Israel, Iran trade blows as tensions escalate with missile strikes, senior commander killed

June 17, 2025 - Israel has confirmed the killing of a senior Iranian military commander in an overnight strike on Tehran, marking a dramatic intensification in hostilities between the two arch-rivals and prompting a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles targeting Israeli cities.

According to the Israeli military, commander Ali Shamdani, who was appointed just four days ago to replace General Golam Ali Rashid, was killed in a strike on a "command centre in the heart of Tehran." In addition to targeting senior leadership, Israel said it launched coordinated attacks on multiple missile and drone facilities across western Iran, releasing aerial footage of explosions at suspected launch and storage sites.

Iran responded within hours. Air raid sirens wailed across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as explosions were heard overhead. The Israeli military reported intercepting several missiles and advised residents to take shelter, although the alert was lifted shortly after. Debris landed in central Israel, causing a fire in the Tel Aviv area, according to emergency services.

Despite mounting international pressure for restraint, both nations appear resolute. The conflict erupted Friday when Israel began an unprecedented air campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure—an effort it claims is necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an ambition Iran strongly denies.

Wider Conflict Looms

As the conflict enters its fifth day, concerns of a regional war are growing. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed their response would be “uninterrupted until dawn,” with state media claiming that the Mossad intelligence agency headquarters in Tel Aviv was among their intended targets.

Israel, Iran trade blows as air war rages into fifth day

Israel, for its part, has not ruled out further high-level strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is “changing the face of the Middle East,” hinting that the impact could even spark internal shifts within Iran.

At least 224 people have been killed in Iran—including nuclear scientists, senior military officers, and civilians—since Israel’s offensive began, according to Iranian authorities. In Israel, 24 deaths and hundreds of injuries have been reported.

Trump Warns Tehran, U.S. Deploys Forces

U.S. President Donald Trump—attending the G7 summit in Canada—issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” He later left the summit early and returned to Washington, saying he was seeking a “real end” to the crisis.

“I’m not looking for a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters. “We want something better. A complete give-up by Iran.”

The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz had been rerouted from Southeast Asia and is heading to the Middle East, cancelling a planned stop in Vietnam.

However, Trump stopped short of pledging U.S. military involvement in support of Israel, saying only that Washington was not involved in the initial strikes.

A senior U.S. official told AFP that Trump had recently intervened to block an Israeli attempt to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the report, saying instead: “It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end it.”

China Condemns Trump, Urges Calm

China sharply criticized Trump’s warning, accusing him of “pouring oil on the fire.” Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called for immediate de-escalation, stating that “making threats and mounting pressure will only intensify and widen the conflict.”

The Chinese embassy in Israel also issued an urgent advisory, urging its citizens to leave the country immediately via land routes to Jordan, citing rising civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Economic Impact: Oil and Gold React to Crisis

Global markets are feeling the ripple effects. Oil prices, which briefly dipped as investors bet against a regional spillover, surged nearly 2% after Trump’s comments, renewing fears of supply disruption. Crude oil had previously jumped 7% after Israel’s initial strikes on Iranian facilities.

Gold prices, which soared as investors sought safe havens, fell slightly on Tuesday, with an ounce of gold dropping $14.60 to $3,402.40.

Despite the volatility, most equities climbed amid hopes that the conflict could still be contained.

G7 Leaders Call for De-escalation

The G7 summit, disrupted by Trump’s early departure, concluded with a joint statement urging restraint while reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense. The leaders also emphasized that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, and called for a regional ceasefire—including in Gaza, where fighting has also continued.

Indirect nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, already fragile, have now been frozen. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that negotiations were no longer viable amid the attacks.

“Absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue,” he warned, suggesting a prolonged confrontation unless international diplomacy intervenes decisively.