June 17, 2025 – Jerusalem/TehranIsrael’s Defense Minister issued a stark warning to Iran’s leadership on Tuesday, accusing Tehran of committing war crimes by launching missiles at Israeli civilians and vowing continued military action against regime and military targets in the heart of the Iranian capital.“I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launching missiles at Israeli civilians,” the minister declared during a press briefing in Tel Aviv, referring to the recent barrage of Iranian drone and missile attacks on central Israel.In a pointed message to the Iranian leadership, he announced that Israeli forces will continue to target critical infrastructure in Tehran, stating, “We will continue today as well to act against regime and military targets in Tehran, just as we did yesterday against the propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority.”This statement follows an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s state-run media headquarters, which Jerusalem described as a hub of “propaganda and psychological warfare.”In a rare and direct message to Iranian civilians, the Defense Minister urged the residents of Tehran to evacuate areas identified by the Israeli military as potential targets. “I urge the residents of Tehran to evacuate those areas in accordance with the IDF Spokesperson’s instructions in Persian, for their own protection.”The Israeli military has reportedly disseminated warnings through social media and encrypted messaging platforms in Persian, instructing civilians to avoid proximity to military installations and regime-linked buildings in Tehran.Tuesday’s statements mark a significant escalation in the rhetoric and scope of Israel’s ongoing Operation Rising Lion, which began last week following an unprecedented exchange of missile fire between the two countries.While Iran has vowed to retaliate for Israeli strikes, especially those hitting the capital, Israeli officials maintain that their campaign is strictly focused on dismantling Iran’s capacity to carry out attacks on Israeli territory and allies in the region.International observers are increasingly concerned that the spiraling conflict could draw in other regional powers or lead to broader instability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Tehran remains defiant, accusing Israel of aggression and warning of “unprecedented consequences” if attacks on Iranian soil continue.
