Geopolitics
Governance/Geopolitics
Middle East crisis: Israel confirms striking military targets in Tehran

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 18 Jun 2025, 09:13 am Print

Middle East crisis: Israel confirms striking military targets in Tehran IDF

Photo: IAF Jet: Photo: Screengrab from IDF X

Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday confirmed it is conducting strikes on military targets in the Iranian capital Tehran.

In an X post, IDF said: "The IAF is currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian Regime in Tehran."

Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says his nation will never surrender

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday sent out a strong message to the US and said his nation will never surrender.

“The Iranian nation stands firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against imposed peace. This nation will not give in to anyone when faced with imposition,” he said in a televised address as quoted by IRNA.

He made the remark hours after US President Dpnald Trump directed the nation to surrender amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

In his message to the Iranian leader, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

UN Urges Iran, Israel To De-Escalate

As the Iran-Israel crisis continued into a sixth day on Wednesday, the UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif called for urgent talks to end the ongoing exchanges of missile attacks between Tehran and Tel-Aviv.

Israel began targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran last Friday, prompting a barrage of retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities.

“The UN human rights office urges de-escalation and urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward,” said Ms. Al-Nashif. “We are following closely and are aware of reports that many thousands of residents are fleeing parts of the capital, Tehran, as a result of warnings covering broad areas.”

Latest reports from the region indicate that more than 200 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel to date. The violence continued unabated overnight in both countries.

Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva at a scheduled meeting to discuss Iran’s rights record, the Deputy High Commissioner highlighted serious concerns that populated areas have been hit in the escalation.

“It is imperative that both sides fully respect international law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians in densely populated areas and of civilian objects,” she said. “We urge all those with influence to engage in negotiation as a matter of priority.”