INVC NEWS
Washington, DC — : Tensions between Israel and Iran continued to escalate on the ninth day of active conflict, as Israel claimed responsibility for the killing of Iranian drone commander Amin Pour Jodhaki in an airstrike. Jodhaki had taken over leadership of Iran’s drone operations following the death of unit chief Tahar Fur on June 13. Israeli military officials say over a dozen high-ranking Iranian officers have now been eliminated, including Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC leader Hossein Salami.
Amid rising global concern, U.S. President Donald Trump declared he would not advise Israel to halt military action, stating, “Israel currently has the upper hand. When someone is winning, it’s hard to tell them to stop.”
On Saturday morning, Iran launched missile attacks on Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, prompting immediate retaliatory strikes by Israel on Qom and Isfahan. The airstrikes resulted in at least 2 fatalities and 4 injuries inside Iran. The ongoing conflict has so far killed 24 in Israel and injured over 900, while 657 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries have been reported in Iran, according to data from a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.
India Caught in Strategic Bind Amid Iran-Israel War
The escalating Iran-Israel conflict is presenting a major diplomatic challenge for India, which maintains strong relations with both nations. With military cooperation from Israel, India has acquired key defense assets, including Barak-8 missile systems, drones, and loitering munitions—all integral to India’s national security infrastructure.
At the same time, India relies heavily on Iranian crude oil and maintains significant geopolitical investments, particularly through the Chabahar Port Project, which offers strategic land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia—circumventing Pakistan.
Experts suggest that India must carefully balance its ties to ensure continued access to energy and defense supplies. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs recently expressed deep concern over the rising hostilities and urged both nations to de-escalate immediately, offering assistance based on its friendly relations with both sides.
Putin Warns of Global War as Nuclear Site Attacks Intensify
Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced strong concern over the possibility of a third world war, citing intensifying attacks near Iran’s nuclear facilities, where Russian engineers are currently constructing two new reactors. During a forum in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that escalating global conflict poses a serious threat, and called for urgent international diplomacy to avoid disaster.
He emphasized that the strikes near nuclear sites “directly impact both Iran and Russia,” warning that if tensions continue to rise, peaceful resolution may soon become unattainable.
Iran Arrests 22 on Espionage Charges
Iranian authorities have arrested 22 individuals in Qom province on suspicion of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency. According to Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, all the arrests took place between June 13 and the present. The detainees are believed to be part of an Israeli espionage network operating within Iranian borders.
Iranian Commander Linked to Hamas Funding Killed in Israeli Strike
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Saeed Izadi, the Iranian Quds Force’s head of Palestinian operations, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in Qom. Izadi was allegedly responsible for funneling funds to Hamas, including financing the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Gallant celebrated the success of the operation, declaring that Israel is fully capable of tracking down its enemies anywhere in the world. He also cited classified documents from 2021, revealing that Hamas leaders requested $500 million in aid from Iranian military officials to launch large-scale operations against Israel. Despite facing internal economic challenges, Iran reportedly continued to support Hamas financially.
The Iran-Israel war, now in its second week, is reshaping Middle East dynamics, drawing reactions from global powers, military analysts, and economic observers alike. With missiles targeting nuclear sites, spy arrests, and proxy battles intensifying, the region stands on the edge of a broader confrontation that threatens global stability and regional alliances.
