Israel 'Got' Iran Intelligence Chief, Netanyahu Claims As Hundreds Dead In Missile Barrages — Updates
Amid escalating hostilities, Israeli PM Netanyahu announced the elimination of IRGC officials. Hundreds died in Iran from Israeli strikes, while retaliatory Iranian missiles killed over a dozen in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the country has eliminated senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials during recent operations, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The crisis, which erupted after surprise Israeli strikes on Friday, has since led to the deaths of hundreds in Iran and more than a dozen in Israel.
Speaking to Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Netanyahu declared, “Moments ago, I can tell you we got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran.” The individuals were identified as Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi and General Hassan Mohaqiq.
Israel Claims Air Superiority, Expands Operations
The Israeli Air Force confirmed striking an Iranian refuelling aircraft at Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran, describing it as the “most distant strike since the beginning of the operation,” according to an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) statement. The airport, nearly 2,300 kilometres from Israel, was engulfed in flames following the airstrike, reports said.
במרחק של כ-2,300 קילומטרים, חיל-האוויר תקף לפני זמן קצר מטוס תדלוק איראני, בשדה התעופה משהד שבמזרח איראן. חיל-האוויר פועל להשגת עליונות אווירית בכל רחבי איראן.
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 15, 2025
מדובר בתקיפה הרחוקה ביותר מתחילת המבצע.
This latest development echoes a similar long-range operation in 1985 when Israel struck the Palestine Liberation Organisation headquarters in Tunisia. The Israeli military stated it is working to establish air superiority across Iran and has warned civilians to evacuate arms production facilities.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told CNN’s Bianna Golodryga that the objective is not regime change, but to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “The goal is not regime change. That’s for the Iranian people to decide. We, Israel, do not see the Iranian people as our enemies,” he said.
Sa’ar also expressed gratitude towards the United States for its support, while noting, “They have their calculations, and they’ll decide…but it is not for us to decide what other nations will do in that context.”
Hundreds Killed in Iran, Missiles Pound Israeli Cities
According to Washington-based Human Rights Activists, the death toll in Iran from Israeli airstrikes has reached at least 406, with 654 injured, news agency AP reported. Iranian officials have not released official casualty figures. The group said among the dead were 197 civilians and 90 military personnel, as verified through a network of local sources.
On Israel’s side, 14 people have died and 390 have been injured in retaliatory missile attacks by Iran since Friday, as reported by Israeli authorities cited by AP. In Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, a missile hit an apartment complex, killing seven people, including two children. In Tamra, an Arab-majority town in northern Israel, four people died, including a 13-year-old, and 24 others were wounded.
The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot sustained damage in the strikes, though no casualties were reported.
Tensions Derail Nuclear Diplomacy, World Leaders Urge De-escalation
The confrontation has severely impacted diplomatic efforts. Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, which were expected to offer a de-escalation path, were cancelled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had scheduled an interview with CNN, reportedly pulled out upon learning that Sa’ar would be interviewed after him. Sa’ar responded, “I am not surprised.”
Araghchi later said Iran’s missile attacks would cease if Israeli airstrikes ended. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised the United States for backing Israel and warned that continued Israeli aggression would provoke “more decisive and severe” responses, according to state television.
Trump Hints Possibility of US Involvement In Israel-Iran Conflict
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told ABC News that while the US is currently not involved, “It’s possible we could get involved” in the conflict. Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed willingness to mediate. “He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,” Trump said.
On social media, Trump warned Iran that any retaliation towards the US would provoke a response “at levels never seen before.” He added, “However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”
Mosques, Metro Stations Opened as Shelters in Iran
As air raid sirens sounded across both nations, Iranian state media reported that mosques and metro stations would be made available as bomb shelters from Sunday night, indicating the expectation of continued attacks, as per AP.
Semiofficial Iranian outlets also reported explosions at oil refineries and a natural gas plant, allegedly targeted by Israeli drones. The strikes have ignited fears of further disruption to Iran’s already-sanctioned energy sector.
Despite mounting international calls to de-escalate, Netanyahu appeared resolute, stating, “Nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days.” Sa’ar reiterated that while casualties were expected, Israel had “no other choice” but to act.
“We knew we would face hard times and suffer losses. But even so, we had no other choice,” he said, as quoted by AP.
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