Morning Brief: Israel Strikes Iranian Civilian Sites as Open Conflict Enters Fourth Day, Russia Launches Massive Overnight Assault on Kyiv

· SOFREP News Team

Emergency responders assess damaged buildings and wrecked vehicles after Iran’s latest missile strikes in Tel Aviv. (Image grab via X)

Good morning! Kick off your Tuesday with SOFREP’s Morning Brief—your intel drop on today’s global flashpoints for June 17, 2025. Israel escalates its conflict with Iran by striking civilian sites; Iran retaliates with deadly hits on Haifa and Tel Aviv. In Gaza, Israeli troops killed 34 at aid sites. The UK boosts its military presence in the region. Russia’s overnight barrage on Kyiv leaves 15 dead. Trump departs the G7 early, skipping Ukraine talks. The US recently greenlit a $215 million missile sale to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Russia’s security chief makes another visit to North Korea to tighten military ties.

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Israel Strikes Iranian Civilian Sites as Open Conflict Enters Fourth Day

Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran on Monday, launching airstrikes that hit a hospital and Iranian state TV headquarters, killing multiple civilians and media personnel, according to Iranian officials.

The attacks, confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, marked the fourth straight day of cross-border warfare between the two longtime adversaries.

In response, Iran launched another wave of missile and drone strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa. An Iranian missile struck an oil refinery in Haifa, killing three and prompting a shutdown of all facilities, according to Israel’s Bazan Oil company.

Iran’s retaliatory attacks also caused minor damage to a US embassy branch in Tel Aviv.

The strike on Iran’s state TV building was caught live on air as its anchor fled moments before a blast hit.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strike on Kermanshah’s Farabi Hospital as a “war crime,” and videos verified by fact-checkers show bloodstains at the site.

The Israeli army has not commented on the hospital strike but previously warned Tehran would “pay the price.”

Iranian media reported additional Israeli strikes on military installations in Tehran, where air defenses were activated, and Red Crescent rescue workers were killed during ongoing operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for national unity, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would continue responding unless Israel halted its offensive.

The conflict has already killed nearly 250 people—224 in Iran and more than 20 in Israel—with hundreds more wounded on both sides. Monday’s Iranian strikes killed at least eight Israelis, bringing the death toll in Haifa and central regions to 23.

Despite global calls for restraint, both nations appear determined to escalate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to rule out targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, stating, “It’s not going to escalate the conflict; it’s going to end the conflict.”

Iran, meanwhile, has suggested US forces in Syria and beyond may become targets, accusing Washington of complicity in Israel’s campaign.

US President Donald Trump has taken a mixed tone—calling for a potential diplomatic solution while warning Iran of overwhelming force if US interests are attacked. Iran says a single decisive move from Washington could halt the conflict, but with rhetoric hardening on all sides, the path to de-escalation remains elusive.

 

Israeli Troops Kill 34 Palestinians at Gaza Food Aid Sites, Marking Deadliest Day Since Aid Centers Opened

Israeli forces opened fire Monday on Palestinians trying to reach US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution sites, killing 34 and wounding hundreds, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The mass shooting marked the deadliest day since the GHF system launched last month to replace the UN-led aid effort.

The most lethal incident occurred near the southern city of Rafah, where 33 were killed at the Flag Roundabout—an Israeli-designated route to the GHF center. Another fatality was reported in central Gaza. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as Israeli troops fired into crowds that had gathered before the center’s scheduled opening. The Red Cross field hospital treated 200 wounded, the highest single-day toll it has seen.

The Israeli military has yet to comment on Monday’s shootings. It has previously claimed troops fire warning shots at “suspects” and that casualties often occur outside designated times or routes.

GHF also blamed incidents on civilians moving at unauthorized times and said none of the shootings occurred at their sites during operating hours.

Critics say the GHF system, supported by Israel and the US, has turned aid into a tool of warfare. Israel claims it prevents Hamas from stealing supplies, while UN agencies and aid groups reject that narrative, calling the new mechanism ineffective and dangerous. Doctors Without Borders called the setup “lethal chaos” in testimony before the British Parliament.

Since Israel launched its campaign in October 2023 following Hamas’s deadly cross-border attack, more than 55,300 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials—over half reportedly women and children. The war continues amid warnings of famine and criticism of Israel’s increasingly militarized approach to aid delivery.

 

UK Deploys Additional Fighter Jets to Middle East

Britain is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying Eurofighter Typhoon jets and refueling aircraft amid the growing conflict between Israel and Iran, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed over the weekend.

The move comes as part of contingency support ahead of the G7 summit in Canada.

The Typhoons, supported by additional aerial assets, are expected to operate from Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri in Cyprus, Britain’s primary airbase in the region and a launch point for Operation Shader, the UK’s ongoing mission against ISIS.

The RAF also maintains operational capability from air bases in Qatar (Al Udeid), the UAE (Al Minhad), and Oman (Al Musannah).

Britain previously engaged in April 2024, when RAF jets assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian drones.

While Starmer declined to say whether the UK would engage directly in the Israel-Iran conflict, Tehran has warned it could strike US, British, and French bases if Western powers intervene.

Beyond air assets, the UK maintains a significant naval and ground presence in the region. The Royal Navy operates from the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and maintains a permanent Type-23 frigate, mine-countermeasure vessels, and support ships. It also runs a logistics base at Oman’s Duqm port.

The British Army has two infantry battalions stationed in Cyprus, with over 2,200 troops deployed there as of April 2023. Additionally, UK personnel continue to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces, with 200 troops active in Iraq as of January 2024.

 

Russia Launches Massive Overnight Assault on Kyiv, Killing 15 and Wounding Over 100

Russia launched one of its deadliest nighttime missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in months, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring 116—most while they slept in their homes in Kyiv, local officials said Tuesday.

The bombardment leveled a nine-story apartment building, destroyed over 30 apartments, and triggered fires across multiple city districts.

Ukrainian officials said Russia fired more than 440 drones and 32 missiles in the latest assault, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “one of the most terrifying strikes” on the capital. A US citizen was among the dead, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.

This latest wave follows a growing pattern of Russian aerial assaults targeting civilian infrastructure amid a stalled peace process and an intensifying Russian summer offensive in eastern Ukraine.

The attacks coincided with uncertainty over continued US military aid and President Trump’s early departure from a planned meeting with Zelenskyy in Canada due to the Israel-Iran conflict.

In addition to Kyiv, Russian drones struck the southern port city of Odesa, killing one and injuring 17. Russia also claimed to have downed 203 Ukrainian drones overnight across 10 Russian regions, briefly closing major airports including those in Moscow.

Ukraine’s military remains under strain along the 620-mile front line, and officials continue to call for increased Western support as Russian forces escalate airstrikes and battlefield operations.

The UN reports more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths since the war began. Russia maintains it only targets military infrastructure.

 

Trump Exits G7 Early as Leaders Focus on Ukraine, Iran, and Global Stability

Six Group of Seven leaders pressed forward on Tuesday without US President Donald Trump, who abruptly left the summit in Canada’s Kananaskis resort late Monday amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

Trump’s departure disrupted the final day of talks focused on Ukraine, global trade, and the Middle East.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan continued with scheduled meetings joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Their goal: reaffirm support for Ukraine and coordinate responses to Russia’s invasion and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Before leaving, Trump endorsed a joint G7 statement declaring Iran must “never have a nuclear weapon” and called for a Middle East de-escalation, including a Gaza ceasefire. He later warned Tehran to “evacuate immediately” and skipped Tuesday sessions on Ukraine and trade. Trump refused to confirm if the US would engage militarily in the Iran conflict but insisted Iran “must make a deal.”

Trump also clashed with G7 allies over Ukraine and Russia. While other leaders imposed new sanctions on Moscow, Trump declined to join, citing cost concerns and criticizing the 2014 G7 expulsion of Russia as a trigger for war.

“I only care about saving lives,” he said, dodging questions on support for Russia.

The US president prioritized trade grievances during the summit, touting his tariffs on foreign steel, autos, and imports. He announced a renewed trade framework with the UK, saying it was based on his personal favor toward Britain: “I like them, that’s why.”

Germany is expected to draft a final communique emphasizing Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons-grade material. With Trump gone, G7 leaders face the challenge of projecting unity amid widening geopolitical fractures and the absence of America’s full backing on critical global issues.

 

US Approves $215M Sale of Missiles to Netherlands for Apache Fleet Modernization

The US State Department has recently approved a $215 million foreign military sale of 296 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) to the Netherlands.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will equip the missiles on its AH-64 Apache helicopters, bolstering NATO interoperability and advancing Dutch defense modernization.

The package includes training missiles, technical assistance, spare parts, and logistics support.

Three US government officials and three Lockheed Martin contractors will visit the Netherlands twice annually to assist with fielding and training, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the AGM-179A JAGM is a precision munition designed to replace the Hellfire missile. It features a multi-purpose warhead, effective against armor, fortified structures, and naval targets. The missile combines semi-active laser guidance with millimeter wave radar for high accuracy and fire-and-forget capability. It has a range exceeding 4.9 miles.

While JAGM is currently deployed on US Army Apaches and Marine Corps AH-1Z Vipers, Lockheed is also developing sea-based launch capabilities, with vertical launch system trials expected in 2025. Other NATO allies, including France, Poland, and the Czech Republic, are also set to receive JAGMs following recent orders.

 

Russian Security Chief Makes Second Visit to North Korea

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu traveled to Pyongyang for the second time this month on a “special” mission from President Vladimir Putin, Russian state media reported Tuesday.

Shoigu is expected to meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two nations deepen their military and strategic partnership amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

North Korean state media has yet to confirm the visit, but Shoigu’s trip follows a June 4 meeting in which Kim pledged “unconditional support” for Russia in Ukraine and other global matters.

During that meeting, both sides discussed commemorating the contributions of North Korean troops and rebuilding Russia’s Kursk region, where Pyongyang confirmed its forces were deployed.

The US and South Korea have voiced concerns over the expanding alliance, warning that North Korea’s provision of artillery, ballistic missiles, and thousands of troops to Russia could lead to Moscow transferring advanced military technologies in return—potentially bolstering Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities.

Putin has publicly thanked Kim for North Korea’s military assistance and vowed to recognize and honor their support. The repeated high-level visits highlight the growing military axis between Moscow and Pyongyang as both countries confront Western pressure and international sanctions.

 

Sources: AFP, Al Jazeera, The Associated Press, and other News Agencies