Tel Aviv, June 18: The Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Wednesday announced that it had attacked a centrifuge production site and multiple weapon manufacturing facilities in Tehran, which were the “key elements of Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs”.

The escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran entered its sixth consecutive day on Wednesday.

“More than 50 Air Force fighter jets, under precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Branch, have completed a series of attacks on military targets in the Tehran area in recent hours. As part of the extensive effort to damage Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, a centrifuge production site in Tehran was attacked, which was intended to allow the Iranian regime to expand the scope and rate of its uranium enrichment for the purpose of developing nuclear weapons,” said the IDF in a post on X.

“The Iranian regime is enriching uranium intended for the development of nuclear weapons. It should be emphasised that nuclear development for civilian use does not require enrichment at these levels,” the post added.

According to the Israeli military, throughout the wave of attacks, several weapons production sites were attacked. It asserted that among the weapons manufacturing plants that were attacked was a site for the production of raw materials and components for assembling the surface-to-surface missiles that the Iranian regime has used to launch towards the State of Israel.

“In addition, sites producing systems and components for surface-to-air missiles designed to hit aircraft were attacked. These targets were attacked as part of the IDF’s effort to damage the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program and missile manufacturing industry,” said the IDF.

Earlier on Tuesday the IDF stated that it had eliminated Ali Shadmani, Iran’s wartime chief of staff and close aide of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an overnight strike. This was the second time in recent weeks that Israel has targeted and killed a high-ranking military commander of the regime, to disrupt Iran’s military leadership.

“Following accurate intelligence received by the Intelligence Branch and a sudden opportunity during the night, Air Force fighter jets attacked a manned headquarters in the heart of Tehran and killed Ali Shadmani, the Chief of Staff of the War, the most senior military commander and the man closest to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei,” the IDF said in an X post.

According to the Israeli military, Shadmani served as Chief of War Staff and Commander of the Armed Forces Emergency Command and commanded the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian army.

The conflict erupted last Friday when Israel initiated a large-scale offensive aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. This action prompted swift and aggressive retaliation from Tehran, pushing the region closer to the brink of a broader war.

Kananaskis, June 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung “reaffirmed their commitment” to deepening the strategic partnership between their countries on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister in a post on X said: “President Lee Jae-myung and I had a very good meeting in Canada. India and the Republic of Korea seek to work together in sectors like commerce, investment, technology, green hydrogen, shipbuilding and more. @Jaemyung_Lee.”

The Prime Minister’s Office in a post on X said:” Boosting India-Republic of Korea relations! PM @narendramodi and President @Jaemyung_Lee of the Republic of Korea had a productive meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade and commerce, investment, technology, green hydrogen and more.”

The two leaders discussed regional and global issues, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

PM Modi and President Lee “reaffirmed their commitment to deepening India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership by exploring new avenues for cooperation through partnerships in areas of trade and economy, critical and emerging technologies” including “culture and P2P (people-to-people contacts), among others,” MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said.

The meeting with President Lee was one of several PM Modi held with leaders at the G7 Summit on Tuesday.

President Lee offered “deep condolences” to the victims of a recent Indian plane crash during his talks with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada on Tuesday, the South Korea’s Presidential Office said.

President Lee conveyed the message regarding last week’s Air India crash that killed more than 240 people, as he met PM Modi to discuss bilateral cooperation.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ special strategic partnership, President Lee expressed hope for elevating bilateral relations to a new level “across the board”.

PM Modi thanked President Lee for his condolences and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the office said.

India and South Korea share strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region, facing some common challenges.

Bilateral trade reached nearly $27.5 billion last year.

President Lee highlighted that around 550 Korean companies are operating in India and emphasised the need to boost high-level communication while expanding cooperation in areas, including the economy, advanced technology, defence, the arms industry, and culture.

“The two leaders shared the view that people-to-people and cultural exchanges are crucial and agreed to continue advancing such exchanges,” the presidential office said in a statement.

PM Modi invited President Lee to visit India, and the South Korean President expressed gratitude for the invitation, according to the office.

South Korea is one of the major investors in India, with several companies having manufacturing operations in automobiles, electronics, and other sectors.

“South Korea’s major conglomerates are ramping up efforts to expand into India, positioning the country as a key player in the evolving global supply chain,” according to the Chosun Daily.

“India is emerging as a viable alternative to China, particularly amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing,” it said about the prospects for growing investments.

Asian Legal Business quoted Zunu Lee, partner at South Korean firm Yoon & Yang, as saying, “The alignment between Korea’s ‘Act Southern’ and India’s ‘Act East’ policies has created new momentum for bilateral economic cooperation.”

Washington, June 18: US President Donald Trump will host Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday (local time).

The lunch meeting is scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. in the White House’s Cabinet Room, as per the official presidential schedule.

The reports of the meeting come just days after the White House denied that Munir was invited to the US Army’s 250th-anniversary celebrations held on June 14, contradicting earlier claims of his attendance at the parade.

Munir, who arrived in Washington on Sunday for a five-day official trip, is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to Pakistani daily Dawn.

The visit has been described as “primarily bilateral in nature” and aimed at reinforcing military and strategic ties between the two nations.

This meeting also comes amid the escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, a conflict that entered its sixth consecutive day. While Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran, the Pakistani Army chief had earlier expressed support for Tehran.

This is Munir’s first official trip to the United States since the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians.

The attack, claimed by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s offshoot, The Resistance Front, drew strong condemnation from India and heightened tensions with Pakistan.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar linked the Pahalgam massacre to what he termed as the Pakistani Army Chief’s “extreme religious outlook.”

Speaking to reporters last month, Jaishankar asserted, “To understand that, you have to see that on the Pakistani side, especially their Army chief, who is driven by an extreme religious outlook. There is clearly some connection between the views that were expressed and the manner the attack was carried out.”

The conflict subsided after Pakistan reached out to India with a ceasefire proposal.

Trump had claimed credit for brokering the truce, stating that he used trade leverage to encourage both parties to step back.

However, New Delhi swiftly denied that the United States played any mediatory role.

While Munir’s visit is being presented as an effort to stabilise military ties, it has not been without controversy. Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan staged a protest outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, where Munir is staying.

The protesters, chanting slogans and accusing him of human rights abuses, labelled the Army Chief as the “Pakistanio ke qatil” and “Islamabad ke Katil,” turning the luxury hotel into an impromptu demonstration site.

One protester was heard shouting “Geedad, geedad, geedad (jackal, jackal, jackal)” — a pejorative expression meaning cowardliness and deception — as vehicles carrying officials arrived at the venue.

The episode, captured on video, quickly circulated on social media and was widely seen as a public embarrassment for the Pakistani military establishment.