FM Sa'ar: No negotiations, we'll continue until goals are achieved | IDF destroys regime's internal security HQ | IDF thwarted around 1000 Iranian drones since start of war
21:21 - IAF carried out over 600 aerial refuelings since start of 'Rising Lion'
Since Operation Rising Lion began, the Israeli Air Force has carried out some 600 aerial refueling missions in the skies of the Middle East, the IDF stated.
"Since the beginning of Operation “Rising Lion,” dozens of IAF fighter jets have been operating in the skies of Iran and striking military targets belonging to the Iranian regime," the military stated.
"The IAF’s aerial refueling aircraft support these fighter jets, conducting dozens of sorties and performing over 600 aerial refuelings in the skies of the Middle East thus far. Aerial refueling is a crucial component of the Israeli Air Force's operations in Iran, enabling the continued maintenance of aerial superiority in the region."
The military publishes footage showing the Israeli Air Force's 120th Squadron's aerial refueling activities during strikes in Iran.
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 18, 2025
According to the IDF, more than 600 separate aerial refuelings were carried out over the skies of the Middle East, allowing dozens of IAF fighter… pic.twitter.com/mCxypux6Vp
19:54 - IDF intercepts single ballistic missile from Iran, first launch in 18 hours
The IDF's air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran, which activated alarm sirens across the greater Tel Aviv area.
There were no reports of injuries or damage caused by the attack, which was the first in some 18 hours.
🔴 Rocket Alert [19:39:26] - 78 Alerts 🔴:
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) June 18, 2025
• Shfela (Lowlands) — Zeitan, Beit Dagan, Tzafria, Achiezer, Rishon LeZion - West, Ganot, Palmachin Industrial Park, Zrifin Industrial Zone, Kfar Chabad, Mishmar HaShiva, Rishon LeZion - East, Yagel, Hemed, Fast Lane Parking Lot
• Dan… pic.twitter.com/nMeBfh0Ray
19:06 - US sends third aircraft carrier USS Ford to Middle East - CNN
The U.S. military will send a third aircraft carrier, the USS Ford, to the Middle East, CNN reported.
The carrier strike group was scheduled to arrive in Europe next week and will move toward the eastern Mediterranean.
18:08 - DM Katz: 'Tornado continues to hit Tehran, IDF destroyed internal security HQ
"The tornado continues to hit Tehran," Defense Minister Israel Katz stated.
"Air Force jets have now destroyed the Iranian regime's Internal Security Headquarters - the Iranian dictator's central repressive arm. As we promised - we will continue to harm symbols of government and strike at the ayatollah regime everywhere," he said.
The strike on Rashid Yasemi Street took out the Faraj (Tehran Police) Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/2vU51wHrO4
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 18, 2025
17:59 - FM Sa'ar: No negotiations with Iranian regime
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that there are no talks with Iran about stopping the war, during a visit to the missile impact site in Bat Yam.
"There are no negotiations with the Iranian regime. Our operation will continue until we achieve our goals!"
16:56 - Iran launched 1,000 drones at Israel, only 200 reached Israel - all thwarted
Since the start of the war, the Iranian regime launched about 1,000 drones at Israel, according to IDF statistics cited by Army Radio.
Of these, fewer than 200 crossed into Israeli territory, but none of them hit their intended target or caused any damage in Israel.
Large part of the drones crashed before reaching Israel, and the IDF's air defenses shot down all drones that posed a threat.
15:20 - Reports of Israeli strikes near where Khamenei is believed to be hiding
A few minutes ago, Iranian media reported airstrikes in the area of Levizan Square, northeast of Tehran. This is a sensitive area where military installations and fortified government buildings are located.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is staying in an underground compound in this area.
14:50 - Security cabinet expected to meet tonight ahead of possible Trump decision
Reports in Hebrew media said that the Israeli security cabinet would meet tonight in advance of a possible decision by U.S. President Donald Trump whether to enter the conflict.
While there has been much speculation about U.S. involvement, so far, President Trump has indicated his preference to let Israel handle the conflict while providing only defensive support. Analysts in Israel expect that Trump could make a decision as soon as this evening.
13:18 - IAF completes wave of airstrikes against missile launch sites and launch crews
Israeli aircraft completed a wave of airstrikes against Iranian missile launch sites, stores, and launch crews this morning, the IDF stated.
"The airstrikes focused on missile infrastructures aimed at Israel, missile storage sites, Iranian regime military personnel involved in missile operations," the military said.
It added that fighter jets struck an “Emad” missile launcher that was ready for launch. The Emad missile has a heavy 750 kg warhead.
תיעוד: חיל האוויר תוקף משגר טילים מסוג ״עימאד״ מוכן לשיגור לעבר מדינת ישראל
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 18, 2025
כ-25 מטוסי קרב תקפו הבוקר יותר מ-40 מטרות צבאיות של צבא איראן במערב איראן
מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר השלימו הבוקר גל תקיפות לעבר מטרות צבאיות במערב איראן, בהכוונת אגף המודיעין. כ-25 מטוסי קרב תקפו יותר… pic.twitter.com/1FniXWkggm
12:51 - IDF destroys Iranian helicopters trying to harm Israeli aircraft
The Israeli Air Force destroyed five Iranian AH-1 helicopters at an airbase in Kermanshah, according to IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin.
“Their mission was to try and harm our aircraft,” Defrin said.
The Israeli Air Force bombed five Iranian AH-1 helicopters at an airbase in Kermanshah this morning, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says in a press conference.
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 18, 2025
"Their mission was to try and harm our aircraft," Defrin says.
The IDF releases footage showing the strikes. pic.twitter.com/96ATknr0RT
11:12 - IDF confirms: Iran shot down Israeli drone, no fear of information leakage
"A remotely piloted aircraft of the Air Force was fired at with surface-to-air missiles," the IDF confirmed following Iranian media reports that an Israeli drone was shot down in the Isfahan region.
"The aircraft fell in Iranian airspace, there were no casualties and there is no fear of information leakage," the IDF stated.
10:48 - IDF shoots down 7 Iranian drones near Golan Heights border
The IDF shot down seven Iranian drones near the Israeli border with Syria, the military stated.
The infiltration attempts had triggered alarm sirens in the southern Golan Heights, but the drones were intercepted before crossing the border.
🚨 ✈️ Hostile Aircraft Intrusion [09:57:20] - 2 Alerts:
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) June 18, 2025
• Southern Golan — Ramat Magshimim, Haspin
Population: 2,800 pic.twitter.com/o9f5lMoNvU
09:38 - Iran launched over 400 missiles at Israel since start of war
On the fifth day of "Operation Rising Lion," Israel released the latest update with statistics regarding war's impact on Israel:
More than 400 missiles have been launched.
Hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have been launched.
More than 40 impact sites.
Injuries:
24 killed.
804 people injured: 8 seriously, 41 moderately and 755 lightly injured.
18,766 damage claims received by the Israeli Tax Authority:
15,861 damage to buildings.
1,272 damaged vehicles.
1,633 damage to home contents and other property.
More than 3,800 people were evacuated from their homes.
09:29 - DM Katz: 'This is how dictatorships collapse'
After another night of Israeli strikes in Tehran, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: "A tornado passes over Tehran."
"Symbols of government are bombed and destroyed – from the Broadcasting Authority and soon other targets, and masses of residents are fleeing. This is how dictatorships collapse."
09:19 - Drone infiltration alarms on the Golan Heights
Alarm sirens are activated due to Iranian drones infiltrating Israeli airspace over the Golan Heights.
07:41 — Over 50 Israeli jets strike centrifuge and weapons factories in Tehran
The IDF announced that over 50 Israeli fighter jets completed a wave of strikes on military targets in the area of Tehran.
"As part of the broad effort to operate against Iran’s nuclear weapons development project, the IAF struck a facility used to manufacture centrifuges in Tehran that was designed to enable the Iranian regime to expand the scale and speed of its uranium enrichment to develop nuclear weapons," the military said.
"The Israeli Air Force also struck several weapons manufacturing sites overnight, including a facility used to produce raw materials and components for the assembly of surface-to-surface missiles, which the Iranian regime has fired and continues to fire toward the State of Israel."
"In addition, a facility for manufacturing components of surface-to-air missiles designed to attack aircraft was also struck," the IDF said.
⭕️ The IDF struck a centrifuge production site and multiple weapon manufacturing facilities in the Tehran area, key elements of Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 18, 2025
Over 50 IAF fighter jets targeted:
- A facility for producing centrifuges used to enrich uranium beyond… pic.twitter.com/YXMiKAJWVz
06:44 - First evacuation flight from Cyprus brings stranded Israelis back home
A first evacuation flight carrying stranded Israelis back home from Cyprus landed at Ben Gurion International Airport.
The flight is the first step in a large-scale operation led by the Ministry of Transportation to bring home some 100,000 Israelis who are stranded abroad and want to return home.
06:18 - IDF shoots down third Iranian drone overnight
In recent hours, the IDF shot down three Iranian drones that triggered alarm sirens in the eastern Galilee and the Dead Sea area.
There were no injuries or damage reported.
🚨Sirens sounding in northern Israel due to a hostile aircraft infiltration🚨 pic.twitter.com/LpwUAEL2NT
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 18, 2025
02:20 — IDF announces start of wave of airstrikes
After issuing an evacuation notice, the IDF announced it began a wave of airstrikes on targets in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
01:47 - IDF instructs residents of Tehran's district 18 to evacuate ahead of strikes
The IDF Persian-language spokesman issued an evacuation order for Tehran's District 18.
"Immediate warning to employees as well as all people located in District 18 of Tehran based on the area specified on the attached map. In the coming hours, the Israeli army will take action in this area to attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, just as it has done in recent days around Tehran," the Persian-language statement read.
"Dear citizens, for your safety and health, we ask that you immediately leave the designated area in District 18 of Tehran. Your presence in this area puts your life at risk."
01:31 - Sirens activated in central Israel due to ballistic missile barrage from Iran, approximately 10 missiles launched
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
