The Daily Populous Tuesday June 24th, 2025 day edition
Authored by theguardian.com and submitted by r0land_of_gilead

From 15h ago 23.12 BST President Trump claims a ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been agreed to In a post on Truth Social, president Trump claims a 12-hr ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been reached. The ceasefire, he says, will begin in 6 hours. He writes: CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED! Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR.” This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!” U.S. President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photograph: Daniel Torok/The White House/Getty Images Share Updated at 00.12 BST

12h ago 02.35 BST Closing post Hello and thank you for following this coverage. We are closing this blog now, but you can continue to follow our live coverage of events on our new blog here. Share Updated at 02.44 BST

12h ago 02.11 BST Iran's foreign minister suggests ceasefire has begun Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has just posted this message on X: The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am. Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.” Share

12h ago 02.07 BST A summary of where things stand It has been a dramatic few hours in the Israel-Iran war, with retaliatory attacks from Iran on the largest US military facility in the Middle East, and claims from US president Donald Trump that a ceasefire has been agreed. Here is the latest: US president Donald Trump has proclaimed in a social media post that Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire that will start first with Iran in just a matter of hours . After 12 hours, he said, Israel would follow suit.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR ,” Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social. “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 later told NBC the ceasefire was “unlimited” and would last “forever”.

After the ceasefire announcement, Israel’s Defence Forces issued an evacuation warning for several parts of the Iranian capital , Tehran, ahead of a planned Israeli strike. “The Israeli army, as it has been operating across Iran in recent days to target the military infrastructure of the Iranian regime, will be active in these areas,” it wrote, urging citizens to immediately evacuate. On social media, some users reported massive explosions in Tehran, which they said were the most intense since Israel first started bombing Iran 12 days ago.

Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on X that there was “NO” agreement on any ceasefire, or “cessation of military operations.” However, he provided an important caveat, saying: “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. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”

Israel is yet to officially confirm the ceasefire.

According to a report from Reuters news agency, Qatar played a role in helping to broker the deal behind the scenes. Qatar’s prime minister reportedly secured Iran’s agreement in a call with Tehran , an official briefed on the matter told Reuters.

A White House official also told Reuters that Israel agreed to the ceasefire so long as Iran does not launch further attack s, while Iran has signalled to the US that no further attacks would take place.

Trump’s proclaimed ceasefire comes after Iran announced it had launched a missile attack on a US base in the Gulf state of Qatar , at the Al Udeid Air Base, in what it said was retaliation for US participation in Israel’s bombing campaign against Iran the day before.

Qatar’s foreign ministry said that “Qatar’s air defences successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles” and there had been no casualties. Iran reportedly provided advance warning of the attack.

Trump at the weekend launched an unprecedented attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, including Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow . Codenamed ‘Midnight Hammer,’ the attack deployed American B-2 bombers, and so-called bunker buster bombs.

Trump was quick to claim that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities had “completely and totally obliterated” them. Still, it remains unclear how much physical damage has been done or what the longer-term impact might be on Iran’s nuclear programme.

US bombing probably caused “very significant” damage to the underground areas of Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment plant dug into a mountain, though no one can yet tell the extent, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday. “Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme(ly) vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,” Grossi said in a statement.

The comments follow a meeting by the national security committee of Iran’s parliament, which approved the general outline of a bill meant to fully suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. According to the bill, installing surveillance cameras, allowing inspections, and submitting reports to the IAEA would be suspended as long as the security of nuclear facilities is not guaranteed. Share Updated at 02.09 BST

12h ago 01.52 BST Iran’s foreign minister says no ceasefire 'agreement' but offers important caveat Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has responded to reports of a ceasefire with Israel, saying in a post on X. As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO “agreement” on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. 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. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.” Share

12h ago 01.44 BST Amid Trump’s claim of a ceasefire, the Israel Defence Forces has just posted this on X. “The Home Front Command clarifies that there is no change in the guidelines for the public. Continue to follow the instructions provided by the Home Front Command through official channels.” Share

13h ago 00.53 BST US president Donald Trump told NBC News he expects an Israel-Iran ceasefire that he announced on Monday to last “forever.” “I think the ceasefire is unlimited. It’s going to go forever,” he told the network. Share

14h ago 00.33 BST Even as US vice president JD Vance has said the US has destroyed Iran’s capability to produce a nuclear weapon, the national security committee of Iran’s parliament approved the general outline of a bill meant to fully suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The report cited committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei, who said that according to the bill, installing surveillance cameras, allowing inspections, and submitting reports to the IAEA would be suspended as long as the security of nuclear facilities is not guaranteed. Parliament still has to approve the bill in a plenary. View image in fullscreen Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army Amir Hatami closely follows the developments at the Iranian Army's Combat Command Room in Tehran, Iran on June 23, 2025. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Share Updated at 01.04 BST

14h ago 00.15 BST Amid the announcement of a ceasefire, Israel’s Defence Forces have posted an evacuation warning for parts of the Iranian capital, Tehran, writing on X: “Urgent warning to all individuals located in the Mehran and District 6 areas in Tehran, based on the red-colored designated area on the attached map. “The Israeli army, as it has been operating across Iran in recent days to target the military infrastructure of the Iranian regime, will be active in these areas.” “Dear citizens, for your safety and well-being, we kindly request that you immediately evacuate the aforementioned designated areas on the map and avoid approaching them in the coming hours.” Share

14h ago 00.03 BST A few more lines on how the ceasefire Trump has posted about came to fruition, in particular the role that Qatar played behind the scenes. Qatar’s prime minister reportedly secured Iran’s agreement to the US ceasefire proposal in call with Tehran, an official briefed on the matter told Reuters. Trump told Qatar’s emir that Israel had agreed to ceasefire and asked for Qatari help to persuade Iran to also agree, Reuters also reports. Share

14h ago 23.37 BST US vice president JD Vance also said on Monday that Iran was no longer able to build a nuclear weapon after US strikes destroyed its infrastructure. “Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon,” Vance told Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier.” “Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it,” Vance said. View image in fullscreen This satellite picture taken on June 22, 2025, shows damage after US strikes on the Isfahan nuclear enrichment facility in central Iran. Photograph: Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies/AFP/Getty Images Share Updated at 00.07 BST

15h ago 23.24 BST US vice president JD Vance has told Fox news in an interview that if Iran wants to build a nuclear weapon in the future, it will have to deal with the American military again. Share

15h ago 23.15 BST There is no word of any confirmation from either Iran or Israel yet on whether they have agreed to the ceasefire that president Trump has announced on his social media site. We will bring you all developments as they come in. Share

15h ago 23.12 BST President Trump claims a ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been agreed to In a post on Truth Social, president Trump claims a 12-hr ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been reached. The ceasefire, he says, will begin in 6 hours. He writes: CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED! Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR.” This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!” View image in fullscreen U.S. President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photograph: Daniel Torok/The White House/Getty Images Share Updated at 00.12 BST

15h ago 22.49 BST Oil prices sink after Iranian strike on US airbase reduces fears of market disruption Callum Jones Oil prices dropped sharply after Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on a US airbase reduced concern that the country was poised to strain energy markets by closing off a vital trade route. Crude oil prices sank by 7% on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures dropping to $68.51, as the Iranian action on the al Udeid base in Qatar raised hopes that the conflict would not immediately disrupt oil supplies from the region. No casualties were reported after the strike, which the US defense department described as “largely symbolic” after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. While the Iranian parliament voted to close the strait of Hormuz – through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply, 20m barrels, and much of its liquefied gas passes each day – it has so far remained open. Related: The strait of Hormuz: how could Iran close it and why does it matter to global trade? “It is somewhat the lesser of the two evils,” said Kpler analyst Matt Smith. “It seems unlikely that they’re going to try and close the strait of Hormuz.” John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital, said: “Oil flows, for now, aren’t the primary target, and are likely not to be impacted. I think it’s going to be military retaliation on US, bases and/or trying to hit more of the Israeli civilian targets.” US stocks also rose slightly, with the benchmark S&P 500 up 0.6% and the Dow Jones industrial average up 0.5% in New York, on a broadly muted day of trading in the global equity markets. Other leading indices struggled for direction. The FTSE 100 closed down 0.2% in London. The Nikkei 225 finished down just 0.1% in Tokyo. Investors have become “jaded to geopolitical risks and greater uncertainty after the events throughout this year so far”, John Canavan, lead analyst at Oxford Economics, observed earlier on Monday. Oil prices sink after Iranian strike on US airbase reduces fears of market disruption Read more Share

16h ago 22.15 BST Qatar reopens airspace after brief suspension, civil aviation authority says Qatar has reopened its airspace after a brief suspension, its civil aviation authority said early on Tuesday (local time), following a missile attack by Iran on an American air base in Qatar on Monday that caused no injuries. Share

16h ago 22.06 BST Iran ready to respond again in case of any further aggression from US, foreign minister says Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran’s attack on the US military base al Udeid in Qatar came in response to the US “aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”. He said Iran will be ready to respond again in case of further action by the US, according a statement posted by the Iranian foreign ministry’s account on Telegram. View image in fullscreen A group of Iranians celebrate following Iran's attack on the U.S. military base in Qatar, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters Share Updated at 00.41 BST

16h ago 22.03 BST Escalation in region started with Israel's 'irresponsible practices', says Qatari spokesperson What is more, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said this escalation started with Israel’s “irresponsible practices” in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. He also said Qatar’s mediating role in the region would be undeterred “by any wrongdoing from any party”. (Qatar has been acting as a key third-party mediator on a number of geopolitical issues including mediating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas). View image in fullscreen Palestinians search for survivors and casualties in the rubble of the Abu Nadi home which was hit in an Israeli strike west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on June 23, 2025. Photograph: Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images Share Updated at 00.53 BST

Affectionate-Job-658 on June 23rd, 2025 at 17:14 UTC »

Iran is essentially a weak opponent at this point of time. This is them posturing aggressively and striking where it doesn’t really hurt. It’s a show of force to save the face and de escalate the situation.

SparseSpartan on June 23rd, 2025 at 17:05 UTC »

There's at least some chance this is basically scripted, meaning Iran informed the United States (either directly or through an intermediary) ahead of time so everyone could take shelter.

If it's not scripted, 80% chance I'd wager that United States responds with force. If an American is killed, it'll be overwhelming force.

Edit: NYT basically confirms it was scripted. Per NYT:

> Iran coordinated the attacks on the American air base in Qatar with Qatari officials and gave advanced notice that attacks were coming to minimize casualties, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the plans. The officials said Iran symbolically needed to strike back at the U.S. but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp; they described it as a similar strategy to 2020 when Iran gave Iraq heads up before firing ballistic missiles an American base in Iraq following the assassination of its top general.

Cannot-Forget on June 23rd, 2025 at 17:03 UTC »

Israeli media reports at least 10 missiles launched towards US bases in Iraq and Qatar.