Day 618 - How involved is the US in the Israel-Iran war - so far?

10 snips

Jun 15, 2025

Lazar Berman, a diplomatic reporter, delves into the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, marking a significant surge in violence with deadly Iranian missile strikes. He discusses the capabilities of Iran's missile arsenal and explores the hypothetical scenario of Iran's naval fleet threatening Israel. The podcast reveals how U.S. air defense systems have helped intercept threats, and Berman speculates on potential American ground involvement. He also highlights a daring Mossad operation that facilitated Israeli airstrikes, showcasing the complexities of military strategies in the region.

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INSIGHT

Iran's Missile Arsenal and Threat

Iran still has about 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel with significant explosive power.
Some missiles are maneuverable and GPS-guided to target precisely, but many strikes hit populated areas statistically rather than precisely.

INSIGHT

U.S. Defensive Support to Israel

The U.S. is actively assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles with air defense systems and naval presence.
However, Israel conducts offensive operations against Iran alone so far, with U.S. involvement limited to defensive measures.

INSIGHT

Iran Navy Vulnerability Near Israel

Iran's Navy is not a blue water navy and would be vulnerable if it tried to threaten Israel via the Red Sea.
Israeli capabilities would easily counter naval threats before they reach Israeli waters.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Over the past night, 10 Israelis were killed and 200 injured in Iranian barrages, in addition to three killed the previous night and dozens injured, including seven IDF soldiers. Berman fills us in on the overnight strikes.

We turn to a discussion of Iran's military capabilities and what's known about its missile arsenal. And Borschel-Dan poses the to-date hypothetical question of Iran's naval fleet reaching Israel.

So far, American air defense systems and a Navy destroyer have helped Israel shoot down incoming ballistic missiles that Tehran has launched in response to Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders. We hear how the US has used both ground-based Patriot missile defense systems and Terminal High Altitude Air Defense systems that are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. A Navy destroyer in the eastern Mediterranean Sea also shot down Iranian missiles heading toward Israel, one official said. Berman weighs in on whether the US may step up its efforts and join Israel in the possible scenario of a ground offensive on Iranian soil.

To close out, Berman describes the daring Mossad operation in Iran that allowed Israel to launch the airstrikes. We hear that Israel spent years preparing for the operation against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, including building a drone base inside Iran and smuggling precision weapons systems and commandos into the country.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

6 dead, including 2 children, in Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam apartment building

Devastation grows as Iran targets civilian areas, despite interceptors and shelters

4 Arab women – mother, 2 daughters and a sister-in-law – killed by Iranian missile near Haifa

US air defense systems, naval destroyer help down Iranian missiles fired at Israel

Trump: Iran will face American might ‘at levels never seen before’ if it attacks US

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Illustrative: US President Donald Trump gets out of a THAAD missile truck at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2019. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

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