June 18, 2025 | ANI
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has sharply escalated, drawing global attention as former U.S. President Donald Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” amid a wave of Israeli airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a series of statements on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that the United States has “complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” and claimed intelligence has pinpointed the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader. “He is an easy target, but is safe there – we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump stated. “But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”
Trump praised American military technology, asserting that Iran’s defenses “don’t compare to American-made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.” He emphasized the need for a “real end” to the war, not merely a ceasefire, and reiterated his position that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons. “It’s very simple — they just can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
While speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump signaled that the coming 48 hours would reveal whether Israel would intensify or scale back its operations. He also confirmed plans to meet with his national security team in the White House Situation Room. Trump cut short his visit to the G7 summit in Canada, citing the urgency of developments in the Middle East.
Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Infrastructure Confirmed
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that two major Iranian centrifuge production facilities — the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center — were struck by Israeli airstrikes. According to the IAEA, one building at the Tehran site, used for manufacturing and testing advanced centrifuge rotors, was hit. At Karaj, two buildings involved in producing centrifuge components were destroyed.
Both facilities had been under IAEA monitoring as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the multilateral agreement aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities. In response to growing international concern, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the agency has “no proof of a systematic effort” by Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. “What we reported was that we did not have any evidence of such a program,” Grossi reiterated.
Despite this, Israeli intelligence has reportedly uncovered what it describes as “golden information” — evidence that Iranian scientists had successfully conducted nuclear design experiments, potentially bringing Tehran within weeks of producing a nuclear bomb. According to Times of Israel, this intelligence played a decisive role in the launch of preemptive Israeli strikes, amid fears that Iran’s nuclear program may be further along than previously believed.
Air Engagements Intensify
Iranian state media reported that Iranian forces successfully shot down an Israeli drone — believed to be a Hermes 900 — over Isfahan on Tuesday. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed the drone loss, they responded swiftly. According to IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin, Israeli forces bombed an airbase in Kermanshah, targeting five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters allegedly preparing to intercept Israeli aircraft.
The Israeli Air Force has carried out extensive aerial operations in recent days, reportedly striking over 1,100 Iranian assets since the conflict began last Friday. In addition to its strikes in Iran, the IDF also hit more than 75 targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Times of Israel reported.
Humanitarian Fallout
The intensifying conflict has triggered warnings from both sides. Iranian authorities have urged civilians in Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate, while widespread panic has gripped Tehran following multiple explosions. Reports indicate a growing exodus of residents fleeing the capital as fears mount of further Israeli airstrikes.
As the situation deteriorates, the international community remains deeply concerned about the risk of wider regional escalation and the long-term implications of renewed hostilities on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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