- ESCALATING CONFLICT: Israel and Iran launched another round of attacks as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals intensified.
- TRUMP AMPS UP RHETORIC: Despite having said the United States would not intervene directly in the conflict, President Donald Trump today posted on social media, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” He also said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “an easy target.”
- MILITARY LEADERS TARGETED: Israel said it had killed Ali Shadmani, Iran’s new wartime chief of staff and its most senior military commander. His predecessor was killed in Israel’s initial attack Friday.
- SECOND U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER: The Pentagon is expediting the deployment of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and other ships to the Middle East, two U.S. officials told NBC News.
- HUNDREDS KILLED: At least 224 people have been killed since Israel began bombing Iran on Friday, Iranian state media reported, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people in Israel.
The U.S. State Department today said the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the consulate in Tel Aviv would remain closed through the end of the work week.
“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20),” the department’s travel account on X stated.
The closure applies to the consular office in Tel Aviv, it said.
Amid this week’s “do not travel” advisory for Americans who planned trips to Israel, the department said information on possible help for private citizens who want to leave the region is unavailable for now, and it cannot endorse third-party travel options.
The country’s main airport, Ben Gurion International, is closed amid the exchange of air attacks. The U.S. Department of State said some non-emergency government employees and family of employees were authorized to leave, but should shelter in place amid the lack of outbound travel.
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