Israel-Iran War
CTech's War Room: Live Log - June 18, 2025
Catch us here each day as we bring you updates from Israel and around the world relating to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
15:00 - Home Front says small gatherings to be permitted, workplaces with shelters can open; schools stay closed - TOI
The changes, which take effect at 6 p.m. this evening, come following a fresh assessment held by the IDF Home Front Command and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The activity scale in most areas of the country has been adjusted from “essential activity” to “limited activity,” the Home Front Command says.
This means gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, provided a shelter can be reached in time.
14:34 - Ayatollah warns the United States that joining the Israeli strikes now targeting the Islamic Republic will “result in irreparable damage for them.” - Reuters
The comments by 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came in a statement read out by a state television anchor against a still image of the leader. It wasn’t clear why Khamenei did not appear himself on screen, as he has done earlier since the Israeli attacks began on Friday.
“Any military involvement by the U.S. in this field will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage for them,” the statement said.
12:34 - Flights via Aqaba, Jordan, and cruises from Cyprus: Private initiatives to rescue Israelis from abroad
Following El Al's flight restrictions on Saturday, private initiatives are offering alternative solutions for Israelis stranded abroad. "Flying Carpet" will operate flights for $629-739 via Jordan, and Bank Leumi is chartering a ship for 1,200 passengers from Cyprus for €300-600.
Unlike in the days following the October 7 attack, El Al has decided not to fly on Shabbat this week.
11:07 - Report: Pro-Israeli hackers drained $70 million from Iran's largest crypto exchange
The Nobitex platform, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, has been hacked, reportedly suffering losses estimated at $70 million. An Israeli-affiliated hacking group, "Predatory Sparrow", claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that Nobitex was helping the Iranian regime fund terrorism and circumvent international sanctions.
09:35 - Retail chains left in the dark: "We have no idea who will pay the workers. No one is talking to us"
Owners of large chains are debating whether to open stores in malls or lay off workers in the absence of clear guidelines from the state. As long as the stores are closed, the chains will fight not to pay rent to the malls and will demand compensation from the state. "I lose a million shekels a day at both chains," says Ronny Insaz, owner of Scoop Shoes and Mini Good.
09:19 - “Catastrophic loss”: Inside the destruction of Weizmann’s research labs
Scientists scramble to save freezers, data, and years of research from missile-hit buildings.
After the Weizmann Institute of Science suffered a direct missile strike on Sunday, and another landed near the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, universities across Israel are asking: who’s next? According to estimates, the value of the Weizmann building that was hit ranges between $50 million and $100 million. University officials now believe that Iran views Israeli academic institutions as strategic assets, a perception that has prompted a ban on campus presence and laboratory work at several institutions.
08:22 - Israir CEO: "We practiced scenarios, but at no point did I think the skies would be hermetically closed"
Uri Sirkis, the airline's CEO for the past 13 years, told Calcalist that Israir will prioritize doctors and security forces personnel on its rescue flights. He noted that closing the skies would also hurt Israel's public relations: "They've never prevented people from leaving, certainly not tourists. I hope they resolve this as soon as possible."
07:12 - First rescue flight lands in Israel from Larnaca
The first rescue flight from Larnaca as part of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport. The passengers went through an expedited process of entering Israel and collecting their luggage, after which they were transferred to their vehicles in parking lots and taken by shuttles and trains to city centers across the country.
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev spoke with the captain prior to the landing: "We are waiting for you, and are very excited to receive the first rescue flight. We are preparing for the air train to repatriate all Israelis. Land safely." The Airport Authority emphasized that "it is of utmost importance to reduce the length of stay at the airport to the necessary minimum," and called for avoiding arriving at Ben Gurion Airport to pick up passengers.
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A direct hit from a missile during the ongoing Iran conflict
(Photo: Fire and Rescue Services)
06:39 - Sirens ring in the Galilee region
Aircraft intrusion alerts were activated in many communities in the Galilee, including Safed, Rosh Pina and Beit Jan. An alarm warning of rocket and missile fire was activated in the community of Kadrim.
At this stage there are no reports of any falls or injuries.
06:36 - After the 'fateful' day: Trump's sparse schedule and the meeting with the chief of staff of Iran's nuclear neighbor
While the world looks to US President Donald Trump, wondering whether he will indeed decide to join Israel in its war against Iran, the White House has released the president's public schedule for June 18 - and it is quite sparse.
Aside from the swearing-in ceremony for the US ambassador-designate to France and Monaco - Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared - only one other event appears on it: A closed-door lunch with Pakistan's Chief of Staff, General Asim Munir. The unusually sparse schedule is of interest mainly due to Pakistan's proximity to Iran.
06:35 - IDF: Two Iranian drones intercepted in the Dead Sea area
Following warnings of hostile aircraft intrusion in the Dead Sea area, the IDF announced that the Air Force intercepted two drones launched from Iran.
First published: 07:21, 18.06.25
