Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin-June 23, 2025

Good evening. This is the 11th day of Operation 'Rising Lion.' The objective of the operation is to remove the existential threat facing the State of Israel. This includes targeting the nuclear program in all its components and significantly degrading the missile array. We are continuing and intensifying our strikes.

A few hours ago, the IDF completed its most extensive set of strikes to date in Tehran. As part of these strikes, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets used over 100 munitions in strikes on military targets belonging to the Iranian regime, based on high-quality and precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate.

We focused on striking the command centers and assets of the Iranian regime’s Internal Security Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is important to understand that within the Iranian regime, there are several armed forces that support each other. The Internal Security Forces are a significant part of the security and immunity of the Iranian regime.

The message we are sending through these strikes is clear: We have many more strike plans. We will continue to target every component and layer of the regime that is involved in activities that threaten the State of Israel.

This evening, I would like to present two key targets we struck earlier today.
The first target was the Basij Headquarters, a security structure under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), serving as the regime's primary arm.

The second target was the IRGC’s “Sayyed al-Shuhada” Headquarters. This is how it looks after the strike. This command center is responsible for safeguarding and protecting all of the Iranian regime’s security assets in the Tehran area.

We also carried out a targeted strike in Tehran on the notorious Evin Prison. The Evin Prison is a symbol of oppression for the Iranian people. Individuals defined as enemies of the regime were held in the prison, many of whom were subjected to severe torture. In this prison complex, intelligence operations against the State of Israel, including counter-espionage, were carried out. The strike was carried out in a precise manner to mitigate harm to civilians imprisoned within the prison to the greatest extent possible. 
We are continuing our strikes across Iran.

This afternoon, we struck the access routes to the Fordow enrichment site in order to prevent regime forces from reaching the area. Israeli Air Force aircraft simultaneously continued to target and destroy surface-to-surface missiles and missile launchers in military bases across Iran. This is part of our effort to reduce missile barrages directed at Israeli territory.

All of the strikes I’ve outlined serve the goal of the operation: to target every component of the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime to the State of Israel. This evening, I call on you to continue showing responsibility and adhere to Home Front Command instructions, as they save lives. Earlier today, false messages were circulated on social media regarding changes to the guidelines. I would like to emphasize that the guidelines remain unchanged and have been extended until tomorrow.

These are challenging days, and we must remain vigilant and stay updated, but only through official communications.

At this very moment, IDF soldiers continue to be deployed across all fronts, both in defense and offense, particularly in the northern arena. A short while ago, fighter jets completed a wave of strikes against Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon, including rocket launchers and weapons systems. We will act with determination against any attempt by terrorists to rebuild or threaten the citizens of the State of Israel.

In Gaza, we continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure across the strip with four operating divisions.
The 162nd Division destroyed an underground military facility in the Jabaliya area. Every such tunnel is used by Hamas terrorists attempting to flee and hide from IDF soldiers while also attempting to rebuild their capabilities for the future.

Alongside the destruction of the tunnel network, the 188th Division, in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force, has destroyed over 300 military infrastructure sites and eliminated dozens of terrorists in the area.
Every such action serves the objectives of the operation in Gaza — the return of the hostages and the end of Hamas's rule.

Earlier today, rumors were spread about another hostage rescue operation. Such rumors cause additional pain and tension for the families of the hostages. We must do everything possible not to add further pain to families who have been suffering for 626 days.

As part of Operation ‘Rising Lion,’ we continue to intensify our strikes against the Iranian regime's military components. We will continue to act to remove the threat from the State of Israel.
I will continue to provide updates on any developments.

Download: