Portraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists, killed in Israel’s June 13 attack are displayed above a road, as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)
| Published June 18, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel has launched a sweeping and relentless air campaign against Iran, striking over 1,100 military and strategic targets since Friday. Among the most provocative developments are unconfirmed yet widely circulated reports suggesting Israeli warplanes may be seeking to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself—a move that, if verified, would signal a direct challenge to the heart of the Iranian regime. This marks one of the most expansive Israeli operations in recent history, blending high-tech warfare with covert intelligence, as the conflict veers dangerously close to a regional war with global implications.
🛩️ “Warplanes Seeking to Strike Ayatollah”
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Several sources—including ZeroHedge—report that Israeli jets have been seen flying over areas thought to contain Ayatollah Khamenei’s bunker. Israeli military officials have not confirmed intentional targeting, but social‑media posts suggest “jets are going after locations where they believe Ayatollah Khamenei could be hiding”.
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Defense Minister Yoav Katz stated strikes have destroyed Iran’s internal-security headquarters and “symbols of [Iran’s] rule … wherever they may be”.
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This follows Israel’s strategy of degrading command, control, communications, leadership, nuclear facilities, missile production, and air defenses—massively weakening Iran’s core infrastructure.
📊 1,100+ Iranian Targets Hit Since Friday
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The IDF confirms more than 1,100 Iranian targets struck over multiple sorties since Friday, aimed at neutralizing the nuclear threat.
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These include: nuclear enrichment facilities (Natanz, Fordow); missile launchers; internal-security HQ; centrifuge and weapons production sites; military command posts.
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Multiple waves of strikes—around 200 Israeli jets participated—delivered over 330 munitions in five waves early on June 13.
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Israel has achieved air supremacy above Tehran by disabling air defenses, enabling round‑the‑clock raids.
🔧 Behind the Operation: Mossad, AI & Drones
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A coordinated campaign—“Operation Rising Lion”—combined Mossad agents planting drones, U.S. AI-assisted intel, and Israeli jets
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Explosive drones smuggled into Iran disabled surface-to‑surface missile (SSM) systems and air defense batteries, reportedly halving Tehran’s missile retaliation capacity.
🕰️ Current Status & Risks Ahead
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The sixth day of air war shows no signs of de-escalation. Israel continues targeting strategic infrastructure; Iran continues missile and drone launches.
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Analysts warn that although Israel has tactical air dominance, strategic outcomes—like fully destroying deeply buried nuclear facilities—may require U.S. bunker-buster support or ground operations.
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Escalation dangers: Iran threatens all‑out war if the U.S. intervenes; global powers urge restraint amid fears of wider regional conflict and global economic disruptions (e.g., oil, shipping) .
💥 Strategic & Political Implications
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Israeli Goals: Neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat; degrade military infrastructure; potentially target the regime’s core and leadership .
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Iran’s Response: Launched ~400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, inflicting civilian casualties and testing air defenses. Supreme Leader Khamenei condemned U.S. involvement as risking “irreparable damage”.
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U.S. Involvement Looms: Trump has sent carriers, tanker aircraft, and additional warplanes to the region, warning of a possible U.S. strike as he calls for Iran’s “unconditional surrender”—but has halted short of direct action “for now” and ruled out Khamenei’s assassination “at least for now”.
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Escalation Toward Regime Decapitation Strategy
If Israeli warplanes are actively targeting Ayatollah Khamenei or his inner circle, it marks a major strategic escalation from targeting infrastructure to potentially dismantling the regime’s leadership. This would likely provoke a far more aggressive Iranian response, possibly triggering open war across multiple fronts—Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gulf. -
Severe Retaliation Risks
Iran has already launched hundreds of missiles and drones. Should Khamenei or any top Iranian figure be harmed, the regime could retaliate through proxies or directly against Israel, U.S. bases in the region, or oil infrastructure in the Gulf, threatening global energy markets. -
Global Oil and Trade Shock
Conflict between Israel and Iran—especially if the U.S. is drawn in—would destabilize shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up and sending ripples through global supply chains and financial markets. -
U.S. in a Dilemma
Trump’s administration has increased its military presence but stopped short of directly intervening. If Israel eliminates high-value Iranian targets or if Iran retaliates massively, the U.S. may face a no-win choice between restraint and direct military engagement. -
Collapse of Nuclear Diplomacy
The strikes have likely eliminated any near-term chance of reviving nuclear negotiations. Iran may accelerate covert enrichment or lash out militarily, while Israel positions itself as the primary enforcer against Iranian nuclear capability—with or without U.S. coordination. -
Proxy Flashpoints on Alert
Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Iraq and Syria could launch their own fronts, turning this into a full-blown regional war that would stretch Israeli defenses and drag multiple nations into conflict zones.
Overall Takeaway:
Israel’s unprecedented strike campaign—over 1,100 Iranian targets hit in days—signals a bold shift from containment to direct confrontation with the Iranian regime. The reported pursuit of Ayatollah Khamenei represents not just military escalation but a symbolic attempt to destabilize the regime’s core. This isn’t just about nuclear sites or missile systems anymore—it’s about leadership decapitation, strategic dominance, and forcing Iran into a corner. The result is a fast-accelerating conflict with the real potential to ignite a broader regional war, disrupt global markets, and pull the U.S. into a decisive crossroads between deterrence and direct involvement.
SOURCES: ZEROHEDGE – Reports Of Warplanes Seeking To Strike Ayatollah As Israel Has Hit 1,100 Iranian Targets Since Friday
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL – IDF says over 1,100 Iranian targets hit since Friday: ‘Operating systematically to neutralize the nuclear threat’
