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Saturday, June 21, 2025

Iran-Israel War: 6/21/25 9 PM CST Update

 


The ongoing Iran-Israel war, which escalated significantly on June 13, 2025, has seen intense exchanges of missile and airstrikes over the past 48 hours, with the United States directly entering the conflict through targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Below is a detailed summary of events in the past 48 hours (from approximately 8:44 PM CDT on June 19 to 8:44 PM CDT on June 21, 2025), focusing on the conflict's developments and specifics of the U.S. strike inside Iran, based on available information.

Developments in the Iran-Israel War (Past 48 Hours)
  1. Continued Israeli Strikes on Iran:
    • June 19-20, 2025: Israel intensified its airstrikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear facilities, missile launch sites, and military infrastructure. On June 19, Israel bombed nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan, as well as the partially built Arak heavy-water research reactor in central Iran.
    • June 20-21, 2025: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted further strikes, targeting missile storage and launching infrastructure in central Iran. The IDF reported hitting the headquarters of Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) in Tehran and other military sites.
    • Casualties and Damage: Iranian media reported a rising death toll, with the health ministry stating 224 people were killed and 1,277 injured as of June 19 evening. However, the Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated at least 863 civilian and military deaths by June 19. Israel claimed to have destroyed over 50% of Iran’s missile launchers, significantly limiting Iran’s retaliatory capabilities.
    • Evacuation Warnings: Israel issued evacuation notices for parts of Tehran, exacerbating panic and causing massive traffic jams as civilians fled the capital. Iran opened metro stations 24/7 for shelter.
  2. Iranian Retaliatory Strikes on Israel:
    • June 19-20, 2025: Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, including a significant strike on June 19 that hit the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel, causing widespread damage. The IDF accused Iran of using cluster munitions, a violation of international law, while Iran claimed it targeted nearby military and intelligence sites. At least 32 people were injured.
    • June 20-21, 2025: Iran continued missile barrages, with attacks hitting Haifa and other northern Israeli cities. On June 21, an Iranian missile struck near a children’s center in Be’er Sheva, causing property damage but no casualties. Iran’s state media reported using hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles for the first time, though the number of missiles launched has decreased, possibly due to Israel’s destruction of launchers.
    • Casualties: Israeli authorities reported 11 deaths from Iranian missile attacks in the past 48 hours, including six in Bat Yam and four in Tamra. Over 100 injuries were recorded, with significant property damage in Haifa, Bat Yam, and Herzliya.
  3. Internet Blackout in Iran:
    • Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout starting late June 19, lasting at least 48 hours as of June 21. This disruption, reported by NetBlocks, coincided with intensified Israeli and U.S. strikes, limiting communication and information flow within Iran.
  4. International Reactions and Diplomacy:
    • U.N. Security Council: On June 20, an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting saw Iran and Israel accuse each other of war crimes and state terrorism.
    • European Diplomacy: European foreign ministers met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on June 20 for nearly four hours, aiming for de-escalation. No breakthroughs were achieved, but parties agreed to continue talks.
    • Russian Support: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for Iran’s nuclear power industry, noting Russia’s role in building a reactor in Bushehr and guaranteeing the safety of Russian employees there.
    • UAE Concerns: UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash warned that prolonged conflict risks regional prosperity and called for de-escalation.
  5. U.S. Involvement and Statements:
    • President Donald Trump faced increasing pressure to decide on U.S. military involvement. On June 19, he indicated a decision would come within “two weeks,” though this timeline was not firm. By June 21, the U.S. had directly entered the conflict with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (detailed below).
    • Posts on X reflected public sentiment, with some claiming Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and asserted U.S. air supremacy over Iran, though these claims lack corroboration from primary sources.
Details of the U.S. Strike Inside Iran
On June 21, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking its direct entry into the Israel-Iran conflict. Below are the specifics based on available reports:
  1. Announcement and Timing:
    • President Donald Trump announced the strikes on June 21, stating that U.S. forces had “successfully” targeted the three sites. The announcement was made in the evening, with Trump expected to speak from the White House at 10 p.m.
    • Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency confirmed the attacks on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 21, acknowledging damage to the facilities.
  2. Targets:
    • Fordow: Located 300 feet underground, Fordow is Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear enrichment facility. Recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports indicated Iran was producing 60% enriched uranium at Fordow, with 2,700 centrifuges operational. The U.S. used bunker-busting bombs, as Israel lacks the capability to penetrate such depths.
    • Natanz: Iran’s largest nuclear enrichment facility, Natanz was previously damaged by Israeli strikes. The U.S. strike targeted remaining infrastructure, further degrading Iran’s enrichment capacity.
    • Isfahan: Home to Iran’s largest nuclear research complex, Isfahan employs 3,000 scientists and operates research reactors and fuel production plants. It is suspected to be central to Iran’s nuclear program.
    • The goal, as stated by U.S. and Israeli officials, was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb by destroying key components of its nuclear infrastructure.
  3. Military Execution:
    • The strikes involved B-2 stealth bombers, which took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri around 2 a.m. on June 21. The timing allowed the bombers to reach Iran within the operational window.
    • The U.S. deployed powerful bunker-busting bombs, specifically designed to destroy deeply buried facilities like Fordow.
    • The Pentagon expedited the deployment of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and other ships to the Middle East to support the operation and prepare for potential Iranian retaliation.
  4. Strategic Context and Trump’s Rationale:
    • Trump’s decision followed a week of mixed signals, with initial reluctance to engage directly in the conflict. He had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and emphasized diplomacy until recently.
    • Sources indicate Trump believed U.S. forces were necessary due to stalled diplomacy and Iran’s fortified nuclear sites. He hoped the strikes would push Iran back to negotiations to end the war, with no additional U.S. actions planned immediately.
    • The White House assessed Iran’s weakened military position, with depleted missile stockpiles after a week of exchanges with Israel, as a strategic opportunity.
  5. Political Reactions:
    • Domestic U.S. Criticism: Senator Bernie Sanders called the strikes an “act of war” outside Trump’s powers, speaking at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Senator Tim Kaine criticized the decision as “horrible judgment,” noting Israeli strikes had already set back Iran’s nuclear program by 2-3 years, and planned a Senate vote on U.S. involvement.
    • Support: Senator John Fetterman strongly endorsed the strikes, arguing they were necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Israel’s former defense minister Yoav Gallant praised the U.S. action as a “bold decision” for humanity.
    • Congressional Briefings: The strikes revealed a partisan divide, with top Republicans in the “Gang of Eight” (e.g., Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Tom Cotton) briefed beforehand, while Democrats like Jim Himes and Mark Warner were not, raising concerns about protocol.
  6. Iranian Response:
    • Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any U.S. strike would provoke retaliation, asserting Iran’s right to self-defense.
    • Iran promised to retaliate but has not yet detailed specific actions following the U.S. strikes. Its missile stockpiles are reportedly depleted, and the internet blackout may hinder coordination.
    • Iran’s allied militias (e.g., Houthis, Hezbollah) have not yet joined the fight, possibly due to their weakened state after Israeli operations in 2023-2024.
  7. Impact and Uncertainty:
    • The extent of damage to the nuclear sites is unclear, as Iran has restricted information flow. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi previously noted severe damage to Natanz’s centrifuges but limited damage to Fordow, suggesting U.S. bombs may have caused more significant destruction.
    • The strikes have likely set back Iran’s nuclear program by 1-2 years, per expert Ali Vaez, but may close the door to diplomacy, pushing Iran to “hunker down.”
    • Risks include potential radiation leaks from damaged nuclear sites, though no such incidents have been confirmed.
Critical Notes
  • Source Limitations: The information relies on web reports and X posts, which may contain biases or unverified claims. For instance, X posts about Trump claiming “unconditional surrender” or “complete air supremacy” lack primary source confirmation and should be treated skeptically.
  • Iran’s Nuclear Intentions: Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, but the IAEA declared Iran non-compliant with non-proliferation obligations in June 2025, citing enriched uranium stockpiles. U.S. intelligence in March 2025 assessed Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon, creating ambiguity.
  • Regional Implications: The U.S. entry escalates risks of a broader conflict, though Iran’s weakened proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis) limit its retaliatory options.
  • Diplomatic Stance: Trump’s push for negotiations post-strike contrasts with Iran’s refusal to negotiate under attack, per mediators Qatar and Oman.
Conclusion
Over the past 48 hours, the Iran-Israel war has intensified with ongoing missile exchanges, Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, and Iranian attacks on Israeli cities, including a hospital. The U.S. strike on June 21 targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, aiming to cripple its nuclear program and push Tehran toward negotiations. While the strikes likely caused significant damage, Iran has vowed retaliation, and the conflict’s trajectory remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts stalled and regional tensions high. For further details on subscription plans or xAI’s API, visit https://x.ai/grok or https://x.ai/api.[](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-israel-war-middle-east-us-military-gaza/)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/live-blog/israel-iran-conflict-rcna214241)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-trade-fresh-air-attacks-trump-weighs-us-involvement-2025-06-19/)

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