IDF jets launch attacks on military sites in Tehran, Western Iran.

IDF jets launch attacks on military sites in Tehran, Western Iran.

June 19, 2025 - In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched precision airstrikes targeting military sites in Tehran and Western Iran. The strikes, which occurred overnight, are part of Israel's broader effort to dismantle Iran's nuclear and military capabilities.

The IDF spokesperson's unit announced that the airstrikes targeted Ali Shadmani, Iran's wartime chief of staff and a top aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Shadmani was killed in a precision airstrike in central Tehran, marking a significant blow to Iran's military command structure. The strike was a joint operation by the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Air Force, based on precise intelligence and a "sudden opportunity" [2].

The strikes come as part of a broader Israeli campaign to systematically eradicate Iran's air defenses, offensive missile capabilities, and nuclear enrichment facilities. According to the IDF, the airstrikes targeted a manned command center in the heart of the Iranian capital, eliminating Shadmani, who was commander of Iran’s Armed Forces Emergency Headquarters and oversaw both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the country’s active army.

The strikes are part of Israel's ongoing military operation, which began on June 13 with airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and military sites, top generals, and nuclear scientists. The operation aims to destroy Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile arsenal, which Israel views as an existential threat.

The airstrikes in Tehran and Western Iran are the latest in a series of escalating military actions between Israel and Iran. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and damage, with at least 722 people, including 285 civilians, killed in Iran and more than 2,500 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group [1].

The ongoing conflict has also had significant economic implications. The disruption of Iran's nuclear program and military capabilities has led to concerns about the potential impact on global energy markets. However, the full extent of the economic impact remains to be seen.

The strikes are a perilous decision for the U.S. as Iran has pledged to retaliate if it joined the Israeli assault. President Donald Trump has been weighing active U.S. military involvement in the war and has said he would put off his decision for up to two weeks [1].

The ongoing conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatening to resume attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joins Israel's military campaign [1].

References:
[1] https://abc7.com/post/us-has-struck-iranian-nuclear-sites-trump-says-joining-israeli-air-campaign/16811258/
[2] https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryn3xccmll