Evening Brief: Iran Launches New Missile Barrage on Israel as Regional Conflict Deepens

Good evening! Here’s your SOFREP Evening Brief for Monday, June 16, 2025, packed with the latest news on defense and global affairs. Here are tonight’s headlines at a glance: Iran’s latest missile strike on Israel killed five and wounded dozens as both nations escalate attacks, prompting foreign evacuations and US concern over wider war. In Niger, jihadists killed nine near the Burkina Faso border. Zelenskyy visited Austria amid ongoing Russian drone barrages. France blocked Israeli arms booths at the Paris Air Show over Gaza weapon use. Cambodia threatened a Thai produce ban amid a border clash. India and Cyprus expanded defense and maritime ties during Modi’s visit.

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Iran Launches New Missile Barrage on Israel as Regional Conflict Deepens; Casualties Mount, Evacuations Underway

Iran launched a fresh wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday, killing at least five people and wounding dozens more, marking the fourth straight day of open conflict between the two regional powers.

Explosions rocked Tel Aviv, with Israel’s defense systems intercepting many of the missiles. Israeli authorities claim they have now achieved “aerial superiority” over Tehran and degraded Iran’s air defenses.

The ongoing hostilities followed a weekend of escalating tit-for-tat strikes. Iran accused Israel of killing a top Revolutionary Guard intelligence official, striking oil facilities, and bombing civilian areas. Israel has not commented on Iran’s casualty reports, but Iran’s health ministry reported 224 deaths and over 1,200 injuries—claiming most were civilians. Israel reports 14 dead and 390 wounded since the conflict began Friday.

Missiles were seen exploding over Israel, as Iran launched its latest barrage of missiles.

The two countries have been trading missile attacks, after Israel struck Iranian military leaders and infrastructure 🔗 https://t.co/5UnY1EZi5u pic.twitter.com/dWOFKiFSeI

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 16, 2025

Amid the escalating violence, the US Consulate in Tel Aviv suffered minor damage from an Iranian missile concussion, though no injuries were reported. The facility, along with the US Embassy in Jerusalem, remains closed.

US President Donald Trump also vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move US officials feared would dangerously expand the war.

In a related crackdown, Egyptian authorities arrested two foreign activists with the Global March to Gaza as they planned a demonstration at the Egyptian border in protest of aid blockades. The group accuses Israel of committing genocide and called for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza.

Evacuations of foreign nationals are underway from both Israel and Iran. Turkmenistan facilitated the exit of 120 diplomats and citizens from Central Asia. Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are also extracting their citizens amid growing instability.

NEW | Evening Update: The IDF expanded its air campaign into Iran by beginning to strike regime institutions, including some related to internal security and social control. This comes the day after the IDF began striking energy infrastructure. The degradation of the Iranian… https://t.co/K83glzSg6h pic.twitter.com/tsvpNa15sO

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 16, 2025

European Union foreign ministers will convene an emergency virtual session Tuesday to coordinate diplomatic responses and explore avenues to de-escalate the conflict. Brussels reaffirmed its support for a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and broader regional tensions.

Suspected Jihadists Kill Nine Civilians in Niger Border Attack

Suspected jihadists killed nine civilians, including a teacher, in a targeted attack on passenger vehicles last week near the town of Torodi in southwestern Niger, close to the Burkina Faso border, local sources reported Sunday.

The attack occurred along the Makalondi-Torodi road, a known hotspot in the volatile “three borders” region shared by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

A second teacher was wounded and evacuated to Niamey for treatment, according to a statement from a national teachers’ union, which condemned the incident as a “despicable act.” The Tillaberi region, where the attack took place, continues to face threats from Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates operating across the Sahel.

Urgent-#Niger:

Boni occupée, mutinerie à Termit, alliance inutile de l’AES, le pays s’effondre!

La base stratégique de Boni, dans le département de Torodi, a été prise par le JNIM qui, n’a pas eu à livrer de combats face à l’armée nigérienne résignée, incapable de riposte, et… pic.twitter.com/6pa6Iivata

— Actualités Brûlantes du Sahel (@ActualitesSahel) May 16, 2025

In response, Niger’s military reported killing 13 militants during counterterrorism operations at illegal gold mining sites in Teguey between June 8 and 14, and an additional 30 fighters linked to “criminal training cells” near the Nigerian border in the Dosso region.

Niger, like neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, is ruled by a military junta and is part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The bloc recently established a 5,000-strong joint force to carry out coordinated military operations against insurgent groups in the region.

Zelenskyy Visits Austria for First Time Since Invasion, Urges Support Amid Russian Drone Barrage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Austria on Monday, marking his first visit to the neutral European Union country since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

The visit comes as Ukraine faces continued Russian drone attacks, including an overnight barrage of 138 strike and decoy drones targeting the eastern Donetsk region. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted or jammed 125 of the drones; 10 struck their targets, and eight caused damage from debris.

Zelenskyy met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and is scheduled to hold talks with Chancellor Christian Stocker, who recently took office leading a new three-party coalition. The meetings are expected to address Austria’s humanitarian support for Ukraine and its diplomatic stance toward Russia.

⚡️Zelenskyy has arrived on a visit to Austria — the first time since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The president has already met with his Austrian counterpart Van der Bellen in Vienna. After the talks, they will hold a joint press conference.

Current fundrising… pic.twitter.com/EvIGKqb5Pb

— BLYSKAVKA (@blyskavka_ua) June 16, 2025

Austria, which has maintained neutrality since 1955, has faced criticism for preserving economic and political ties with Moscow. Though Vienna has condemned Russia’s invasion and provided humanitarian aid, it has declined to supply weapons.

Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer was the first EU leader to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin after the war began, though his 2022 Moscow visit yielded no progress.

First Lady Olena Zelenska and Doris Schmidauer, Van der Bellen’s spouse, are hosting a separate discussion focused on women’s roles in peace and security efforts during the visit.

France Blocks Israeli Arms Displays at Paris Air Show, Citing Gaza Weaponry Violations

France barred access Monday to the stands of four Israeli defense companies at the Paris Air Show for displaying “offensive weapons,” including those allegedly used in Gaza, a French government source confirmed.

The affected companies—Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, Elbit Systems, and Uvision—had their booths physically walled off from public view at Le Bourget airfield.

The French move, reportedly based on a breach of terms agreed upon with Israel, drew swift condemnation from Israeli officials.

President Isaac Herzog called it “outrageous” and compared the action to creating “an Israeli ghetto.” The Israeli Ministry of Defence denounced it as “segregation” and accused France of political bias. IAI’s CEO likened the blackout to “the dark days” of Jewish exclusion in Europe.

Th organizers of the French defense exhibition Paris Air Show have blocked the Israeli defense industry booths using a black wall after Israel refused the French government’s demand to remove offensive weapons from the Israeli booths pic.twitter.com/1k5ya5C5T1

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 16, 2025

The Paris Air Show features over 2,400 companies from 48 countries, including 75 linked to weapons production. Nine Israeli firms were cleared to participate after a French court dismissed non-governmental organization (NGO) attempts to ban them due to their alleged role in the Gaza conflict. The four blocked firms produce drones, guided bombs, and missiles.

While three smaller Israeli booths and the Ministry of Defence stand remain open, the blacked-out stalls sparked criticism from US Republican officials attending the show. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the move “absurd,” while Senator Katie Britt labeled it “short-sighted.”

Organizers said they are working with involved parties to resolve the dispute, but France’s Prime Minister’s office has yet to issue an official response.

Cambodia Threatens Thai Produce Ban as Border Dispute Escalates

Cambodia announced Monday it will ban imports of Thai fruits and vegetables if Thailand does not lift recent border restrictions, escalating tensions following a fatal border clash on May 28.

The shootout, which left one Cambodian soldier dead, occurred in a disputed “no man’s land” claimed by both countries.

The incident has triggered tit-for-tat measures, including Cambodia banning Thai TV programs and severing Thai internet connections, while Thailand tightened border controls citing security concerns. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, speaking publicly, issued an ultimatum for Thailand to reverse its restrictions by Tuesday or face a produce ban.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra defended the restrictions as necessary for public safety amid heightened military presence, cautioning that undiplomatic rhetoric could worsen bilateral relations.

Border checkpoint hours will remain restricted for now, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said, after former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that Cambodia would ban imports of Thai fruit and vegetables if Thailand does not fully reopen its borders by tomorrow.… pic.twitter.com/5d199RJTWu

— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) June 16, 2025

Talks held over the weekend in Phnom Penh ended without a breakthrough. Cambodia has since escalated the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), filing a formal request to resolve claims over four contested border areas.

Cambodia also said it will no longer address those disputes through bilateral talks.

Thailand responded with disappointment, stating it does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter, though both sides agreed to meet again in September.

The standoff has stirred nationalist sentiment in both countries, especially in Thailand, where the Shinawatra government faces pressure from right-wing critics.

The two nations share a long and contested border history, most notably involving the Preah Vihear temple, awarded to Cambodia by a 1962 ICJ ruling and reaffirmed in 2013, sparking periodic clashes over the years.

India and Cyprus Deepen Defense, Maritime, and Cyber Ties During Modi Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that India will strengthen defense ties with Cyprus, focusing on collaboration between their defense industries and new initiatives in maritime and cybersecurity cooperation.

The announcement came after talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides during Modi’s two-day visit—the first by an Indian prime minister in over 20 years.

Both nations agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism to counter terrorism and expand maritime cooperation through more frequent Indian Navy port calls, enhanced joint training, and search and rescue operations.

#BREAKING : India reiterates its unwavering and consistent support for the independence , Sovereignty & Territorial Integrity of Cyprus https://t.co/W0aFp4AJ9b pic.twitter.com/2oaevvmcE3

— Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) June 16, 2025

Modi highlighted the strategic importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), positioning Cyprus as a critical gateway linking India to the EU, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

Christodoulides pledged Cyprus’s support for IMEC and emphasized Cyprus’s potential as a European base for Indian businesses.

The Cypriot president also said strengthening India-EU ties, including a new free trade agreement, would be a priority during Cyprus’s EU presidency in early 2026. Both leaders framed the visit as a renewal of historic ties rooted in shared values and their nations’ common legacy as former British colonies and members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Sources: AFP, Reuters, The Associated Press and other News Agencies