20.06.2025 12:30
The Iran-Israel war has entered its 8th day. The number of casualties and injuries is steadily increasing due to mutual missile attacks from both sides. Israel announced that the condition of Ali Shamkhani, a close ally of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, who was reported to have been killed in the attacks on the first day, is good. In a message, Shamkhani stated, "I am alive and ready to sacrifice."
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Israel launched extensive attacks on June 13, targeting various nuclear facilities in Iran, as well as the upper command echelon of the army. The Chief of General Staff, the Commander of the Revolutionary Guards, and several senior commanders, along with 9 nuclear scientists, were killed in the attacks.
The Iranian Ministry of Health announced on June 15 that the total civilian death toll from the Israeli attacks was 224, with more than 1,277 injured. It was reported that 25 people were killed and over 500 injured in the Iranian army's retaliation against Israel using ballistic missiles.
Here’s what happened on the 8th day of the war:
PEZEŞKİYAN REVEALED 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.
Pezeshkian, in a post on his social media account X, 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 that the adventures of the Zionist terrorists will be ended forever. Otherwise, our responses to the enemy will be harsher and regrettable."
SHAMHANI'S CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED AS GOOD
Iranian state media reported that Ali Shamkhani, a close ally of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei who was injured in the Israeli attack, is in good condition. 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.
WHO IS ALI SHAMKHANI?
Shamkhani is one of the close aides of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and represented Tehran in negotiations that led to a significant agreement to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
He served as the country's highest national security official for a decade starting in 2013 and held several important positions, including in the Revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Defense.
Well-known in foreign policy circles in Washington and Europe, Shamkhani was one of the rising stars of Iranian diplomacy.
Shamkhani represented Iran in negotiations mediated by China, which resulted in both countries agreeing to restore diplomatic relations after years of hostility.
REINFORCEMENTS TO US BASES
Amid discussions that Washington would "be involved in attacks on Iran," it was reported that the US military has reinforced 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 would participate in attacks on Iran alongside Israel drew attention. An international report stated that the US has provided military equipment, including additional air defense systems, to its bases in the Middle East.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on June 17 that he had ordered the "deployment of additional capabilities" to the Middle East. 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 taking place with Iran.
"THERE WILL BE NO NEGOTIATIONS AS LONG AS ATTACKS CONTINUE"
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 are out of the question."
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 requested a meeting with me. The subject of our Geneva negotiations is the nuclear program. We have had no obstacles to dialogue with European countries." He emphasized that they have not had any discussions regarding the missile issue, stating, "The demand to end the war has just begun and will increase thereafter."
OVER 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 from 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 continue.
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ISRAEL THREATENS HEZBOLLAH
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened Hezbollah, which stated that it would not remain neutral in the face of attacks on Iran, urging them not to participate in the conflicts between Tel Aviv and Iran. Reminding of the assassinations of former Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Hashim Safiyuddin, Katz stated, "The Hezbollah Secretary-General has not learned from his predecessors."
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 any 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." He added regarding regime change in Iran, "It is unimaginable. This must be unacceptable; even discussing it should be unacceptable for anyone."
ISRAEL STRIKES TEHRAN
In attacks carried out during the night, more than 60 fighter jets belonging to the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of military targets in Iran with 120 different munitions. It was reported that the missile production centers, which are claimed to have been established within the Iranian Ministry of Defense over the years, were targeted in the attacks. It was alleged that raw materials for missile engines were produced at these centers.
Additionally, it was stated that this was part of attacks targeting Iran's nuclear weapons program. In this context, it was claimed that the command center named SEPAND, established in 2011 by Mohsen Fahrizade, one of the founders of Iran's nuclear weapons program, which is involved in the research and development of advanced military technologies, was also targeted. The Israeli army also claimed that a facility where one of the components necessary for Iran's nuclear weapons program was produced was hit in the airstrike. No official statement has yet been made by Iranian authorities regarding these attacks.
ARAK HEAVY WATER PRODUCTION FACILITY DAMAGED
The International Atomic Energy Agency announced that buildings at the Arak heavy water production facility located in the Hondab region of Iran were damaged. The agency reported that the distillation unit was among the damaged areas. The Israeli army announced that three missile platforms preparing to launch missiles at Israel were struck in Iran.
ONE MISSILE FIRED FROM IRAN HIT ISRAEL
Due to a missile attack launched from Iran, attack alarms went off in the southern part of Israel, particularly in the city of Beersheba and its surroundings. The Israeli army later announced that their teams were active 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 many 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.
In a report by Haaretz newspaper based on military sources, it was 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 preliminary assessments indicated that 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. In the early hours of the night, three explosions occurred in the east of 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 belonging to the Revolutionary Guards were killed. While the air defense systems responded to Israeli attacks in the city of Gorgan in Golestan province, 4 explosions occurred in the industrial area of the city of Rasht in Gilan province.
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