UPDATE: Trump Declares Ceasefire — But Iran Denies Agreement and Missiles Rain Down on Israel
Ceasefire Claim Sparks Confusion as Missiles Fly
In a dramatic and confusing turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social early Monday to declare a “complete and total ceasefire” between Iran and Israel, stating that both countries had agreed to a phased halt in hostilities beginning within 24 hours.
But within minutes of his post, reality on the ground told a starkly different story.
Iran Launches New Missile Barrage
According to reports just in from The Associated Press, Iran launched a wave of missiles targeting Israel, triggering sirens and emergency alerts across multiple regions.
“Alerts began going off on mobile phones in Israel, and sirens sounded in areas ahead of the missile barrage’s arrival,” wrote AP’s Jon Gambrell.
Israel’s military confirmed the attack, warning civilians to take shelter and brace for further escalation.
This new wave of missile fire directly contradicts the idea of a mutual ceasefire—and raises serious doubts about the validity of Trump’s claim.
Trump’s Statement
Trump announced:
“IRAN AND ISRAEL HAVE AGREED TO A COMPLETE AND TOTAL CEASEFIRE… IRAN TO HALT FIRST FOR 12 HOURS, ISRAEL TO FOLLOW… THIS WILL BE THE OFFICIAL END TO THE 12 DAY WAR.”
He portrayed the ceasefire as the result of “strong negotiation and clear leadership,” hinting he played a direct role in brokering the deal.
Iran Says: No Formal Agreement
Shortly after Trump’s declaration, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement denying any formal deal:
“There is NO ceasefire agreement. We offered a conditional halt only if Israel ends its aggression by 4 a.m. Tehran time.”
He reiterated Iran’s right to defend itself and emphasized Tehran retains full control over its military decisions—rejecting any suggestion of outside influence.
Israel Remains Silent—But Not Idle
Israel’s government has not officially commented on Trump’s statement, but military activity suggests there is no coordinated pause. Instead, Israel’s defense systems are actively engaged, responding to the fresh Iranian barrage.
Israeli media outlets are reporting on the attack live, and shelters are being reopened in northern and central Israel.
U.S. FOREIGN BASES COME UNDER ATTACK — NO CASUALTIES REPORTED
Multiple U.S. military installations in the Middle East were targeted in a coordinated missile and drone strike earlier today, in what Iranian state media is calling a retaliatory operation against American aggression. The strike marks one of the most direct escalations between the two countries in recent years — but it appears to have been executed with deliberate caution.
CONFIRMED TARGETS
Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar): Home to CENTCOM operations, Al Udeid was hit by several ballistic missiles. Most were intercepted by allied air defenses.
Ain al-Asad Air Base (Iraq): U.S. forces went on high alert after explosions near the perimeter. No infrastructure damage or injuries reported.
Red Sea Region: U.S. naval operations reported hostile drone activity, believed to originate from Houthi-aligned actors in Yemen.
IRAN WARNED U.S. AHEAD OF STRIKE
According to both U.S. and regional officials, Iran issued advance notice of its retaliatory strike via backchannels to Iraqi and Qatari intermediaries, who in turn relayed the message to American command centers. The purpose, sources say, was to avoid casualties and prevent all-out war.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the attack was intended to “send a message, not provoke annihilation,” and emphasized that only military assets were targeted.
Key Fact:
Zero U.S. or allied casualties have been confirmed in the aftermath — a sign that Iran deliberately calibrated the strike for symbolic impact rather than mass harm.
TRUMP RESPONDS TO RUSSIA ON TRUTH SOCIAL
Amid the escalating conflict, former President Donald Trump posted a late-night message on Truth Social warning Russia and China against aiding Iran’s nuclear program:
“Any nation that supplies Iran with nuclear weapons is not just a threat to Israel or the U.S. — it’s a threat to the survival of the world. We will not tolerate it.”
— Donald J. Trump, Truth Social, June 23, 2025
This post comes after reports that Russia had warned the U.S. not to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, and after North Korea pledged military support to Iran earlier this week.
GLOBAL FALLOUT & ESCALATION WATCH
Airspace across Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE has been shut down.
Oil prices surged by over $6 per barrel following the strike news.
The U.N. Security Council has called for an emergency session.
Protests have erupted in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, both in support of Iran and against further war.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT PENDING
President Trump (current) has convened an emergency meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. National Security Advisor Rick Grenell told reporters:
“We are treating this as an act of war, even if it was pre-announced. The American response will be measured, but powerful.”
A formal address is expected within the hour.
U.S. MILITARY BASES UNDER ATTACK ABROAD
Multiple American military installations across the Middle East are reportedly under coordinated missile and drone attack this hour, marking a major escalation in global tensions.
Confirmed Targets:
Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar): Initial reports indicate a barrage of ballistic missiles targeted the U.S. air operations hub. Qatar’s defense systems intercepted most projectiles. No confirmed casualties yet.
Ain al-Asad Air Base (Iraq): Emergency sirens and shelter-in-place orders were triggered following explosions in the vicinity. Assessment of damage is ongoing.
U.S. Naval assets in the Red Sea are also believed to be under threat, with drones reportedly launched from unidentified actors in Yemen.
Early Intel Points to Iran:
Sources suggest the attack may be a retaliation for recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and follows a series of threats by Iranian leadership. Iranian media is referring to the operation as “Annunciation of Victory.”
Regional Fallout:
Airspace across the Gulf is being shut down.
U.S. embassies have issued shelter-in-place warnings.
Oil prices are spiking amid fears of prolonged military conflict.
White House Response:
President Trump has convened an emergency national security meeting. A statement is expected shortly. The Pentagon has raised the alert level and activated rapid-response units in the region.
A senior U.S. defense official said:
“We are assessing the scope and scale of these attacks. All options are on the table.”
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as details emerge.
Trump Mentions Regime Change as Israel Kills 10 IRGC Members in Deep Strike on Central Iran
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated further as at least 10 members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in Israeli drone and air strikes on Yazd province, according to Iranian state-aligned Tasnim News Agency. The attack marks one of the most aggressive Israeli operations deep into Iran’s interiorty since the conflict began.
The strikes also hit six major airports across Iran, including Mehrabad, Mashhad, Dezful, and other strategic airfields, disabling runways, damaging military aircraft, and reportedly crippling Iran’s air force takeoff capabilities.
Trump Escalates: Hints at Regime Change
As the military campaign intensifies, U.S. President Donald Trump ignited global outrage by publicly mentioning “regime change” as a possible outcome if Iran “refuses to surrender its nuclear ambitions.” Critics say this confirms long-feared intentions behind U.S. escalation, not just targeting nuclear development, but toppling Iran’s government altogether
Iran Responds: “Global Bullying” and Right to Defend
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned both the U.S. and Israel:
“The responsibility for the consequences of this war lies with America and the Zionist regime. Trump’s threats are bullying on a global scale. Iran has shown restraint and has only targeted military sites.”
Iran vowed to exercise its right to self-defense under international law and warned of “unpredictable consequences.”
Civilian Casualties Mount
Israeli strikes have reportedly killed civilians, including a mother and her 6-year-old child, and hit an ambulance in central Iran, killing a driver and patient. Iran claims an Israeli drone was responsible.
Meanwhile, explosions rocked Tehran, Shiraz, Karaj, and Tabriz, with air defenses activated across Iran’s major cities overnight.
Israel Vows to Continue Strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes on Iran would “continue until all goals are achieved,” though he has remained vague on what those goals are. Israel claims it destroyed 15 Iranian aircraft and helicopters.
Iran Executes Another Suspected Mossad Spy
In response to escalating attacks, Iran announced the execution of Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, accused of leading a cyber team for Israel’s Mossad. At least three executions of alleged Israeli collaborators have occurred since June 13.
Global Response
Malaysia’s Prime Minister: Warned that U.S. and Israeli aggression will only bring more retaliation. “If Iran is not allowed to respond, why is Israel allowed to act this way?”
Russia: Hosting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for “serious consultations” in Moscow.
North Korea: Strongly condemned the U.S. assault.
Australia and Ukraine: Expressed support for the U.S. strikes.
Sleeper Cell Fears and Islamophobia Rising
Trump’s regime change talk and the wave of attacks have triggered a spike in anti-Iranian rhetoric online, with false claims about sleeper cells and “illegal Iranian immigrants” circulating on social media.
Let’s be clear: many countries, including the U.S., Russia, and Israel, use sleeper cells. But these accusations are now being weaponized to justify Islamophobia, surveillance, and xenophobic crackdowns. We’ve seen this script before. Don’t fall for it.
Bottom Line
Israel’s deep strikes into Iran—and Trump’s open threat of regime change—have pushed the region to the edge of all-out war. Iran’s vow to retaliate, civilian casualties, and the global fallout suggest we are witnessing a potential flashpoint with worldwide consequences.
More updates as this story develops.
06/23/2025
Click below to read Background Info
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Omni (Sweden) – “Trump: Vi har attackerat tre atomanläggningar i Iran” confirms U.S. airstrikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and Trump’s Truth Social statement calling the attack “mycket framgångsrika” .
Reuters – “Exclusive: Israel seeks swift action…” notes U.S. joining pressures for strikes on Iran .
Reuters – Multiple background reports:
Iran had warned against any U.S. intervention leading to “all‑out war” .
Trump’s June 19 comment offering a two‑week decision window .
VG (Norway) – Highlights B-2 bomber deployment and confirms U.S. attack after Trump’s public indecision .
AP News – Details payloads delivered by B‑2 stealth aircraft and outlines the significance of targeting fortified underground sites .
Wikipedia (American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites) – Notes the strike date (June 22, 2025) and marks the use of B‑2 Spirit aircraft in the attack .
Time – Quotes Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling U.S. involvement “very, very dangerous” .
Reuters – Confirms Iran’s Supreme Leader warned of “serious irreparable consequences” if struck .