News from overnight. “Trump: ‘sometimes you have to fight until the end,’ as Iran refuses negotiations,” i24, 6-16-25. “Iran has rejected mediation efforts by Qatar and Oman to broker a ceasefire while Israeli strikes are ongoing.” And Fordow and Natanz are being attacked.
Wouldn’t it be great if this were the end of the Quds Force? They’ve killed and threatened so many Iranian dissidents around the world, and the same against persons of other nationality and country leaders. Thousands. They have done the bidding of the two Supreme Leaders for decades, and are dangerous, embedded often in embassies. Hey NYT, this is not just some “powerful Iranian military unit” as your headline says. This is THE Quds Force, specifically tasked with spreading the Iranian Revolution. They also oversee Quds Day, the only national holiday in the world pointed at taking Jerusalem by force and wiping Israel away. Good riddance. Soleimani was killed by Pres. Trump in 2020, now Israel has killed the next Quds head, Qaani, on the 13th. “Live Updates: Israel Says It Attacked Headquarters of Powerful Iranian Military Unit,” i24, 6-16-25. In other news, Iran’s missiles hit the refinery in Haifa, and for another night, Iran hit civilians in several cities across Israel, including Petach Tikva. I said civilians, that is who Iran is targeting.
“IDF destroys a third of Iran’s missile launchers, establishes air superiority,” i24, 6-16-25.
It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Leader conducts himself at this coming Friday’s Prayers.
This Israeli made me think about the bigger picture; he put it into words quite well. “Petah Tikva resident Yoram Suki rushed with his family to a shelter after hearing an air raid alert, and emerged after it was over to find his apartment destroyed. Despite losing his home, he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep up the attacks on Iran. “It’s totally worth it,” the 60-year-old said. “This is for the sake of our children and grandchildren.”” See “Iran missile attacks on Israel kill 8. Israel warns some Tehran residents to evacuate before strikes,” AP, 6-16-25. In other words, for over 40 years Iran has been threatening others, but mainly Israel. Israel and the United States (the Little Satan and the Big Satan)(and don’t forget J.V. Satan Saudi Arabia) have been targeted over and over again. But the anti-Semitic Regime has especially hated the Jewish State and its citizens. This man, Mr. Suki, is seeing that if Iran can be put in its place, he and his family can have peace. And not just Jews in Israel, but the Arabs living there. Already things are better with Lebanon and Syria. And Jordan and Egypt have treaties with Israel. The war with Hamas (and Hezbollah) are because of Iran’s backing. Getting the genie put back in the bottle in Tehran would be so good for Israel, and everyone else.
“Debris falls in Iranian TV studio during live broadcast as Israel strikes state media,” BBC, 6-16-25. Iranian State Broadcasting has not accurately reported since the beginning of the conflict, and here is interrupted during a live broadcast with a ceiling explosion. This quickly brings to mind “Comical Ali,” the Information Minister of Saddam Hussein during the 1991 Gulf War and the daily press briefings in Baghdad in which he made claims wildly different than reality and was rightfully treated as parody.
Wow. Israeli PM Netanyahu told ABC’s Jon Karl how the cow ate the cabbage. Here is just part of the explanation of Iran’s history since 1979. “”We’ve had half a century of conflict spread by this regime that terrorizes everyone in the Middle East; has bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia; is spreading terrorism and subversion and sabotage everywhere,” Netanyahu said. “The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil.” See the full interview at “Netanyahu tells ABC he’s not ruling out taking out Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,” ABC, 6-16-25.
“Israel-Iran conflict shows no signs of ending as it enters its fourth day,” NBC, 6-16-25.
Ignore the headline, read the story. There you will read that Iran is not willing yet to give up its nuclear weapons program. See “Iran offers nuclear concessions if US won’t join attack,” Hayom, 6-16-25.
“Will Iran’s hated regime implode?,” Economist, 6-16-25. The Economist is correct that “Its default is to defy aggressors, not to capitulate.” But the nationalism the Regime depended on in times of crisis is now shot. Literally and figuratively. The Regime has lost the backing of the people. The people will not say We have the right to nuclear weapons. They just want a normal life.
“Public condemnation, private interest: Arab world response to Israel’s Iran strikes – opinion,” JPost, 6-16-25.
This article raises a thought in my mind. “How Tough Is Iran? A String of Military Losses Raises Question,” NYT, 6-16-25. Here’s the thought, as reflected in “A Sprawling Israeli Intelligence Effort Underpinned the Iran Strikes,” NYT, 6-13-25. The IDF and Mossad wouldn’t have the success they are having but for Iranians on the inside turning on their own government. You can’t achieve this high level of operational success without the real desire by Iranians to see the Regime gone.
“Iran’s Best-Protected Nuclear Site Is Deep Underground,” NYT, 6-16-25.
This is probably SoS/NSA Rubio’s advice to Pres. Trump. “The U.S. has a unique opportunity to gain a potentially decisive advantage against Russia and China. To seize it, Mr. Trump would strengthen U.S. security immeasurably by allowing Israel to finish the job against Iran, if necessary applying American power to this end as well.” Read the entire article. “Israel Hands America an Opportunity in the Mideast,” WSJ, 6-16-25.
“A Battered Iran Signals It Wants to De-Escalate Hostilities With Israel and Negotiate,” WSJ, 6-16-25.