Israel ramps up airstrikes on Iran as cross-border attacks enter sixth day

Missile traces are seen from the city of Hebron in the southern West Bank, during Iran's missile attack against Israel, on June 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israel carried out fresh waves of airstrikes in Iran on Wednesday, with the Israeli military saying it was targeting nuclear-related facilities and weapons sites, as the aerial conflict between the two countries entered its sixth day following an Israeli surprise attack.

In the morning, around 25 Israeli fighter jets struck more than 40 military targets in western Iran, including missile infrastructure, weapons storage sites, and personnel linked to the Iranian regime, the Israeli military said in a statement.

It added that overnight, Israeli aircraft struck an Emad-type missile launcher that was loaded and ready to launch toward Israeli territory.

Israeli warplanes continued to operate in Iranian airspace throughout the day, identifying and striking targets, including five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters at a military base in the Kermanshah area. The helicopters were reportedly intended to intercept Israeli aircraft, the military said.

More than 50 aircraft took part in an additional strike targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs, including a centrifuge production facility used to accelerate uranium enrichment, and sites producing components for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

"The strikes are part of the broad effort to operate against Iran's nuclear weapons development project," the military said.

Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had struck more than 1,100 targets in Iran in hundreds of sorties since the attacks began early Friday.

"We have delivered significant blows to the Iranian regime. They have been pushed back into central Iran and are now focusing their efforts on launching missile fire from the Isfahan area," Defrin said in a video posted on X.

Israel accuses Iran of seeking nuclear weapons through uranium enrichment, a charge Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Overnight, Iran launched two missile barrages at Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country and sending millions to shelters. Security officials said several missiles were intercepted, while others sparked fires. There were no reports of casualties, according to emergency services.

Seven Iranian drones were intercepted over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, with no injuries reported.

The current hostilities began with Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13. Nearly 600 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel since the fighting erupted, according to official figures.