16.06.2025, Moscow.
US intervention in the conflict could lead to involvement of other states. Pakistan’s defense minister has already publicly expressed support for Iran, prompting discussions of possible participation of Pakistan, India, China, and even Afghanistan in the conflict.
Strikes from both sides continue. Authorities are urging residents not to report strike consequences or post photos. Both parties are actively waging an information war: a lot of false information is being spread, videos generated by AI or taken from other locations are being published and presented as Israeli or Iranian footage.
Strikes on Iran
The Israeli military reported strikes on command centers in Iran belonging to the Quds Force of the IRGC. Israeli media say that during recent strikes in Tehran, air defense systems, the building of the Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran, and IRGC headquarters were attacked. The main police headquarters in Tehran was hit by drones. Israeli sources claim an attack on a nuclear development center in Isfahan.
There are also reports of an attack on the nuclear facility at Fordow. Rumors have emerged about a 2.5‑magnitude earthquake near the Fordow facility in Iran, which some sources interpret as underground nuclear explosions.
Above-ground structures at the Natanz facility are already damaged. The plant in Isfahan is also damaged. The Fordow site remains intact for now — it’s very hard to hit, being located deep underground. Nonetheless, the information is alarming.
As a result of strikes in Tehran, the head of IRGC intelligence, Mohammad Kazemi, and his deputy Hassan Mohakik were killed. This information has been confirmed by the Iranian side.
At least 14 Iranian scientists associated with the nuclear program have been killed during the Israeli aggression. It is claimed that some specialists were eliminated using car bombs in Tehran.
Some sources mention that Mossad operations led to breaches in Tehran’s sewage and water pipelines.
Media report that many Iranians are trying to leave Tehran. Long queues formed at gas stations in various districts of the capital starting early morning.
Following numerous statements about active Israeli intelligence operations in Iran, the country has started operations to catch agents.
“It is Israeli strikes from within Iran,” stated Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. “A significant portion of the enemy’s strikes are not military attacks, but actions carried out with the help of internal agents. In this regard, our vigilant citizens must, with particular thoroughness and without delay, report any suspicious moments to security agencies,” the agency IRNA quotes him.
Israel also launched a missile strike against the military leadership of Iran’s allies who supported the Persians in attacks on Israel — the Yemeni Houthis. Media reported on an Israeli operation against Ansar Allah leadership during a meeting in Sanaa. Some sources report the death of Ansar Allah’s leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and Houthi-led faction of the Yemeni Armed Forces Maj‑Gen. Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, along with other senior officers from the Houthi Defense Ministry. There is no confirmation of these reports.
Strikes on Israel
Iran struck an oil refinery in Haifa and also damaged part of the power grid, CNN reports. Tel Aviv was heavily struck overnight. A high-rise building in the city center was destroyed.
CNN described scenes of fear, chaos, and anxiety filled the streets of Tel Aviv early Monday morning after the latest wave of Iranian missile strikes. CNN’s Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond saw streets littered with debris, with rescuers and military personnel clearing rubble at a site that had apparently been hit by four ballistic missiles.
CNN also says that Israel allegedly “underestimated” Iran’s ability to respond with strikes after its military leadership was eliminated.
The Israeli weapons factory Rafael was also hit by Iranian missiles.
Statements from the Iranian Side
Iran’s parliament is considering withdrawing from the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iranian MP Ruhollah Izadkhah said on June 15. Ebrahim Rezaei, official spokesperson for the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, also stated that Iran should leave the NPT.
“At a minimum, we must leave the NPT; currently we are reviewing this matter in parliament and even considering withdrawal from the International Atomic Energy Agency,” his words are quoted by Fars agency.
However, on June 16 the intent to leave the NPT was denied. The President of Iran stated that those advocating for Tehran to develop nuclear weapons “have no place in the republic’s politics.” “Iran does not seek to possess nuclear weapons but has the right to peaceful nuclear energy,” President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated.
This is likely an Iranian attempt to signal potential developments if the conflict escalates.
On June 15, Berlin, Paris, and London proposed that Iran return to negotiations on the nuclear deal, German Foreign Minister announced. The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded that it is not ready to discuss any agreements while strikes are ongoing but is willing to resume talks afterward.
“Iran is ready and has always been ready to sign an agreement guaranteeing that it will not possess nuclear weapons,” emphasized Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, “As we have repeatedly stated, we are fully confident in the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, and we have no problem demonstrating this confidence to the world, as we did with the 2015 nuclear deal.”
Araghchi also said Israel’s attack was aimed at undermining negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi further stated that Tehran has evidence that the US helped Israel carry out strikes on Iranian territory, using its bases in the Middle East.
In addition, the IRGC issued a statement regarding radar intelligence aimed at Iran, “NATO reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft have been flying continuously over southeastern Turkey near the Iranian border to detect air and ground activity of our country’s armed forces to provide intelligence information to the Zionist regime.”
Statements from the Israeli Side
In his speech on June 15, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied Reuters’ report that US President Donald Trump had in recent days allegedly “vetoed” an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Netanyahu also stated that Israel is determined to complete the mission. He emphasized that the head of IRGC intelligence and his deputy have already been eliminated, and Iran has been weakened.
The Israeli leader also said Israel’s intelligence suggests Iran planned to transfer nuclear weapons to the Houthis.
“We destroyed the reactor in Isfahan, without which nuclear weapons development is impossible. We also destroyed the main nuclear facility in Natanz and are ready to take further action if needed. Nuclear program negotiations only make sense if Iran abandons uranium enrichment,” Netanyahu stressed.
He also stated that Tehran had always considered Trump an enemy and had attempted to kill him twice.
The IDF announced the completion of a wide-scale wave of strikes on weapons production facilities in Iran. “Following a large-scale wave of strikes this morning on infrastructure belonging to the Quds Force, IRGC, and Iranian military in Tehran, numerous weapons production facilities across Iran were hit,” the army’s Telegram channel reads.
However, no evidence was shown to support this statement.
International Involvement in the Conflict
The American magazine Military Watch Magazine reports that the US is deploying over 30 aerial refueling aircraft across the Atlantic, possibly for participation in Israel’s war. They are already more than 30.
Military Watch Magazine also writes that tanker aircraft from several Western countries are assisting Israel with strikes on Iran.
The magazine reports the US has deployed THAAD missile defense systems and AEGIS destroyers to assist Israel in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles.
It is also possible that the U. is preparing to deploy major forces. Such a move would be necessary if strategic aviation (B‑1B, B‑52, or B‑2) or a large number of conventional tactical aircraft, which require aerial refueling, are to be used.
Trump allowed that the US might intervene in the Israel–Iran conflict, but at the moment the US is not part of the war, he explained. He stated that both countries must make a deal and stop hostilities. According to him, many calls and meetings are underway on this matter.
ABC News, citing the US president, report that the US and Russian presidents discussed assistance for peace negotiations from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, US intervention in the Iran–Israel conflict could draw other states into it. After Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif publicly expressed support for Iran, a member of Iran’s National Security Council, General Mohsen Rezaei, stated that Pakistan is ready to deliver a nuclear strike on Israel if it attacks Iran with nuclear charges.
Subsequently, opinions emerged about possible involvement in the conflict by other countries: readiness from India to enter a war against Iran and Pakistan, and Afghanistan’s support for Iran.
There are also unconfirmed reports of Chinese arms or defensive systems being delivered to Iran by military aircraft.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
