The U.S. president had chided both Israel and Iran for violating the cease-fire, calling on Israel to turn back its planes.
Netanyahu: Israel Brought Iran’s Nuclear Program ‘to a Standstill’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 24 that his nation’s war against the Islamic Republic of Iran brought its adversary’s nuclear program “to ruin,” and affirmed that it will never have nuclear weapons.
“For decades I have promised you that Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he said in a post translated into English. “Indeed, with all the swift actions our fighters have taken, we have brought Iran’s nuclear project to a standstill. And if anyone in Iran tries to revive this project—we will act with the same determination, with the same force, to thwart any such attempt. I repeat: Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”
The prime minister listed off several of the Israel Defence Forces’ accomplishments over the past several days, including eliminating multiple members of Iran’s senior command, and destroying dozens of missile manufacturing facilities. He also thanked President Donald Trump and the United States for their part in the campaign.
“I thank you, my friend, President Trump, and the United States, for their part in defending Israel and eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” he said. “The United States joining the campaign, not only on the defensive side, but also on the offensive side—this is a historic event. It has never happened before.”
Democrats Urge Transparency Ahead of Delayed Briefing on Iran Strike
Top House Democrats raised their concerns after a classified security briefing on the recent U.S.-backed strike in Iran was postponed, delaying what they say is a necessary opportunity to evaluate the U.S. government’s actions in Iran and assess the situation in the Middle East.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on June 24 that the White House had confirmed the briefing will now take place on June 27. The session is expected to include senior administration officials and cover developments involving Israel and Iran following escalations in recent weeks and the U.S. strike over the weekend.
“The American people deserve to know the facts and the truth,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who spoke alongside Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) at a press conference on June 24. Jeffries said the Trump administration has not yet presented evidence supporting claims that Iran’s nuclear program was neutralized and asked why congressional authorization was not sought.
White House Pushes Back on Report Downplaying Impact of Iran Strikes
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted CNN’s report that claimed the U.S. strikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites.
“FAKE NEWS CNN STRIKES AGAIN,” Leavitt wrote in a post on the X social media platform, echoing President Donald Trump’s name for the network.
“This alleged ‘assessment’ is flat-out wrong and was classified as ‘top secret’ but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community.”
Leavitt went on to say that the report 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.
“Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”
House Overwhelmingly Rejects Impeachment Resolution Against Trump Over Iran Strike
The House rejected a resolution put forth by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) on June 24 to impeach President Donald Trump over the U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The motion to table the resolution passed 344–79.
The resolution accused Trump of bypassing Congress in launching the strikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites.
Israel Says It Will Respect Cease-Fire as Long as Iran Does
Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz said he spoke to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and “emphasized that Israel will respect the cease-fire—as long as the other side does.”
The minister of defense, in a post on social media platform X, said he also thanked Hegseth for President Donald Trump’s decision to take part in Israel’s war against the Iranian nuclear threat.
Katz said the secretary “praised Israel and the IDF for the historic achievements made,” and that the pair “agreed to deepen the close U.S.–Israel security cooperation.”
US Strikes May Have Caused Nuclear Contamination: UN Watchdog
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has identified possible localized contamination and chemical hazards from Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites, according to a June 24 statement.
“Regarding the additional strikes to Fordow that were reported early on Monday—after the U.S. bombing of the facility early on Sunday—the IAEA assesses that access roads close to the underground facility and one of its entrances were hit,” the statement read.
The U.N. agency said it identified “two impact holes from the U.S. strikes above the underground halls that had been used for enrichment as well as for storage.”
“Based on its knowledge of what these halls contained, the IAEA assesses that this strike may have caused localized contamination and chemical hazards,” it added.
The agency is pushing Iran to allow it to resume work in the area.
Netanyahu’s Office Responds to Trump’s Cease-Fire Announcement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 24 that his country’s military “refrained from additional attacks” targeting Iran after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump on Monday night announced a cease-fire between Iran and Israel after 12 days of strikes, and after the United States launched airstrikes of its own on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In a thread on social media platform X, Netanyahu’s office wrote that a cease-fire between his country and Iran “was set for 07:00 this morning.”
Israel Defense Forces: ‘We Must Keep Our Feet on the Ground’
As the cease-fire with Iran begins, Eyal Zamir, chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said that while Israeli forces successfully set Iran’s nuclear program back years, he believed that “the campaign against Iran is not over.”
“The IDF performed at its best—the Intelligence Directorate delivered unprecedented intelligence achievements,” he said after taking a situational assessment with members of the general staff.
“IAF pilots operated with courage, while putting their lives at risk, thousands of kilometers from Israeli territory and struck and destroyed military targets. The Aerial Defense Array and communication units operated with their unique operational capabilities to protect the home front.
“Despite the phenomenal achievement—we must keep our feet on the ground,” he added. “Many challenges still lie ahead”
He also said that Israel’s focus will now shift back to Gaza, dismantling Hamas, and bringing all the hostages home.
UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief Urges Agency Return to Work in Iran
Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on June 24 sent a letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushing for his agency to be allowed to resume work in Iran.
Grossi said he was ready to meet with Araghchi, saying in a statement published by the agency, “Resuming cooperation with the IAEA is key to a successful diplomatic agreement to finally resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities.”
The statement said the group’s inspectors have “remained in Iran throughout the conflict and are ready to start working as soon as possible, going back to the country’s nuclear sites and verifying the inventories of nuclear material—including more than 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60 [percent]—which they last verified a few days before the Israeli air strikes began on 13 June.”
Trump Thanks Jeb Bush for Support on Iran
President Donald Trump thanked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for supporting America’s military action in Iran.
“President Trump’s decision to neutralize Iran’s regime’s nuclear program is a watershed moment,” Bush said in a social media post shared by Trump. “It reasserts U.S. strength, restores deterrence, and sends an unmistakable message to rogue regimes: the era of impunity is over.”
Bush serves as chairman for the New York City-based nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran, through which he also offered his support of the military action, on June 22.
Trump said the comments were “very much appreciated.” The pair have historically traded public jabs on issues ranging from the political to the personal.
Iran Still Presents Threat to America: US Official
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper told lawmakers Tuesday that Iran still has “significant tactical capability,” even after the destructive strikes on three of its nuclear sites over the weekend by American B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
Iran displayed that capability with its limited retaliatory missile strike on an American military base in Qatar on Monday, Cooper said.
When asked if Iran still presents a threat to U.S. military personnel and Americans worldwide, he said, “They do.”
Cooper made the comments at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing considering his nomination for the position of commander of Central Command, where he currently serves as deputy commander.
As Cease-Fire Holds, Trump Says He Doesn’t Want Regime Change in Iran
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he’s not seeking regime change in Iran. The comments come two days after floating the possibility on social media, amid a cease-fire that he announced hours later.
“I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to a NATO summit in Europe, responding to a question on whether he wants the Islamic regime to collapse. “Regime change takes chaos and ideally, we don’t want to see so much chaos, so we’ll see how it does.”
Over the weekend, he wrote on Truth Social that “if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
Johnson Says US Airstrikes Did Not Violate Constitution
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters on Tuesday that he believes President Donald Trump did not violate the Constitution by ordering airstrikes on Iran before getting congressional approval.
“The strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were clearly within President Trump’s Article II powers as commander-in-chief. It shouldn’t even be in dispute,” he said at a press briefing.
“The framers of our Constitution never intended for the president to seek the approval of Congress every time he exercises his constitutional authority under Article II, as commander-in-chief.”
Johnson went on to suggest that the War Powers Act of 1973, which requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing forces to military action, is itself unconstitutional.
“Many respected constitutional experts argue that the War Powers Act is itself unconstitutional,” he said. “They think it’s a violation of the Article II powers of the commander-in-chief. I think that’s right.”
Bondi Says DOJ on ‘High Alert’ Over Concerns About Iranian Sleeper Cells
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says the Department of Justice (DOJ) is on “high alert” following U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program over the weekend.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), during a House Appropriations Committee meeting on Monday, asked Bondi about the number of Iranian nationals who may have entered the United States illegally.
“Over 1,000 have entered our country, and I can tell you we are on high alert and everyone is looking at that very closely,” Bondi said.
Trump Allows China to Purchase Oil From Iran
President Donald Trump said that China has the green light to purchase oil from Iran.
“China can now continue to purchase Oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S., also. It was my Great Honor to make this happen!” he posted on Truth Social.
Israel Says It Held Back on Iran Attack After Speaking to Trump
Israel said it held back its attack on Iran after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu’s call with President Donald Trump.
“Following President Trump’s conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel refrained from additional attacks,” said Netanyahu’s office.
Fragile Cease-Fire, Violations: What We Know
- President Donald Trump announced on June 23 that a cease-fire had been reached between Iran and Israel to end 12 days of fighting.
- Trump said the cease-fire would take effect in 12 hours, with Iran halting its attacks in the sixth hour and Israel stopping its attacks in the 12th.
- Israel launched airstrikes on Iran ahead of the cease-fire, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
- Iran launched a rocket that did not land, and Israel vowed to retaliate.
- Israel struck an Iranian radar in response, and then pulled back.
Trump Says No to Regime Change
President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way to the NATO summit that he does not want regime change in Iran. He said that it would lead to chaos.
“I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” he said. “Regime change takes chaos and ideally, we don’t want to see so much chaos, so we’ll see how it does,” Trump said.
Israel to Abide by Cease-Fire: Trump
President Donald Trump said that Israel will abide by the cease-fire.
“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!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump: ‘These Guys Have Got to Calm Down’
Speaking to reporters before leaving for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, President Trump said both Israel and Iran had violated the cease-fire.
“These guys have got to calm down … I didn’t like plenty of things I saw yesterday. I didn’t like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal. They didn’t have to unload, and I didn’t like the fact that the retaliation was very strong,” the president said.
“Israel unloaded a lot, and now I hear Israel just went out because they felt it was violated by one rocket that didn’t land anywhere.”
Trump added, “That’s not what we want. I’ll tell you, and I’m telling you I’m not happy about that Israel either.”
Trump Tells Israel Not to ‘Drop Those Bombs’ on Iran
President Donald Trump has warned Israel not to break the cease-fire.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote in all caps: “Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!”
Iran Denies Violating Cease-Fire
Iran on Tuesday denied violating a cease-fire with Israel, according to Iranian state media.
State-run Tasnim News Agency reported that the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces denied claims by Israeli media that Iran had fired missiles at Israel.
Before the truce began, both sides exchanged heavy fire overnight.
Oil Price Slides After Israel Agrees to Cease-Fire
Oil prices fell by about 5 percent on Tuesday after Israel agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s cease-fire with Iran following nearly two weeks of conflict.
The slide could be short-lived, as it came ahead of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s saying this morning that Iran had “completely violated” the cease-fire, and vowing retaliation.
Before Katz’s comments, Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, fell to $67.66 a barrel, below the level it was at when Israel launched missiles at Iran’s nuclear sites on June 13.
Prices had recently risen over fears that Iran could disrupt global supplies by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and gas.
Cease-Fire Falters: Defense Minister Instructs IDF to ‘Respond Forcefully’ After Iranian Missile Fire
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran had “completely violated” a cease-fire between the two countries by launching missiles more than two hours after it took effect.
Katz said he had instructed the Israeli military to resume targeting Iranian paramilitary and government sites in Tehran.
No injuries were reported from the missiles, which were launched toward Israel after the cease-fire began, according to Israel’s emergency services.
Katz said he had instructed the Israeli military to “respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with high-intensity strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”
He said this was due to “Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States — through the launch of missiles toward Israel — and in accordance with the Israeli government’s policy to respond forcefully to any breach.”
Missile Fire Detected From Iran: IDF
The IDF said at 10:35 a.m. local time that sirens had sounded in northern Israel after a missile was detected being fired from Iran.
“At this time, the Air Force is operating to intercept and strike wherever necessary to eliminate the threat,” the Israeli Air Force said in a post on the social media platform X.
The warning came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it acknowledged the cease-fire deal with Iran but reserved the right to “respond forcefully to any violation of the cease-fire.”
Netanyahu’s Office Confirms Cease-Fire
Israel has said it agrees to the cease-fire with Iran, confirming the earlier announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, and joining Iran in formally recognizing the agreement.
The prime minister’s office formally acknowledged the cease-fire in a statement on Tuesday morning, declaring success in Operation Rising Lion and Israel’s other military targets, according to the Times of Israel.
“Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat—both in the nuclear and ballistic missile fields,” the statement read.
Israel also stated that another senior Iranian nuclear scientist was killed and thanked Trump and the United States for their contribution in “eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.”
“In light of the achievement of the operation’s objectives, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel has agreed to the president’s proposal for a bilateral ceasefire,” while reserving the right to ”respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire,” said the statement from Netanyahu’s office.
The IDF said in an earlier statement that overnight, the Israeli Air Force had struck multiple ballistic missile launchers in western Iran that had been primed to join the morning attacks.
It said the operation foiled a much larger attack on Israel.
Israel Says Airspace Has Reopened
The Israel Airports Authority said at 8:30 a.m. local time that the skies above Israel were open again to incoming flights after a brief closure during the Iranian missile attacks in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Trump Says Cease-Fire in Effect
At 1:08 a.m. ET, or 8:08 a.m. local time in Tel Aviv, President Donald Trump declared in a post that the cease-fire had begun.
“The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it,” he wrote.
Iran Says Cease-Fire Has Begun
At around 12:10 a.m. ET, Iranian state television reported that the cease-fire had begun, as Israel was still being impacted by the last of six salvos of missiles fired from Iran ahead of and overlapping with the agreed cease-fire deadline.
One of those missiles hit an apartment complex in southern Israel, killing at least four people.
According to the details of the cease-fire agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran would “start the ceasefire,” with Israel to follow 12 hours later, but during that time, “the other side will remain peaceful and respectful.”
Trump Says US Airstrikes on Iran Made Cease-Fire Deal Possible
U.S. President Donald Trump posted to social media that the cease-fire deal wouldn’t have been possible without the U.S. operation to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“We couldn’t have made today’s ‘deal’ without the talent and courage of our great B-2 pilots, and all of those associated with that operation. In a certain and very ironic way, that perfect ‘hit,’ late in the evening, brought everyone together, and the deal was made!!!” he said.
Trump announced the cease-fire deal six hours earlier on Truth Social, saying that the conflict will be declared over by midnight Wednesday.
Trump’s latest post came amid salvos of missiles being fired at Israel from Iran. He did not mention the missile attacks in his comments.
According to an assessment by the IDF, between 10 and 15 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran in six salvos. While most were intercepted, one struck civilians in a Beersheba apartment building in southern Israel, killing at least four and leaving others wounded. The last salvo triggered sirens in Israel around 7:15 a.m. local time.
There appeared to be no further attacks on Israel from Iran by 8 a.m. local time in Tel Aviv.
Sirens Sound in Israel After Iran Launches Fresh Missile Attack
Sirens sounded across northern Israel in the early hours of Tuesday morning local time, and late Monday night in the United States, as salvos of fresh missile attacks were fired from Iran within an hour of a cease-fire deal between the two announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) wrote, “Sirens sounding in Israel due to a missile launch from Iran.”
The missiles came after Tehran announced a 4 a.m. local time deadline to cease hostilities.
Trump had announced on social media the cease-fire approximately 5 hours earlier.
“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!”
The cease-fire is less than one hour away from coming into effect.
After Trump’s announcement, the IDF issued an evacuation notice to Iranian residents ahead of its attacks on District 6 and Tehran that happened around 2:30 a.m. local time. Israeli media later reported that an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in the strikes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Araghchi then indicated in a post on X that Iran intended to abide by the cease-fire agreement reported by Trump earlier Monday, but said that Israel would need to stop its attacks three hours earlier, at 4 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. local time. Tehran is half an hour ahead of Israel.
He said that so long as “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.”
Around two hours after that deadline, salvos of missiles from Iran triggered sirens across southern, central, and northern Israel, and civilians were instructed to remain in their bomb shelters. On average, missiles take about 7–8 minutes to arrive in Israel from Iran.
Israelis were quickly given the green light to leave their shelters. Initial reports said that a multi-story residential building in Beersheba was hit by a missile. Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service reported at least three deaths and eight injuries at the site.
On Monday, Trump told NBC News that he expected the cease-fire to “go forever,” a day after the U.S. inflicted serious damage to three Iranian nuclear facilities in a surprise air attack to eliminate the nuclear threat that was Israel’s justification for its attacks on Iran.
“I think the cease-fire is unlimited. It’s going to go forever,” the president told the network.
Reuters contributed to this report.
House Speaker Johnson Praises Cease-Fire
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised the cease-fire Trump announced on June 23. “Peace through STRENGTH!” he wrote in a brief post to social media.
While speaking at the U.S. Capitol, he said he hoped for peace in the Middle East. “That’s what the people there deserve and they yearn for, even the Iranians,” he said. “And we hope that it all comes about.”
Johnson also commented on his colleague, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has clashed with Trump on this issue and government spending.
“I hope that Thomas Massie will come around and do what is right by his constituents, and support good legislation, and stop teaming up with Democrats on everything,” he said.
Vance Says Trump ‘Hit the Reset Button’
Vice President JD Vance hailed the cease-fire between Israel and Iran during an interview on Fox News on June 23. He told Fox News host Bret Baier that the president has hit the “reset button” for the region.
“I think the president really hit the reset button and said, ‘Look, let’s actually produce long-term peace for the region,’” Vance said.
“I actually think when we look back, we will say the 12-Day War was an important reset moment for the entire region.”
Vance portrayed the moment as an opportunity for Iran to pursue a “path of peace.” He added that the Iranians’ support of terror networks and failure to develop a nuclear weapon demonstrated “they’re just not very good at war.”
War Could End at Midnight ET Wednesday, Trump Says
Preparations for a full cease-fire are expected to begin at 12 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning, according to President Donald Trump’s announcement.
In the six hours between the president’s announcement and midnight, each side is expected to “have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions,” he said.
The phased cease-fire is scheduled to start with Iran, and then at about noon ET on Tuesday, Israel will start its cease-fire, Trump said.
After 24 hours, around midnight Wednesday, Trump said, the conflict should have concluded.
“During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL.”
Trump Says Israel, Iran Have Agreed to Cease-Fire
President Donald Trump on June 23 announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a phased-in cease-fire, declaring an end to what he referred to as “the 12 Day War.”
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE … for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Both sides will wind down their final military operations within 6 hours, in a process that Trump expects to be “PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL” on both sides. A formal cease-fire will begin in approximately 12 hours, while the conflict will be declared over within 24 hours, Trump said.
“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. “This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”
‘Shelter In Place’ Warning Lifted for Americans in Qatar
The “shelter in place” warning issued by the Department of State for Americans in Qatar has been lifted.
The initial order was issued early on June 23 prior to Iran’s missile launches at a U.S. military base in the region. Iran fired at the military installation in response to the U.S. airstrikes on the nation’s nuclear facilities over the weekend.
While Qatari airspace remained closed, the instructions for embassy personnel in Doha to stay inside was revoked, though it noted that the security situation could change rapidly.
Qatar Confirms No Injuries From 19 Iranian Missiles
A Qatari military official said only one missile of the 19 fired by Iran impacted a military base, and there were no casualties.
Maj. Gen. Shayeq Al Hajri told reporters on June 23 that Qatar’s U.S. base sustained some damage from the Iranian missiles.
The official said there were seven initial missiles fired by Iran, and all were intercepted by Qatari air defenses over water between the two nations. An additional 12 were launched, and 11 were intercepted over Qatar, but one hit the Al Udeid base.
The figure differs from President Donald Trump’s initial announcement of the interaction. The president said 14 missiles were launched by Iran in response to the American bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Pentagon for clarification on the number of missiles fired and intercepted.
Trump Says It’s ‘Time For Peace’
President Donald Trump called for peace in a June 23 social media post just minutes after announcing that Iran’s strike on a U.S. base in Qatar caused “hardly any damage.”
In a Truth Social post, the president wrote in all caps, “Congratulations world, it’s time for peace!”
14 Missiles Fired, 13 Intercepted, 1 ‘Set Free’: Trump
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran fired 14 missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar. Thirteen were intercepted, and one was “set free,” as it posed no threat, the president said. No Americans were harmed from the missiles, he said.
Iran said earlier that its attack equaled the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. The U.S. military said it dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump Thanks Iran for Giving Notice Before Strike
President Donald Trump thanked Iran for notifying the United States of its plan to attack a U.S. base in Qatar.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
Trump also called Iran’s attack “weak.”
“NO Americans were harmed” and that “hardly any damage was done.”
“Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.”
In a subsequent post, Trump said that “very importantly” no Qataris were wounded or killed.
Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait Reopen Airspace
Bahrain and Kuwait have reopened their airspace following an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, according to Reuters.
The city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has also reopened its airspace and resumed full operations at its airports following what the Dubai media office in a post on social media platform X called a “temporary precautionary pause.”
“While Dubai Airports is working with airlines to ensure flights operate according to schedule, some flights may experience delays or cancellations,” Dubai’s media office added. “Travellers are advised to stay informed by checking regularly with their airlines for the latest updates.”
Johnson Rejects War Powers Resolution
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has opposed a war powers resolution to restrict President Donald Trump’s ability to strike Iran as he did over the weekend.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced the resolution on June 17, along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Johnson said Monday that now is not an “appropriate time” for a war powers resolution.
Such resolutions are privileged and therefore force votes in the House and Senate. With Republicans overwhelmingly backing the strikes, it is unlikely that such a measure would pass both chambers.
House Democrat Leader: White House Hasn’t Yet Briefed Congressional Leaders
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters during a press conference on Monday that the White House hasn’t briefed the group known as the Gang of Eight about the U.S. strikes on Iran.
The Gang of Eight includes the leaders of the House and Senate and the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees.
House to Receive Classified Briefing on US Strike on Iran
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said members of the House of Representatives will be briefed Tuesday on the threat posed by Iran prior to the U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites.
“Tomorrow, there will be an opportunity for every single member of the House to hear the information from the administration, and hopefully they will present it in a manner that’s comprehensive,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries and other Democrats have demanded a more comprehensive briefing for the Gang of Eight, made up of House and Senate leadership as well as intelligence committee leaders.
The minority leader later confirmed he was not alerted by the administration Monday morning about the potential for a retaliatory strike ahead of Iran’s attack on the U.S. military base at Al Udeid in Qatar.
House Democrat Leader: White House Hasn’t Yet Briefed Congressional Leaders
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters during a press conference on Monday that the White House hasn’t briefed the group known as the Gang of Eight about the U.S. strikes on Iran.
The Gang of Eight includes the leaders of the House and Senate and the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees.
Egypt, UAE Condemn Iran’s Attack
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have criticized Iran’s attack on the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Qatar.
Egypt said the attack was a “violation to its sovereignty and a threat to its territorial integrity” and called for a cease-fire.
The UAE said it “strongly condemns” the attack. The UAE foreign ministry in a statement said it was a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, and a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.”
Pentagon Confirms Ballistic Missiles Used in Attack, No Casualties Reported
In an email to The Epoch Times, an official for the Department of Defense confirmed Iran’s attack against the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Qatar and said that the Pentagon is closely monitoring the situation.
“I can confirm that al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran today,” the official said.
“At this time, there are no reports of U.S. casualties. We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available.”
The attack is the first time that Al Udeid has ever been directly targeted by a foreign power.
Israel Strikes Iran
Israel continued its strikes on Iran Monday, hitting the headquarters of the Iranian paramilitary’s Basij militia and other key targets, the Israel Defense Forces wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Saudi Arabia Condemns Iranian Attack
Saudi Arabia has condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on a U.S. military base in Qatar.
The kingdom said in a statement on social media platform X that it “expresses its condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms possible, the aggression launched by Iran against the brotherly State of Qatar, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness, and an entirely unacceptable act that cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
Saudi Arabia went on to say that it “affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the State of Qatar and places all its capabilities at Qatar’s disposal in support of any measures it may take.”
Egypt’s National Airline Cancels Flights
EgyptAir, the national airline of Egypt, has canceled flights in the Middle East in light of Iran’s attack on U.S. military assets.
Qatar Condemns Attack, Says It Retains Right to Retaliate
Qatar’s foreign ministry said that it retained the right to respond to Iran’s attack, and considered the missile launch a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, and international law.”
“We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law,” foreign affairs spokesman Majed al-Ansari posted on social media platform X.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement saying that the attack targeted facilities far from civilians and that Tehran was “committed to preserving and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar.”
Iran: Attacks Were Not in Populated Areas
Iran said in a statement that its retaliatory attacks were away from populated areas in Qatar.
“The base targeted by Iran’s powerful forces was also a significant distance from urban facilities and residential areas in Qatar,” the country’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement.
“This action posed no danger to our friendly and brotherly nation of Qatar and its honorable people,” it added. “The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to preserving and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bahrain and UAE Close Airspaces
The nations of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspaces shortly after Iran’s attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Air raid sirens were heard in Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters is located. The U.S. Air Force’s 380th Air Expeditionary Wing likewise is stationed in the UAE.
It is unclear at this time if the airspace closures corresponded to direct threats or were taken in response to the attack against nearby Qatar.
Qatar Intercepts Iranian Missile Barrage, Condemns Attack
Qatari air defense systems successfully intercepted an Iranian missile barrage on June 23, according to a statement released by the Qatari Ministry of Defense.
Qatar’s defense ministry confirmed the barrage targeted the Al Udeid Air Base.
“Thanks to God, the vigilance of the armed forces, and the precautionary measures taken, the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries,” Qatar’s defense ministry said.
The ministry said Qatar’s airspace and territory are now safe, and Qatari armed forces are ready to respond to continuing threats. The ministry also advised citizens and residents in the country to continue to monitor official sources for guidance and news on the latest developments.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the Iranian missile barrage as “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter.”
Ansari said Qatar reserves the right to respond in a manner equivalent to the Iranian attack.
What to Know About Iran’s Attack
- Iran launched a missile attack against the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday.
- The base is the United States’ largest military installation in the Middle East and has served as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command since 2009.
- Iran said that it launched a number of missiles at the base. It said the attack equaled the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
- Qatar’s ministry of defense said that it intercepted the missiles and that there were no casualties.
