‘Escalation upon escalation’ as Israel ramps up attacks on Iran’s nuclear, military sites
We are now on day six of Israel’s escalation against Iran.
Overnight, we heard a lot of explosions here in the capital as the air defence systems were activated, and this happened several times up until the morning. We’re also receiving reports about important nuclear facilities being targeted and reports about the downing of Israeli drones which were intended to target different Iranian military complexes and nuclear facilities.
What we are seeing on the ground is escalation upon escalation as Israeli strikes continue. For its part, the IRGC also came out to say that they are going to continue their retaliation as long as Israeli strikes go on.
And in the city of Tehran, which houses at least 10 million people, we are seeing that a considerable proportion of the population has decided to leave the area. But still, there are many civilians remaining here, and they are very anxious about the future, given the threats from the Israelis as well as the US president, who have told them to evacuate.
Iran shoots down Israeli drone, F-35 jet: Reports
We have more on Israel’s overnight attacks on Iran. The state broadcaster IRIB is reporting that Iranian forces shot down an Israeli Hermes drone in Isfahan. It published footage of the downed unmanned aircraft used for surveillance.
Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency reported that Iranian forces destroyed a hostile F-35 fighter in the Javadabad area of Varamin city.
Israeli attack targets missile production facility in Iran
Video shows plumes of smoke rising from the direction of the Khojir missile production complex in Tehran after a wave of Israeli air strikes across Iran. Israel said its latest attacks have targeted weapons facilities and nuclear centrifuge production plants.
IAEA says two centrifuge production facilities hit in Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says on X that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, a workshop in Karaj and the Tehran Nuclear Research Center, were hit in Israeli attacks.
At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested, and at Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where centrifuge components were manufactured, the IAEA said.
At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured.
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 18, 2025
Video shows explosions near airport in Karaj
Social media video verified by Al Jazeera shows a bombing that hit near Payam airport in Karaj, near the Iranian capital to the west. Israel said moments ago that it was again carrying out attacks on Tehran.
تصاویر دریافتی با شرح: "انفجار در حوالی فرودگاه پیام در ماهدشت کرج"#Iran #israel pic.twitter.com/xKh1J3vK9j
— Vahid Online (@Vahid) June 18, 2025
Pregnant woman, children killed in Israeli attacks near Isfahan
Iran’s Tasnim news agency is reporting that a pregnant woman, who was weeks away from giving birth, has been killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Najafabad. The report said the Israeli army targeted two vehicles and the attack also killed the woman’s husband.
In total, six people were killed in the strikes, including two children aged 10 and 13.
