Israel warns of 'major' attacks on Tehran

2025-06-17 18:24:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israel has warned that "major" attacks on Tehran are coming, while US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with the National Security Council after calling for a "real end" to deadly airstrikes that have been exchanged between the arch-enemies for five days.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said his country's military will issue further warnings to Tehran residents ahead of the attacks expected to take place on June 17.

"We will attack very important targets in Tehran today... we will continue with heavy strikes against Iran," Katz said.

The warnings came as Iranian media reported several explosions in the city of Isfahan, where several nuclear centers are located.

Meanwhile, air raid sirens have been heard across Tel Aviv, warning residents of a possible Iranian attack.

As he left the summit of the world's seven most industrialized countries (G7), held in Canada, Trump expressed anger at Tehran for not reaching an agreement on its nuclear program, which is being targeted by Israel, even though Iran claims it has it only for civilian purposes.

"I'm not asking for a ceasefire, we're asking for something better than a ceasefire," Trump told reporters as he left Canada for Washington, leaving the summit unfinished.

The US president has said his goal is "an end, a real end, not a ceasefire."

Earlier on June 17, the Israeli military said it had killed Ali Shadmani, who had been appointed commander of the Khatam ol-Anbiya headquarters following the killing of General Gholam Ali Rashid in Israeli strikes on June 13.

Iran has not acknowledged the death of Shadman, who was a general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The headquarters is responsible for operational command and its leader serves as deputy commander-in-chief of Iran's armed forces.

Trump left the G7 summit on June 16 with a strong message on social media, warning that "everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately."

"Iran should sign the 'deal'. I told them to sign it. What a disgrace and waste of human life. Put simply, IRAN CANNOT HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. I have said it several times," Trump wrote on the social network, Truth Social.

The American television network, CNN, quoted a White House official as saying that the evacuation comment was pressure on Iran to negotiate.

The Israeli military also issued a notice earlier, calling on residents of a district of Tehran to evacuate.

Israel says strikes against Iranian military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment centers and ballistic missile programs are necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The attacks have killed at least 224 people in Iran.

Iran has retaliated by launching over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel.

So far, 24 people have been reported killed./ REL