On June 21, 2025, Israel claimed its airstrikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by at least two years, as tensions escalate and diplomacy falters.
On June 20, Israel carried out new strikes targeting Iranian missile storage and launch sites as part of a broader campaign that began on June 13, focused on nuclear and military facilities. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Bild that these attacks have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by “two or three years,” refuting Tehran’s claims of peaceful intent.
Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear installations pose only limited risks of contamination, experts say. But they warn that any attack on the country's nuclear power station at Bushehr could cause a nuclear disaster https://t.co/duuOe8OeEZ pic.twitter.com/zEdhBzvwh6
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 20, 2025In response, Iran launched 450 missiles and deployed 400 drones, resulting in the deaths of 25 people in Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s strikes on Iran resulted in 657 fatalities, including 263 civilians.
On June 20, U.S. President Donald Trump gave Iran two weeks to negotiate or risk potential airstrikes from the U.S., disregarding European efforts for diplomacy in Geneva. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, rejected the idea of talks, citing Israel’s aggressive actions. Rafael Grossi of the IAEA clarified that while Iran has been enriching uranium to 60%, there is no evidence to suggest this is for weaponisation purposes.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says although Iran lacked transparency, his inspectors found no evidence of an active nuclear weapons programme. So why did Israel strike within 24 hours?
Watch the full interview here ➡️ https://t.co/g1rf3CkE0w pic.twitter.com/dOrA3p3ZIH
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 20, 2025UN chief António Guterres warned of the risk of regional escalation. Britain’s David Lammy described the situation as “perilous,” while Switzerland closed its embassy in Tehran. Meetings by the Arab League and OIC in Istanbul aimed to de-escalate tensions.
Read: Satellite Images Reveal Severe Damage to Iran’s Arak Nuclear Facility
