The Lightail in Jerusalem
Israel-Iran War

CTech's War Room: Live Log - June 17, 2025

Catch us here each day as we bring you updates from Israel and around the world relating to the ongoing conflict with Iran. 

13:54 - S&P will not downgrade Israel's credit rating: "The economy has shown resilience despite the war with Iran"
The rating agency presents four war scenarios - from a limited conflict of less than three months to the involvement of additional countries and the blocking of trade routes: "Remote work and the technology sector soften the impact of disruptions," they write in a review discussing the financial risks created by the war.
However, there remains fears of damage to the Strait of Hormuz, and some shipowners are opting to steer clear of the strategically important route, according to the world’s largest shipping association. In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged nearly 21 million barrels per day - accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
13:30 - China evacuates citizens from Israel and Iran
China has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel and Iran and was pushing for a ceasefire in the conflict between the two Middle Eastern foes on Tuesday as clashes carried into a fifth day.
"China calls on all relevant parties, especially those countries that have a special influence on Israel, to shoulder their due responsibilities, take immediate measures to cool down the tense situation and prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading," said foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, without naming any countries.
12:49 - US President Donald Trump says he wants "a real end, not a ceasefire" in Israel-Iran conflict
Trump has posted on Truth Social that he has not reached out to Iran about ceasefire talks "in any way, shape, or form".
He added that Iran should have signed a deal that he put forward during the most recent talks over Iran's nuclear program. "This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me," he wrote. "They should have taken the deal that was on the table - Would have saved a lot of lives!!!"
12:34 - Israel’s ambassador to the US: Future operations "will make the beeper episode look simple"
"We've pulled off a number of surprises... when the dust settles, we are going to see some surpirses on Thursday night and on Friday that will make the beeper operation almost seem simple," said Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. He made the comments on Fox News to Merit Street.
11:59 - "There is no money in any ATM": A widespread cyberattack against the largest bank in Iran
Residents in Iran reported on Tuesday that they were unable to withdraw money from ATMs belonging to the country's largest bank, the government-owned "Safa" chain affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards. At the same time, the "Iran International" network reported a broad cyberattack against Iranian banks, with the pro-Israel hacker group "Predatory Sparrow" claiming responsibility.
09:50 - Approximately 19,000 compensation claims have been filed since the beginning of Operation Rising Lion
The Tax Authority reports that 2,725 people have already been evacuated from their homes, and that 87 teams from the Compensation Fund are currently operating in Bat Yam and Tel Aviv.
The number of claims in the four days of Operation Rising Lion is already a quarter of the number of claims since October 7.
09:44 - The Jerusalem Light Rail has returned to operation - albeit in a limited capacity
The Home Front Command has approved the Jerusalem light rail to return to operation. The train will operate between 5:15 AM and 7:30 PM with reduced service, as has been customary since the start of work to connect to the Green Line.
2 View gallery
הרכבת הקלה תחנת הדוידקה ירושלים 14.4.24
הרכבת הקלה תחנת הדוידקה ירושלים 14.4.24
The Lightail in Jerusalem
(Photo: Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
09:36 - IDF says to have eliminated General Ali Shadmani, Chief of Staff of the Iranian military
Shadmani had replaced Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, who was killed on Friday. "He commanded both the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian Armed Forces," the IDF says. The Khatam-al Anbiya HQ under Shadmani's command "was responsible for managing combat operations and approving Iran's attack plans... In his various roles, he had a direct influence on Iran's offensive plans targeting the State of Israel."
09:32 - Iran struggles to maintain routine as Israeli strikes intensify
Since the Israeli attack began, the Iranian regime has attempted to project a “business as usual” atmosphere and maintain a sense of civilian routine. However, as the days passed and Israeli strikes escalated, culminating in major assaults on Tehran over the past couple of days, that facade has begun to erode. Residents are now confronting a new and unsettling reality.
09:24 - Haifa oil refinery shut down after Iranian missile strike
The Iranian attack on Monday caused significant damage to Bazan Group’s facilities in Haifa, killing three company employees and forcing the shutdown of all operations at the site, the company reported to the stock exchange. Most notably, the power plant that supplies electricity and steam to Bazan's industrial complex was severely hit.
09:13 - Trump after leaving the G7 summit: "This is something much bigger than a ceasefire between Israel and Iran"
US President Donald Trump left the summit in Canada early and ordered a meeting of the National Security Council upon his return. G7 leaders issued a joint statement calling for a calm in hostilities in the Middle East, while supporting Israel: "We support Israel's right to defend itself."
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דונלד טראמפ בכינוס G7 בקנדה
דונלד טראמפ בכינוס G7 בקנדה
Donald Trump at the G8 summit in Canada
(Photo: Suzanne Plunkett-Pool/Getty)
08:59 - Fires, smoke seen around Tel Aviv after missile attack
Videos on social media from unverified accounts show fires and black smoke in some areas around central Israel and Tel Aviv following an Iranian missile attack early in the morning.
08:30 - Fewer missiles, shorter warnings: How Israelis woke to the latest slew of Iranian attacks
Iran launched fewer than 10 missiles total in three separate attacks — just after midnight, at 3:30 a.m., and 4:30 a.m. Throughout the night, the Home Front Command issued alerts to civilians only 2-3 minutes before the actual sirens sounded - much shorter than the previous couple of days.
06:30 - Reports of Iranians' desire to reach an agreement sent oil prices crashing
Oil prices surged on Friday amid Israeli strikes on Iran, but prices fell yesterday after reports that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement. Analysts: Oil supply from the Persian Gulf has remained unchanged and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future