Barran Press + Agencies
The military escalation between Iran and Israel has entered its second week, marked by a fourteenth wave of Iranian missile attacks on targets within Israel. The Israeli military responded with airstrikes targeting what it described as "military and industrial facilities linked to the production of combat means and centrifuges."
In a notable development, press reports indicate that President Donald Trump has given preliminary approval for military plans targeting Iran, though he has delayed a final decision pending Tehran's stance on its nuclear file. A source close to U.S. decision-making circles stated that Washington is "closely monitoring" the trajectory of attacks between the two sides.
Late this evening, the White House spokesperson confirmed in a press conference that no one should be surprised by President Trump's position on Iran, indicating that Trump will make a decision within two weeks regarding participation in the war between Israel and Iran. She emphasized that the President has given significant leeway and exerted considerable effort to reach a diplomatic solution with Iran, and that the world agrees Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. The spokesperson affirmed the readiness of the U.S. administration to defend American interests anywhere.
In the first Russian comment, President Vladimir Putin stated that Iran's uranium enrichment facilities are "intact and undamaged," confirming that underground sites remain fully operational. The Kremlin expressed concern about the potential for the confrontation to expand to include other regional and international parties.
Exchange of Fire Intensifies
Israeli military intelligence chief, Shlomi Binder, stated that the Israeli army assassinated nearly 30 Iranian military commanders on the first night of the Israeli attack on Iran last week.
In this context, the Israeli army announced the detection of two successive waves of Iranian missiles with a short time difference, confirming that the second wave was launched after the army declared a lifting of the state of emergency and allowed civilians to leave shelters.
Air raid sirens blared in the Golan, Galilee, and Carmel, while images published by Israeli media showed several missiles intercepted over Haifa. Hebrew channels estimated the first wave included between 10 and 15 missiles, while missiles from the second wave had not reached Israel as of the time of reporting.
Conversely, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the launch of a new wave of combined missile and drone attacks on military targets in Haifa and Tel Aviv, asserting the use of over 100 offensive and suicide drones to target missile defense systems.
The Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 271 people were hospitalized this morning due to the Iranian strikes, while Tehran claimed it conducted its largest missile attack in 48 hours, causing severe damage in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tehran of deliberately targeting Soroka Hospital, noting that the hospital treats wounded soldiers from ongoing operations in Gaza. Netanyahu stated during his visit to the hospital: "We are striking nuclear and missile targets with precision, and they are targeting the children's ward. This is the difference between a democracy that protects its people and terrorists who seek to annihilate us."
On Thursday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that an Iranian missile directly hit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, as part of a new wave of missile attacks. According to Agence France-Presse, the attack sparked a wave of condemnation within Israel.
Threats and Defenses
For his part, the Israeli Defense Minister threatened the Iranian Supreme Leader, stating that he "will not remain alive" if attacks against civilian targets in Israel continue.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi defended his country's position, asserting that the operations are part of "legitimate self-defense" and warning that Tel Aviv "will pay a heavy price if it continues the escalation."
Araqchi claimed the attack targeted an Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near the hospital, asserting that the damage to the medical facility was "surface-level," and that the hospital was partially evacuated prior to the strike.
The Iranian Mission to the United Nations also issued a statement "categorically denying" targeting civilian facilities, calling Tel Aviv's accusations "false claims," and reiterating Iran's commitment to international humanitarian law.
Netanyahu: "Changing the Face of the World"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country is "changing the face of the world" through its war against Iran, on the seventh day of mutual strikes between the two sides.
Netanyahu told "Kan" TV channel, "I said we are changing the face of the Middle East, and now I say we are changing the face of the world," adding that Israel has destroyed "more than half" of Iran's missile launch platforms.
Netanyahu affirmed that he welcomes "any help" to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities. He stated that Israel is "capable of striking all of Iran's nuclear facilities" but "any help is welcome," noting that U.S. President Donald Trump "will do what is good for the United States, and I will do what is good for the State of Israel."
UK Opposes Military Action, Germany Backs Israel
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on U.S. President Donald Trump to back down from taking military action against Iran.
Starmer emphasized a "real risk of escalation" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, urging all parties to seek a diplomatic solution. The British Prime Minister added that there have been "several rounds of discussions between Iran and the United States," and that "this, in my opinion, is the way to resolve this issue."
Starmer's remarks come as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy travels to Washington to meet with Trump administration's top diplomat, Marco Rubio. Lammy and U.S. Secretary of State Rubio are set to discuss the Middle East situation on Thursday evening.
In related news, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he called for restraint in Israel's military campaign against Iran, according to a German government source who spoke to Reuters on Thursday.
The source stated that Merz expressed Germany's initial support for Israeli attacks targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, but at the same time stressed the importance of seeking diplomatic solutions to the conflict. The call took place on Wednesday evening, amidst escalating regional tensions and international concerns about a wider confrontation.
Timeline of Recent Strikes
Earlier on Friday morning, June 13, the Israeli army announced a "preemptive" military strike, dubbed "Rising Lion," which targeted sites in Iran and resulted in the killing of several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.
In response to these strikes, Iranian forces launched a series of attacks on Friday evening with over 200 aerial missiles targeting various areas in Tel Aviv, resulting in the death of three Israelis and injuries to over 63 others, according to Israeli ambulance services.
Source: Agencies