Editor’s Note: This page is a summary of news on the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites for Sunday, June 22. For the latest news, view our story for Monday, June 23.

The United States went on high alert on June 22 over concerns of retaliation from Tehran after the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites a day earlier.

Major U.S. cities from New York to Los Angeles stepped up their security as the weekend came to a close. Government agencies issued warnings to U.S. citizens at home and abroad. And with Mideast tensions heightened, all eyes stayed glued to Iran and its response.

From the Department of Homeland Security came notice in the United States of a “heightened threat environment.” Hours later, the State Department blasted out a “worldwide caution security alert” advising U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased vigilance amid the ongoing Israel-Iran war.

U.S. officials have heaped praise on the military operation conducted June 21, saying U.S. bombers shattered Iran’s nuclear program in precision strikes − ones planned for weeks that involved 125 warplanes.

While Israel hailed the strikes, many world leaders urged speedy de-escalation over fears of a widening Mideast conflict. Some lawmakers in the U.S. − including key progressives and rigid conservatives − questioned President Donald Trump’s authority to launch the attack.

For his part, Trump wrote on social media that “regime change” may be needed in Iran just hours after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not aiming for a change in leadership in Tehran.

Putin to meet with Iran’s foreign minister in Moscow

As Tehran weighed its options, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.

The Kremlin has a strategic partnership with Iran, but also close links with Israel. Speaking in Istanbul on Sunday, Araqchi said his country would consider all possible responses and there would be no return to diplomacy until it had retaliated.

Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the U.S. attacks, which it said had undermined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and warned of conflict spreading in the Middle East.

— Reuters

Iran’s military warns US of heavy consequences for siding with Israel

Recent hostile action by the United States expanded the scope of legitimate targets for Iran’s armed forces, a spokesperson for its Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a video shared on Monday.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari said the U.S. should expect heavy consequences for its actions.

“Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it,” Zolfaqari said in English at the end of his recorded statement.– Reuters

Trump says he’s open to regime change in Iran

Just hours after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States did not want “regime change” in Iran, President Donald Trump said that might be a desired outcome.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, “Regime Change,” but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on June 22 as Mideast tensions continued to escalate the day after the U.S. military bombed three Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump’s post signaling an openness to new leadership in Tehran followed Vance and Rubio appearing on the Sunday morning talk shows, arguing the U.S. focus was not on launching a war with Iran.

Israel carried out airstrikes on military infrastructure in western Iran

The Israeli military said on Monday that about 20 jets had conducted a wave of strikes against military targets in western Iran and Tehran overnight.

⁠In Kermanshah, in western Iran, missile and radar infrastructure was targeted, and in Tehran a surface-to-air missile launcher was struck, the Israeli military said, Reuters reported. The Israeli military added that a missile launched from Iran in the early hours of Monday was intercepted by Israeli defenses.

–Reuters

How attacks unfolded: Visual details of US bombing in Iran

Japan calls for de-escalation of Iran conflict

Japan called on June 23 for de-escalation of the conflict in Iran and said U.S. strikes demonstrated Washington’s determination to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Japan also said it was “extremely regrettable” the situation between Israel and Iran had escalated into a cycle of retaliation, according to Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

“Japan continues to strongly hope that the path to dialogue will be reopened by efforts toward a resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue through talks between the U.S. and Iran,” Iwaya said in a statement.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. had “obliterated” Tehran’s key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba earlier this month condemned Israel’s military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, saying deployment for military use “cannot be absolutely condemned.”

— Reuters

Trump to meet with his national security team

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team in the Oval Office at 1 p.m. on June 23, according to the White House. The huddle will come two days after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear sites.

The president is set to travel on June 24 to The Hague for the annual NATO summit.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

North Korea condemns U.S. strike on Iran

North Korea said on June 23 it strongly condemns the U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities as a grave violation of a sovereign state’s security interests and territorial rights, state media reported.

“(North Korea) strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the U.S. which … violently trampled down the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state,” a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement carried by KCNA news agency.

Iran and nuclear-armed North Korea have maintained friendly ties and have been suspected for decades of military cooperation, including in developing ballistic missiles. A now-defunct panel of experts monitoring U.N. sanctions said in 2021 that the two countries had resumed cooperation on long-range missile development projects, including the transfer of critical parts.

“Pyongyang could provide important assistance in helping Iran reconstitute destroyed missile production facilities, including at new sites to avoid scrutiny, perhaps,” said Ankit Panda, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Whether either country would be interested in substantively cooperating on any efforts to rebuild or accelerate Iran’s nuclear weapons program is less certain, given the political and military sensitivities over such technology, Panda said.

— Reuters

‘Bullseye!!!’: Trump again says Iran’s nuclear sites have been ‘obliterated’

President Donald Trump doubled down on his assertion that Iranian nuclear sites had been obliterated by U.S. bombardments a day after the attacks amid the ongoing Israel-Iran war.

“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on June 22. “Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame.”

Experts have raised questions about the extent to which recent Israeli and U.S. strikes have thwarted Iran’s nuclear program. But that hasn’t given pause to Trump’s assessment of the damage.

“The biggest damage took place far below ground level,” wrote Trump. “Bullseye!!!”

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Oil hits five-month high after US strikes key Iranian nuclear sites

Oil prices jumped on June 23, local time, to their highest since January as Washington’s weekend move to join Israel in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities stoked supply worries.

Brent crude futures rose $1.88 or 2.44% at $78.89 a barrel as of 11:22 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude advanced $1.87 or 2.53% at $75.71.

Both contracts jumped by more than 3% earlier in the session to $81.40 and $78.40, respectively, five-month highs, before giving up some gains.

The rise in prices came after President Donald Trump said he had “obliterated” Iran’s main nuclear sites in strikes over the weekend, joining an Israeli assault in an escalation of conflict in the Middle East as Tehran vowed to defend itself.

— Reuters

State Department issues worldwide caution alert and travel advisory

The State Department issued a “worldwide caution security alert” advising U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased vigilance on June 22, amid the ongoing Israel-Iran war.

The department cited periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East and the potential for “demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”

Travel advisories with threat levels ranging from levels 1 (exercise normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel) by country are listed in a searchable database online on the department’s website: Worldwide Caution – United States Department of State.

Portugal, for example, has been designated Level 1; France is Level 2 (exercise increased caution) and Lebanon is Level 4.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Australia says it supports US strike, calls for return to diplomacy

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on June 23 that Canberra supported the United States strike on Iran and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

“We support action that the U.S. has taken to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Wong said in a television interview.

In a series of interviews, Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table.

“We do not want to see escalation,” she told reporters in Canberra.

There are around 2,900 Australians in Iran and 1,300 in Iraq who are seeking to leave.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on June 22 he was examining the evidence surrounding Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called for a return to dialogue, Radio New Zealand reported.

— Reuters

Law enforcement agencies on alert after US attacks on Iran

Several law enforcement agencies across the United States are deploying additional forces to protect potential targets from retaliatory attacks.

The New York Police Department, the nation’s largest police department, said it issued an advisory and deployed more resources hours after the June 21 attack.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC,” the police department said.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass echoed a similar message regarding the city’s police department.

“There are no known credible threats at this time and out of an abundance of caution, LAPD is stepping up patrols near places of worship, community gathering spaces and other sensitive sites,” Bass said in a statement. “We will remain vigilant in protecting our communities.”

— Terry Collins

Trump congratulates B-2 pilots upon landing in Missouri

President Trump congratulated the group of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber pilots who returned to the U.S. after conducting airstrikes against three nuclear sites in Iran.

The B-2s departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri early on the morning of June 21 for the flight to Iran and returned in the early evening on June 22.

“The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for a job well done!!! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!”In an earlier version of the same post, Trump misspelled his own name, calling himself “Donakd.” as he congratulated the pilots.

– Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

US leaders vow to ‘defend ourselves’ if Iran attacks

U.S. leaders said earlier on June 22 that they remain ready to defend the country from any retaliatory actions from Iran.

“Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice. We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said at a Pentagon briefing.

Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, has elevated force protection measures in the region, Caine said, “especially in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf.” There are about 40,000 U.S. troops in the region.

Iran strikes raise concerns about oil prices

Investors are bracing for higher oil prices after the U.S. bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend. Brent crude oil, which is the global benchmark, closed at $77 a barrel on June 20, up about 10% over the previous week as Iran and Israel traded attacks. That’s the highest since January.

Oil trading begins at 11 p.m. UK time on June 22, and prices are likely to jump at the open, but then stabilize relatively quickly until it becomes more clear that there is a sustained supply shock, said oil analyst Rachel Ziemba in an interview.

Iran produces less than 5% of the world’s oil supply, and almost all of that is exported to China illicitly, said Ziemba, who runs Ziemba Insights. Analysts are more concerned about the country’s ability to choke off the Strait of Hormuz, a possibility Ziemba calls “low probability, high risk.”

Still, energy investors will struggle to price in that risk, which could make oil prices more volatile over the coming days and weeks, she said.

− Andrea Riquier

Not what ‘MAGA wanted to hear’: Tensions within GOP remain about Trump’s Iran strike

US officials say Iran’s nuke program is ‘obliterated.’ But is it?

Trump and his defense chief say American warplanes completely “obliterated” Iran’s three major nuclear complexes at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan using bunker-busting bombs that have the ability to penetrate underground targets.

While that may be the case, there has so far been no independent assessment of that assertion from nuclear watchdogs, international officials or others with direct information of the situation on the ground. And other U.S. officials have not used such definitive rhetoric.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is the main agency that assesses the scale and evolution of Iran’s nuclear program, said hostilities would need to cease for it to resume inspections. The organization, housed within the United Nations, said it would hold an emergency meeting on June 23.

The IAEA did say June 22 that craters were visible at the Fordow site, Iran’s main location for enriching uranium But said: “At this time, no one – including the IAEA – is in a position to assess the underground damage at Fordow.” Read more here.

− Francesca Chambers

Iran almost certainly will retaliate: But when, where and how?

European leaders react to US strikes: We urge Iran to negotiate

The leaders of the UK, France and Germany said in a joint statement June 22 that they would continue their diplomatic efforts to try and defuse tensions and ensure conflict does not spread further. They urged Iran not to take any actions that would further destabilize the region and called for the country to negotiate to address concerns with the nuclear program.

“We have consistently been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and can no longer pose a threat to regional security,” the government heads of the three countries said.

Midnight Hammer operation uses ‘bunker busters,’ a first in US history

The U.S. used more than a dozen multi-million-dollar, 30,000-pound “bunker busters” to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities in the strike, marking the weapon’s first operational use, according to the Pentagon.

U.S. bomber planes dropped 14 of the massive bombs on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine told reporters.

The bombs used in the strikes, called Massive Ordnance Penetrators, or MOPs, weigh 30,000 pounds each and cost millions to produce. MOPs, also known as the Guided Bomb Unit, or GBU-57, are GPS-guided weapons designed to burrow deep into underground targets, like fortified tunnels or bunkers. The bombs are about 20 feet long and span 6 feet at their widest point.

While Israel has bunker-busters a fraction of its weight, only the MOP has the capability to destroy or severely damage Iran’s nuclear facilities, experts previously told USA TODAY.

Iran government might close Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route

The Iranian parliament backed a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. strikes on the country, but the final decision will rest with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s Press TV reported June 22.

About 20% of global oil and gas flow through the strait, which lies between Oman and Iran, and its closure could mean rising fuel prices for American consumers. The strait is 21 miles at its narrowest point, and the shipping lane is 2 miles wide in either direction.

Asked whether Tehran would close Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi didn’t give a straight answer, saying: “A variety of options are available to Iran.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized any decision to block the narrow channel between Iran and Oman.

“That would be a suicidal move on their part, because I think the whole world would come against them if they did that,” Rubio said in an interview with CBS.

− Savannah Kuchar and Reuters

Lawmakers push back on Trump’s strikes under War Powers Act

Trump’s ordered airstrikes have attracted criticism from both sides of the political aisle, and some lawmakers are charging that the president did not have the authority to call for the attack.

“Our framers did not believe in the old way that a king could order a nation to war,” Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, said in an interview on Fox News Sunday. “Instead, the framers gave the power to Congress so we would have a debate in front of all the American public whose sons’ and daughters’ lives could potentially be at risk.”

The Constitution puts the power to declare war in Congress’ hands, and the War Powers Resolution of 1973 mandates that the president notifies Congress within 48 hours of military action. The law also limits the deployment of armed forces beyond 90 days, in the absence of a formal declaration of war.

Kaine has introduced a resolution in the Senate seeking to block Trump’s actions in Iran. In the House, Reps. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, and Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, have filed a similar measure based on the War Powers Act.

— Savannah Kuchar

‘We’re not at war’ with Iran, Vance insists

Vice President JD Vance argued in interviews on June 22 that the U.S. is not entering an open-ended conflict in the Middle East. “We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program.” Vance told NBC’s Kristen Welker.

“We do not want war with Iran,” Vance added while on Meet The Press. “We actually want peace. But we want peace in the context of them not having a nuclear weapons program.”

Separately, on ABC, Vance described the strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran as “targeted.” The Pentagon’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facility employed its most powerful bunker-buster bomb as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from submarines, according to Pentagon officials.

Pentagon planners coordinated the attack with Israel to enter Iran’s airspace, said the official who had been briefed on the mission but was not authorized to speak publicly. B-2 bombers dropped GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, the first time they have been used in combat.

— Savannah Kuchar and Francesca Chambers

Operation Midnight Hammer used sophisticated weapons

The U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, called Operation Midnight Hammer, differs in character, scope and destructive power from those that Trump ordered in his first administration.

Those missions included a missile attack in Syria to punish Bashar al-Assad for using chemical weapons, the raid to kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the drone that killed Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian who led its Quds force.

The Iranian attacks on Saturday involved some of the most sophisticated weapons in the Pentagon’s arsenal and tapped into its commands overseeing operations from the Middle East to outer space, Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Sunday.

It took weeks to plan the Saturday attack, which involved 125 warplanes − including nearly one-third of its most sophisticated stealth bomber fleet – and submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Inside the attack: Details revealed of secret US mission to bomb Iran

Strikes weren’t aimed at Iran regime change, US officials say

The goal of the U.S. strikes on Iran was not to prompt a regime change, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the news briefing on the morning of June 22.

“This mission was not, has not been about regime change,” Hegseth said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hasn’t denied that an Iran regime change is part of Israel’s military objectives, however.

“It could certainly be the result because the Iran regime is very weak,” Netanyahu said in an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report With Bret Baier” a week ago. “I think it’s basically left with two things. Its plans to have atomic bombs and ballistic missiles. That’s basically what Iran has. They certainly don’t have the people. Eighty percent of the people would throw these theological thugs out.”

Nuclear energy head fears Mideast dynamic has changed

The head of an international agency that encourages the peaceful use of nuclear technology said June 22 that the U.S. decision to bomb Iran has completely reset what was once slowly simmering tensions between Iran and Israel.

“This changes the whole dynamic,” Rafel Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in an interview on CNN.

Grossi said Iran’s current governmental regime, which has been in place since 1979, has been one of the few stabilizing forces in an otherwise “very very unstable” international scene.”

“I think the unraveling of the nonproliferation regime would be a tremendously serious consequence,” he said. “I think that now we need to try to go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”

— Erin Mansfield

Israeli president says US involvement in Iran is Trump’s decision

The president of Israel said on June 22 that the United States is acting in its interests and declined to say whether Israel would need additional resources.

“We are not dragging America into a war, and we are leaving aid to the decision of the president of the United States and to the team,” Isaac Herzog said in an interview on CNN.

Herzog said the U.S. decision to bomb Iran was made “because the Iranian nuclear program was (a) clear and present danger to the security interests of the free world, and the United States is the leader of the free world.”

— Erin Mansfield

Was Iran’s nuclear material really ‘obliterated’?

Trump and his top defense official, Hegseth, say U.S. bombers completely “obliterated” Iran’s three major nuclear complexes at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

That may turn out to be the case, though there has so far been no independent assessment of that assertion from nuclear watchdogs, international officials or others with direct information of the situation on the ground. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is the main window for how the world assesses the scale and evolution of Iran’s nuclear program, has not commented.

All wars are information wars, as well as ones fought with conventional weapons. One example: Iran’s IRIB state broadcaster claimed that its stockpiles of enriched uranium were “evacuated” from all three sites before the U.S. strikes, another assertion that has not been independently verified.

Hegseth: Trump seeks peace, urges Iran to do the same

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lauded the U.S. strikes on Iran as an “incredible and overwhelming success.”

The strikes did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people, Hegseth said. Trump “seeks peace, and Iran should take that path,” Hegseth said.

He noted that fighter pilots and sailors aboard ships and submarines joined the attack.

US: All 3 nuke sites sustained ‘severe damage’

Caine said the U.S. was “currently unaware of any shots fired at the U.S. strike package on the way in.”

The three nuclear targets were struck from 6:40 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. ET, Caine said. He said the U.S. was also unaware of any shots fired on the way out of Iran.

All three nuclear sites “sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” initial assessments indicate, Caine said.

Pope Leo urges peace, international diplomacy

In a weekly prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic Church’s first pope from the United States, called for diplomacy and peace efforts, not “violence and bloody conflicts,” shortly after the U.S.’ military action against Iran.

“Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” Leo said.

“In this dramatic scenario, which includes Israel and Palestine, the daily suffering of the population, especially in Gaza and other territories, risks being forgotten, where the need for adequate humanitarian support is becoming increasingly urgent,” he said.

Iranians disconnected from world

Iranians have been intermittently cut off from the world since the start of Israel’s air war on its military and nuclear sites more than a week ago, now joined by the United States.

Iran’s government has imposed a near countrywide internet blackout in recent days, saying it was necessary to prevent Israeli cyberattacks and for unspecified security reasons, though some residents have reported the shutdown’s efficacy has varied and sometimes they were able to get online. There have also been reported disruptions to cellphone text messages in Iran.

On June 22, NetBlocks, an organization that monitors global Internet access, reported that connectivity in Iran “again collapsed” in the hours before the U.S. strikes. NetBlocks also reported that Trump’s Truth Social platform was “experiencing international outages for many users,” a scenario it said was not related to “country-level Internet disruptions or filtering.”

UN watchdog to hold emergency meeting

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog will hold an emergency meeting in Vienna on Monday following the U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, created in 1957 amid growing concern over nuclear weapons, called for an end to “hostilities” so that it can continue inspections in Iran.

“In view of the increasingly serious situation in terms of nuclear safety and security, the Board of Governors will meet in an extraordinary session tomorrow, which I will address,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

The sites targeted by the U.S. strikes contained nuclear material in the form of uranium enriched to different levels, the IAEA said, according to its most recent information before Israel’s strikes on Iran on June 13. The material “may cause radioactive and chemical contamination within the facilities that were hit,” the IAEA said. Grossi said no health impacts outside the targeted sites are expected after the U.S. strikes.

“I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities should never be attacked,” Grossi said.

World reacts to US bombing of Iran

Israel hailed the United States’ decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites as an action that would “deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

Elsewhere around the world the reaction was far more constrained. The United Nations and some leaders from Britain to Mexico called for swift de-escalation while other longtime U.S. adversaries such as Cuba and Venezuela were deeply critical of the attacks.

“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control − with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world,” U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by the use of U.S. force on Iran.

Russia, China condemn US attacks on Iran

Russia and China on Sunday condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, the countries’ foreign ministries said.

“The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, whatever the arguments it may be presented with, flagrantly violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” the Russian foreign ministry said in its statement. “We call for an end to aggression and for increased efforts to create conditions for returning the situation to a political and diplomatic track.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, launching a drawn-out conflict that is ongoing over three years later. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, recently suggested that the “whole of Ukraine” belongs to his country, even though Russia only controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory.

China’s foreign ministry said the move violates the United Nations Charter and would worsen tensions in the Middle East. The ministry urged an end to attacks for all parties to the conflict, particularly Israel.

What we know about the US strikes on Iran

Trump ordered the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, effectively joining a war that Israel started on June 13 when it started bombing Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. One of the U.S. targets was Fordow, a uranium enrichment facility hidden deep inside a remote mountain in the desert.

Nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan were also struck. Israel said it helped the U.S. coordinate and plan the strikes.

Trump said all three sites were “totally obliterated” but an independent assessment has not yet been carried out. The International Atomic Energy Agency − the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog − released a statement saying that so far it had not detected an increase in “off-site radiation levels,” one of the feared consequences of the strikes.

What will Iran do now?

Iran’s next move is being closely watched. The country has already ramped up its rhetoric.

“Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. Ahead of the U.S. strikes, Tehran signaled that if the Pentagon were to join Israel’s war U.S. military bases and Navy ships in the region could be attacked.

Iran has a large arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles. It has been using these on Israel for days. It launched a fresh wave of missiles toward Israel hours after the U.S. bombing started. Iran might even opt for a diplomatic route, which Trump was encouraging before authorizing the U.S. attack.

Contributing: Reuters

Iran-Israel War Updates: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning against any form of military involvement. Iranian officials stated that US interference would lead to “irreparable damage” and potentially trigger an “all-out war” across the region.

Iran has reportedly threatened to strike American military bases in retaliation. The US maintains a widespread military presence across at least 19 strategic locations in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Among the most high-risk targets is the US Navy’s 5th Fleet Headquarters located in Mina Salman, Bahrain, which could serve as a focal point for Iranian attacks.

Strait of Hormuz and Oil Supply Under Threat

Iran may also consider targeting global maritime chokepoints, particularly the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Nearly 30% of the world’s oil passes through this route, making it a strategic and economic flashpoint. Any disruption here could destabilise global energy markets and raise oil prices sharply.

Additional attacks on other sea routes are also possible, further heightening the risk of regional conflict spilling over into international trade.

Iran Evacuated Nuclear Sites Before Airstrikes

In response to escalating threats, Iran reportedly evacuated key nuclear facilities, including those at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, ahead of US strikes.

Hassan Abedini, deputy head of Iran’s state broadcaster, confirmed the evacuation. “Iran had evacuated the three nuclear sites some time ago,” he said. He added that the country’s enriched uranium reserves had been moved from these locations, ensuring that “there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots.”

President Donald Trump claimed American forces had already bombed the sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, though official confirmation remains pending.

As both nations brace for further developments, fears are mounting that the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict, with global repercussions.

Iran warned Donald Trump it would unleash sleeper cell terrorists to wreak havoc on US soil if he attacked, according to reports.

Trump received a communiqué from the regime just days before he ordered US military strikes on its nuclear facilities, sources told NBC News.

The official message was delivered to Trump through an intermediary at the G7 summit in Canada last week.

The president left early on June 16 to consider his options amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to the sources.

After his departure from the G7 summit, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he planned to hold ‘early’ meetings with his security team in the White House Situation Room after issuing a stunning call for people to ‘evacuate’ Tehran amid Israeli bomb attacks there.

After the US deployed B-2 bombers to drop more than a dozen ‘bunker busters,’ Iran’s foreign minister called the strikes ‘outrageous’ and said that Tehran ‘reserves all options’ to retaliate.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a national terrorism bulletin Sunday warning of possible cyber attacks and violence, including antisemitic hate crimes, following the strikes.

‘The ongoing Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States,’ the bulletin said.

Iran delivered a message to Trump at the G7 summit last week (pictured) threatening to unleash sleeper cell terrorists if the US attacked Iran

The US ‘obliterated’ the nuclear sites, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (pictured before the attack)

An operational timeline of a strike on Iran is displayed during a news conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Although there are ‘no specific credible threats,’ the department warned that low-level cyber attacks against US networks are likely.

‘Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target US Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020,’ DHS said.

‘The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland.’

Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker told Fox News Digital the Joe Biden’s border crisis may have exacerbated the number of sleeper-cells in the country.

‘Because of the open borders, we are at a serious catch-up phase. We don’t know where those thousand Iranians are and who knows how many others got across the border,’ he said.

Over 1,200 Iranian nationals reportedly entered the US during the Biden Administration, according to Trump’s border czar Tom Homan.

Swecker explained that during Biden’s tenure, the FBI focused on homegrown terrorists and lost track of foreign threats.

‘There’s a certain population of Iranians in the U.S. that we know about, but there’s thousands and thousands that we don’t know about because of the open border situation,’ Swecker said.

The US deployed B-2 bombers (pictured) to drop more than a dozen ‘bunker busters’ at three Iranian nuclear sites

‘The Bureau was concentrating their resources on so-called domestic terrorists like white supremacists and right-wing extremists, and calling them the most serious terrorist threat to this country when it was absolutely the international terrorists that should have been the focus of the bureau’s efforts.’

Cities across the United States are on high alert following the airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.

Police in New York City and Washington DC revealed they increasing their presence amid fears of a retaliatory attack.

The New York City Police Department said in a post to X: ‘We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran.

‘Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.’

Not long after that post, the Metropolitan Police Department also released a similar statement.

It said: ‘The Metropolitan Police Department is closely monitoring the events in Iran.

‘We are actively coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to share information and monitor intelligence in order to help safeguard residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia.’

DailyMail.com contacted the White House and the State Department for comment.

The pressure is now on. From Canada to Japan, key trade deals are struggling to get over the finish line with just two weeks to go before President Trump’s tariff deadline.

Trump managed to firmed up a trade deal with the United Kingdom last week, and its European Union neighbors are apparently pushing for a similarly styled deal despite fits and starts in talks.

According to reports, the EU now expects a 10% “reciprocal” tariff to be the starting point for an US-EU trade deal. The FT reported last Thursday that the EU is pushing for a deal modeled on the US-UK agreement. Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 50% on EU imports after various tariff “pauses” lapse July 9.

Starting Monday, Trump’s tariffs will affect washing machines, fridges and ovens. This could mean higher prices for everyday items in the US.

Meanwhile, in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government threatened to hike tariffs by late July on US imports of steel and aluminum, weeks after Trump ballooned US levies on those metals to 50%. At the G7 this week, Trump and Carney both expressed optimism on a trade deal between the countries.

The furious push follows Trump’s recent warning that he would soon send letters setting unilateral tariff rates, raising questions about the status of negotiations and a return to his “Liberation Day” tariffs that roiled markets. Trump instituted a pause on his most punishing duties that expires July 9.

Trump scored a legal win on Friday, as the Supreme Court decline to expedite a challenge from two family-owned businesses, including toy maker Learning Resources.

The case is one of several legal challenges working its way through the court system.

Meanwhile, the US economy is still figuring out the effects of the tariffs. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said as the central bank held interest rates steady last week that the Fed is still waiting to see the effects of the tariffs on prices.

“We’re beginning to see some effects, and we do expect to see more of them over the coming months,” he said.

He said the Fed needs more data, saying “the pass-through of tariffs to consumer price inflation is a whole process that’s very uncertain.”

Read more: What Trump’s tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world.

LIVE

1245 updates

9:15 AM America/New York Tuesday, June 24

Report for Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Uncertainty follows Israeli strikes after reported Iranian missile launches, despite ceasefire

Lawmakers to Bondi: DOJ funding cuts threaten national security

Could this be the most significant NATO summit since the Cold War?

NATO chief Rutte argues China’s ‘massive’ build-up raises threat of Taiwan Strait conflict

CIPHER BRIEF EXCLUSIVES Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran. Former Central Intelligence Agency Director Gen. David Petraeus emphasized the critical role of bomb damage assessment (BDA) following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. While the operation was a complex and successful display of military precision, Petraeus stressed that key intelligence questions remain unresolved. Chief among them: Was all of Iran’s highly enriched uranium (HEU) destroyed? Were the centrifuges at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow rendered inoperable? Did Iran move key materials or equipment before the strike? Is there a hidden facility that escaped detection? The BDA process will require a fusion of all intelligence disciplines—imagery, signals, cyber, human, and open-source—to determine whether Iran retains the capability to restart its nuclear weapons program. Petraeus noted uncertainty around recent satellite images showing vehicle movement at Fordow before the strike, raising questions about what may have been removed. Confirming the complete extent of destruction, he warned, may ultimately prove elusive. The Cipher Brief Opinion: What Was Trump Thinking When He Ordered the Strike on Iran? Walter Pincus explores the motivations behind President Trump’s decision to order U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, emphasizing the deep coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the role of failed nuclear negotiations. Trump appeared heavily influenced by Netanyahu’s claim that Iran was close to developing a bomb, despite U.S. intelligence assessments indicating otherwise. Trump dismissed these findings, paralleling past instances where he prioritized foreign leaders’ claims over his own agencies—most notably in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018. The strike followed a 60-day negotiation window Trump had offered Iran, which ended June 12. When talks collapsed, Israel launched preemptive strikes on June 13, degrading Iran’s defenses. The U.S. quickly followed, leveraging Israeli groundwork. Though Trump publicly claimed openness to continued diplomacy, his aggressive Truth Social posts—calling for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader—undercut those overtures. The operation’s long preparation and messaging strategy suggest diplomacy was never a real priority. The Cipher Brief Opinion: Will Anything Stop Iran’s Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons? Ambassador Joseph DeTrani argues that Iran’s leadership was caught off guard by the swift and precise U.S.-Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites, despite Tehran’s defiance of IAEA warnings and increasing uranium enrichment. Supreme Leader Khamenei may have mistakenly counted on diplomatic protection from alliances with Russia, China, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Instead, Iran received only rhetorical support, while Russia is preoccupied with Ukraine and China faces domestic economic challenges. DeTrani warns of another key risk: Iran’s longstanding, clandestine military ties with North Korea. North Korea has supplied Iran with ballistic missile technology and may be aiding its long-range missile and nuclear ambitions. Unconfirmed reports suggest North Korea could be helping construct underground nuclear facilities or even transfer fissile material. DeTrani emphasizes that transferring nuclear weapons or materials to Iran would cross a red line with intolerable consequences. He urges renewed engagement with North Korea to prevent proliferation and better monitor this dangerous alliance. Ambassador Joseph DeTrani argues that Iran’s leadership was caught off guard by the swift and precise U.S.-Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites, despite Tehran’s defiance of IAEA warnings and increasing uranium enrichment. Supreme Leader Khamenei may have mistakenly counted on diplomatic protection from alliances with Russia, China, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Instead, Iran received only rhetorical support, while Russia is preoccupied with Ukraine and China faces domestic economic challenges. DeTrani warns of another key risk: Iran’s longstanding, clandestine military ties with North Korea. North Korea has supplied Iran with ballistic missile technology and may be aiding its long-range missile and nuclear ambitions. Unconfirmed reports suggest North Korea could be helping construct underground nuclear facilities or even transfer fissile material. DeTrani emphasizes that transferring nuclear weapons or materials to Iran would cross a red line with intolerable consequences. He urges renewed engagement with North Korea to prevent proliferation and better monitor this dangerous alliance. The Cipher Brief

U.S. STRIKES IRAN Uncertainty follows Israeli strikes after reported Iranian missile launches, despite ceasefire. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that he had ordered strikes on Tehran in response to what he called Iran’s violation of a newly declared ceasefire. Katz claimed Iran had launched missiles at Israel, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire was in effect. Iran denied any missile launches, with its military and state-affiliated media insisting there had been no violations. The conflicting claims cast immediate doubt on the durability of the truce, which aimed to end 12 days of warfare between the two countries. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel had achieved its objectives of dismantling the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and thanked the U.S. for its support. Iran, meanwhile, said Israel was forced into a unilateral ceasefire and warned that it remained ready to respond to aggression. Despite the uncertainty, global markets surged and oil prices dropped on hopes the ceasefire would hold. Reuters BBC New York Times France 24 Associated Press Trump thanks Iran for giving ‘early notice’ of missile attack on U.S. base in Qatar. President Trump said Monday that Iran gave “early notice” before launching missile strikes on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, allowing Washington to avoid casualties and minimize damage. Trump downplayed the attack as “very weak” and “expected,” noting that most missiles were intercepted, and no Americans or Qataris were harmed. His acknowledgment of prior notice echoes Iran’s 2020 strike tactics on a U.S. military base in Iraq after the Soleimani killing. Diplomatic sources said Iran’s response was calibrated and anticipated, with American and Qatari officials meeting beforehand. Iran suggested its missile barrage was symbolic, matching the number of U.S. bombs dropped. Qatar and its Arab neighbors condemned the violation of airspace, though damage was minimal. Trump later announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, though it did not appear to be holding as of Tuesday. He indicated that no further U.S. strikes were planned if the situation stabilizes. Wall Street Journal CBS News Trump signals de-escalation in response to Iranian strike on US air base in Qatar . President Trump took a markedly conciliatory tone when confirming Iran’s missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, thanking Tehran for giving early warning that helped prevent casualties. Trump expressed hope that tensions had cooled, declaring “IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!” and saying Iran had “gotten it all out of their ‘system.’” This response suggests a desire to avoid wider war, even as Iran faces internal and external pressure to project strength without provoking full-scale escalation. However, despite the attack’s limited impact—13 missiles were intercepted—analysts warn that the regime may still pursue long-term, asymmetric retaliation. U.S. officials believe the nation’s missile capabilities have been weakened by Israeli attacks, but note the regime’s history of patience and indirect reprisals. CNN . President Trump took a markedly conciliatory tone when confirming Iran’s missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, thanking Tehran for giving early warning that helped prevent casualties. Trump expressed hope that tensions had cooled, declaring “IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!” and saying Iran had “gotten it all out of their ‘system.’” This response suggests a desire to avoid wider war, even as Iran faces internal and external pressure to project strength without provoking full-scale escalation. However, despite the attack’s limited impact—13 missiles were intercepted—analysts warn that the regime may still pursue long-term, asymmetric retaliation. U.S. officials believe the nation’s missile capabilities have been weakened by Israeli attacks, but note the regime’s history of patience and indirect reprisals. Politico

Trump brokered ceasefire in call with Netanyahu while US team spoke to Iran. President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Monday after speaking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Tehran. The agreement hinges on Iran refraining from further attacks, which it signaled it would do. The ceasefire followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and an Iranian missile response targeting a U.S. base. Trump had previously resisted military intervention but ordered the strikes after failed diplomatic efforts. His move sparked concern within his political base, but the ceasefire may bolster his image as a dealmaker committed to U.S. interests. Reuters Iran’s Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow. Despite President Trump’s claim of a spectacular strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, experts argue the program is likely to endure due to its deep integration into Iran’s identity, security doctrine, and historical pride. Since the shah’s era in the 1970s, Iran’s nuclear efforts have symbolized scientific ambition and geopolitical relevance, sentiments that transcended the 1979 revolution. Even with the damage inflicted by U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran retains decades of nuclear knowledge and national resolve, which analysts say any future regime—reformist or hardline—would likely continue. The program combines overt civilian goals with covert military capabilities and serves as both deterrent and ideological tool. Experts argue the attacks may only harden Iranian leaders’ belief in the need for a nuclear deterrent, especially given their perception of regional threats. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei now faces a critical choice between escalating conflict or downplaying losses to preserve the regime—either path likely deepens the toll on Iranian civilians. New York Times Trump’s Iran Attack Spurs Concerns of Retaliation in the U.S. Following President Trump’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, federal law enforcement is on high alert for possible retaliation, including Tehran-backed plots and cyberattacks. The FBI has refocused resources toward Iran-related threats in major cities, after previously prioritizing immigration enforcement. Though no direct calls for violence have emerged, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of heightened risks, including hate crimes and cyber intrusions. Authorities are monitoring potential targets, especially military and Jewish sites. Past Iranian plots to assassinate U.S. officials and cyber operations against infrastructure are also being scrutinized. Critics worry resource shifts may leave the U.S. vulnerable to more urgent national security threats. Wall Street Journal As US cities heighten security, Iran’s history of reprisal points to murder-for-hire plots. In the wake of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, officials are on high alert for retaliation, particularly Iran’s pattern of murder-for-hire plots. Rather than mass violence, Iran has repeatedly turned to covert operations using intermediaries to target dissidents and political figures. The FBI disrupted a 2023 plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, allegedly orchestrated by Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian government asset who recruited criminal associates. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton was also targeted, with a $300,000 bounty offered by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member. Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad faced both a failed kidnapping attempt and a $500,000 murder contract, linked to Russian mobsters paid by Tehran. A 2011 plot to bomb a Saudi ambassador in Washington further illustrates this long standing tactic. These cases reveal Iran’s use of proxies, criminal networks, and cyber means to exact revenge while denying direct involvement—underscoring the current heightened threat landscape U.S. authorities are monitoring closely. Associated Press A look at Al Udeid Air Base, the US military site that Iran attacked. Iran launched 19 missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, a key American military hub. One missile struck the base, but no injuries were reported, and President Trump stated there was “hardly any damage.” Al Udeid, located southwest of Doha, houses thousands of U.S. troops and serves as the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command. It has supported operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Ahead of the strikes, the base cleared its tarmacs of aircraft—a strategic precaution mirrored at other U.S. sites. Trump visited the base in May, the first sitting president to do so in over 20 years. Associated Press Trump rips Russia’s Medvedev over nuclear remarks . President Trump sharply criticized former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday for suggesting that Iran’s allies might supply it with nuclear warheads in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Medvedev claimed “a number of countries” were ready to provide Iran with warheads, prompting Trump to accuse him of casually using the “N word” (nuclear) and highlighting U.S. submarine-launched Tomahawk strikes on Iran’s facilities. Medvedev later denied intentions to arm Iran, citing Russia’s adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Hill Putin says US strikes on Iran are pushing world to ‘very dangerous line’ . Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as “unjustified aggression” and warned they were pushing the world toward a “very dangerous line.” During a Kremlin meeting on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi—who reportedly delivered a letter from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—Putin pledged vague support for the Iranian people but offered no concrete aid. Iranian officials are reportedly dissatisfied with Russia’s limited backing and want more help against the U.S. and Israel. Although Russia and Iran signed a 20-year strategic partnership, it lacks a mutual defense clause. Putin, balancing war in Ukraine and cautious diplomacy with Trump, appears reluctant to escalate. At the U.N., Russia joined China and Pakistan in calling for an immediate Middle East ceasefire and denouncing U.S. actions as reckless. Reuters Why Russia Is Giving Iran the Cold Shoulder After Israel Attack . Despite a strategic partnership signed earlier this year, Russia has offered Iran little more than rhetorical support following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. President Vladimir Putin condemned the attacks as unjustified but avoided any commitment to military aid, instead proposing diplomatic de-escalation. Iranian officials, frustrated by Moscow’s inaction, have asked for air-defense systems and help restoring nuclear infrastructure, but Russia appears unwilling or unable to deliver. Analysts note a pattern in which Putin distances himself from embattled allies—such as Armenia and Syria—when the risks outweigh the benefits. With Russia mired in Ukraine and wary of jeopardizing ties with Israel or President Donald Trump, it has withheld sensitive arms and failed to meet previous promises to Tehran. Iran’s isolation may grow, leaving it increasingly dependent on transactional relationships with Russia and China, which critics say exploit Tehran’s vulnerability for cheap resources and geopolitical leverage. “The fact remains Russia couldn’t prevent Israel’s mass strike on a country with which five months ago Russia had signed a strategic partnership agreement,” political scientist Andrey Kortunov wrote. “Moscow is clearly not prepared to go beyond political statements.” Despite a strategic partnership signed earlier this year, Russia has offered Iran little more than rhetorical support following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. President Vladimir Putin condemned the attacks as unjustified but avoided any commitment to military aid, instead proposing diplomatic de-escalation. Iranian officials, frustrated by Moscow’s inaction, have asked for air-defense systems and help restoring nuclear infrastructure, but Russia appears unwilling or unable to deliver. Analysts note a pattern in which Putin distances himself from embattled allies—such as Armenia and Syria—when the risks outweigh the benefits. With Russia mired in Ukraine and wary of jeopardizing ties with Israel or President Donald Trump, it has withheld sensitive arms and failed to meet previous promises to Tehran. Iran’s isolation may grow, leaving it increasingly dependent on transactional relationships with Russia and China, which critics say exploit Tehran’s vulnerability for cheap resources and geopolitical leverage. “The fact remains Russia couldn’t prevent Israel’s mass strike on a country with which five months ago Russia had signed a strategic partnership agreement,” political scientist Andrey Kortunov wrote. “Moscow is clearly not prepared to go beyond political statements.” Wall Street Journal

THE AMERICAS Lawmakers to Bondi: DOJ funding cuts threaten national security . Attorney General Pam Bondi faced bipartisan criticism in Congress on Monday over proposed Justice Department budget cuts amid escalating tensions with Iran. Lawmakers argued the $2.5 billion reduction for fiscal year 2026, which would eliminate about 5,000 positions, is ill-timed following the Trump administration’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s missile retaliation on a U.S. base in Qatar. Rep. Tony Gonzales warned that cuts to national security and counterterrorism programs undermine U.S. readiness. Bondi remained noncommittal on revising the DOJ’s $33.6 billion request but stressed that the department is on “high alert,” especially regarding potential Iranian sleeper cells. Democrats Glenn Ivey and Frank Mrvan echoed calls to reassess the budget, with Mrvan warning of new threats like cyberattacks. Bondi urged Americans to pray for U.S. troops, noting, “It’s a frightening time.” Politico US House Speaker Johnson says it is not time to consider war powers resolution . Following President Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Democratic lawmakers have introduced multiple war powers resolutions to curb his authority to engage in military conflict without congressional approval. One resolution demands U.S. withdrawal from hostilities against Iran, citing a lack of consultation and Trump’s provocative talk of regime change. A bipartisan measure also gained traction. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the timing, arguing Trump acted within his powers. Despite Trump’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire, many lawmakers insist on a vote to reassert congressional war powers and prevent escalation. The growing divide reflects wider concerns about executive overreach, Middle East instability, and the limits of presidential military authority. Reuters Reuters Axios The Guardian Asia rushes exports to US as Trump’s tariff deadline looms . The U.S. trade deficit with Asia is growing as companies rush to import goods before President Trump’s threatened tariffs take effect in July. Exports to the U.S. from Vietnam and Thailand jumped 35% in May, while Taiwan’s rose nearly 90%, reversing typical seasonal patterns. The rush is driven by fear of steep tariffs, which could soon reverse the export surge and hurt regional economies. The U.S. trade deficit reached a projected $91 billion in May and may hit $643 billion in 2025, a record pace. Meanwhile, China’s exports to the U.S. fell despite a mid-May tariff truce, with exporters using “origin washing” to reroute goods. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group cut its growth forecast to 2.6%, warning that continued trade tensions could harm economic stability across the region. Bloomberg South China Morning Post Inside flying B-2 bomber missions .Pilots of the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bomber undergo extensive preparation, including nutrition and sleep training, before flying arduous missions that can last over 40 hours. The $2 billion bomber, used in the recent strikes on Iran, demands extreme endurance from its two-person crew. Mid-air refueling, often done in darkness, poses serious challenges as fatigue sets in. Despite its advanced stealth and fly-by-wire systems, the B-2’s success depends heavily on human performance. Since debuting in 1989, the B-2, which costs around $65,000 per hour to operate, has flown pivotal missions in Kosovo and Iraq. The Air Force plans to replace it with the B-21 Raider in coming decades, aiming for a fleet of 100. Reuters U.S. Border Patrol is increasingly seen far from the border as Trump ramps up deportation arrests. Border Patrol agents are increasingly operating far from the U.S.-Mexico and Canada borders, a shift driven by falling border arrests—now at a 60-year low—and a shortage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. With ICE struggling to meet an internal target of 3,000 arrests per day and only 6,000 deportation officers, it’s relying on the 20,000-strong Border Patrol for help. Agents have recently joined ICE operations in cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Under federal law, Border Patrol has broad authority within 100 miles of U.S. borders and coasts—a zone covering about two-thirds of the population—but can still operate nationwide with reduced authority to detain and question people. Critics warn this trend blurs agency roles and expands immigration enforcement deep into the interior. Border Patrol agents are increasingly operating far from the U.S.-Mexico and Canada borders, a shift driven by falling border arrests—now at a 60-year low—and a shortage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. With ICE struggling to meet an internal target of 3,000 arrests per day and only 6,000 deportation officers, it’s relying on the 20,000-strong Border Patrol for help. Agents have recently joined ICE operations in cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Under federal law, Border Patrol has broad authority within 100 miles of U.S. borders and coasts—a zone covering about two-thirds of the population—but can still operate nationwide with reduced authority to detain and question people. Critics warn this trend blurs agency roles and expands immigration enforcement deep into the interior. Associated Press

THE UKRAINE UPDATE Ukraine says Zelensky-Trump meeting planned Wednesday at NATO summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump plan to meet Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, according to a senior source in the Ukrainian presidency cited by AFP. Though Zelensky will not attend the main NATO working session—reportedly due to tensions with Trump—the two leaders are expected to hold talks in the early afternoon. The meeting will focus on Ukraine’s proposed purchase of a major defense package, including air defense systems, and on pushing for increased sanctions on Russia, specifically lowering the oil price cap from $60 to $45. Trump has so far resisted further sanctions despite Russia’s continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire. Al Arabiya English Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities since Monday kill at least 18 and injure 62. Russia launched a series of deadly drone and missile attacks across multiple Ukrainian cities since Monday that killed at least 18 and wounded dozens more. They include an overnight assault on Kyiv early Monday that killed 10 people and injured 34, damaging a university campus and metro station. Another person also was killed in Kyiv Oblast. A missile attack early Monday killed three and injured 12 people in Odesa. Drone and artillery strikes overnight on Tuesday, meanwhile, killed four people and injured five in Kherson Oblast, while an early Tuesday drone strike injured three civilians in Kharkiv. Reuters Kyiv Independent Kyiv Independent Kyiv Independent Putin says Russia is ramping up production of Oreshnik missile. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday that Russia has begun serial production of its Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic missile, first used in Ukraine in November 2024. Putin claimed the system has performed well in combat, describing it as virtually impossible to intercept and possessing destructive power akin to a nuclear weapon—though Western analysts dispute its effectiveness, calling it experimental. The missile has a range of up to 5,500 kilometers, capable of reaching Europe and parts of the U.S. Putin previously threatened to deploy the Oreshnik in Belarus and warned of strikes on Ukrainian decision-making centers if Western weapons continue targeting Russia. Reuters Ukrainian drone triggers fire in apartment building west of Moscow, official says. A Ukrainian drone struck a high-rise apartment building in Krasnogorsk, west of Moscow, early on Tuesday, causing a fire on the 17th floor and injuring two people, according to Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov. The victims were hospitalized. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that Russian air defenses intercepted two additional drones targeting the capital. Russia’s Defense Ministry said nine drones were destroyed within 90 minutes before midnight, including in border areas like Kursk and Bryansk. Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones, including in recent operations targeting Russian military aircraft deep within Russian territory. Reuters Ukrainian forces attack oil depot in Russia’s Rostov region. Ukraine’s military reported a successful strike Monday on an oil depot in Russia’s Rostov region, claiming the facility—used to supply Russian forces in occupied Luhansk and Donetsk—was set ablaze. The attack, conducted by special operations units along with rocket and artillery forces, targeted the Atlas plant near the Ukrainian border. Ukraine described it as part of broader efforts to undermine Russia’s military logistics and economic capacity. Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed a fire at an industrial site following a Ukrainian drone attack, while Russia claimed to have downed 14 drones overnight in the region. Reuters Starmer and Zelensky agree to military production project in London. During a visit to London on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a landmark defense co-production agreement. The three-year deal will boost Ukraine’s drone production and link British defense firms with frontline Ukrainian battlefield technology. The announcement, made at Starmer’s Downing Street residence, marks the first such partnership between the two nations and follows a broader 100-year UK-Ukraine cooperation framework. Zelenskiy also met with King Charles and parliamentary leaders, while both nations agreed to convene a “coalition of the willing” — excluding the U.S. — to coordinate next steps in Ukraine’s defense. During a visit to London on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a landmark defense co-production agreement. The three-year deal will boost Ukraine’s drone production and link British defense firms with frontline Ukrainian battlefield technology. The announcement, made at Starmer’s Downing Street residence, marks the first such partnership between the two nations and follows a broader 100-year UK-Ukraine cooperation framework. Zelenskiy also met with King Charles and parliamentary leaders, while both nations agreed to convene a “coalition of the willing” — excluding the U.S. — to coordinate next steps in Ukraine’s defense. Reuters

Russia’s spy agency says Serbia sold ammunition to Ukraine via Bulgaria, Czech Republic. Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence agency on Monday accused Serbia of selling artillery ammunition to Ukraine via intermediaries in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic—both NATO and European Union members. The SVR claimed Serbian companies knowingly supplied rockets and mortar components ultimately destined for use against Russian forces. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, speaking before the allegation was made public, stated that Serbia had halted all arms exports and is redirecting ammunition to its own military. Serbia, seeking EU membership, balances ties with both Russia and the West. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged Belgrade to investigate and prevent future arms transfers. Reuters Russia ordered 2 assassination attempts on popular journalist Dmytro Gordon, Ukraine security service says. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said Monday that Russia ordered two assassination attempts on prominent Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon. SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the plots in 2023 due to Gordon’s sharp criticism of Moscow and his large audience in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories. The first plot, involving a former pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker, aimed to use explosives or drones to target Gordon. The second attempt was led by a Dagestani Federal Security Service (FSB) operative posing as a fugitive, who surveilled Gordon for a planned $400,000 hit. Both groups were detained before carrying out the attacks. Kyiv Independent ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment for Monday, June 23. Russian leaders are trying to sway NATO defense spending debates by framing their own military buildup as a defensive response, while demanding guarantees against Ukraine’s NATO membership. President Vladimir Putin announced that major Russian military reforms, including new drone and missile forces and expanded divisions, will be completed in 2025 as part of long-term preparations for potential conflict with NATO. Putin also emphasized increased coordination among Russia’s internal security agencies to protect regime stability following past unrest. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Western allies, including Norway and New Zealand, continue to provide military aid and invest in Ukraine’s defense industry, particularly in drone and air defense technologies. Battlefield update: Ukrainian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast. Russian forces advanced near Kupyansk, Borova, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka and in Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast. Russian forces advanced near Kupyansk, Borova, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka and in Sumy Oblast. Institute for the Study of War

EUROPE Could this be the most significant NATO summit since the Cold War? This week’s NATO summit in the Netherlands is being called the most significant since the Cold War, as President Trump’s attendance follows U.S. strikes on Iran and renewed pressure on European allies. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte designed the summit to appease Trump with a landmark agreement: members pledging to spend 5% of GDP on defense. While this aims to retain U.S. military presence in Europe, challenges remain—Spain claims an opt-out, and cash-strapped countries struggle with the costs. Trump’s unpredictable stance, especially his soft approach to Moscow and pressure on Kyiv, has shaken Europe’s trust. NATO is also split on how to meet spending targets and improve defense coordination. With warnings that Russia could attack within five years, and Trump hinting at potential U.S. troop withdrawals, the summit could mark a turning point in Europe’s push for strategic independence and burden-sharing. BBC Deutsche Welle NATO Aims to Boost Defenses Against Drones, Hacking and Sabotage . Ahead of its 2025 summit in The Hague, NATO is prioritizing homeland defense against evolving threats such as drones, cyberattacks, and sabotage. Prompted by recent Ukrainian and Israeli strikes that exposed vulnerabilities in adversary infrastructure, the alliance is shifting focus from traditional battlefronts to readiness and resilience. Leaders aim to allocate a portion of the proposed 5% GDP defense spending target to nonlethal needs—like logistics, transport, and cyber defense—critical for force mobilization. NATO planners warn that modern conflict may begin not with tanks but with infrastructure attacks. With growing recognition that the homeland is no longer a sanctuary, NATO seeks to bolster roads, ports, and communication networks while countering cyber threats, including from Russia and China. Wall Street Journal Fearing war with Russia, Finland hardens NATO’s north frontier. Amid rising tensions with Russia, Finland is fortifying its 1,340-kilometer border—the longest between NATO and Russia—following its 2023 NATO accession. Barbed-wire fencing, surveillance drones, and upgraded reservist training reflect fears of conflict fueled by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Finland accuses Moscow of weaponizing migration, prompting border closures that have hurt cross-border trade and divided families. Economic fallout includes a €300 million annual loss to local businesses. Finland is boosting its defense posture, expanding its reservist force to one million by 2031, stockpiling landmines, and installing a new NATO command post. Satellite imagery shows limited Russian military buildup nearby, but Finnish officials warn the threat is long-term. President Putin denies hostile intent, but Finnish leaders remain cautious. “Re-bordering” is now a strategic necessity, officials say, marking a shift from decades of cooperation to hardened deterrence on NATO’s northern frontier. Reuters A Putin war with NATO would cost the world $1.5 trillion. A Bloomberg Economics report warns that if Russia were to attack NATO’s Baltic members—Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania—it could cost the global economy $1.5 trillion in the first year alone. The estimate includes warzone destruction, market selloffs, energy supply shocks, and supply chain disruptions. European officials now openly consider a Russian conflict with NATO plausible, with some general’s warning Russia may be ready within five years. Though Russia currently lacks the capacity for a two-front war, it is outproducing NATO in munitions and expanding bases, particularly in Kaliningrad. The Baltics, viewed by Putin as historically Russian, are vulnerable due to geography and minority populations. A war could start with a hybrid provocation—like fabricating a crisis on the Moscow-Kaliningrad train route—prompting a Russian “rescue” mission. While Trump may urge restraint, European leaders fear he won’t act decisively. NATO is responding by boosting defense spending and hardening its eastern flank, while preparing for prolonged conflict. Bloomberg Germany’s Merz says Europe must end U.S. defense ‘free-ride’ . German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that Europe can no longer “free-ride” on U.S. security and must invest more in its own defense. Speaking Monday at the Day of Industry in Berlin, Merz warned that American tolerance for Europe’s low defense spending “will not” continue, even under a future U.S. administration. He stressed the need for strategic independence, urging Europe to strengthen its capabilities and support Ukraine long-term against Russia’s rigid stance. Merz emphasized resilience not just militarily but politically, calling for protection against cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage. Germany plans to raise defense spending from 2.4% to 3.5% of GDP within five years. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that Europe can no longer “free-ride” on U.S. security and must invest more in its own defense. Speaking Monday at the Day of Industry in Berlin, Merz warned that American tolerance for Europe’s low defense spending “will not” continue, even under a future U.S. administration. He stressed the need for strategic independence, urging Europe to strengthen its capabilities and support Ukraine long-term against Russia’s rigid stance. Merz emphasized resilience not just militarily but politically, calling for protection against cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage. Germany plans to raise defense spending from 2.4% to 3.5% of GDP within five years. Deutsche Welle

The Night Chancellor Merz Changed His Mind About Donald Trump. In the weeks following his February 2025 election, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underwent a dramatic transformation in his defense and fiscal policy stance. Initially a staunch supporter of balanced budgets, Merz reversed course after witnessing President Trump publicly humiliate Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, signaling a potential U.S. abandonment of NATO and Ukraine. Alarmed, Merz concluded that Germany must urgently rearm, regardless of cost, approving plans to double defense spending, costing over €1 trillion across 12 years. Behind closed doors, he worked with outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz to push through constitutional changes allowing new debt before a more fractured Bundestag could be seated. The fear of a possible Russian attack and credible intelligence suggesting Trump might withdraw the U.S. from NATO fueled Merz’s urgency. Though Trump ultimately did not announce NATO withdrawal, Merz remained convinced the threat was real and justified his pivot with a call to defend Europe “whatever it takes.” Politico Canada and EU Strengthen Ties with New Defense Agreement. The European Union and Canada on Monday signed a landmark security and defense partnership during a summit in Brussels, signaling a deepening alliance amid rising global instability and increasing U.S. unpredictability under President Trump. The agreement—described by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the bloc’s most comprehensive—includes cooperation on cyber, maritime, space, arms control, and support for Ukraine. It grants Canada access to the EU’s €150 billion joint defense procurement program, enhancing its defense industry’s global reach. The pact also launches talks on a digital agreement to align data regulations. With Trump pressuring NATO allies to spend more and threatening disengagement, Canada and Europe are seeking strategic autonomy and stronger bilateral ties. New York Times Reuters Hungary and Slovakia block Russian sanctions package, Budapest says. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced Monday that Hungary and Slovakia are blocking the European Union’s proposed 18th sanctions package against Russia. The move comes in opposition to the EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy imports, which both countries rely on heavily. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico also demanded compensation to offset energy impacts. The European Commission proposed the sanctions on June 10, targeting Russia’s energy revenues, banks, and defense industry. Hungary frequently resists such measures and warned that banning Russian oil and gas would hurt its economy. EU diplomats view the opposition as a negotiating tactic ahead of a leaders’ summit. Reuters US urges Americans in Sweden to remain vigilant, citing threat of attack. The U.S. embassy in Sweden issued a security alert on Monday, urging Americans to remain vigilant amid reports that Iran may be pressuring Swedish criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, to target U.S. and Israeli interests. The warning follows rising tensions after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s retaliatory strike on a U.S. base in Qatar. Iran has denied links to such gangs. The Foxtrot Network was previously sanctioned by Washington and accused by Britain of carrying out attacks in Europe on Iran’s behalf. The alert comes amid broader concerns that Iran may use proxies globally as retaliation for military losses. Reuters Georgia sends more opposition politician to prison . Georgia sentenced opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze to seven months in prison on June 24, part of a broader crackdown that has seen most major pro-EU opposition figures jailed. Vashadze, head of the Strategy Builder party, was convicted for refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged misconduct under former president Mikheil Saakashvili. He and three others sentenced Tuesday were also banned from public office for two years. The ruling Georgian Dream party, in power since a disputed 2024 election, denies vote-rigging allegations. Critics say Georgia is shifting toward authoritarianism and aligning more closely with Russia, despite its traditionally pro-Western stance. . Georgia sentenced opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze to seven months in prison on June 24, part of a broader crackdown that has seen most major pro-EU opposition figures jailed. Vashadze, head of the Strategy Builder party, was convicted for refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged misconduct under former president Mikheil Saakashvili. He and three others sentenced Tuesday were also banned from public office for two years. The ruling Georgian Dream party, in power since a disputed 2024 election, denies vote-rigging allegations. Critics say Georgia is shifting toward authoritarianism and aligning more closely with Russia, despite its traditionally pro-Western stance. Reuters

THE MIDDLE EAST Succession plans for Iran’s Khamenei hit top gear. Iranian officials are accelerating efforts to plan for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s succession amid rising tensions with Israel and the U.S. Khamenei, 86, has gone into hiding with his family under tight security. A three-man committee from a top clerical body, appointed by Khamenei, is weighing two frontrunners: his hardline son Mojtaba, 56, and the more moderate Hassan Khomeini, the 53-year-old grandson of Iran’s revolutionary founder. Khamenei has previously opposed a dynastic handover, but pressure is mounting as recent attacks killed senior commanders. The regime seeks to ensure stability, though it’s unclear if any new leader could match Khamenei’s power. Officially, the Assembly of Experts will name the successor. Hassan Khomeini, linked to reformists, could present a more acceptable face amid public discontent. Some warn the Revolutionary Guards might back a lesser-known figure as a symbolic leader, lacking Khamenei’s authority but preserving their influence. Reuters

Beijing tells China ships in Strait of Hormuz to phone home, flags ‘shipping safety’. China has ordered all domestic shipping vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters to submit daily reports on their movements, reflecting heightened concern over regional instability following U.S. airstrikes on Iran. The new mandate, issued on Monday by the China Shipowners’ Association, requires detailed tracking of both current and past transits dating back to early 2024. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil trade route, is under threat as Iran considers closure in response to escalating tensions with Israel and the U.S. Despite Iran’s parliament backing the measure, analysts believe closure is unlikely, as it would severely impact Tehran’s own economy and strain ties with China, its biggest oil customer. Nearly half of China’s seaborne oil imports come from the Persian Gulf. South China Morning Post

ASIA & OCEANIA NATO chief Rutte argues China’s ‘massive’ build-up raises threat of Taiwan Strait conflict . NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Monday that China’s rapid military expansion, especially around the Taiwan Strait, heightens the risk of a conflict that could involve Russia, and draw in European forces. Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, Rutte said China’s unprecedented arms buildup poses global security risks, with Beijing potentially coordinating with Moscow to divide Western attention. NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners—Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand—are closely watching the situation. Rutte stressed that growing threats, including from Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, demand greater defense investments. He reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine and warned of global repercussions if Beijing moved against Taiwan. Amid rising tensions, Rutte stressed the interconnectedness of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. South China Morning Post Focus Taiwan South Korea’s new leaders seek continuity on key defense issues . New South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recently appointed lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back as defense minister—a civilian with strong legislative and oversight credentials, signaling a shift from military-led defense leadership. Ahn’s moderate, reform-oriented stance reassures Washington of continued alliance cooperation. Despite Lee’s past criticism of U.S.-South Korea ties and cost-sharing agreements, he is expected to maintain key defense mechanisms, including the three-axis system, U.S. missile coordination, and the Camp David trilateral framework, especially given North Korea’s renewed provocations. While seeking peaceful unification talks and closer economic ties with China, Lee is unlikely to alter core security policies soon due to political risks. In parallel, he will carefully navigate upcoming negotiations with the U.S. on defense spending, likely seeking to restructure payments. Defense One China to mark 80th WWII anniversary with military parade in Beijing in September . China will hold a major military parade on September 3 in Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of its World War II victory over Japan. This is only the second time the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has held such an event, the first being in 2015. The parade will highlight China’s historical role in defeating fascism and demonstrate its military modernization, including new technologies like cyber, hypersonic, and unmanned systems. President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech, and foreign leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko, are expected to attend. Though no foreign troops will march, war veterans, including former Kuomintang members, will be present. The event, featuring fighter jets and helicopters, comes amid global tensions and aims to assert China’s strategic deterrence and its commitment to defending the post-WWII international order. South China Morning Post Should Taiwan worry about the US being bogged down in the Middle East again? In the wake of U.S. airstrikes on Iran, Taiwanese analysts warn that a new Middle East conflict could overstretch American military resources and delay its response to a Taiwan Strait crisis. With U.S. forces already supporting Ukraine, experts fear a third front may strain arms supply chains and defense focus—key concerns for Taipei, which relies on U.S. weapons like Javelin missiles, Patriot systems, and 155mm artillery shells. While Taiwan’s ruling party views the U.S. strikes as a show of strength, others stress that China, unlike Iran, has a robust defense industry. Experts caution Taiwan against over-reliance on the U.S. and urge expanded security ties with Japan and Australia. Still, some believe the strikes were limited and that U.S. Indo-Pacific deployments remain intact, reaffirming American commitment to the sovereign island’s defense. South China Morning Post China not likely to use navy to secure Hormuz Strait, analysts say . China is unlikely to deploy its navy to secure the Strait of Hormuz if Iran threatens closure, despite its dependence on Middle Eastern oil, according to an expert at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Instead, Beijing is expected to rely on quiet negotiations to protect its interests, as it did with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. China is Iran’s top economic partner, supported by a $400 billion strategic deal signed in 2021 and complex workarounds to U.S. sanctions, including renminbi payments and covert oil shipments. CNAS analysts also noted that the U.S. strikes on Iran may offer strategic lessons for Beijing, though China’s approach to Taiwan would differ given stronger defenses. As tensions escalate, American resources may be drawn further into the Middle East, delaying its planned pivot to Asia. Experts warn the crisis marks only the start of deeper U.S.–Iran confrontations. . China is unlikely to deploy its navy to secure the Strait of Hormuz if Iran threatens closure, despite its dependence on Middle Eastern oil, according to an expert at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Instead, Beijing is expected to rely on quiet negotiations to protect its interests, as it did with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. China is Iran’s top economic partner, supported by a $400 billion strategic deal signed in 2021 and complex workarounds to U.S. sanctions, including renminbi payments and covert oil shipments. CNAS analysts also noted that the U.S. strikes on Iran may offer strategic lessons for Beijing, though China’s approach to Taiwan would differ given stronger defenses. As tensions escalate, American resources may be drawn further into the Middle East, delaying its planned pivot to Asia. Experts warn the crisis marks only the start of deeper U.S.–Iran confrontations. South China Morning Post

EU foreign policy chief calls for ‘dose of realism’ in China relations .EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged a “dose of realism” in dealing with China, citing its role in cyberattacks, coercive trade practices, and enabling Russia’s war on Ukraine. Her Monday comments followed an EU foreign ministers’ meeting that set the agenda for July talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ahead of a major EU-China summit next month. Kallas stressed the difficulty of maintaining normal ties with Beijing amid growing security concerns. While the EU remains marginalised in Middle East diplomacy, officials are pushing for a tougher stance on China. NATO’s upcoming summit will also address these issues, with the U.S. calling for stronger allied unity against threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea amid rising global instability. South China Morning Post US denounces Hong Kong’s ‘repression’ of Independence Day celebrations. Washington has condemned Hong Kong’s reported warnings to students against participating in U.S. Independence Day events, calling it “repression” and “interference.” According to media reports, Hong Kong’s Education Bureau sent notices suggesting that such celebrations could violate the National Security Law, which punishes acts like subversion and foreign collusion. The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong criticized the move as a sign of insecurity and “fear of freedom,” and confirmed that it would still hold a private July 4 event. The 2020 law, imposed by Beijing in the wake of 2019 protests, has drawn international criticism for stifling free speech and dissent in the former British colony. Reuters South China Morning Post Japan firm blames faulty space laser for doomed moon mission. Japanese company ispace confirmed that a faulty laser range finder caused its Resilience lunar lander to crash earlier this month during descent, marking its second failed moon landing in two years. The lander, descending too quickly at 138 feet per second, lost contact just seconds before impact near the moon’s Mare Frigoris region. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter later confirmed the crash site. Ispace previously lost its first lander in 2023 due to software issues. Of seven recent private lunar landing attempts, only Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, which launched alongside Resilience in January, has succeeded. Despite the failures, ispace plans two more missions, with the next attempt in 2027, in partnership with NASA and Japan’s space agency. Associated Press South China Morning Post Thailand shutters border crossings with Cambodia as spat intensifies . Thailand has shut nearly all land border crossings into Cambodia due to escalating security concerns amid a border dispute that recently turned deadly. The move follows armed clashes that killed a Cambodian soldier, and has led both nations to impose retaliatory measures, including Cambodia’s suspension of Thai fuel imports. The Thai military announced that tourists, traders, and vehicles are now barred from entering Cambodia through seven border provinces, with limited exceptions for humanitarian cases. The closures aim to address rising political, diplomatic, and military tensions, as well as support a crackdown on illegal scam centers in Cambodia. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also vowed to cut off essential supplies, such as electricity, to regions hosting illicit activities. . Thailand has shut nearly all land border crossings into Cambodia due to escalating security concerns amid a border dispute that recently turned deadly. The move follows armed clashes that killed a Cambodian soldier, and has led both nations to impose retaliatory measures, including Cambodia’s suspension of Thai fuel imports. The Thai military announced that tourists, traders, and vehicles are now barred from entering Cambodia through seven border provinces, with limited exceptions for humanitarian cases. The closures aim to address rising political, diplomatic, and military tensions, as well as support a crackdown on illegal scam centers in Cambodia. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also vowed to cut off essential supplies, such as electricity, to regions hosting illicit activities. Reuters Associated Press Bloomberg

AFRICA Russia, Mali sign trade deals, eye nuclear energy cooperation. Russia and Mali signed agreements on Monday to strengthen trade and economic ties, with President Vladimir Putin hosting Malian junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita at the Kremlin. Though current trade is limited, Putin emphasized potential cooperation in areas such as geology, energy, logistics, and humanitarian efforts. A key agreement involved nuclear energy, building on previous discussions to construct a Russian-designed low-power nuclear plant in Mali. Russia is also backing a new gold refinery in the country, aiming to give Mali, which lacks a certified refinery, more control over its natural resources. Russian mercenary support has helped Goita’s government since it expelled French and UN forces, and while the Wagner Group recently announced its withdrawal, Russia’s African Corps remains active. The talks signal deepening ties between the two countries amid Mali’s strategic pivot away from Western alliances. Reuters As gold prices surge, West Africa mine operators launch drones to detect wildcat miners . Record gold prices are fueling a surge in illegal mining across West Africa, intensifying deadly clashes between artisanal miners and corporate operations. At Ghana’s Tarkwa gold mine, drones and rapid-response teams patrol for intruders, often uncovering unlicensed operations. These wildcat miners—backed increasingly by local groups or by foreign funding, including from China—pose environmental and economic risks, siphoning gold and shortening the lifespan of formal mines. With unregulated mining sustaining millions in the region, tensions have escalated, resulting in nearly 20 deaths since late 2024. Companies like Newmont and AngloGold Ashanti face frequent site incursions, prompting urgent calls for military protection. Ghana alone lost over 229 metric tons of artisanal gold to smuggling between 2019 and 2023. To combat the crisis, Ghana is deploying AI-driven drone surveillance and excavator-tracking systems, while miners spend heavily on private security. Reuters Kenya set to charge police officers with murder over killing of blogger. Kenyan prosecutors have approved murder charges against six individuals, including three police officers, over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody—an incident that has sparked widespread protests. Ojwang, 31, died earlier this month following his arrest over allegedly defamatory social media posts. Police initially claimed Ojwang committed suicide, but an autopsy revealed he died from assault. One officer testified that he was told to rough up Ojwang on “orders from above.” More protests are expected Wednesday, coinciding with the anniversary of last year’s deadly parliamentary demonstrations. The suspects are set to be arraigned Tuesday. Kenyan prosecutors have approved murder charges against six individuals, including three police officers, over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody—an incident that has sparked widespread protests. Ojwang, 31, died earlier this month following his arrest over allegedly defamatory social media posts. Police initially claimed Ojwang committed suicide, but an autopsy revealed he died from assault. One officer testified that he was told to rough up Ojwang on “orders from above.” More protests are expected Wednesday, coinciding with the anniversary of last year’s deadly parliamentary demonstrations. The suspects are set to be arraigned Tuesday. Reuters BBC RFI

CYBER, TECH & MARKETS US stock futures rise after Trump says ceasefire reached between Israel and Iran . U.S. stock futures increased on June 23 after President Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. S&P 500 emini futures grew 0.3% and Nasdaq futures gained 0.5%, hinting that traders project a positive opening for Wall Street on Tuesday. Reuters The Middle East Is in Turmoil. U.S. Frackers See No Reason to Pump More Oil . President Trump urged U.S. oil producers to ramp up drilling amid rising Middle East tensions, warning against letting crude prices surge. However, fracking companies remain hesitant, citing falling oil prices, overproduction by OPEC, global economic slowdowns, and high tariffs. Despite a recent rally, prices quickly dropped to $68.51 a barrel after Iran’s retaliation signaled limited disruption to energy infrastructure. Industry leaders argue current market volatility makes new drilling too risky, with many large firms having already cut budgets and reduced active rigs to their lowest levels since 2021. Analysts say only sustained prices above $65–$100 per barrel, or a major disruption like closure of the Strait of Hormuz, might shift plans. Still, public drillers would move slowly, prioritizing shareholder returns over expansion. Meanwhile, tariffs on steel and aluminum add to production costs, further dampening enthusiasm for quick drilling increases despite Trump’s pressure. Wall Street Journal Possible Iranian hacking prompts Israel to advise the public to disconnect internet security cameras . Israeli cybersecurity sources are warning the public to disconnect internet-connected security cameras over concerns that Iranian hacks of the devices may be used to gather real-time intelligence and guide missile targeting. Refael Franco, a former Israeli cybersecurity official, told an interviewer that Iranian operatives have attempted to access private surveillance systems to aid in missile strike damage assessments. Israel’s National Cyber Directorate has confirmed that CCTV systems have been targeted by Iran’s cyber operations. Earlier in June, Israel prohibited government officials from using the internet or telecommunications network-linked devices over fears of hacking and surveillance. The Record Jerusalem Post Wired U.S. official says Chinese startup DeepSeek shares user data with Beijing intelligence services . A senior U.S. official alleges that the Chinese AI startup, DeepSeek, is assisting China’s military and intelligence operations by providing user data and statistics. In addition, the unidentified State Department official told Reuters that DeepSeek is seeking out shell companies in Southeast Asia to access high-end semiconductors barred from export to China under U.S. restrictions. According to the official, DeepSeek shares user information and statistics with Beijing’s surveillance network, a practice that heightens privacy concerns for the app’s millions of users worldwide. Previously, DeepSeek has been accused by U.S. legislators of sending U.S. user data to China through “backend infrastructure” operated by the Chinese telecommunications firm, China Mobile. Reuters British government commits over $673 million to quantum computing initiatives . The U.K.’s Labour government has announced it will commit more than $673 million for quantum computing and related technologies as part of its industrial strategy. The funding will be used to boost R&D, develop advanced infrastructure, and accelerate applications in healthcare and defense sectors, among others. Recent U.S. acquisitions of the British quantum startups Oxford Ionics and Oxford Instruments quantum division have increased government concerns that the U.K. may lose control of strategic tech assets. The government believes the impact of these sales may be offset by funding to fuel domestic quantum computing initiatives. Government officials say quantum technology could result in millions in economic savings and transform public sector operations like the National Health Service. Cybernews New Huawei laptop using dated chip technology indicates bite of U.S. export restrictions . Computer sector analysts suggest that Huawei’s new MateBook Fold laptop, which is powered by a chip based on years-old technology, may be evidence of China’s inability to develop advanced semiconductors due to U.S. export restrictions. TechInsights, a leading semiconductor industry information platform, noted that the use of domestically produced 7 nm chip technology “likely means that SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.) has not yet achieved a 5nm-equivalent node that can be produced at scale.” A TechInsights statement on the Huawei laptop said U.S. chip restrictions probably are impeding SMIC’s advances “in more advanced nodes across chips for mobile, PCs and cloud/AI applications.” Bloomberg Huawei marks unexpected advances in data center systems, Ascend chip output . A recent technical paper by Huawei and Chinese AI infrastructure startup, SiliconFlow, reveals that Huawei’s advanced data center architecture, CloudMatrix 384, which is powered by Ascend 910 chip technology, outperforms the Nvidia GPU-based SGLang fast-serving framework for large language models (LLMs). The results were demonstrated on both inference and decoding phases in running DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model. The CloudMatrix system consists of 384 Ascend 910C neural processing units (NPUs) and 192 Kunpeng server central processing units. The paper also described Huawei’s 910C AI processor that features a dual-die architecture, integrating two identical computing dies in a single package. Although Huawei’s Ascend chips still trail U.S. competitors by “a generation,” chip “stacking and clustering” methods yield computing performance comparable to the most advanced systems. According to one sector analysis, 700,000 units of Huawei’s Ascend 910 series will ship this year, indicating success in mobilizing China’s chip equipment supply chain. South China Morning Post Cyber researchers uncover troubling ‘hallucination’ trends in LLM’s used to generate code . A study by researchers at three U.S. universities has identified a new type of threat to the software supply chain: package hallucinations. Nearly all software developers now use AI to write code, opening a door for threat actors to exploit this growing trend. “Package” hallucinations occur when an AI-generated large language model (LLM) creates code that directs developers to a package that doesn’t exist. This new form of package confusion attack, the study says, “poses a critical threat to the integrity of the software supply chain.” In a study of 16 major LLM’s used for code generation, researchers discovered that hallucinated packages occurred in 5.2 percent of code generated by commercial models like GPT-4 and Claude, and 21.7 percent for open-source models like CodeLlama and DeepSeek Coder. In addition, the study revealed a “staggering 205,474 unique examples of hallucinated package names,” underscoring the “severity and pervasiveness of this threat.” Cybernews Russia-linked hackers conduct elaborate phishing campaign posing as State Department officials . Advanced social engineering attacks using phishing emails impersonating State Department officials are being used by Russian hackers who dupe targets into providing app-specific passwords to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) and access Gmail accounts. The campaign has targeted academics and critics of the Russian government. According to Google’s threat intelligence unit, hackers sent carefully crafted phishing messages to trick recipients into creating app-specific passwords providing access to their Gmail accounts. Researchers from The Citizen Lab described an incident in which a targeted individual believed he was sharing an app-specific password to securely access a State Department platform but was in fact providing the attacker full access to their Google account. The Google threat unit, which believes the hackers could be linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, said the spearphishing campaign started in April and continued through the beginning of June. BleepingComputer New York Times analyzes the growing global divide in access to AI computing resources. A New York Times analysis indicates an expanding global digital divide in the distribution of AI systems, separating nations with sizable computing power from those without. The U.S., China, and the E.U. are the biggest beneficiaries of this divide, hosting more than half of the world’s most powerful data centers used for developing complex A.I. systems. Only 16 percent of the world’s nations — 32 countries — possess this level of compute power. The U.S. and China are particularly well equipped with over 90 percent of data facilities used for AI work while Africa and South America are almost entirely lacking in AI computing complexes. The UN has warned that the digital divide, which had been narrowing with the proliferation of smartphones and internet access worldwide, may widen in the absence of efforts to spread AI resources to underserved areas. Many countries have responded to their comparative lack of AI-related technologies by providing AI developers with access to land and cheaper energy and committing public funds to acquire chips and build out data centers. A New York Times analysis indicates an expanding global digital divide in the distribution of AI systems, separating nations with sizable computing power from those without. The U.S., China, and the E.U. are the biggest beneficiaries of this divide, hosting more than half of the world’s most powerful data centers used for developing complex A.I. systems. Only 16 percent of the world’s nations — 32 countries — possess this level of compute power. The U.S. and China are particularly well equipped with over 90 percent of data facilities used for AI work while Africa and South America are almost entirely lacking in AI computing complexes. The UN has warned that the digital divide, which had been narrowing with the proliferation of smartphones and internet access worldwide, may widen in the absence of efforts to spread AI resources to underserved areas. Many countries have responded to their comparative lack of AI-related technologies by providing AI developers with access to land and cheaper energy and committing public funds to acquire chips and build out data centers. New York Times