Israel says conducted 'extensive strikes' in Iran's west
Getty Images Smoke rises after a reported Israeli strike on a building used by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, part of Iran's state TV broadcaster, on June 16, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Over recent days, Iran has been hit by a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear sites, as well as top military officials, and launched its own counterattack on Israel. Israel's military said Tuesday it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran overnight, as the arch-foes traded fire for a fifth straight day."During the strikes, dozens of surface-to-surface missile storage and launch infrastructure were struck," the military said in a statement."In addition, surface-to-air missile launchers and UAV storage sites were struck in western Iran," it added.The statement included footage which the army said showed the moments surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile launchers were hit.One clip appeared to show a strike on a surface-to-air launcher holding three missiles.
Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented series of aerial raids targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.After a new wave of Israeli strikes on Iran's capital -- including a dramatic attack on a state TV building -- both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight, with Israel's army briefly urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
Israel Seeks US' Massive Bunker-Buster Bomb To Strike Iran's Hidden Nuclear Sites
Amid growing hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Israeli government has reportedly requested access to the US-manufactured Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb — a 14-tonne, non-nuclear weapon designed to obliterate heavily fortified underground sites. The demand comes as Israel struggles to damage Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, which lies buried deep within a mountain, rendering conventional airstrikes ineffective. The MOP, officially known as the GBU-57A/B, was developed to neutralize hardened targets such as underground bunkers and nuclear installations. Built by Boeing, the bomb features a reinforced steel casing, GPS and inertial guidance systems, and a delayed detonation mechanism that maximizes destruction after deep penetration. So far, only the US military operates the MOP, which is exclusively deployable via the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. No other country has direct access to the bomb, and Israel would require US approval and cooperation to use it. Developed after the 2003 Iraq war, the MOP underwent extensive testing and became fully operational under the US Air Force in 2011. Despite its effectiveness, it remains under US control, with no foreign deployment authorized so far. The request marks a pivotal moment in the Israel-Iran conflict, highlighting Israel's urgency in countering Iran's nuclear capabilities — especially as Iran retaliated against Israeli attacks by striking central Israel earlier this week.
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
Barak Magen: What to know about Israel's new ‘Lightning Shield' against Iranian drones
In a significant milestone for Israeli naval defense, the Israeli Navy successfully intercepted eight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on June 15 using the 'Barak Magen' aerial defense system—marking its first operational use in live combat. The 'Barak Magen' interceptor, installed aboard the INS Sa'ar 6 missile ship, was deployed to neutralise aerial threats from Iran as part of Israel's ongoing defensive operations amid escalating regional hostilities. The advanced system is designed to counter a broad spectrum of threats, including: High-trajectory projectiles According to the Israeli military, the Navy's missile ship flotilla—operating under Flotilla 3—intercepted a total of eight UAVs overnight, bringing the total number of drone threats neutralized by the Navy since the beginning of the current conflict to approximately 25. These UAVs were assessed to be targeting civilian areas in Israel, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Iranian long-range drone operations. The naval response was closely coordinated with the Israeli Air Force, allowing for efficient real-time threat tracking and layered interception. Barak Magen integrates advanced radar with vertical missile launchers and multiple interceptor types: MRAD (short/medium range), LRAD (mid/long range), and ER (extended range). ER: potentially up to ~150 km Threats addressed: IP-capable against UAVs, cruise missiles, shore‑to‑sea missiles, high-trajectory munitions, and ballistic projectiles. Barak Magen complements Israel's existing systems (Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow, plus future laser Iron Beam), adding a powerful naval tier to national defense. The Israel-Iran conflict sharply escalated on Monday as Israeli airstrikes rocked central Tehran, prompting mass evacuations and cutting off state TV broadcasts. Israel said the strikes targeted Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, claiming to have gained 'full aerial superiority' over Tehran. Over 330,000 residents were told to evacuate; bombs hit Iran's state-run TV station mid-broadcast, injuring staff. Israeli PM Netanyahu said the campaign has set back Iran's nuclear ambitions 'by a very, very long time.' US President Donald Trump called for Tehran's immediate evacuation, warning, 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.' In retaliation, Iran launched over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing 24 people and injuring over 500 in Israel. Major cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa were hit. Iran reported 224 deaths and 1,277 injuries, though rights groups estimate over 400 killed, including civilians. Flights across the region remain grounded, fueling fears of a wider regional war.
News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
Billions & Counting: How Much Are Gaza, Iran Wars Costing Israel? Explained
Last Updated: Apart from the billions in direct military spending, the two wars are affecting Israel's economic productivity, straining state resources and triggering national concerns Israel is facing an unprecedented period of conflict – first, the prolonged military operations in Gaza and then the recent escalation with Iran. Apart from the billions in direct military spending, the two wars are affecting economic productivity, straining state resources and triggering national concerns on long-term fiscal planning. THE COST OF GAZA WAR The cumulative cost of the Gaza war reached 250 billion shekels (over $67.5 billion) by the end of 2024, according to a January report by Israeli business outlet Calcalist. This figure only accounts for military operations, civilian expenditures, and revenue losses. THE COST OF IRAN WAR The war with Iran is costing the nation almost $725 million a day for military costs alone, revealed Brig. Gen. (res.) Re'em Aminach, a former senior defense officer and financial consultant to the IDF chief of staff, reported Ynet News. Aminach estimated that the first 48 hours of fighting cost about 5.5 billion shekels (roughly $1.45 billion), split evenly between offensive and defensive actions. Israel's attack alone is said to have cost around 2.25 billion shekels ($593 million). These are considered only direct military costs, with indirect economic damage yet to be measured. Meanwhile, according to an economist advising the government, just the direct cost of jet fuel and munitions involved in the campaign against Iran is estimated at around $300 million per day. Other experts have calculated that the daily cost of the Iran war is closer to 2.75 billion shekels ($725 million). HOW IS ISRAEL MANAGING THE BUDGET? The Israeli Finance Ministry set a deficit ceiling of 4.9 per cent of GDP for the fiscal year, equating to approximately 105 billion shekels ($27.6 billion). While the government had included an emergency reserve, much of it had already been depleted by the war in Gaza. Despite a recent increase in projected tax revenues — from 517.1 billion to 538.6 billion shekels — the state's 2025 growth forecast was revised downward from 4.3 per cent to 3.6 per cent, largely due to the continuation of reserve call-ups. According to the Arab Center Washington DC, reservist mobilisation has been one of the war's major financial drains. In the early stages of the Gaza war, the government recalled around 300,000 reservists. The Israeli Ministry of Finance estimated that each day involving 100,000 reservists costs the state about 70 million shekels in wages, with actual total costs closer to 100 million shekels daily after including food and shelter. Additionally, the loss of economic output from workers pulled out of the civilian workforce contributed to another estimated 100 million shekels in indirect costs per day. The Israeli Tax Authority's Compensation Fund disbursed 2.4 billion shekels from January through May 2025 to cover civilian property damage. Net withdrawals reached 3 billion shekels during this period. Although these funds are not reflected in the official fiscal deficit due to controversial accounting methods, they are counted as public debt and contribute to the broader economic burden. To accommodate the increased military demands, defence spending has soared. The Israeli Ministry of Defence's 2023 budget stood at 60 billion shekels. For 2024, it was raised to 99 billion, and 2025 projections suggest it could reach 118 billion shekels — nearly double the pre-war figure. Analysts expect the security budget to absorb around 7 per cent of GDP in 2024, a share second only to Ukraine globally. THE IMPACT ON ISRAEL Shachar Turjeman, president of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, warned in a letter to Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat that business closures during the state of emergency could lead to massive layoffs, reported The Jerusalem Post. Barkat responded by noting that he had met with business leaders to create joint solutions and highlighted the need to provide conditions that allow the economy 'to continue to function even in an emergency". The sustained cost of warfare has led to heated discussions about redirecting revenues from natural gas resources — previously intended for healthcare and education — to military uses. With Agency Inputs Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : israel Israel Iran tension Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 17, 2025, 19:03 IST News explainers Billions & Counting: How Much Are Gaza, Iran Wars Costing Israel? Explained
