LIVE UPDATES | Iran-'Israel' ceasefire takes effect

Iran has begun gradually lifting internet restrictions imposed since the conflict with 'Israel' began on June 13. The move follows a ceasefire agreement that came into effect Tuesday.

The Revolutionary Guard’s Cybersecurity Command said the communications network is returning to normal after 'Israel' launched a wide cyberattack targeting Iran’s digital infrastructure.

Iran’s Communications Minister, Sattar Hashemi, confirmed that services are back to their previous state. Before the conflict, Iran had already restricted access to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, prompting many users to rely on VPNs.

The easing of restrictions comes amid a cautious calm after 12 days of intense missile exchanges and drone attacks between Iran and 'Israel', including a US airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites.

Tensions are escalating in Washington following the leak of a classified intelligence assessment that undercuts President Donald Trump’s assertion that U.S. airstrikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The leak has prompted fierce criticism from Trump administration officials, with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff labeling the disclosure as “treason.”

Speaking on Fox News with host Laura Ingraham Tuesday night, Witkoff responded to the growing media coverage of the leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) findings, which suggest the impact of the recent US strikes was far more limited than the president claimed.

Read more: “FAKE NEWS”: Trump insists Iran nuclear sites “completely destroyed”

“This leaked intel assessment, it’s an early look at what was actually accomplished on the ground,” Ingraham said. “But it was leaked. Somebody decided to leak this from the DIA and it’s being used in the media, and it’s all over today, that, ‘Aha, Trump said it obliterated, but it’s not obliterated. It’s set back months, but it’s not over.’”

Witkoff responded forcefully, “Well, it goes without saying that leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever site it comes out on, is outrageous. It’s treasonous. So it ought to be investigated, and whoever did it, whoever’s responsible for it should be held accountable.” He added that such disclosures could put lives at risk in the future, calling the leak “completely unacceptable.”

The controversy follows a CNN report citing seven anonymous sources familiar with the DIA’s classified assessment. According to the report, two of those sources confirmed that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium remained intact, and one said that most of the centrifuges had survived the strikes. Another source told the network that Iran had moved enriched uranium out of key facilities before the attacks.

While the White House continues to defend Trump’s characterization of the strikes, the growing number of dissenting voices has drawn scrutiny. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) declined to confirm whether Iran’s facilities had in fact been destroyed, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the CNN report as “flat-out wrong.”

Iran will hold state funerals on Saturday for top military officials and scientists who were killed during the recent 12-day war with 'Israel', state media announced Wednesday.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the nationwide funeral ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM local time in Tehran (7:30 AM Jordan time), just days after Iran and 'Israel' agreed to a ceasefire.

"The national funeral ceremony for... commanders and scientists martyred in the Zionist regime's aggression will be held on Saturday," IRNA reported, referring to the war casualties as martyrs.

Among the most senior figures to be honored is Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was killed on June 13, the opening day of the war. IRNA noted that Salami’s burial will take place earlier, on Thursday.

Iran said Wednesday that it executed three men accused of spying for “Israel”, the day after a truce between the two came into effect.

"Idris Ali, Azad Shojai and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, who attempted to import equipment into the country to carry out assassinations, were arrested and tried for... cooperation favouring the Zionist regime," the judiciary said, referring to Israel.

"The sentence was carried out this morning... and they were hanged."

France and its European partners are still prepared to reactivate sanctions on Iran if an agreement is not reached soon on its nuclear program, the French ambassador to the UN warned Tuesday.

"Time is running out," said Jerome Bonnnafont at a UN Security Council meeting, in reference to the October expiration of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

"We expect Iran to return to talks without delay in order to achieve a robust, verifiable and lasting diplomatic solution," he added.

Bonnafont said negotiations were the only way to "guarantee the impossibility of an Iranian military nuclear program," days after the United States conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

"France and its E3 partners (Germany and the United Kingdom) remain ready to use the leverage established by Resolution 2231, that of a 'snapback' (of sanctions), if a satisfactory agreement is not reached by summer," he warned.

UK ambassador Barbara Wood concurred, saying: "We will use all diplomatic levers at our disposal to support a negotiated outcome, and ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon."

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 endorsed the 2015 agreement Iran reached with the E3 countries, as well as China, Russia and the United States, to regulate its nuclear program in return for eased sanctions.

President Donald Trump removed the United States from the agreement in 2018.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday rebuffed US media reports of intel finding the US strikes on Iran only set back Tehran's nuclear program by a few months.

"THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!" the president posted on Truth Social.

A recent report by CNN, citing an early assessment from the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), has cast doubt on the extent of damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities by recent US strikes.

The report suggests that while significant surface infrastructure was hit, key components of Iran's nuclear program, particularly its deeply buried centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles, remain largely intact, potentially setting back Tehran's nuclear ambitions by only a few months.

This assessment directly contradicts strong claims by the White House and President Donald Trump, who declared the facilities to be "completely and totally obliterated."

According to CNN's report, based on information from multiple sources familiar with the DIA findings, the US strikes, which y involved the deployment of 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs, primarily affected above-ground structures at sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The critical underground facilities, where much of Iran's sensitive nuclear work is conducted, are believed to have largely withstood the attacks.

One source quoted by CNN stated that the US "set them back maybe a few months, tops."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently dismissed the report, calling it "flat-out wrong" and asserting that the leaking of the alleged assessment was a "clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear program."

Leavitt said that "everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration."

President Trump, for his part, has continued to maintain that the strikes were an unequivocal success, stating publicly that the sites "were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment, telling CNN, "Based on everything we have seen—and I've seen it all—our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to create nuclear weapons."

However, not all US officials and experts appear to share the administration's absolute certainty.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine stated it was "way too early" to determine the full extent of Iran's remaining nuclear capabilities.

Representative Michael McCaul, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also noted that the operation was "never meant to completely destroy the nuclear facilities, but rather cause significant damage," acknowledging it would likely be a "temporary setback."

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously confirmed that Iran has been producing highly enriched uranium, and recent reports from the agency indicate that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and the number of centrifuges in operation exceed limits set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the US withdrew.

Trump raised his voice at Netanyahu, as “Israeli” fighter jets entered Iranian airspace Tuesday morning to strike targets in response to the Iranian missile launch before the fragile ceasefire took place, a report by The Jerusalem Post said citing a source familiar with the details.

“Stop the attack!” Trump told Netanyahu during the call, raising his voice.

The report said that Netanyahu was not able to speak much during the tense call, despite repeatedly expressing his gratitude to Trump.

“It was a tough conversation between Netanyahu and President Trump. Trump viewed this as a personal achievement, and made it clear that no one – absolutely no one – would undermine it,” the source told The Jerusalem Post.

“Israeli” fighter jets then received orders to stop the raids, and instead hit a radar station near Tehran.

The United States also sent a tense warning to Iran via the Qataris, urging them to stop the fire.

“No nonsense, no further attacks,” the senior US official said to the Qataris to relay the message through to the Iranians.

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of a NATO summit late Tuesday, hailing the Iran-“Israel” ceasefire and urging "close dialogue" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Turkish president "expressed his satisfaction with the ceasefire achieved between “Israel” and Iran through President Trump's efforts, hoping it would be permanent, and emphasised the importance of close dialogue... in peacefully resolving the Russia-Ukraine war", a statement from his office said.

General Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, made a rare public appearance in Tehran today, June 24, 2025.

Video footage circulating across social media platforms captured the general mingling with crowds at a pro-regime demonstration.

His appearance refuted earlier, widespread reports that Qaani had been killed in recent “Israeli” strikes targeting Iranian military leaders and infrastructure.

Reports of Qaani's death emerged early in the recent conflict, with the New York Times stating, without citing specific sources, that he was among several Iranian military leaders purportedly killed in “Israeli” strikes.

These claims surfaced during “Israel's” attack on Iran on June 13, 2025.

The “Israeli” military did not confirm targeting or killing Qaani.

This is not the first occasion Qaani has been falsely reported dead. In October, widespread rumors suggested his demise in an “Israeli” strike on Beirut that resulted in the death of senior Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine.

Esmail Qaani holds the critical position of commander of the IRGC Quds Force, an elite special operations unit primarily tasked with Iran's extraterritorial military and intelligence operations.

He assumed leadership of the Quds Force in January 2020, following the assassination of his charismatic predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, in a US drone strike in Baghdad.

His operational history also extends to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where he was involved in combating drug smuggling and supporting Afghanistan's Northern Alliance.

Unlike Soleimani, who was renowned for his charismatic public persona and fluency in Arabic, Qaani has generally maintained a lower public profile.

His tenure has reportedly coincided with significant setbacks for Iranian proxies, which have faced increased pressure from “Israeli” airstrikes and intelligence operations. He has also reportedly faced scrutiny over suspected security breaches and alleged negligence within his office.

An “Israeli” strike on northern Iran before the start of a ceasefire on Tuesday killed 16 people, according to a revised toll from an official cited by the ISNA news agency.

The strike hit a residential area of Astaneh-ye-Ashrafiyeh, in Gilan province on the Caspian Sea coast. The earlier toll was nine dead.

Iranian airspace will remain closed until 2 PM (10:30 GMT) on Wednesday despite a ceasefire taking effect with “Israel”, Iran's Mehr news agency reported.

"Following recent developments, the country's airspace will remain closed until 2 pm on Wednesday to ensure the security of passengers and flights," Mehr quoted transport ministry spokesman Majid Akhavan as saying late Tuesday.

“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a "historic victory" in a televised address to the nation following 12 days of war with Iran.

"We have achieved a historic victory," Netanyahu told viewers at the start of a near-10-minute speech following the start of a ceasefire agreed to by both countries.

He vowed to crush any attempt by Iran to rebuild its nuclear programme.

"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Netanyahu said after a ceasefire put a halt to airstrikes by the two countries against each other.

"We have thwarted Iran's nuclear project. And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity, to foil any attempt," he added.

The 'Israeli' Home Front Command announced on Tuesday that all security restrictions have been lifted, signaling a return to normal life across the country.

The 'Israeli' military announced on Tuesday that one of its soldiers was killed in a rocket attack launched by Iran targeting the southern city of Be’er Sheva earlier in the day.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that Beijing supports Iran in achieving a 'genuine ceasefire', as 'Israel' accused Tehran of violating a fragile truce.

"China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and, on that basis, achieving a genuine ceasefire so that people can return to normal life," Wang told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call.

In a series of urgent statements, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that 'Israel' and its backers had hoped to ignite widespread dissatisfaction among the Iranian people, but their plans have failed.

Pezeshkian declared that the 'Zionist entity' has been unable to achieve its objectives in its recent aggression against Iran. He stressed that Iran will respect any ceasefire agreement and will not violate a ceasefire unless 'Israel' does so first.

Furthermore, the President affirmed Tehran’s readiness for dialogue, highlighting that defending the rights of the Iranian people remains a key priority on the negotiation table.

These remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing concerns over escalation between Iran and 'Israel'.

US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday, claiming that 'Israel' will not move forward with a planned strike on Iran and that the ceasefire between the two nations remains in effect.

In his post, Trump wrote, "ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. 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! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."

The statement came amid rising concerns of a renewed military confrontation between the two regional adversaries, following alleged violations of the fragile truce. Trump, who previously took credit for brokering the ceasefire, appeared to signal that immediate conflict had been averted.

In a separate, more assertive post, Trump added, "IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!"

US President Donald Trump delivered a scathing rebuke on Tuesday, accusing both Iran and 'Israel' of breaching the ceasefire agreement he had previously declared in effect.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump reserved his harshest criticism for 'Israel', stating bluntly, “I’m really unhappy with Israel.”

The president, visibly frustrated, expressed disappointment with both parties for failing to uphold the truce he had touted just hours earlier.

“The two countries have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing, do you understand that?” Trump told journalists.

US President Donald J. Trump issued a dramatic public warning to 'Israel' on Tuesday, urging its military to halt a seemingly pending strike that he described as a “major violation.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote in all caps, “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”

Qatar has informed Iran that it will pursue both diplomatic and legal measures in response to the recent missile strike targeting the Al Udeid US military base on Qatari soil.

Iranian authorities have relocated inmates from Tehran’s Evin prison following damage caused by 'Israeli' strikes, the country’s judiciary confirmed on Tuesday.

According to a statement published by Mizan Online, the official news outlet of the judiciary, the prison authority moved detainees to other correctional facilities within Tehran province. The measure was described as a precaution aimed at protecting prisoners and facilitating emergency operations.

"The prison authority transferred the inmates who were serving their sentences in this prison (Evin) to other facilities within Tehran province... to safeguard the rights of the prisoners and to provide space for emergency response teams," the statement said.

Read more: VIDEO: 'Israeli' strike targets Iran’s Evin Prison

Iran's judiciary has confirmed that 'Israeli' missile strikes on Monday damaged parts of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, a facility long known for housing political prisoners, activists, and dual nationals accused of state-related offenses.

“In the latest attack by the Zionist regime on Tehran, projectiles unfortunately struck Evin prison, causing damage to parts of the facility,” read a statement from Mizan Online, the official news outlet of Iran’s judiciary.

While authorities did not provide details on the extent of the damage or whether there were casualties, the report noted that emergency teams were swiftly deployed to contain the situation. The statement assured the public that all resources had been mobilized and that the situation remained “under control.”

Evin Prison, located in the northern Evin neighborhood of Tehran, was built in 1972 and has gained international notoriety since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Often cited in human rights reports, the facility has become a symbol of the Islamic Republic's crackdown on dissent. It is regularly used to detain journalists, political dissidents, human rights defenders, and foreign nationals accused of espionage or anti-state activity.

Esmaeil Baqaei, Head of the Center for Public Diplomacy and Spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement Tuesday defending Iran’s recent missile strike on the US military base at Al-Udeid in Qatar, framing it as a legitimate act of self-defense under international law.

Iran’s military strikes on American military base ‘Al-Udeid’ was in exercise of our self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to the United States’ unprovoked aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty that took place on 22 June…

— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 24, 2025

Posting on X, Baqaei wrote, “Iran’s military strikes on American military base Al-Udeid was in exercise of our self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to the United States’ unprovoked aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty that took place on 22 June 2025.”

He emphasized that the attack was not directed at Qatar, a neighboring country with whom Iran maintains strong diplomatic ties.

“This act of self-defense had nothing to do with our friendly neighbour Qatar as we enjoy excellent and deeply rooted relationships,” Baqaei added.

The Iranian official also reiterated Tehran’s broader policy of regional cooperation. “Iran remains fully committed to its good-neighbourliness policy with respect to the State of Qatar and other neighboring countries.”

He concluded by warning against efforts to destabilize regional unity.

“We resolve not to let US/Israeli criminal aggressions and malign policies against Iran create division between us and the brotherly countries of the region.”

Jordan welcomed today the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and 'Israel', emphasizing the importance of this agreement in reducing the dangerous escalation in the region.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Dr. Sufyan Al-Qudah, stated that the Kingdom stresses the necessity of adhering to the agreement to protect the region from further deterioration, and that dialogue and diplomacy must be relied upon as the means to address all crises in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

Qudah also emphasized that reaching a just solution to the Palestinian issue through the implementation of the two-state solution is the key to security, stability, and peace in the region. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to end the Israeli aggression and the humanitarian disaster it is causing, along with the initiation of a genuine political movement to achieve a just peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Iranian television dismissed claims of missile launches from Iran following the recent ceasefire announcement, labeling the reports as false and misleading.

The state broadcaster issued a statement saying the allegations of missile activity post-truce are “untrue”.

The governor of Tehran has declared that the city is ready to face the most severe potential challenges amid escalating regional tensions.

According to a report by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the official emphasized the importance of preparedness in light of recent developments.

“We are prepared for the worst possible scenarios,” the governor stated.

Qatar called in the Iranian ambassador on Tuesday following an attack by Iran targeting a major US military base located within Qatari territory. The strike came in retaliation for recent American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

In an official statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious breach of its sovereignty. The ministry also reiterated Qatar’s "right to respond to this egregious violation."

'Israel's' Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that he has instructed the military to launch powerful retaliatory strikes on targets in the heart of Tehran, following what 'Israeli' officials say is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Iran.

“I have instructed the military to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with high-intensity strikes on targets in the heart of Tehran,” the minister said, as reported by Reuters.

The Iraqi Armed Forces reported early Tuesday that a wave of small kamikaze drones targeted several military installations across the country, causing substantial damage but no casualties.

According to a statement by the military spokesperson, the drones struck multiple sites, including Al-Taji Camp north of Baghdad and the Imam Ali Airbase in the southern province of Dhi Qar.

"A group of small kamikaze drones targeted several Iraqi military sites and bases early this morning," the spokesperson said.

The strikes resulted in significant damage to critical radar systems at both locations. “The drone attack caused major damage to the radar systems at Al-Taji Camp and the Imam Ali base, but no injuries were reported,” the spokesperson added.

'Israel’s' Channel 12 reported Tuesday that preliminary assessments indicate two missiles were launched from Iranian territory toward 'Israel'

The 'Israeli' Home Front Command reported on Tuesday that air raid sirens were activated in multiple areas, including the occupied Golan Heights, the Upper Galilee, and other parts of northern 'Israel', following the detection of incoming missile fire.

The alerts come shortly after the 'Israeli' military confirmed it had tracked missile launches from Iran toward 'Israeli' territory, an incident officials are calling the first breach of the ceasefire agreement.

Emergency protocols were immediately put into place, with residents in affected areas ordered to take shelter as defense systems were activated to intercept potential threats.

The 'Israeli' forces announced on Tuesday that it had detected missile launches originating from Iran, marking what it described as the first violation of the newly established ceasefire between the two countries.

The incident comes just hours after a fragile truce was declared between Iran and 'Israel', following nearly two weeks of intense hostilities.

'Israel' has issued a stern warning following the announcement of a potential ceasefire with Iran, vowing to respond forcefully to any violations of the agreement.

An 'Israeli' government spokesperson said Tuesday that while the country is prepared to observe the terms of the truce, it will not hesitate to act if Iran breaks the deal.

US President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that a ceasefire between Iran and 'Israel' has officially taken hold.

“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.

According to Trump, the agreement involves a phased implementation process stretching over 24 hours. Iran was to initiate the first step by suspending its operations starting at approximately 7:00 AM (GMT+3) on Tuesday. Twelve hours later, Israel was expected to reciprocate by halting its military actions.