Iran Update Special Report, June 24, 2025, Evening Edition – Institute for the Study of War
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Israel backs away from heavier strikes on Iran, maintaining ceasefire after Trump pressure
U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities eradicated Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon. Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, said Tuesday. He called media reports contradicting claims that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated “completely preposterous” He called for whoever leaked documents about the damage assessment of the three targeted sites to be held accountable.
The U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend eradicated Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon, despite media reports saying the opposite, Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, said Tuesday.
The strikes ordered by President Donald Trump targeted three sites – one each in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.
“All three of those had most, if not all, the centrifuges damaged or destroyed in a way that it will be almost impossible for them to resurrect that program, in my view and in many other experts’ views who have seen the raw data, it will take a period of years,” Witkoff told “The Ingraham Angle.”
Witkoff described media reports contradicting claims that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated “completely preposterous.”
He also called for whoever leaked documents about the damage assessment of the three targeted sites to be held accountable.
“Leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on, is outrageous,” he said. “It’s treasonous. So, it ought to be investigated. And whoever did it, whoever is responsible for it, should be held accountable. It could hurt lives in the future.”
“It was never going to be a forever war. It was never gonna be a war just for war’s sake. It was a war to achieve an objective that I think most Americans should be very, very satisfied with,” Witkoff told the “Ingraham Angle.” “I can tell you that I was in those discussions. I watched our commander in chief. He is, he’s got this uncanny ability to understand exactly when to push the button and when to pull out. He achieved his objective and that was the end of it.”
A whirlwind 48 hours: How Trump’s Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement came together
President Donald Trump publicly harangued the Israelis and Iranians as he worked to seal the deal. The effort was helped along as his aides, and Qatari allies, sensed an opening. The agreement began taking shape early Sunday morning, soon after the U.S. military carried out blistering strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Trump told Netanyahu not to expect further U.s. offensive military action, according to a senior White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive diplomatic talks. But as Trump spoke with confidence about the coming cease-fire, neither side publicly commented on what Trump described as a deal that would be phased in over the coming hours.. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to social media to declare that Iran wouldn’t surrender. It was unclear what role Khamenei, the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic’s theocracy, had in the deal, and he would wait more than eight hours to confirm that Israel had accepted the ceasefire and that it had achieved its war goals.
Trump, as he worked to seal the deal, publicly harangued the Israelis and Iranians with a level of pique that’s notable even for a commander-in-chief who isn’t shy about letting the world know what he thinks.
The effort was helped along as his aides, and Qatari allies, sensed an opening after what they saw as a half-hearted, face-saving measure by Tehran on Monday to retaliate against the U.S. for strikes against three key nuclear sites. And it didn’t hurt that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after 12 days of bombing, could tell the Israeli public that Iran’s nuclear program had been diminished
“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!” Trump declared in a social media post announcing the ceasefire.
Netanyahu is less than enthusiastic about Trump’s message
The agreement began taking shape early Sunday morning, soon after the U.S. military carried out blistering strikes on Iranian nuclear sites that U.S. defense officials said have set back Tehran’s nuclear program.
Trump directed his team to get Netanyahu on the phone.
The president told Netanyahu not to expect further U.S. offensive military action, according to a senior White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive diplomatic talks.
The U.S. president made the case that it was time to stop the war and return to diplomatic negotiations with Iran. Trump also noted that the U.S. had removed any imminent threat posed by Iran, according to the official.
For his part, Netanyahu listened to Trump’s argument as Israel was nearing its own objectives with Iran, the official said. Netanyahu did not enthusiastically agree, but understood Trump’s stance that the U.S. had no desire for additional military involvement.
Around the same time, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff spoke directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, telling him to come back to the bargaining table because Iran had seen what the U.S. military could do and that it was capable of doing much more, the official said.
Witkoff stressed that the U.S. wanted peace — and Iran should, too.
Trump ebullient about Israel-Iran deal prospects
Less than 48 hours later, Trump took to his social media platform to announce that a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” had been achieved.
The ceasefire was based solely on the end of military hostilities, rather than on additional conditions about Iran’s nuclear program or its economic interests. Trump was acting on the belief that Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons had been crippled.
But as Trump spoke with confidence about the coming cease-fire, the Israelis and Iranians were notably quiet — neither side publicly commented on what Trump described as a deal that would be phased in over the coming hours.
Araghchi spoke out first, acknowledging the wheels were in motion for a deal, but stopping short of saying Iran had signed off.
“As of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Araghchi posted on X. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”
Commitment from Iran and Israel to Trump’s ceasefire remained murky
Not long before Trump’s announcement, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to social media to declare that Iran wouldn’t surrender. It was unclear what role Khamenei, the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic’s theocracy, had in the deal.
And Netanyahu was silent. He would wait more than eight hours after Trump’s announcement to confirm that Israel had accepted the ceasefire and that it had achieved its war goals against Iran.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said ceasefire efforts gained steam after Iran’s retaliatory attack on a major U.S. base in the emirate on Monday evening.
The Iranians fired 14 missiles at the base — with U.S. and Qatari defense systems knocking down 13. One of the missiles, according to Trump, was “‘set free’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction.” Trump also claimed the Iranians gave the U.S. and Qatar a heads up, allowing the troops to take shelter and the Qataris to clear their typically busy airspace.
Qatar plays a key role in the ceasefire talks
Iran’s restrained direct response to the U.S. bombardment suggested to Trump administration officials that Iran — battered by Israel’s 12-day assault — and its degraded proxy groups, including Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Yemen-based Houthis, didn’t have the wherewithal to expand the fight.
Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had a “long call” with Trump soon after the Iranian attack on the Al-Ubeid military installation, according to the Qatari prime minister.
“There was an opportunity during this communication to announce a full ceasefire on all fronts, and U.S. authorities asked Qatar to contact Iranian authorities to know how prepared they are for a ceasefire,” the prime minister said.
Trump saw the moment as a clear opening
The president soon got back in touch with Netanyahu to secure his commitment to end the hostilities, officials said. The prime minister agreed to the ceasefire, as long as there were no further attacks by Iran, the officials said.
From there, things moved quickly.
Vice President JD Vance was making an appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report” on Monday evening when Trump took to social media to announce the ceasefire deal had been reached and would go into effect over the coming day. The vice president appeared surprised when host Bret Baier told him that Trump had announced a deal had been reached.
“We were actually working on that just as I left the White House to come over here,” Vance said. “So that’s good news that the president was able to get that across the finish line.”
But after Trump’s announcement, the attacks kept coming. Iran launched a series of strikes on Israel after 4 a.m. local time Tuesday in Tehran, the time that Iran’s foreign minister had said Iran would cease its attacks if Israel ended their airstrikes.
And the Israeli prime minister’s office confirmed that Israel launched a major assault hours ahead of the ceasefire’s start, hitting central Tehran. “We attacked forcefully in the heart of Tehran, hitting regime targets and killing hundreds of Basij and Iranian security forces,” the statement read.
Iranian media confirmed nine casualties in the northern Gilan province. “Four residential buildings were completely destroyed and several neighboring houses were damaged in the blasts.” Fars News Agency reported.
A frustrated Trump lashes out
Trump, who was scheduled to depart the White House early Tuesday to fly to the Netherlands for the NATO summit, was livid. His frustration was palpable as he spoke to reporters on the White House South Lawn.
“I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran, either, but I’m really unhappy with Israel going out this morning,” Trump said. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—- they’re doing.”
Minutes later, he took to his Truth Social platform to send a warning to Israel.
“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION,” Trump posted. “BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
Trump climbed aboard Air Force One and was soon on the phone with Netanyahu. He did not mince words with the Israeli leader, according to one of the White House officials. Trump was “exceptionally firm and direct” with Netanyahu “about what needed to happen to sustain the ceasefire.” Netanyahu got the message.
His office confirmed that the Israeli leader held off tougher action after the appeal from Trump and “refrained from additional attacks.”
After the call, Trump once again took to social media to declare the ceasefire was “in effect. ”
“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran,” Trump declared. “All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran, Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!”
The president went on to spend a considerable chunk of his flight celebrating what his administration is calling a signal achievement.
“It was my great honor to Destroy All Nuclear facilities & capability, and then, STOP THE WAR!”
AP writers Darlene Superville, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed reporting.
Iran Update Special Report, June 24, 2025, Morning Edition
Ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding despite both Israeli and Iranian claims of violations. Israel has responded to perceived Iranian violations of the ceasefire but has not resumed its campaign at this time. Iran has conducted at least seven ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff at 5:00 PM ET on June 23. An Iranian missile impacted a residential building in Beer Sheva in southern Israel, killing four people and injuring 22 others. Iran fired three missiles after the ceasefire went into effect. The IDF intercepted at least 15 one-way attack drones launched from Iran overnight June 23 and 24. The United States intercepted drones that targeted Ain al Asad Airbase and another unspecified base near Baghdad Airport. The Israeli Air Force dropped over 100 munitions on “dozens” of Iranian military targets overnight on June 24. Israel struck the Organization of Defensive Research and Development (SPND), which played a leading role in the Iranian nuclear research program before 2003. The attack marks the third time that the IDF has struck the SPND headquarters in Tehran.
Information Cutoff: 8:00 AM ET
The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) are publishing multiple updates daily to provide analysis on the war with Iran. The morning update will focus on the exchange of fire between Iran and Israel. The evening update will be more comprehensive, covering events over the past 24-hour period and refining items discussed in the morning update.
Click here to see ISW-CTP’s interactive map showing the total strikes in Iran since June 12, as well as an interactive timelapse showing the strikes day-by-day.
Key Takeaways:
The ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding despite both Israeli and Iranian claims of violations. Israel has responded to perceived Iranian violations of the ceasefire but has not resumed its campaign at this time.
Iran has conducted at least seven ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff at 5:00 PM ET on June 23. Iran launched five of the attacks before the ceasefire went into effect at 12:00 AM ET, one attack at 12:06 AM ET, and one attack around 3:25 AM ET. Israel conducted several waves of airstrikes in Tehran on June 23 and 24 before and after the ceasefire went into effect.
An unspecified senior US military official told the Associated Press on June 24 that the United States intercepted drones that targeted Ain al Asad Airbase and another unspecified base near Baghdad Airport overnight on June 23 and 24.
The ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding despite both Israeli and Iranian claims of violations.[1] US President Donald Trump announced on June 23 that Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire.[2] Trump said that Iran would halt strikes on Israel 12 hours before Israel stopped attacks on Iran.[3] It appears that Iran halted strikes on Israel at 12:00 AM ET on June 24 whereas Israel halted attacks at 8:30 PM ET on June 23.[4] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi both confirmed that their forces would abide by the ceasefire.[5] The Iranian Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) also confirmed that Iran would adhere to the ceasefire.[6]
Israel has responded to perceived Iranian violations of the ceasefire but has not resumed its campaign at this time. Netanyahu said that Iran launched three ballistic missiles targeting Israel after the ceasefire went into effect.[7] Iranian media and officials denied the claim.[8] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a radar in Babolsar, north of Tehran, in response to the Iranian missile attack after 12:00 AM ET.[9] Netanyahu said that Israel would refrain from additional retaliatory attacks after a conversation with Trump.[10] Netanyahu told the Israeli cabinet and senior security officials that the IDF achieved all of its objectives in its campaign against Iran.[11] Iran has not conducted an attack on Israel since approximately 3:25 AM ET on June 24.[12] Israel has not conducted an attack on Iran since approximately 7:35 AM ET on June 24.[13]
Iran has conducted at least seven ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff at 5:00 PM ET on June 23.[14] Iran launched five of the attacks before the ceasefire went into effect at 12:00 AM ET, one attack at 12:06 AM ET, and one attack around 3:25 AM ET.[15] An Iranian missile impacted a residential building in Beer Sheva in southern Israel, killing four people and injuring 22 others.[16] Iran fired three missiles after the ceasefire went into effect. The missiles were intercepted or landed in open areas in Israel.[17]
The IDF intercepted at least 15 one-way attack drones launched from Iran overnight on June 23 and 24.[18]
Israel conducted several waves of airstrikes in Tehran on June 23 and 24 before and after the ceasefire went into effect. An IDF spokesperson said that the Israeli Air Force dropped over 100 munitions on “dozens” of Iranian military targets in Tehran overnight on June 23 and 24.[19] A security source told Israeli Army Radio that the IDF struck Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) assets, weapons production sites, nuclear laboratories, and personnel.[20] The IDF struck the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which played a leading role in the Iranian nuclear weapons research program before 2003.[21] This attack marks the third time that the IDF has struck the SPND headquarters in Tehran.[22] The IDF also killed Iranian nuclear scientist Sayyed Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber in Gilan Province. Saber led the SPND’s Shahid Karimi Group, which works on “explosives-related projects.”[23] The United States sanctioned Saber in May 2025 for conducting research and tests that could support the development of nuclear weapons.[24]
The IDF issued evacuation orders for Mehran Neighborhood in northern Tehran and District Six in central Tehran on June 23 prior to the ceasefire.[25] Iranian social media users reported at least two strikes in or near District Six.[26]
An unspecified senior US military official told the Associated Press on June 24 that the United States intercepted drones that targeted Ain al Asad Airbase and another unspecified base near Baghdad Airport overnight on June 23 and 24.[27] One of the drones crashed at an unspecified location.[28] The attacks did not cause any casualties.[29] No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks at the time of this writing.
[1] https://x.com/EnglishFars/status/1937455051812810961
[2] https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114734934153569653
[3] https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114734934153569653
[4] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494189866123723 ; https://x.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420
[5] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494189866123723 ; https://x.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420
[6] https://x.com/Mostafa_Najafii/status/1937429289638494391 ; https://t.me/moriahdoron/23701
[7] https://t.me/moriahdoron/23720 ; https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494187949097288
[8] https://t.me/moriahdoron/23698 ; https://x.com/EnglishFars/status/1937446418110664912
[9] https://t.me/moriahdoron/23719 ; https://t.me/moriahdoron/23717 ; https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494196925174118
[10] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494196925174118
[11] https://t.me/moriahdoron/23678
[12] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494193351307702
[13] https://t.me/moriahdoron/23717
[14] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937331898197725467 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937338277981225158 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937347640045224365; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937353814300152252 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937358589112258931 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937363267623563580 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937412610137207152
[15] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494193351307702
[16] https://x.com/Grimm_Intel/status/1937351976611700980 ; https://x.com/JoeTruzman/status/1937373643237130468 ; https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494189866123723
[17] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1937494193351307702
[18] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1937443734192279601
[19] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1937408632905187365
[20] https://x.com/GLZRadio/status/1937367646229385296; https://t.me/moriahdoron/23659; https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1937408632905187365
[21] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1937408632905187365; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-4-2025
[22] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1935912784811766144; https://x.com/IAFsite/status/1934031792018973137;
[23] https://apnews.com/live/iran-israel-war-updates-6-24-2025#00000197-a22f-dc47-a5f7-aebf35060000; https://x.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1937334229840351486; https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/imposition-of-new-u-s-sanctions-related-to-iranian-nuclear-related-research-with-potential-military-applications; https://x.com/no_itsmyturn/status/1937331023244624311
[24] https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/imposition-of-new-u-s-sanctions-related-to-iranian-nuclear-related-research-with-potential-military-applications/
[25] https://x.com/IDFFarsi/status/1937278323861913982
[26] https://x.com/Vahid/status/1937310330373439899; https://x.com/Vahid/status/1937455045429330200
[27] https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-trump-ceasefire-attacks-continue-f1e60190722cc3410b69f21717872ffa
[28] https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-trump-ceasefire-attacks-continue-f1e60190722cc3410b69f21717872ffa
[29] https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-trump-ceasefire-attacks-continue-f1e60190722cc3410b69f21717872ffa
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv launches attacks inside Russia – as Putin’s forces kill at least 18 civilians in strikes, officials say
Russian forces have relentlessly bombarded civilian areas of Ukraine throughout the war, which is now in its fourth year. More than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, according to the United Nations. Ukraine has also launched long-range drones against Russia, hitting residential areas. A Russian ballistic missile attack on Dnipro hit multiple civilian sites in the central Ukrainian city around midday on Tuesday, killing nine people. In the nearby town of Samar, an attack killed two people and injured 11.
Officials in Ukraine say Russian drones, missiles and artillery have killed at least 18 civilians and injured more than 100 others.
Russian forces have relentlessly bombarded civilian areas of Ukraine throughout the war, which is now in its fourth year.
More than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, according to the United Nations. Ukraine has also launched long-range drones against Russia, hitting residential areas.
A Russian ballistic missile attack on Dnipro hit multiple civilian sites in the central Ukrainian city around midday on Tuesday, killing nine people and injuring scores more, local officials said.
In the nearby town of Samar, an attack killed two people and injured 11, Dnipro’s regional administration head Serhii Lysak wrote on Telegram.
Russia also shelled residentianeighbourhoodsds and critical infrastructure across Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson, killing four civilians and wounding at least 11 others, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration.
As previously reported, in the Sumy region of north-eastern Ukraine, a drone attack last night killed three civilians, including a five-year-old boy, and injured six others, local authorities said.
Among the injured were two 17-year-old girls and a 12-year-old boy, according to officials.
Meanwhile, Russian air defence forces overnight shot down 20 Ukrainian drones, the Russian Defence Ministry reported this morning. It said 14 were downed over the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, while two had been flying over the Moscow province.
One drone slammed into a tower block on the outskirts of the Russian capital, sparking a fire on its 17th floor, local governor Andrei Vorobyov said today. He said a 34-year-old resident suffered shrapnel wounds to his arm and leg. Two other drones were shot down on the approach to Moscow, according to mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Air traffic was briefly halted as a precaution at two major Moscow airports, a representative of Russia’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said.
Israel-Iran conflict highlights Netanyahu declares ‘historic’ win, vows to campaign against Iran axis, Hamas
A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to hold Tuesday after initially faltering. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both sides, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” that they do not know what they are doing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had brought Iran’s nuclear program “to ruin”
But even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had brought Iran’s nuclear program “to ruin,” a new U.S. intelligence report found that the program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes over the weekend, according to two people familiar with the assessment.
He also said that it must complete its campaign against Iran’s axis, defeat Hamas and bring about the return of all the hostages in Gaza. The Premier’s comments, delivered in an address to the nation, came after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country was willing to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme with U.S.
Also read | U.S. strikes didn’t ‘totally destroy’ Iran’s nuclear sites: Pentagon intelligence report
Mr. Pezeshkian insisted, however, that Iran would continue to “assert its legitimate rights” to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Also read: Iran’s parliament takes up Bill to end ties with International Atomic Energy Agency
Israel has said its war, which began on June 13, was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, an ambition Tehran has long denied holding.