Israel hammers Iranian centrifuge production site, says regime 'crossed every red line'

By  Fox News -Rachel Wolf - June 18, 2025, 7:36 AM EDT

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is closed until Friday as Iran and Israel trade strikes. Iran's Ambassador to the UN Ali Bahreini warned that his country would respond firmly if the U.S. directly entered the conflict.

Fast Facts

• President Donald Trump convened a Situation Room meeting Tuesday to consider U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
• Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar tells the U.N. Security Council that Iran "crossed every red line."
• Iran is warning it will respond if the U.S. joins Israel's fight against Tehran.
• Israel hammers Iranian centrifuge production site, says regime 'crossed every red line

Iran warns it will respond if US gets involved with Israeli strikes

As President Donald Trump considers getting involved with Israel's war against Iran, the Islamic Republic is warning that it will respond firmly.

Iranian U.N. Ambassador Ali Bahreini told reporters that he sees the U.S. as being "complicit in what Israel is doing," according to Reuters.

There has been speculation over whether the U.S. coordinated with Israel before the launch of Operation Rising Lion.

So far, the U.S. has stayed out of the conflict, but it has helped Israel shoot down missiles from Tehran. There are some indications, however, that the Trump administration could move to get more directly involved in the war, as it is the only one with a bomb that can destroy Fordow, often called Iran's most dangerous nuclear site.

El Al announces additional recovery flights, says over 70,000 registered

El Al, an Israel-based airline, is operating "recovery flights" from Larnaca, Paphos, Budapest, Athens, Milan, Rome and London with the goal of getting Israelis home. The airline said that the flights were already full and it would alert passengers who were booked on one of the recovery flights.

Israelis have been stranded across the globe after Jerusalem launched Operation Rising Lion, which led to the closure of Ben Gurion Airport. According to El Al, more than 70,000 people registered on its website to get one one of these recovery flights.

"Flights will be carried out gradually, subject to government approval," El Al wrote in a statement on X. "The recovery flight schedule is subject to change and relevant approvals."

Iran has menaced that region of the world for '50 years': Sen. John Thune

The Israeli Air Force struck five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters on Wednesday as tensions between Jerusalem and Tehran grow. According to the IDF, the helicopters were at a military base in the Kermanshah area.

Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF announced that it hit a a centrifuge production site in Tehran.

"So far, we have struck over 1,100 different components across Iran. We are systematically working to neutralize all elements of the nuclear threat. We are also deepening the significant damage to surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. IAF jets also struck several weapons and missile production sites in Tehran," IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin said.

'Iran has crossed every red line,' Israeli official tells UN Security Council

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar outlined the threat posed by Iran in a letter to the U.N. Security Council explaining the crucial nature of Operation Rising Lion.

"Iran has crossed every red line. It has expanded its uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels and maintained weapons-related nuclear infrastructure in defiance of international demands," Sa'ar wrote.

He also accused Iran of using diplomacy as a stalling tactic to buy time for advancing its nuclear program. Sa'ar said that, in light of developments in Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, Israel was left with "no choice but to act." As Jerusalem closes, he tells government employees to shelter in place.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced that it will be closed June 18-20 as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to heat up. U.S. government employees and their families have been instructed to shelter in place in and near their residences.

It also noted that it did not have any updates on getting U.S. citizens out of Israel, though the embassy said that it is aware of third parties helping people leave, but it was "not able to endorse any providers."

"The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, such as mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning. The security environment is complex and can change quickly," the embassy wrote in a statement.

Additionally, the embassy warned that U.S. government employees and their families may face further restrictions on where they can travel in Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem as tensions flare.

Posted by Rachel Wolf