Israeli officials reportedly under ‘gag order’ to not speak about ceasefire
No word whatsoever from the Israeli government and Israeli officials, who have not been speaking to Israeli media. Israeli media are reporting that there is a gag order in place for [Prime Minister Netanyahu] and all of his ministers and other government officials to not speak about the ceasefire.
That’s going to mean that if there is some sort of announcement from the Israelis, it is going to come directly from Netanyahu himself.
It’s also worth mentioning that, behind the scenes earlier in the day, there were Israeli officials saying that because of the pressure from President Trump, the Israelis were now trying to wrap all of this up by the end of the week.
This is before the announcement from the American president.
So it is still a little bit unclear where we stand now because there has been no word from Israeli officials.
Iran says ‘no agreement’ on any ceasefire as of yet
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations as of now.
“However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time [00:30 GMT], we have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” he wrote on X.
“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
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…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025
The Iranian foreign minister has issued a second statement on X, saying the military operations to punish Israel 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,” Araghchi added.
This comes moments after the top diplomat said there was no formal agreement for a ceasefire, but that Iran will halt attacks if Israel ends its “aggression” by 4am local time (00:30 GMT).
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…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025
Attack reported on Iraq’s Balad military base
The Balad military base in Iraq has come under attack, according to reports from the Kurdistan24 news channel, citing its correspondent in Baghdad.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the attack on the base, located in Iraq’s Salahuddin province about 100km (62 miles) north of the Iraqi capital.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency earlier reported that two explosions were heard inside the base, which previously served as the second-largest US base in Iraq.
Iraq’s Imam Ali base under attack: Report
The Al Sumaria TV network is reporting an attack on the radar systems at Imam Ali base in Iraq. The Baghdad-based television channel did not say who carried out the attack.
Imam Ali base is located in Iraq’s Dhi Qar governorate, just southwest of the provincial capital of Nasiriya.
