Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin-June 18, 2025

Even as the eyes of many remain focused on Iran, IDF soldiers continue to operate on other fronts. These operations come at a heavy cost. This evening, we informed the family of Staff Sergeant Stav Halfon that their son fell in battle today during operations in the southern Gaza Strip. Our hearts are with the family during this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.

This evening as well, dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft continue to strike a series of military targets and assets across Iran. The aim of the operation is to eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel, significantly damage Iran’s nuclear program in all its components, and severely impact its missile array. We have additional targets, and we are determined to achieve them. In the past 24 hours, we have launched three major waves of strikes. The first wave took place overnight: more than fifty IAF fighter jets struck around forty targets in the Tehran area.

We are focusing on Tehran. Among the targets struck was a centrifuge production site, a key component in the Iranian regime’s efforts to enrich uranium. Another target struck tonight was a site near Tehran used to manufacture anti-tank missiles. The Iranian regime used this site to produce hundreds of missiles that were transferred over the years to Hezbollah. These missiles also armed the regime’s proxies throughout the Middle East. Tonight, IAF jets reached the very source of the missile production — missiles that have been used against the State of Israel — and neutralized it.

The second wave of strikes began this afternoon, during which we struck more than twenty additional targets in the Tehran area. The targets struck were part of the regime’s military weapons industry and its security apparatus. As can be seen, we struck three significant sites connected to missile production — including engines, navigation systems, and missile assembly. All of these were missiles intended for use by the regime against Israel.

After significantly weakening the regime’s proxies over the past 20 months, we are now dismantling its own core capabilities. The third wave of strikes began a short while ago and is focused on western Iran. IAF aircraft are flying over launch and storage sites for surface-to-surface missiles. The jets are targeting operatives attempting to re-access and remove munitions from sites that were previously struck.

Our message to them is clear: if you attempt to rebuild your terror capabilities in the region, you will be struck. We are systematically targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure. The IAF is flying over Iran and hunting down launchers. These strikes are enabling sustained operational freedom until the war’s objectives are fully achieved. Let me remind you: we launched this operation to remove an existential threat. We will act as long as necessary to accomplish the mission, as defined by the political level.

Alongside these achievements, we must remember that the Iranian regime still retains significant capabilities. Even if the number of launches has decreased, we must not become complacent under any circumstances. We must remain alert and vigilant.

The Home Front Command continues to conduct regular situational assessments. The goal is to prioritize the protection of civilians while easing daily life as much as possible under the shadow of ongoing combat.

An updated civil defense policy was published today as part of this effort. Among other measures, the policy allows a return to workplaces and expands the permitted size of gatherings in locations equipped with a protected space. Please review the updated guidelines in full— these guidelines save lives. We will continue to update them as the situation evolves. This evening, I want to once again commend your resilience and composure.

As we mark the sixth day of the operation in Iran, we constantly remember that it is also the 621st day of a prolonged war that was forced upon us. Earlier today, the Chief of the General Staff visited the Gaza Division and held a situational assessment with the Commanding Officer of the Southern Command and division commanders.

The Chief of the General Staff expressed his gratitude to the forces in Gaza, who continue to operate with the goal of dismantling Hamas. The IDF bears the responsibility of restoring security and enabling the return of the 53 hostages still held by the Hamas terror organization.

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