[News] Israel seeks 'quick end' to war as heavy Iranian attacks pummel major cities

[Anti-Imperialist News]

 Israel seeks 'quick end' to war as heavy Iranian attacks pummel
major cities: Report

Washington is asking China to pressure Iran to avoid closing the Strait of
Hormuz, claiming it would be 'economic suicide' for Tehran

News Desk <https://thecradle.co/authors/news-desk-9>

JUN 23, 2025 -
https://thecradle.co/articles/israel-seeks-quick-end-to-war-as-heavy-iranian-attacks-pummel-major-cities-report
(Photo credit: Reuters)

Israel is signaling an interest in concluding its war with Iran in the near
future, according to Israeli and Arab officials who spoke
<https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-us-latest-news/card/israel-seeks-an-end-to-fighting-with-iran-soon-bijK6KrvRZnWxiwhlQ6Z>
with the *Wall Street Journal*. The effort comes after US strikes on
Iranian nuclear facilities and another wave of Iranian missiles targeting
Israel.

Israeli officials said they believe the current military phase is nearing
its conclusion and expect to finish striking the remaining targets in Iran
within days. The goal, officials added, is to pressure Iran back to the
negotiating table and secure a commitment to permanently abandon its
nuclear program.

On Monday, Iran conducted the 21st wave of missile and drone attacks on
Israel, inflicting heavy damage in multiple cities.

Tehran has used advanced missiles in the attacks as well as special tactics
to render Israel's air defense ineffective, Iranian media reported
<https://english.news.cn/20250623/65700823a754419487501cdb0b50bd36/c.html>.

Earlier on Monday, Iran's army announced that it had launched tens of
kamikaze drones equipped with warheads towards Israel.

Another Israeli official added that Tel Aviv reserves the right to act
militarily again if Iran attempts to revive its nuclear ambitions.

Iran has the right under international law to enrich uranium for a peaceful
nuclear program as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT).

On Monday, the Israeli Air Force allegedly carried out a major attack on
Tehran. Among the targets were IRGC camps, command centers, as well as Evin
Prison.

Israel also launched fresh strikes on Fordow while assessments continue at
Natanz and Isfahan. According to Israeli intelligence, the Natanz nuclear
site has been completely destroyed, with dozens of IRGC personnel
reportedly killed in the strikes.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions have escalated beyond the battlefield.
Iran's parliament has reportedly backed a plan to close the Strait of
Hormuz, though the final decision lies with the Supreme National Security
Council.

The move – if carried out – would disrupt roughly 20 percent of the world's
oil supply and risk triggering global economic shockwaves.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to use its influence to
prevent Tehran from taking such an action. “I encourage the Chinese
government in Beijing to call them [Iran] about that,” Rubio said
<https://youtu.be/E-SVkTqMug4?si=3ToOd6K5W3QJwBLC> in a Fox News interview.
“If they close the Straits, it will be economic suicide for them … it would
hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours.” If Iran does close
the strait, “We have responses that are devastating,” he added.

China, Iran's largest oil customer, would be significantly affected by such
a closure. Energy analyst Vandana Hari warned
<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c056pyv723vo> that Iran has “little to
gain and too much to lose” from closing the Strait. “Iran risks turning its
oil and gas producing neighbors in the Gulf into enemies and invoking the
ire of its key market, China,” she told BBC.
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