Trump Says Cease-Fire 'Now In Effect' In Iran-Israel Conflict

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued an advisory saying that while there are currently no specific credible threats "against the homeland," there is a "heightened threat environment" across the country after the US military launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.

"The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes,” Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

The advisory expires on September 22, it added.

Israel says its forces struck further targets in western Iran on June 23. The Israeli Air Force said in a statement that more than 15 fighter jets had attacked the Kermanshah region, “destroying a number of surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites aimed toward Israeli territory.”

The air force also said that it attacked six airfields in central, eastern, and western Iran, “damaging runways, underground bunkers, a refueling plane, and three aircraft.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has urged all stakeholders in Iran to keep talking to each other and warned that the recent "dramatic events" could have "unthinkable" consequences if there is a "potential widening of the conflict.'"

"We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy," he said in a statement. "If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall."

Iranian Foreign Minister says he has spoken by phone with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Abbas Araqchi said on his Telegram account that in his call he "strongly condemned the US's aggressive attack on peaceful nuclear facilities, calling this military action a violation of all international laws and regulations, including the United Nations Charter."

Meanwhile, this just in from the IDF:

A senior Iranian military official has warned that the recent US strikes had broadened the range of legitimate military targets for Tehran.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters -- the country’s top operational command within its armed forces -- delivered the message in a video statement.

"Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Zolfaqari said in English at the end of his message.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Moscow to hold talks with senior Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on June 23 Araqchi would hold "a series of negotiations" during his visit.

Interfax, quoting Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, reported that Putin will meet with Araqchi at some point during the day.

The Mizan news agency, the official outlet of Iran's judiciary, says Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh has been executed on espionage charges. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency had described him as being the head of a cyber-team affiliated with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Just days earlier Amnesty International had warned that Shayesteh was one of a number of detainees at risk in Iran due to what it called "arbitrary executions."

"Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instill fear among the people of Iran." said Amnesty's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hussein Baoumi.

US President Donald Trump, in comments late on June 22, said the June 21 US air strikes against Iran caused "monumental damage" to all of its nuclear sites, citing satellite images.

"Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!"

Trump earlier had said attacks on facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan had been “completely and totally obliterated.”

Amid the backdrop of the U.S. military's air strikes against Iran and rising tensions in Middle East, the US State Department issued a "Worldwide Caution Security Alert," advising US citizens to exercise increased caution while overseas.

"The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad."

"The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution," it said.