15.06.2025, Moscow.
The US newspaper The Wall Street Journal, citing Israeli officials, wrote that Israel does not rule out the possibility of eliminating Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Since the night of June 13, the Israeli Air Force has been striking Iranian targets. In retaliation, Iran is attacking Israeli territory with missiles and drones. Attacks from both sides are ongoing.
Strikes on Iran
The Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that a series of strikes on infrastructure related to Iran’s nuclear project in Tehran and on fuel tankers has concluded. Targets also included the headquarters of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and the SPAND nuclear project command center.
On June 14, Israel began attacking fuel terminals, oil refineries, and gas processing plants — fulfilling earlier promises to target Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure and fields if Iran retaliated against Israel.
Israel struck the Fajr Jam natural gas processing plant in the southwestern Iranian city of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf. This facility is a key component of Iran’s energy infrastructure.
An Israeli drone also attacked facilities at South Pars, the world’s largest gas field located in Iran, causing significant damage.
Both processing plants suffered direct hits, sparking fires. Israel also targeted a fuel terminal in Tehran, including the Shahran oil depot in northern Tehran and a fuel storage site in the south of the capital.
Additionally, in an effort to secure full air dominance, Israel has been systematically destroying Iran’s air defense systems. Overnight, defensive facilities near Tehran were targeted.
Airfields were hit again. According to photos of Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, at least four Iranian aircraft were destroyed in Israeli strikes.
According to Axios, citing informed sources, Israel requested US assistance in its attacks on Iran. In a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump reportedly said he “would do it if necessary.”
Tel Aviv also announced plans to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader.
While strikes on Iran’s leadership residence were conducted on June 13–14, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 14 that Israel does not rule out the possibility of eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Israeli political commentator Amit Segal of Channel 12 wrote on X, citing Israeli officials that Israel does not rule out eliminating Khamenei, but it depends on many factors.
Strikes on Israel
Iran began its attacks closer to the night of June 15. Northern Israel was hit — videos show explosions and fires in Haifa. Rocket strikes from Iran also affected central Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, and Rehovot. Residential buildings were hit.
One of Israel’s scientific centers was also damaged. According to The New York Times, which accessed relevant imagery, the center sustained serious damage and caught fire. Iran noted the strike was revenge for the deaths of its nuclear scientists.
Iran has officially notified London, Paris, and Washington that their facilities in the Middle East (including ships) will become targets if they assist Israel.
Iran also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, vital for oil transport. This was announced by Esmail Kowsari, a member of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy.
At the same time, Iran signaled openness to peace. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated at a press conference that Tehran is ready to halt strikes on Israel if Israel stops its attacks on Iran. He emphasized that Iran’s strikes were solely for its own security, but warned that if Israel continues, so will Iran’s response.
International Reaction
The presidents of Russia and the United States discussed the Middle East situation by phone. “He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end,” Trump said of his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin, for his part, condemned Israel’s military operation and expressed Moscow’s willingness to mediate between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani voiced support for Israel, citing intelligence that within six months Iran could possess 10 nuclear bombs and 2,000 missiles — a significant threat.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Israel of trying to provoke a war between the US and Iran.
Middle Eastern leaders — including the Emir of Qatar, the Saudi Crown Prince, and the President of Turkey — demanded guarantees from the US that it will not intervene in the conflict. They fear escalation would harm all neighboring countries, particularly given the presence of US bases on their soil.
Assessment
Sources in the White House and Israel told CNN they expect the war to last weeks, not days, and that it is proceeding with the tacit approval of the US.
Israel maintains air superiority, with around 350 aircraft, over 200 of which are fighter-bombers. American-made F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s are actively conducting raids on Iran.
Tehran is using missiles and drones for its attacks. The Houthis are again targeting Eilat, disrupting port operations, while Iran is striking the port city of Haifa. The port of Ashdod remains operational. The strike on Tel Aviv on the first night was largely demonstrative.
Israel is unlikely to fully destroy Iran’s nuclear program. Many Iranian facilities, including key ones like Fordow and Natanz, are underground — located up to 80 meters deep in rocky terrain, beyond the reach of most bombs. However, Israel is targeting underground bases storing missiles, aiming to collapse entrances and temporarily prevent Iran from launching attacks.
As previously noted, if Israel cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear program outright, it may try to bring about regime change in Iran — hence the discussions about possibly eliminating the country’s supreme leader.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
