Situation Update in Iran: Wednesday 18 June
As the Israeli military campaign against Iran intensifies, analysts and observers are painting a grim picture of the situation on the ground, with conflicting reports suggesting a desperate Iranian effort to stabilize the crisis rather than advance negotiations. Iran is facing widespread disruptions, including a near-total internet blackout, economic collapse, and a government crackdown, as the death toll rises to over 270 since the offensive began.
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This evening, reports indicate widespread disruptions and an almost complete internet shutdown across Iran, as reported by Israeli journalist Sapir Lipkin.
Today, additional cyber attacks in Iran were reported, disruptions in banking and ATM withdrawals.
The job market is hit, there’s no movement or trade, workplaces are closing or freezing hiring, and incomes have shrunk.
The streets remain empty, with reports of difficulty obtaining basic goods, increased demand for fuel, and a sharp rise in prices.
Iran has again announced an extension of the flight suspension nationwide, this time until tomorrow night at 2:00 AM.
The authorities in Iran are issuing messages to residents: "The security of the state is not possible without your cooperation," along with an "emergency" phone number for regime intelligence agencies, Revolutionary Guards, and police.
Arrests: The Revolutionary Guards continue to announce the arrest of alleged Mossad agents. Earlier, they released footage of a disguised pickup truck seized in Alborz province, west of Tehran, allegedly used to store drones. Additionally, a truck carrying drones was confiscated, and a drone manufacturing facility was uncovered in southeast Tehran.
The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel reported: More than 270 deaths in Iran so far, since the start of the Israeli offensive.
Trump has still not confirmed that the US will join Israel's fight against Iran. At the same time, there are reports of at least one Iranian governmental plane that has fled the country (some reports say that it's actually three planes that have fled, but not of these have been confirmed.)
Khamenei is still threatening Israel, and Russia and other countries have also threatened the US against participating actively in the war.