Israel Intensifies Strikes on Iran as Trump Deliberates US Involvement

Israel continues to attack Iran at the same time as the US President Donald Trump does not seem to be able to make up his mind whether he should draw the US into the war. From a European perspective, France is planning to present a European peace initiative.

» Updated: June 18 2025

» Published: June 18 2025

Israel Intensifies Strikes on Iran as Trump Deliberates US Involvement
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/TT

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Israel continues to attack Iran. During Wednesday evening, the military reports that it has launched a new wave of attacks on military targets in western Iran, with attacks on those trying to restore rocket systems and defense positions that have already been bombed by Israel.

A series of powerful explosions has shaken the capital Tehran during the afternoon. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote earlier during the day on X that the military has destroyed the headquarters for domestic security in Tehran.

"The tornado continues to hit Tehran", writes Katz.

Police injured

During the evening, the Iranian state news agency Irna reports that Israel has carried out an air raid near the police headquarters in Tehran, and that "a number" of police officers have been injured. A pregnant woman and her unborn child are also said to have been killed in an Israeli attack on the city of Isfahan, according to state media.

Iran has fired several rocket salvos at Israel during the day, but without reports of dead and injured.

Israel has made a "huge mistake", claimed Iran's supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday. In his first public appearance since Israel launched its attacks on Friday, he promised to punish Israel.

Iran will not remain silent when its airspace is violated, claimed the ayatollah and warned the US.

Americans should know that any American military intervention will undoubtedly be followed by damage that cannot be repaired.

US President Donald Trump urged Iran to surrender "unconditionally" on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Trump says he "may" get the US involved in the war, "or maybe not do it".

– I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do, says Trump.

European peace initiative

UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on the outside world not to get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron says in a statement that he has given his Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot the task of developing "an initiative with close European partners that would propose a demanding negotiating solution to put an end to the conflict" in the coming days.

The UN Security Council will meet on Friday due to the situation. The meeting, which is the second in the Security Council since Israel launched the war during the night to Friday, was requested by Iran with the support of China, Russia, and Pakistan, according to a diplomatic source.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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