20.06.2025 14:24
The 8th day of the Iran-Israel war continues with full intensity. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to intensify attacks on "all regime symbols" in Iran's capital, Tehran. Meanwhile, the Iranian people gathered during Friday prayers, chanting slogans of "Death to Israel," and protested against the attacks on their country by trampling on U.S. and Israeli flags laid on the ground.
The war that began on June 13, initiated by Israel and named "Rising Lion," has entered its 8th day, starting with retaliatory attacks by Iran, which it called "True Promise."
THE TOLL IS HEAVY
At least 227 people, including high-ranking military officials such as Iranian Chief of General Staff Bakiri and Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Selami, have died in Israeli attacks. In retaliation, Iran targeted Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa with hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, in addition to drones. Due to Iranian missiles that bypassed Israel's air defense systems, at least 25 people lost their lives. The number of injured has reportedly exceeded 500.
IRANIAN MINISTER KATZ GIVES ORDERS TO THE MILITARY IN TEHRAN
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he has instructed the military to intensify attacks on "all regime symbols" in Iran's capital, Tehran. Katz argued that "all symbols of the regime, such as Basij and the Revolutionary Guards, must be targeted." While stating that the attacks aim to destabilize the Iranian regime, he added that in response to Iran's retaliatory attacks, "Israel must carry out a mass evacuation of the population from Tehran while continuing to target facilities and scientists to prevent Iran's nuclear program."
MAJOR PROTEST IN TEHRAN
While Israel's threats against Iran continue, thousands gathered in Tehran during Friday prayers to protest the attacks. The Iranian people, who sent messages of support to the regime, chanted slogans of "Death to Israel" and trampled on US and Israeli flags laid on the ground.
"OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE UNDER THREAT"
On the other hand, the Friday sermon in Iran stated: "Our children and young people are under threat more than ever. False ideologies, impositions of a secular lifestyle, societal projects that corrupt our moral values, and corrupting media content are all working hard to distance our youth from our national and spiritual values."
The virtual gambling, violent games, and nature-disturbing content spreading on digital platforms alienate our youth from their families, nation, and religion, turning them into heartless, indifferent, and aimless individuals.
PEZEŞKİYAN REVEALS THE ONLY WAY TO END THE WAR
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the only way to end the war is for Israel to unconditionally stop its attacks. In a post on social media platform X regarding the issue, Pezeshkian said, "We have always been in favor of peace and tranquility. However, the only way to end the imposed war in the current situation is to provide a definite guarantee that the enemy will unconditionally stop its attacks and put an end to the adventures of the Zionist terrorists forever. Otherwise, our responses to the enemy will be harsher and regrettable."
SHAMHANI'S CONDITION IS REPORTED TO BE GOOD
Iranian state media reported that the condition of Ali Shamkhani, a close ally of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei who was injured in the Israeli attack, is good. It was reported that Shamkhani stated in a short message sent to the Iranian people, "I am alive and ready to sacrifice." Earlier reports had suggested that Shamkhani had died in the attacks on the first day.
US IS REINFORCING ITS BASES
Amid discussions that Washington "will be involved in attacks on Iran," it has been reported that the US military is reinforcing its bases in the Middle East with numerous military cargo planes.
According to the map on the "Flight Radar" site, around 20 military cargo planes belonging to the US Air Force landed at bases in the Middle East in the last 24 hours, having taken off from various regions in Europe. The reinforcement of US bases in the Middle East amid discussions that Washington will participate in attacks on Iran alongside Israel has drawn attention. An international media report stated that the US has reinforced its military equipment at its bases in the Middle East, including additional air defense systems.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on June 17 that he had ordered the "deployment of additional capabilities" to the Middle East region. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced that US President Donald Trump would make a decision regarding Iran (whether to attack or not) within two weeks due to the high likelihood of negotiations with Iran.
"THERE WILL BE NO NEGOTIATIONS UNLESS ATTACKS STOP"
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that there will be no negotiations as long as Israeli attacks continue. Araghchi stated, "We see the US as a collaborator and partner of Israel in its attacks on Iran. While the Zionist regime's attacks continue, the US is requesting negotiations and has sent messages several times. As long as the attacks continue, negotiations cannot be on the table."
The Iranian minister expressed that there has been no contact or discussions with the US, stating that the Washington administration has requested negotiations, but Iran has not accepted it. Referring to a meeting scheduled to take place today in Geneva, Araghchi said, "Three European countries and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs have requested a meeting with me."
The subject of our Geneva negotiations is the nuclear program. We have had no obstacles in dialogue with European countries," he stated. Emphasizing that they have not held any discussions with anyone regarding the missile issue, Erakçi said, "The demand for the end of the war has just begun and will increase further from now on."
8,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL
Since the attacks on Iran began on June 13, it has been reported that more than 8,000 people have been evacuated in Israel due to damage to their homes from Tehran's retaliations. In Israel, 30,000 people have applied for the Property Tax Regulation Form due to damage to their homes, vehicles, belongings, or equipment from Iranian retaliatory attacks. The Tehran administration had previously stated that they would not engage in negotiations as long as Israeli attacks continued.
RUSSIA: THE PANDORA'S BOX WILL BE OPENED
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitriy Peskov stated that forcing a regime change in Iran is unacceptable and warned that a possible assassination of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would "open Pandora's box." Peskov noted that if Israel were to carry out an assassination of Khamenei with the help of the U.S., Russia's response would be very negative, saying, "We absolutely do not approve of this." Regarding regime change in Iran, Peskov stated, "It is unimaginable. This must be unacceptable; even talking about it should be unacceptable for anyone."
THE ONLY MISSILE FIRED FROM IRAN HIT ISRAEL
Due to a missile attack launched from Iran, alarm sirens went off in southern Israel, particularly in the city of Beersheba and its surroundings. The Israeli army later announced that their teams were operating at the location where they received a report of a hit. In a statement from the Israeli police spokesperson, it was noted that police teams and bomb disposal experts were working at the site where the missile fell in Beersheba. Images shared on social media showed that numerous vehicles and some buildings were damaged.
According to local sources reported by Yediot Ahronot newspaper, the missile hit a parking lot in a residential area, creating a crater in the ground and igniting many vehicles. A report by Haaretz, based on military sources, stated that the air defense systems failed to intercept a missile fired from Iran, and the incident is under investigation. The Israeli emergency service reported that, according to initial assessments, 6 people were lightly injured as a result of the hit missile. On social media, images were shared showing that a fire broke out at the point where the missile hit, with black smoke rising.
3 REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS KILLED
According to Iranian media, Israel attacked the provinces of Tehran, Gilan, Golestan, and East Azerbaijan during the night hours. In the early hours of the night, three explosions occurred in eastern Tehran, where the air defense system was activated. In an attack on a military unit in the Bostan Abad region of East Azerbaijan, 3 soldiers affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards were killed. In the city of Gorgan in Golestan province, air defense systems responded to Israeli attacks, while 4 explosions occurred in the industrial area of the city of Rasht in Gilan province.