"There are two very different and distinct fights going on, but both are very important to watch, especially in the skies over Iran."
Global Guardian’s Vice President of Client Risk Management,Seth Krummrich, joinedABC Newsto share expert insights on the continuing conflict between Israel and Iran and explain the dual theaters of war—drawing on years of experience in the region as he broke down the strategies of all nations involved.
Iran spent the weekend retaliating against Israel with multiple waves of ballistic missile strikes. At the same time, Israel continued to fly sorties into Iranian airspace having established complete air superiority in Western and Central Iran, conducting dozens of airstrikes on military and infrastructure targets across the country.
Israeli interceptor missiles have neutralized most of the barrages, but with significant damage reported where Iranian missiles have made it through, including in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Rishon Lezion, Rehovot, Haifa, Tamra, and other sites. In Haifa, an Iranian strike reportedly damaged the port and oil refinery.
Israeli Defense Force (IDF) airstrikes have targeted Tehran’s Shahran oil depot, Mashhad Airport, Tabriz Airport, and Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. Airstrikes on 15 June targeted the Defense Ministry headquarters. Other strikes have targeted missile launcher sites, radar installations, air defense installations, electrical substations and power supplies, and laboratories and research facilities across Iran. Notably, Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites, including Parchin, Iran's nuclear weapon research facility, and Esfahan, the site where Iran could convert enriched uranium gas to metal for a warhead.
Iran cancelled nuclear negotiations with the U.S. scheduled for 15 June in Oman.
As predicted, Israel's air force conducted multiple strikes on Iranian targets across the country overnight on 12-13 June following breakdown in talks between the U.S and Iran over its nuclear program.
Targets included military installations, air bases, and nuclear facilities. Israel killed Hossein Salami, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC); Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff; and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Forces, along with other officers and scientists in attacks on Tehran and elsewhere.
As of morning hours EST, Israeli strikes were still ongoing, targeting the Natanz nuclear site and military operations at Mehrabad and Bushehr airports. Israel has said they are planning for 14 days of military operations if needed, while President Trump issued a statement saying, "it will only get worse" for Iran and says a deal must be made "before there is nothing left."
Iran retaliated with a mass drone swarm, but almost all were intercepted before making it to Israeli airspace with remaining drones shot down by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system. The IRGC has pledged a "proportionate and decisive" response at a time of its choosing. Israel is bracing for several major waves of ballistic missile barrages.
Tensions are rising in the Middle East as nuclear negotiations with Iran are faltering. On 11 June 2025, the United States (U.S.) ordered embassies within range of Iran to convene emergency action committees and report back to Washington on their risk mitigation measures. In Iraq, the U.S. Embassy officially began to draw down non-essential staff. Iran has vowed to strike U.S. forces across the region should its nuclear installations come under attack. With negotiations at an impasse, the region is preparing for conflict ahead of a possible final round of negotiations in Oman on 15 June 2025.
"Ukraine's attack might slow the massive aerial bombardments of the major Ukrainian cities. However, the only way to bring the Russians to the negotiating table would be to halt their advances on the battlefield."
In an article in Newsweek, Global Guardian Head of Research and Intelligence Zev Faintuch provided more perspective on how Ukraine's "Operation Spiderweb" drone attack across Russia has rattled the country and what comes next in the conflict.
"...this operation can be seen as an opening move in a strategic campaign involving deception, covert prepositioning and strategic psychological warfare."
In an article in Newsweek, Global Guardian Head of Research and Intelligence Zev Faintuch weighed in on the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launching a drone attack across Russia, its impact, and what comes next in the war.
"Ukraine proved how easy it is to hide a drone swarm in a truck bed, get close to the target, then swarm and destroy targets in a minute or two. Drones are cheap and easy to lethally modify. This know-how is readily available to all State and non-state enemy actors."
In a new piece on Fox News, Global Guardian VP of Client Risk Management Seth Krummrich provides perspective on current U.S. defense policy regarding drones, and how Ukraine's recent use of them factors in to new thinking on the subject.
"It’s unclear if this system can kind of overcome those inherent challenges with direct energy weapons.”
In a piece on NewsNation, Global Guardian Senior Intelligence Analyst Zev Faintuch provides perspective on a new Israeli weapon that shoots down drones using air defense lasers, and what that technology means for future conflicts.
“They knew he would be able to identify them and their location, so he was lucky to have been able to escape—the end game would have been bad."
In a new article in Security Management, Global Guardian VP, Client Risk Management James Wiggins weighed in on the brazen cryptocurrency-related crimes that have taken place over the past six months, and what the proper security response should be.
In Global Guardian's monthly Risk Barometer, our Intelligence Team highlights current global hotspots with the potential to impact your business operations and travel. Read below for analysis on the threats we are closely monitoring this month and click here to subscribe for regular intelligence updates.
