize that the people no longer stand behind them, and must turn back to them. Peace begins not with the West, but with justice at home. Israel not only struck nuclear facilities but, once again following its established doctrine, deliberately targeted children. Despite its refusal to release footage of attacks on strategic military locations, Israel broadcast images of buildings struck by Iranian missiles, portraying itself as the victim. The narrative was clear: obscure military aggression, highlight civilian damage, and secure sympathy. But let's be honest, while I do not recognize any legitimacy in the government in Tehran, I certainly don't accept legitimacy from Israel to dictate my future. We, people like me, can and must shape our destiny ourselves, not by the hands of a war criminal. Israel's war on Iran is not about prevention. It's about crippling Iran's infrastructure, fracturing its society, and pushing the country toward internal implosion. (Reza Talebi is an academic researcher and lecturer at the University of Leipzig, Department of Oriental Studies and Religious Studies. Courtesy:
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First Post
24 minutes ago
- First Post
G7 faces war amid wars: It's G6 vs Trump at Canada summit
The summit, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, is increasingly seen as a 'G6 versus Trump' gathering read more A landmark sign of the G7 2025 logo is seen on the lawn outside the Banff media center ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. Reuters This week's G7 summit in Canada is unfolding against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical crises, with the Israel–Iran conflict abruptly overtaking the scheduled focus on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and global trade disputes involving U.S. President Donald Trump. Divergent responses to Israeli strikes The leaders of the UK and France have urged de-escalation in the Middle East, while Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described Israel's actions as 'intolerable.' In contrast, President Trump has praised the Israeli strikes, calling them 'excellent.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tensions emerge over trade and Ukraine The summit, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, is increasingly seen as a 'G6 versus Trump' gathering. Other G7 members – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan – remain united in their concerns over President Trump's tariff policies and his approach to Russia. Leaders seek unified approach to conflict Though Israel's strikes may not have involved explicit U.S. backing, the G7 leaders see Washington as holding critical leverage over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their aim is to influence the U.S. position and prevent further escalation in the region. G7 unity tested amid multiple crises What was intended to be a consensus-driven summit to mark the G7's 50th anniversary, focused on energy security and digital transition, has been overtaken by urgent security threats. With the Israel–Iran crisis threatening to expand, the Ukraine conflict entering its third year, and renewed tensions over U.S. trade policy, divisions among the industrialized democracies are becoming increasingly difficult to bridge.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
US warship reported heading toward Mideast as Iran, Israel fight
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was leaving Southeast Asia on Monday after cancelling plans to dock in Vietnam, amid reports it is headed to the Middle East to boost the US presence as Israel and Iran do battle. At 13:45 GMT, the carrier was traveling through the Malacca Strait toward the Indian Ocean, according to Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking site. A Vietnamese government official confirmed to AFP that a planned reception aboard the USS Nimitz on June 20, as part of the ship's expected June 19-23 visit to Danang, had been cancelled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Linda Kozlowski, 67, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New Photo Today's NYC The official shared a letter from the US embassy announcing that the Defense Department was cancelling the event due to "an emergent operational requirement." The US Embassy in Hanoi declined to comment to AFP, as did a spokesman for the Nimitz. Live Events The movement of one of the world's largest warships came on day four of the escalating air war between Israel and Iran, with no end in sight despite international calls for de-escalation. Israel's strikes have so far killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities. In retaliation, Iran said it had struck Israel with a salvo of missiles and warned of "effective, targeted and more devastating operations" to come. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Monday said that Iran's missile barrage had lightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv.
