Israel–Iran conflict deepens as US weighs direct intervention

Daily News Egypt

18-06-2025

The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered an unprecedented phase of escalation, with both sides intensifying cross-border strikes and mounting warnings of a wider confrontation that could draw in international actors — including a potential direct military intervention by the United States.
According to media reports, US President Donald Trump held an emergency meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room to discuss possible strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow uranium enrichment plant. Sources told Axios that the White House is seriously considering joining the war effort alongside Israel — a move the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly counting on.
In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the country 'will not surrender' and warned that any US intervention would result in 'irreparable damage.' A senior Iranian official told The New Arab that military operations are being carried out in a 'phased plan' to avoid reactive escalation, emphasising that only a portion of Iran's military capabilities has been deployed so far. He promised 'heavier surprises' as the conflict progresses.
On the Israeli side, the military announced that it had struck 40 Iranian targets, including facilities for producing centrifuges, weapons, ballistic missiles, and air defence systems. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the 'headquarters of Iranian internal security' had been destroyed, while the Israeli army confirmed that one of its drones had been downed by a surface-to-air missile inside Iranian territory.
Iranian state TV aired footage showing the wreckage of what it said was an Israeli drone of the 'Hormoz' type in the city of Isfahan. The Iranian news agency IRNA also reported that Israeli strikes targeted Red Crescent buildings and residential neighbourhoods near Tehran.
In a second televised address, Khamenei praised the Iranian people for their 'maturity and courage' in confronting what he described as a 'malicious and foolish aggression,' stressing that Iran would reject any imposed peace and continue to resist American and Israeli threats.
Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation announced a continued closure of the country's airspace until early Thursday, following explosions near Tehran and Karaj. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that two facilities used for manufacturing centrifuge components — located in Karaj and Tehran — had been hit by Israeli strikes.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that direct US military support for Israel could 'radically destabilise the Middle East,' while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Iran had the 'legitimate and lawful right' to defend itself against Israeli attacks. He labelled Netanyahu 'the greatest threat to regional security.'
In Jerusalem, the US embassy announced that it would remain closed until Friday due to the 'ongoing security situation' and in compliance with directives from the Israeli army. Passport and consular services have been suspended in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, has deployed additional air and missile defence systems to Israel amid concerns that the country's stockpile of 'Arrow' interceptor missiles is running low. The Wall Street Journal reported that the US is aware of this shortfall and is taking urgent steps to bolster Israel's defences. American stockpiles of interceptor missiles are also facing depletion as the conflict intensifies.
In Geneva, Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, accused Israel of targeting civilian areas 'without warning or distinction.' He condemned the attacks as a violation of international law and blamed the UN Security Council's inaction on 'the obstructive positions of certain member states.'
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Al Jazeera that Israel's aggression — allegedly backed by the US — had killed hundreds, damaged hospitals and residential zones, and even targeted nuclear facilities. He warned that 'the international community cannot afford the consequences of a full-blown war,' adding that negotiations with the US had come to a halt as a direct result of Israeli attacks.
Israel, for its part, announced plans to continue military operations until it has struck the Fordow nuclear facility. Reuters quoted sources confirming that the White House is reviewing multiple scenarios, including joint strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
On the economic front, insurance premiums for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have surged by more than 60% since the war began, according to risk consultancy Marsh McLennan, as cited by the Financial Times. The firm stated that insurers are increasingly concerned about potential attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels and broader threats to shipping in the region.
Israel's National Insurance Institute reported that more than 22,000 claims for damages have been filed as a result of Iranian missile attacks, with at least 5,000 people evacuated from their homes in affected areas.