Category: DJF

MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a statement following U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“While we wait to learn more about the results of U.S. strikes on Iran and whether or not we have damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure beyond repair, I thank our U.S. servicemembers for carrying out this limited, targeted, and hopefully decisive action,” said Senator Rosen. “The Iranian Regime has made it clear that they will do everything in their power to destroy the United States and Israel, and their nuclear program has been a means to that end. That is why I have never wavered in my firm belief that Iran cannot be allowed to develop or obtain a nuclear weapon.”
“As we await confirmation of the impact of last night’s mission, the President must involve Congress before taking any further U.S. military action against Iran and must respect Congress’s sole constitutional role in the authorization of the use of force,” Senator Rosen continued. “I look forward to being briefed by the Administration this week on the intelligence that led to U.S. strikes and how we plan to protect American servicemembers from retaliation. My thoughts are with our servicemembers who carried out these strikes, and I continue to pray for the safety of U.S. troops and personnel still in the region.”
Senator Rosen has been a steadfast advocate for strengthening our national security, combating terrorism, supporting Israel and other U.S. allies in the Middle East, and countering threats from Iran’s authoritarian regime and limiting its ability to pursue nuclear weapons. Senator Rosen has led bipartisan efforts to freeze Iranian assets, tighten oil sanctions, and ensure the regime is held accountable. Senator Rosen continues to support strong U.S. foreign policy priorities focused on safeguarding global stability.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: President Trump’s Pursuit of Peace Through Strength in Iran
Source: US Whitehouse
This morning, key leaders of the Trump Administration were out across the airwaves with a clear message: the world is safer today because of President Donald J. Trump’s highly successful precision strikes against the Iranian regime’s key nuclear facilities — and that what happens next is up to them.

Here’s what you missed:

Vice President JD Vance on Meet the Press
- On the precision strikes: “We’re not at war with Iran … We destroyed the Iranian nuclear program … and we did it without endangering the lives of American pilots. That’s an incredible thing.”
- On achieving peace: “We do not want war with Iran. We actually want peace, but we want peace in the context of them not having a nuclear weapons program — and that’s exactly what the President accomplished last night.”
- On diplomacy: “They weren’t taking this seriously. They were trying to draw this process out as long as possible so they could rebuild their nuclear weapons program without the threat of American action … We didn’t blow up the diplomacy. The diplomacy never was given a real chance by the Iranians.”
- On potential retaliation: “We’re prepared in the event the that the Iranians do retaliate, but … if the Iranians want to enlarge this by attacking American troops, I think that would be a catastrophic mistake.”
- On further conflict: “We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground. The President has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle East, which is why he did what he did — a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest.”
- On regime change: “Our view has been very clear that we don’t want a regime change … We want to end their nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement.”
Vice President JD Vance on This Week
- On Iranian nuclear capabilities: “I can say to the American people with great confidence that [Iran is] much further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago. That was the objective of the mission.”
- On the nature of the precision strikes: “If the Iranians attack us, they’re going to be met with overwhelming force … We did not attack the nation of Iran. We did not attack any civilian targets. We didn’t even attack military targets outside of the three nuclear weapons facilities.”
- On a peaceful solution: “We believe the way that you achieve peace is through strength … You can’t sit there and allow the Iranians to achieve a nuclear weapon and expect that’s going to lead to peace … The President — more than anybody — is worried about protracted military conflicts. That is NOT what we’re getting ourselves involved in.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Face the Nation
- On what happens next: “What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next. If they choose the path of diplomacy, we’re ready. We can do a deal that’s good for them, the Iranian people, and good for the world. If they choose another route, then there’ll be consequences.”
- On the reality of Iran’s nuclear development: “They had everything they need to build nuclear weapons. Why would you bury things in a mountain 300 feet under the ground? Why do they have 60% enriched uranium? … The only countries in the world that have uranium at 60% are countries that have nuclear weapons because they can quickly make it 90%.”
- On a peaceful resolution: “We’ll defend our people … but let’s hope they don’t choose that route. Let’s all hope that they actually decide, ‘let’s go negotiate’ because we want a diplomatic and peaceful solution.”
- On diplomacy: “This is very simple. The President wants to resolve this diplomatically and peacefully. He gave them a chance to do that … What happens next is up to the regime.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday Morning Futures
- On President Trump’s decision: “[Iran] tried to play him along the way they’ve played every American president for the last 35 years and the President told them if we don’t get a deal — which is what we wanted — then I’ll have to have to handle it differently … We didn’t make that choice, they did.”
- On U.S. military might: “The President said very clearly, ‘We have 60 days to make progress on a deal and if we don’t, I’m going to deal with it differently’ … [Our military] went in, they did what they needed to do with precision and skill that no other military in the world can do, and they left.”
- On President Trump’s leadership: “They thought they could do with President Trump what they’ve done with presidents in the past and get it away with it — and they found out last night that they can’t … This is a President that tells you what he’s going to do and then he does it.”
- On the evil of the Iranian regime: “Why did Hezbollah exist? Because of Iran. Why does Hamas exist? Because of Iran. How do the Houthis exist? Because of Iran. Who built the IEDs that maimed and killed American soldiers in Iraq? Iran. They’re behind every problem in this region. They are the sole source of instability in the entire Middle East … Imagine those people having a nuclear weapon … That is unacceptable.”
- On the Strait of Hormuz: “If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It’s economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that.”
MIL OSI USA News –
June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Brian Bossak, Professor of Public Health, College of Charleston

Extreme heat can become lethal quickly. A young man cools off at Washington, D.C.’s Yards Park during a heat wave in 2021. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Summer is just getting started, and millions of people are under heat advisories as a major heat wave spreads across large parts of the central and eastern U.S. in June 2025.

For many people, summer is their favorite season, a time for cookouts, beach trips and other outdoor activities. However, summer also brings the risk of dangerously high temperatures and humidity.

In the U.S., hundreds of people working or playing outside – even those who seem healthy – succumb to heat-related illnesses each year. Older adults and people in areas that historically haven’t needed air conditioning tend to see the highest rates of illnesses during heat waves, as Chicago saw in 1995 when at least 700 people died in a heat wave.

The Weather Prediction Center’s heat forecast shows the maximum temperatures states can expect to see at some point during the week of June 23-27, 2025.
NOAA Weather Prediction Center

Even in places where heat is recognized as a dangerous health threat, people can be caught off guard as the thermometer creeps higher, on average, each year. In some cases, dangerous heat can arise quickly. In 2021, a young family died of heat stroke on a California trail after setting out for a hike when temperatures were still in the 70s Fahrenheit (low to mid 20s Celsius).

I study health risks in a warming climate as a professor of public health, and I’ve seen heat become a growing concern. Here are some of the key warning signs to watch for when temperatures rise – and ways to keep cool when the heat and humidity get too high.

Signs of heat-related illness to watch for

Heat-related illnesses occur across a spectrum, and mild heat stress can quickly progress to life-threatening heat stroke if a person is exposed to dangerous conditions for too long.

Mild forms of heat-related illness include heat cramps and heat rash, both of which can be caused by extensive sweating during hot conditions. Cooling the body and drinking cool fluids can help.

When heat-related illnesses progress into heat exhaustion, the situation is more serious. Heat exhaustion includes symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, feeling weak, thirst and getting a headache.

Construction workers are often out in the heat for long periods of time, including during this heat wave in Los Angeles in July 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

Heat exhaustion is a signal that the body is losing its ability to maintain a stable core temperature. Immediate action such as moving to a cool, ideally air-conditioned space, drinking liquids, loosening clothes and applying wet cloths are some of the recommended steps that can help keep heat exhaustion from progressing to the most dangerous form of heat-related illness, heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. At this point, the body can no longer maintain a stable core temperature. A body with heat stroke can reach 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher rapidly, and that heat can quickly damage the brain, heart and kidneys.

Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, from the National Weather Service and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NOAA/CDC

Typically, someone suffering heat stroke has exhausted their reserves of sweat and salt to stay cool, so sweating eventually stops during heat stroke. Their cognitive ability fails, and they cannot remove themselves from danger. Heat stroke can cause seizures or put someone into a coma as their core temperature rises. If the condition is not treated immediately, and the core temperature continues to rise, heat stroke becomes fatal.

Because heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, addressing heat-related illnesses before they progress is vital.

How to tell when the heat is too high

Heat risk isn’t just about temperature – humidity also increases the risk of heat-related illnesses because it affects how well sweating will cool the human body when it gets hot.

Instead of just looking at temperature when planning outdoor activities, check the heat index, which accounts for heat illness risk associated with temperature and relative humidity.

It doesn’t take very high temperatures or very high humidity for the heat index to enter dangerous territory.

A heat index chart shows how heat and humidity combine for dangerous conditions.
NOAA

However, the heat index is still a conservative measure of the impact of heat on humans, particularly for outdoor workers and athletes at summer practices. This is because temperature measurements used in weather forecasting are taken in the shade and are not exposed to direct sunlight. If someone is outside and exposed to the direct sun, the actual heat index can be as much as 15 F higher than the heat index chart indicates.

A more sophisticated measurement of heat effects on human health is what’s known as the wet-bulb globe temperature, which takes into account other variables, such as wind speed and cloud cover. Neither takes into account a person’s physical exertion, which also raises their body temperature, whether working at a construction site or playing soccer.

Tips for staying safe in a heat wave

How can you stay cool when heat waves set in? The answer depends in part on where you are, but the main points are the same:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities in high temperatures if possible. If you start to feel symptoms of heat-related illnesses, drink fluids that will hydrate you. Find shade, rest, and use cool, damp cloths to lower your body temperature. If you see signs of heat stroke in someone else, call for medical help.
- Be careful with fans. Fans can be useful if the temperature isn’t too high because they wick sweat away from the body and induce evaporative cooling. But at very high temperatures, they can accelerate heat buildup in the body and lead to dangerous conditions. If indoor temperatures reaches 95 degrees or higher, using fans can actually be dangerous and raise the risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Find a cooling center, library or community center where you can get inside and rest in an air-conditioned space in the hottest hours. In places such as Phoenix, where high temperatures are a regular hazard, cooling centers are typically opened in summer. Northern cities are also opening cooling centers as heat waves occur there more frequently than they did in the past. Urban areas with a lot of pavement and buildings – known as heat islands – can have temperatures well above the city’s average.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of fluids, and don’t forget about the importance of electrolytes. Heat-related dehydration can occur when people sweat excessively, losing water and necessary salts from the body. Some sports drinks or rehydration fluids restore electrolytes and hydration levels.
Older adults and people with disabilities often face higher risks from heat waves, particularly if they can’t easily move to a cooler environment. Communities and neighbors can help protect vulnerable populations by providing cooling centers and bottled water and making regular wellness checks during high heat.

Summer can be a season of fun. Just remember the risks, keep an eye on your friends and neighbors when temperatures rise, and plan ahead so you can beat the heat.

This article, originally published June 19, 2025, has been updated with new heat advisories and forecasts.

Brian Bossak is not currently receiving relevant external funding for heat-related illness research. In 2017-2019, he served as a consultant on a heat-related research award from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and
Safety at the University of Florida.

– ref. How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for – https://theconversation.com/how-to-stay-safe-during-heat-waves-and-heat-stroke-warning-signs-to-watch-for-257708
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeffrey Fields, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli airstrike on an oil depot in Tehran, Iran, on June 15, 2025. Stringer/Getty Images

With the U.S. bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran, relations between the two countries have arguably reached one of the lowest points in modern times. But the bad blood between the two countries isn’t new: The U.S. and Iran have been in conflict for decades – at least since the U.S. helped overthrow a democracy-minded prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, in August 1953. The U.S. then supported the long, repressive reign of the Shah of Iran, whose security services brutalized Iranian citizens for decades.

The two countries have been particularly hostile to each other since Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, resulting in economic sanctions and the severing of formal diplomatic relations between the nations.

Since 1984, the U.S. State Department has listed Iran as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” alleging the Iranian government provides terrorists with training, money and weapons.

Some of the major events in U.S.-Iran relations highlight the differences between the nations’ views, but others arguably presented real opportunities for reconciliation.

1953: US overthrows Mossadegh

Mohammed Mossadegh.
Wikimedia Commons

In 1951, the Iranian Parliament chose a new prime minister, Mossadegh, who then led lawmakers to vote in favor of taking over the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, expelling the company’s British owners and saying they wanted to turn oil profits into investments in the Iranian people. The U.S. feared disruption in the global oil supply and worried about Iran falling prey to Soviet influence. The British feared the loss of cheap Iranian oil.

President Dwight Eisenhower decided it was best for the U.S. and the U.K. to get rid of Mossadegh. Operation Ajax, a joint CIA-British operation, convinced the Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch, to dismiss Mossadegh and drive him from office by force. Mossadegh was replaced by a much more Western-friendly prime minister, handpicked by the CIA.

Demonstrators in Tehran demand the establishment of an Islamic republic.
AP Photo/Saris

1979: Revolutionaries oust the shah, take hostages

After more than 25 years of relative stability in U.S.-Iran relations, the Iranian public had grown unhappy with the social and economic conditions that developed under the dictatorial rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Pahlavi enriched himself and used American aid to fund the military while many Iranians lived in poverty. Dissent was often violently quashed by SAVAK, the shah’s security service. In January 1979, the shah left Iran, ostensibly to seek cancer treatment. Two weeks later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in Iraq and led a drive to abolish the monarchy and proclaim an Islamic government.

Iranian students at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran show a blindfolded American hostage to the crowd in November 1979.
AP Photo

In October 1979, President Jimmy Carter agreed to allow the shah to come to the U.S. to seek advanced medical treatment. Outraged Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, taking 52 Americans hostage. That convinced Carter to sever U.S. diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980.

Two weeks later, the U.S. military launched a mission to rescue the hostages, but it failed, with aircraft crashes killing eight U.S. servicemembers.

The shah died in Egypt in July 1980, but the hostages weren’t released until Jan. 20, 1981, after 444 days of captivity.

An Iranian cleric, left, and an Iranian soldier wear gas masks to protect themselves against Iraqi chemical-weapons attacks in May 1988.
Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

1980-1988: US tacitly sides with Iraq

In September 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, an escalation of the two countries’ regional rivalry and religious differences: Iraq was governed by Sunni Muslims but had a Shia Muslim majority population; Iran was led and populated mostly by Shiites.

The U.S. was concerned that the conflict would limit the flow of Middle Eastern oil and wanted to ensure the conflict didn’t affect its close ally, Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. supported Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in his fight against the anti-American Iranian regime. As a result, the U.S. mostly turned a blind eye toward Iraq’s use of chemical weapons against Iran.

U.S. officials moderated their usual opposition to those illegal and inhumane weapons because the U.S. State Department did not “wish to play into Iran’s hands by fueling its propaganda against Iraq.” In 1988, the war ended in a stalemate. More than 500,000 military and 100,000 civilians died.

1981-1986: US secretly sells weapons to Iran

The U.S. imposed an arms embargo after Iran was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984. That left the Iranian military, in the middle of its war with Iraq, desperate for weapons and aircraft and vehicle parts to keep fighting.

The Reagan administration decided that the embargo would likely push Iran to seek support from the Soviet Union, the U.S.’s Cold War rival. Rather than formally end the embargo, U.S. officials agreed to secretly sell weapons to Iran starting in 1981.

The last shipment, of anti-tank missiles, was in October 1986. In November 1986, a Lebanese magazine exposed the deal. That revelation sparked the Iran-Contra scandal in the U.S., with Reagan’s officials found to have collected money from Iran for the weapons and illegally sent those funds to anti-socialist rebels – the Contras – in Nicaragua.

At a mass funeral for 76 of the 290 people killed in the shootdown of Iran Air 655, mourners hold up a sign depicting the incident.
AP Photo/CP/Mohammad Sayyad

1988: US Navy shoots down Iran Air flight 655

On the morning of July 8, 1988, the USS Vincennes, a guided missile cruiser patrolling in the international waters of the Persian Gulf, entered Iranian territorial waters while in a skirmish with Iranian gunboats.

Either during or just after that exchange of gunfire, the Vincennes crew mistook a passing civilian Airbus passenger jet for an Iranian F-14 fighter. They shot it down, killing all 290 people aboard.

The U.S. called it a “tragic and regrettable accident,” but Iran believed the plane’s downing was intentional. In 1996, the U.S. agreed to pay US$131.8 million in compensation to Iran.

1997-1998: The US seeks contact

In August 1997, a moderate reformer, Mohammad Khatami, won Iran’s presidential election.

U.S. President Bill Clinton sensed an opportunity. He sent a message to Tehran through the Swiss ambassador there, proposing direct government-to-government talks.

Shortly thereafter, in early January 1998, Khatami gave an interview to CNN in which he expressed “respect for the great American people,” denounced terrorism and recommended an “exchange of professors, writers, scholars, artists, journalists and tourists” between the United States and Iran.

However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei didn’t agree, so not much came of the mutual overtures as Clinton’s time in office came to an end.

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush characterized Iran, Iraq and North Korea as constituting an “Axis of Evil” supporting terrorism and pursuing weapons of mass destruction, straining relations even further.

Inside these buildings at the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, technicians enrich uranium.
AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

2002: Iran’s nuclear program raises alarm

In August 2002, an exiled rebel group announced that Iran had been secretly working on nuclear weapons at two installations that had not previously been publicly revealed.

That was a violation of the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which Iran had signed, requiring countries to disclose their nuclear-related facilities to international inspectors.

One of those formerly secret locations, Natanz, housed centrifuges for enriching uranium, which could be used in civilian nuclear reactors or enriched further for weapons.

Starting in roughly 2005, U.S. and Israeli government cyberattackers together reportedly targeted the Natanz centrifuges with a custom-made piece of malicious software that became known as Stuxnet.

That effort, which slowed down Iran’s nuclear program was one of many U.S. and international attempts – mostly unsuccessful – to curtail Iran’s progress toward building a nuclear bomb.

2003: Iran writes to Bush administration

An excerpt of the document sent from Iran, via the Swiss government, to the U.S. State Department in 2003, appears to seek talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Washington Post via Scribd

In May 2003, senior Iranian officials quietly contacted the State Department through the Swiss embassy in Iran, seeking “a dialogue ‘in mutual respect,’” addressing four big issues: nuclear weapons, terrorism, Palestinian resistance and stability in Iraq.

Hardliners in the Bush administration weren’t interested in any major reconciliation, though Secretary of State Colin Powell favored dialogue and other officials had met with Iran about al-Qaida.

When Iranian hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president of Iran in 2005, the opportunity died. The following year, Ahmadinejad made his own overture to Washington in an 18-page letter to President Bush. The letter was widely dismissed; a senior State Department official told me in profane terms that it amounted to nothing.

Representatives of several nations met in Vienna in July 2015 to finalize the Iran nuclear deal.
Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs/Flickr

2015: Iran nuclear deal signed

After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration undertook a direct diplomatic approach beginning in 2013.

Two years of secret, direct negotiations initially bilaterally between the U.S. and Iran and later with other nuclear powers culminated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, often called the Iran nuclear deal.

Two years of secret, direct negotiations conducted bilaterally at first between the U.S. and Iran and later with other nuclear powers culminated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, often called the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran, the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom signed the deal in 2015. It severely limited Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium and mandated that international inspectors monitor and enforce Iran’s compliance with the agreement.

In return, Iran was granted relief from international and U.S. economic sanctions. Though the inspectors regularly certified that Iran was abiding by the agreement’s terms, President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in May 2018.

2020: US drones kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani

An official photo from the Iranian government shows Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a Jan. 3 drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump.
Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

On Jan. 3, 2020, an American drone fired a missile that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s elite Quds Force. Analysts considered Soleimani the second most powerful man in Iran, after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

At the time, the Trump administration asserted that Soleimani was directing an imminent attack against U.S. assets in the region, but officials have not provided clear evidence to support that claim.

Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles that hit two American bases in Iraq.

2023: The Oct. 7 attacks on Israel

Hamas’ brazen attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, provoked a fearsome militarized response from Israel that continues today and served to severely weaken Iran’s proxies in the region, especially Hamas – the perpetrator of the attacks – and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

2025: Trump 2.0 and Iran

Trump saw an opportunity to forge a new nuclear deal with Iran and to pursue other business deals with Tehran. Once inaugurated for his second term, Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor who is the president’s friend, to serve as special envoy for the Middle East and to lead negotiations.

Negotiations for a nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran began in April, but the countries did not reach a deal. They were planning a new round of talks when Israel struck Iran with a series of airstrikes on June 13, forcing the White House to reconsider is position.

On June 22, in the early morning hours, the U.S. chose to act decisively in an attempt to cripple Iran’s nuclear capacity, bombing three nuclear sites and causing what Pentagon officials called “severe damage.” Iran vowed to retaliate.

This story has been updated to reflect the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, 2025.

Jeffrey Fields receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Schmidt Futures.

– ref. US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites – https://theconversation.com/us-and-iran-have-a-long-complicated-history-spanning-decades-before-us-strikes-on-nuclear-sites-259240

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iranian FM calls US military aggression against Iranian nuclear facilities ‘crossing red line’

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

ISTANBUL, June 22 (Xinhua) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday strongly condemned the U.S. military aggression against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities, saying Tehran is considering multiple options to respond to the “crossing of a red line.”

“The US attack on Iran is a flagrant, serious and unprecedented violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law,” A. Araghchi emphasized at a press conference in Istanbul.

The diplomat noted that the American administration, which “tramples on the law,” bears “sole and full” responsibility for the consequences of its act of “aggression.”

“Of course, the door to diplomacy should always be open. But this is not the case now. My country is under attack, aggression, and we must respond based on our legitimate right to self-defense. We will do this as long as necessary and necessary,” A. Araghchi said.

“We are now counting the damage,” he added, calling on the world and international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, to act in accordance with their responsibilities in the face of this “violation of international law.”

The Iranian Foreign Minister also said that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on June 23 to discuss the developments in the aftermath of the American strikes.

Currently, A. Araghchi is in Turkey, where he arrived to participate in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Astana Consensus adopted at China-Central Asia News Agency Forum

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia News Agency Forum was held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on Sunday. The forum adopted the Astana Consensus of the China-Central Asia News Agency Forum, which proposes deepening cooperation between the media of China and Central Asian countries and promoting the building of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

The two sides noted that over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian countries, their relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with all-round cooperation continuously deepening. As stated in the document, the two sides are jointly building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future based on mutual assistance, common development, common security and friendship from generation to generation, making contributions to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The parties highly appreciated the results of cooperation between the media of China and the five Central Asian countries in recent years in such aspects as news exchange, high-level contacts and information coverage. It was emphasized that close communication and interaction between the media of the six countries within the framework of such multilateral mechanisms as the World Media Summit, the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum and the China-Central Asia News Agency Forum are conducive to further deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Central Asia, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and advancing the construction of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

The two sides noted that in the face of rapid and profound changes in the world and the complex international situation, the media of China and the five Central Asian countries should further expand exchanges, deepen cooperation, join forces and coordinate actions to promote international justice, push global governance in a more just and reasonable direction, inject new impetus into efforts to strengthen the unity and cooperation of the Global South and promote world peace and development.

The two sides agreed to develop and utilize the China-Central Asia News Agency Forum, conduct active bilateral and multilateral people-to-people exchanges, intensify high-level contacts and mutual visits of staff, organize joint reporting, professional exchange seminars and personnel training events to deepen mutual understanding, promote mutual learning and exchange of experience, and build media capacity.

The parties agreed that in the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence /AI/ technologies, it is necessary to firmly adhere to journalistic ethics and professional standards, provide the audience with reliable, objective, comprehensive and impartial news information, oppose the use of AI technologies for such purposes as fabricating fake news and spreading rumors, and protect the authority of the media and public trust in them.

The two sides expressed support for further strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the field of economic information, as well as deepening cooperation in information exchange, holding events and sharing resources within the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership network.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the World Media Summit, the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum and the International Committee for Belt and Road Think Tank Cooperation, actively support and participate in activities within the context of these mechanisms, and make joint contributions to their development.

The China-Central Asia News Agency Forum was initiated and held by the Chinese Xinhua News Agency within the framework of the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit. The forum was attended by the heads of the Xinhua News Agency, the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar, the National News Agency of Tajikistan Khovar, the Media-Turkmen News Agency, and the National News Agency of Uzbekistan. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Building inclusive peace: How LGBTIQ+ communities are bridging divides in Cyprus and Kosovo

Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

This story was written by Elssa Gbeily, a former strategic communications consultant for the UN Department of Peace Operations focused on gender, peace and security.

Every June, Pride Month highlights the rights and identities of LGBTIQ+* people. For the UN and its peacekeepers, Pride is more than a celebration—it is a call to uphold our shared responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of all people, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Many peacekeeping missions operate in environments where LGBTIQ+ people face stigma, discrimination, or legal barriers. Despite these challenges, missions are finding context-sensitive ways to support rights-based inclusion without jeopardizing their impartiality or host country relations.

For the UN peacekeeping missions in Kosovo** and Cyprus, advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ people has become not only a human rights imperative, but a concrete strategy for building trust, strengthening social cohesion, and preventing conflict.

unficyp_2.jpg

Building bridges between communities in Cyprus

On the island of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live on either side of a UN-administered buffer zone. Although Cyprus became independent in 1960 with a constitution intended to balance the interests of both communities, a series of constitutional crises led to the outbreak of violence in 1963. A UN peacekeeping mission, UNFICYP, was subsequently established and today helps maintain peace along the buffer zone.

Fostering trust and reconciliation between the two communities is a key part of UNFICYP’s work to promote peace. The mission works with civil society, diplomats, international organizations and local communities to host events that bring people together and has found an ally in the LGBTIQ+ community as a powerful agent for reconciliation.

Working with LGBTIQ+ communities from both sides of the island, the mission has supported Pride events across the island, including a Queer film festival and a joint conference on LGBTIQ+ rights in health and education that was organized by local organizations and the British High Commission, and hosted inside the UN buffer zone.

“For me, it really highlights how despite obstacles we are able to gather, we were able to organize collective events, and we are able to show a way forward,” explains Theo Ieronymides, a local Cypriot and co-founder of the Queer Collective, an initiative that connects LGBTIQ+ persons across the divide.

By supporting initiatives that build bridges between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriot communities, UNFICYP and its LGBTIQ+ partners are fostering mutual recognition and breaking down identity-based divisions that fuel tensions.

“LGBTIQ+ people, and those working with them to secure their rights, have proved time and again the value of communities in providing support and driving change,” emphasized UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May.

Supporting human rights in Kosovo for inclusive governance and durable conflict resolution

Following the 1999 conflict in Kosovo, which left deep divisions between ethnic communities, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) promotes human rights and fosters reconciliation. Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights is integral to this work, as inclusion and equality are key to building trust and achieving lasting peace.

Together with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNMIK has supported efforts to combat discrimination—such as supporting Kosovo’s first-ever Pride parade in 2017.

UNMIK also serves on Kosovo’s Advisory and Coordination Group on LGBTI Rights, alongside government, civil society and international actors. It provides technical input, particularly on anti-discrimination policy, and helped draft the upcoming “Action Plan for the Rights of LGBTI Persons in Kosovo 2024–2026”—the first of its kind in Kosovo. The plan covers health, education and culture, anti-discrimination, and awareness-raising, and seeks to enhance cooperation between government institutions and civil society.

UNMIK supports the Civil Society Human Rights Network—a coalition of seven local organizations defending marginalized groups, including LGBTIQ+ persons. The network documents rights violations, promotes legal reform, and raises awareness. Its 2024 report highlights issues such as hate crimes and lack of healthcare and shelter, urging legislative action to protect gender identity and legalize same-sex unions.

By working with the LGBTIQ+ community and other partners to combat inequality and discrimination, UNMIK plays a vital role in promoting human rights, reconciliation and security in Kosovo. These actions not only benefit the LGBTIQ+ community, they help build a more inclusive, cohesive society where peace is more likely to be sustained for future generations.

The experiences of Cyprus and Kosovo offer valuable lessons for other missions seeking to promote inclusion in deeply divided contexts, demonstrating that even in fragile environments, small, locally driven initiatives can lay the groundwork for broader societal transformation.

LGBTIQ+ inclusion as a foundation for lasting peace

In June 2024, the UN launched its inaugural strategy to mainstream LGBTIQ+ inclusion across all areas of its work, including peacekeeping. Building on the UN Free & Equal campaign, launched in 2013 by the UN Human Rights Office, the strategy strengthens the UN’s commitment to recognizing the rights, needs and contributions of LGBTIQ+ persons. Together, these initiatives seek to enhance the inclusiveness and effectiveness of peace, humanitarian and development efforts.

Implementing this vision in peacekeeping contexts can present challenges. “Many UN missions are deployed to countries where issues related to LGBTIQ+ people are taboo and LGBTIQ+ persons and organizations can face legal restrictions, which can make these issues difficult to raise,” says Albert Trithart, a research fellow at the International Peace Institute and author of one of the first reports on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in UN peacekeeping.

However, he sees the adoption of the LBGTIQ+ strategy as an opportunity. “The strategy requires UN missions—and the whole UN Secretariat—to integrate the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons in programming and to ‘ensure safe and meaningful engagement of LGBTIQ+ persons in programmes and policies that impact them.’” He sees many areas where peacekeeping can help advance LGBTIQ+ rights, and peace more broadly, as part of their current work. “One area is reporting. Violence against LGBTIQ+ people is often invisible, especially in contexts of armed conflict. Missions that are already reporting on conflict-related sexual violence could help draw attention to violence specifically targeting people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” By better understanding the dynamics of violence, peacekeeping missions can better address them and more effectively promote security.

Together, UN Peacekeeping, UN Member States and our other partners can expand on the work being done with LGBTIQ+ communities to protect their rights and advance more inclusive, sustainable peace. “Working as one, we must push to repeal discriminatory laws, combat violence and harmful practices, and end the scapegoating of marginalized communities,” said Secretary-General Guterres in May. “We will not rest until the rights of all are a reality, no matter who they are or whom they love.”

*LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons

**References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Releases Statement And Demands Answers Following American Strikes On Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, Ohio — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement. Congresswoman has demanded immediate highly secure confidential Congressional briefings of key Defense and Intelligence Committees to address the following questions related to American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Congresswoman Kaptur is one of 44 bipartisan members of the House who are leading H.Con.Res.38 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“There was no congressional vote, no debate, nor even any discussion with Congress, with leaders of key intelligence committees reportedly left in the dark,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “This is not the way our Republic is supposed to function because that is not how our Constitution reads. I will continue to demand answers in a secure confidential Congressional briefing in the coming days. May God bless America and our people.”

(1) If not an act of war against Iran, which Constitutionally would require Congressional consent before bombs were dropped, how does President Trump define his actions against Iran?

(2) Who — which individuals — exactly at the National Security Council, Pentagon, and Departments of Defense and State were involved in this decision?

(3) With what other nations, and which international leaders did President Trump consult before making what appears to be a lone decision?

(4) Going forward, the secretive manner in which the White House has made such a consequential, strategic, “Lone Ranger” decision puts at very serious risk American troops, US global assets, and strategic interests both abroad and at home.

(5) This decision appears to have been solely President Trump’s. The consequences that will likely flow from it, however, will attend to the American people at home and abroad and rest squarely on his shoulders alone.

(6) Political retribution can take many forms where religious beliefs do not accommodate compromise nor forgiveness as an accepted behavior.

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Middle East crisis: President Meloni speaks with international partners and key regional players

Source: Government of Italy (English)

Following the Government meeting called urgently this morning in light of the worsening of the crisis in the Middle East, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, has had several conversations over the course of the day with a number of international partners and key regional players.

In particular, President Meloni has had an exchange of views with the current President of the G7, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with French President Emmanuel Macron and with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. At regional level, President Meloni has spoken with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

In all conversations, there was shared agreement and the utmost importance placed on the need to work towards a swift resumption of negotiations between the parties, in order to avoid further expansion of the conflict and to reach a political solution to the crisis.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next?

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Javed Ali, Associate Professor of Practice of Public Policy, University of Michigan

US President Donald Trump addresses the nation on Iran strikes on June 21, 2025 Carlos Barria/AFP via Getty Images

In the early hours of June 22, 2025, local time, the United States attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran with “bunker buster” bombs and Tomahawk missiles.

Following more than a week of Israeli strikes on various targets in Iran – which had prompted retaliatory strikes from Tehran – the U.S. move marks a possible inflection point in the conflict. In initial comments on the strikes at the Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz facilities, President Donald Trump said that Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely and fully obliterated.” In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the U.S. had “crossed a very big red line.”

The Conversation U.S. turned to Javed Ali, an expert on Middle East affairs at the University of Michigan and a former senior official at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, to talk through why Trump chose now to act and what the potential repercussions could be.

What do we know about the nature and timing of US involvement?

President Trump has been forcefully hinting for days days that such a strike could happen, while at the same time opening up a window of negotiation by suggesting as late as June 20 that he would make a decision “within the next two weeks.” We know Trump can be very unpredictable, but he must have assessed that the current conditions presented an opportunity for U.S. action.

Trump met with the National Security Council twice in the days leading up to the strike. Typically at such meetings the president is presented with a menu of military options, which usually boil down to three: a narrow option, a middle ground and a “if you really want to go big” strike.

The one he picked, I would argue, is somewhere between the narrow option and the middle ground one.

The “go big” options would have been an attack on nuclear sites and Iranian leadership – be that senior members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, or possibly the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The more narrow approach would have been just one facility, likely to have been Fordo – a deeply fortified uranium enrichment site buried within a mountain.

What did occur was a strike there, but also at two other sites – Isfahan and Natanz.

U.S. military chiefs confirmed that that 12 GBU-57s – the so-called 30,000-pound bunker busters – were dropped by B-2 bombers on Fordo, and two on Isfahan.

That suggests to me that the military goal of the operation was to destroy Iran’s ability to produce and or store highly enriched uranium in a one-time strike rather than drag the U.S. into a more prolonged conflict.

Has the strike achieved Trump’s objectives?

It will take some time to properly assess the extent to which Iran’s ability to produce or store highly enriched uranium has been damaged.

Certainly we know that the bombs hit their targets, and they have been damaged – but to what extent is not immediately clear. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that all three target sites had suffered “extremely severe damage and destruction” – possibly rolling back from Trump’s “fully obliterated” assessment. Perhaps most tellingly, Iran has not commented yet on the extent of the damage.

But to Trump, the objective was not just military but political, too. Trump has long said “no” to a nuclear Iran while at the same time has expressed that he has no desire to drag the U.S. into another war.

And this strike may allow Trump to achieve those seemingly contradictory goals. If U.S. initial assessments are correct, Iran’s nuclear program will have been severely compromised. But the strikes won’t necessarily pull U.S. into the conflict fully – unless Iran retaliates in such a way that necessitates further U.S. action.

And that is what Iran’s supreme leader and his military generals will need to work out: Should Iran retaliate and, if so, is it prepared to deal with a heavier U.S. military response – especially when there is no end in sight to its current conflict with Israel.

An operational timeline of a strike on Iran is displayed during a news conference with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on June 22, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

What options does Iran have to retaliate against US?

Iran has in the past tried to respond proportionately to any attack. But here is the problem for Iran’s leaders: There is no feasible proportionate response to the United States. Iran has no capability to hit nuclear plants in the U.S. – either conventionally or through unconventional warfare.

But there are tens of thousands of U.S. troops in the region, stationed in Iraq, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Jordan. All are in range of Iran’s ballistic, drones or cruise missiles.

But that military inventory has been depleted – both by using ballistic missiles in waves of attacks against Israel and by Israel hitting missile launch and storage sites in Iran.

Similarly, Tehran’s capacity to respond through one of its proxy or aligned groups in the region has been degraded. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Gaza’s Hamas – both of whom have ties to Iran – are in survival mode following damaging attacks from Israel over the past 18 months.

The Houthis in Yemen are in many ways the “last man standing” in Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance.” But the Houthis have limited capability and know that if they do attack U.S. assets, they will likely get hit hard. During Operation Rough Rider from March to May this year, the Trump administration launched over 1,000 strikes against the Houthis.

Meanwhile Shia militias in Iraq and Syria that could be encouraged to attack U.S. bases haven’t been active in months.

Of course, Iran could look outside the region. In the past the country has been involved in assassinations, kidnappings and terror attacks abroad that were organized through its Quds Force or via operatives of MOIS, its intelligence service.

But for Iran’s leaders, it is increasingly looking like a lose-lose proposition. If they don’t respond in a meaningful way, they look weak and more vulnerable. But if they do hit U.S. targets in any meaningful way, they will invite a stronger U.S. involvement in the conflict, as Trump has warned.

The parallel I see here is with the killing of Iranian general and commander of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, in January 2020 by a U.S. drone strike.

On that occasion, Iran promised a strong retaliation. Its retaliatory attack against the U.S. Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq involved 27 ballistic missiles and caused the physical destruction of some of the facilities on base as well as traumatic brain injury-type symptoms to dozens of troops and personnel, but no deaths. Nevertheless, after this both the U.S. and Iran then backed off from deepening the conflict.

The circumstances now are very different. Iran is already at war with Israel. Moreover, the U.S. went after Iran’s crown jewels – its nuclear program – and it was on Iranian territory. Nonetheless, Khameini knows that if he retaliates, he risks provoking a larger response.

Trump suggested ‘further attacks’ could occur. What could that entail?

The U.S. has suggested that it has the intelligence and ability to hit senior leadership in Iran. And any “go big option” would have likely involved strikes on key personnel. Similarly there could be plans to hit the Iranian economy by attacking oil and gas targets.

A satellite image of the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran prior to the U.S. strike on June 22, 2025.
Maxar/Getty

But such actions risk either damaging the global economy or drawing the U.S. deeper into the conflict – it would evolve from a “one and done” strike to a cycle of attacks and responses. And that could widen political cracks between hawks in the administration and parts of Trump’s MAGA faithful who are against the U.S. being involved in overseas wars.

Is there any opportunity of a return to diplomacy?

Trump has not closed his “two weeks” window for talks – theoretically it is still open.

But will Iran come to table? Leaders there had already said they were not willing to entertain any deal while under attack from Israel. Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said after the U.S. strikes that the time for diplomacy had now passed.

In any event, you have to ask, what can Iran come to the table with? Do they have much of a nuclear program anymore? And if not, what would they try to negotiate? It would seem, using one of Trump’s phrases, they “don’t have the cards” to make much of a deal.

Javed Ali does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/us-bombs-irans-nuclear-sites-what-led-to-trump-pulling-the-trigger-and-what-happens-next-259519

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Bomb Iran Without Congressional Approval

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

Warnock Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Bomb Iran Without Congressional Approval

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on President Trump’s decision to enter another Middle East conflict and bomb Iran without seeking congressional approval:

“The ordering of our service members into battle is the gravest of responsibilities for an American president and should never be undertaken lightly. President Trump, who has said he ‘might or might not’ bomb Iran and has indicated this week that he disagrees with the assessment of his own national intelligence advisers, has now entered another Middle East conflict. He has not sought congressional approval and has not sufficiently explained why this operation was necessary right now. With thousands of American troops at risk for potential retaliation, this is not “the art of the deal.” This is war. And this is not the first time the American people have been told that it will end quickly. The people deserve to hear more than they’ve heard so far and the constitution requires a much more serious engagement with their representatives,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Bomb Iran Without Congressional Approval

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

Warnock Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Bomb Iran Without Congressional Approval

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on President Trump’s decision to enter another Middle East conflict and bomb Iran without seeking congressional approval:
“The ordering of our service members into battle is the gravest of responsibilities for an American president and should never be undertaken lightly. President Trump, who has said he ‘might or might not’ bomb Iran and has indicated this week that he disagrees with the assessment of his own national intelligence advisers, has now entered another Middle East conflict. He has not sought congressional approval and has not sufficiently explained why this operation was necessary right now. With thousands of American troops at risk for potential retaliation, this is not “the art of the deal.” This is war. And this is not the first time the American people have been told that it will end quickly. The people deserve to hear more than they’ve heard so far and the constitution requires a much more serious engagement with their representatives,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Baird Statement on U.S. Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Statement on U.S. Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Washington, June 22, 2025

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on the U.S. airstrikes which destroyed three of Iran’s nuclear sites:

“The president has been consistent and clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. President Trump gave Iran every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran failed to come to an agreement and has terrorized Israel and Americans for decades. Thanks to President Trump’s decisive action, three of Iran’s key nuclear enrichment sites have been decimated. May God bless our brave, heroic troops for successfully completing this mission, and I thank them for their outstanding service to our country. God bless America.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Letlow Statement on Iran Strikes

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-5) released the following statement regarding Saturday’s U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

“President Trump’s decisive action protects America’s security and is a key step toward halting Iran’s march toward becoming a nuclear power. I’m grateful to our troops for their bravery in successfully executing this mission.

Military action should never be taken lightly, but the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism obtaining a nuclear weapon would fundamentally threaten our national security. These targeted strikes were the right call, and I pray for the continued protection of our men and women in uniform.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Family of Annabel Rook issue statement following murder in Hackney

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The family of a woman who was stabbed to death in Hackney have paid tribute to her.

A murder investigation was launched following the death of Annabel Rook at a house in Dumont Road, Hackney.

In a statement, Annabel’s family said:

“The family are struggling to come to terms with this terrible tragedy. We have lost our beautiful daughter, sister, friend and mother. Annabel was a truly wonderful woman. She touched the hearts of so many.

“She gave her life to helping the vulnerable and the disadvantaged whether it was in refugee camps in Africa or setting up MamaSuze in London, to enhance the lives of survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence.

“We would really appreciate it if our privacy could be respected.”

Officers were called at 04:57hrs on Tuesday, 17 June to reports of a gas explosion with a person trapped inside the address.

Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

Annabel, 46 was found inside the property with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was sadly declared dead at the scene.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder. He was later discharged and released into police custody.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MIL Security OSI –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Family of Annabel Rook issue statement following murder in Hackney

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The family of a woman who was stabbed to death in Hackney have paid tribute to her.

A murder investigation was launched following the death of Annabel Rook at a house in Dumont Road, Hackney.

In a statement, Annabel’s family said:

“The family are struggling to come to terms with this terrible tragedy. We have lost our beautiful daughter, sister, friend and mother. Annabel was a truly wonderful woman. She touched the hearts of so many.

“She gave her life to helping the vulnerable and the disadvantaged whether it was in refugee camps in Africa or setting up MamaSuze in London, to enhance the lives of survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence.

“We would really appreciate it if our privacy could be respected.”

Officers were called at 04:57hrs on Tuesday, 17 June to reports of a gas explosion with a person trapped inside the address.

Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

Annabel, 46 was found inside the property with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was sadly declared dead at the scene.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder. He was later discharged and released into police custody.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MIL Security OSI –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Condemns Escalation in Middle East, Calls for Congressional Oversight

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson issued the following statement regarding the escalating tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States:

“The current situation in the Middle East is deeply troubling. I have long maintained that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons—nor should any nation in the region. Diplomacy, not unilateral military action, must guide our approach to preventing nuclear proliferation.

I supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated through U.S. leadership and in partnership with our allies. While imperfect, it was the most effective means of restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the time. President Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the deal—against the counsel of our allies—undermined global security and allowed Iran to resume uranium enrichment at alarming levels.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent preemptive strike on Iran, on the eve of potential U.S.-Iran negotiations, was unnecessary and provocative. U.S. intelligence agencies and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have confirmed there is no evidence Iran is actively building a nuclear weapon.

Today’s U.S. military strikes on Iranian facilities were equally unjustified, as there was no imminent threat to American security. Moreover, the President failed to consult Congress—the sole branch of government with the constitutional authority to authorize such actions.

I demand that President Trump immediately brief Congress before taking any further military action. The American people deserve transparency. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the Iraq War, launched on false intelligence, which cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.

It is time for restraint, accountability, and a return to diplomacy.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on U.S. Airstrikes on Iran

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities:

“Americans have made it clear they do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East. Yet President Trump went against the American people without sharing any evidence to prove these military strikes would protect our homeland security.

“This unauthorized and unilateral action puts American troops at risk and threatens to further destabilize the region.

“President Trump must work to deescalate rising tensions in the Middle East and to protect the American people.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on U.S. Airstrikes on Iran

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities:

“Americans have made it clear they do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East. Yet President Trump went against the American people without sharing any evidence to prove these military strikes would protect our homeland security.

“This unauthorized and unilateral action puts American troops at risk and threatens to further destabilize the region.

“President Trump must work to deescalate rising tensions in the Middle East and to protect the American people.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China Strongly Condemns US Attack on Iran – Chinese Foreign Ministry /more details/

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) — China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and the U.S. bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday.

The diplomat said this while commenting on the statement by US President Donald Trump that the United States had struck three nuclear facilities in Iran.

As the official representative noted, by its actions the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and also exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.

China calls on all parties to the conflict, first and foremost Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and begin dialogue and negotiations, the official representative emphasized.

According to him, the Chinese side is ready to cooperate with the international community to consolidate efforts, defend justice, and contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Excavation work of Yellow River section of Huanggang Road Yellow River tunnel completed

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Excavation work of Yellow River section of Huanggang Road Yellow River tunnel completed

Updated: June 22, 2025 21:47 Xinhua

A truck runs at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. The excavation work of the Yellow River section of the Huanggang Road Yellow River tunnel was completed on Sunday, marking a breakthrough in the construction of the tunnel project. The 5,755-meter-long tunnel, with 3,290 meters excavated by a 17.5-meter diameter TBM, is the largest underwater TBM tunnel currently under construction in the world. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff workers work at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff workers are pictured at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff workers work at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) works at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff workers work at the construction site of the Yellow River tunnel on Huanggang Road in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Pro-independence advocates urge MSG to elevate West Papua membership

By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent

Two international organisations are leading a call for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to elevate the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at their upcoming summit in Honiara in September.

The collective, led by International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) and International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP), has again highlighted the urgent need for greater international oversight and diplomatic engagement in the West Papua region.

This influential group includes PNG’s National Capital District governor Powes Parkop, UK’s former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and New Zealand’s former Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty.

The ULMWP currently holds observer status within the MSG, a regional body comprising Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) of New Caledonia.

A statement by the organisations said upgrading the ULMWP’s membership is “within the remit of the MSG” and requires a consensus among member states.

They appeal to the Agreement Establishing the MSG, which undertakes to “promote, coordinate and strengthen…exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, sovereign equality . . . to further MSG members’ shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, peace, and security,” considering that all these ambitions would be advanced by upgrading ULMWP membership.

However, Indonesia’s associate membership in the MSG, granted in 2015, has become a significant point of contention, particularly for West Papuan self-determination advocates.

Strategic move by Jakarta
This inclusion is widely seen as a strategic manoeuvre by Jakarta to counter growing regional support for West Papuan independence.

The ULMWP and its supporters consistently question why Indonesia, as the administering power over West Papua, should hold any status within a forum intended to champion Melanesian interests, arguing that Indonesia’s presence effectively stifles critical discussions about West Papua’s self-determination, creating a diplomatic barrier to genuine dialogue and accountability within the very body meant to serve Melanesian peoples.

Given Papua New Guinea’s historical record within the MSG, its likely response at the upcoming summit in Honiara will be characterised by a delicate balancing act.

While Papua New Guinea has expressed concerns regarding human rights in West Papua and supported calls for a UN Human Rights mission, it has consistently maintained respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty over the region.

Past statements from PNG leaders, including Prime Minister James Marape, have emphasised Indonesia’s responsibility for addressing internal issues in West Papua and have noted that the ULMWP has not met the MSG’s criteria for full membership.

Further complicating the situation, the IPWP and ILWP report that West Papua remains largely cut off from international scrutiny.

Strict journalist ban
A strict ban on journalists entering the region means accounts of severe and ongoing human rights abuses often go unreported.

The joint statement highlights a critical lack of transparency, noting that “very little international oversight” exists.

A key point of contention is Indonesia’s failure to honour its commitments; despite the 2023 MSG leaders’ summit urging the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a human rights mission to West Papua before the 2024 summit, Indonesia has yet to facilitate this visit.

The IPWP/ILWP statement says the continued refusal is a violation of its obligations as a UN member state.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens condemn escalation of Israel-Iran conflict

Source: Scottish Greens

22 Jun 2025 External Affairs

Keir Starmer’s response to the bombing of Iran sides with the aggressors and contributes to the escalation of the conflict.

More in External Affairs

The Scottish Greens have condemned Keir Starmer’s response to the bombing of Iran as siding with the aggressors and contributing to the escalation of the conflict.

Iran had previously reached a negotiated solution to their nuclear programme with the US, China, Russa, UK and others, which was unilaterally scrapped by the first Trump administration in 2018.

It has said it is willing to discuss a new deal once it is no longer under attack.

In response to last night’s US bombings, the UK Government and Keir Starmer spoke supportively of the action.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“This is a deplorable response from the UK government, but it’s all too predictable.

“Israel expanding its war at a time when negotiations were imminent, and high-level meetings between Iran and the US were already beginning to take place, is an outrage. UN experts have called it a ‘flagrant violation’ of international law and a ‘blatant act of aggression.’

“The UK’s response has done nothing but encourage this escalation, from its ongoing material support for Israel’s routine atrocities in Gaza, to the political cover it’s now providing Israel and the US as they intensify their bombing of Iran.

“The Iranian regime is unquestionably brutal, and everyone will celebrate if the Iranian people can overthrow it. But this attack will do nothing to make that happen, and only takes the world toward ever wider conflict.

“Rather than being a voice for peace, Keir Starmer has shown a reckless disregard for international law and sided with the aggressors. In doing so he is only contributing to further death, destruction, and instability for people in the middle east and the wider world.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Israel and the U.S. are sure to encounter the limits of air power in Iran
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

The United States has apparently answered Israel’s call to to become involved in the war between Israel and Iran.

President Donald Trump had signalled a willingness for the U.S. to become involved in the conflict. He went so far, in fact, to suggest in social media posts that he could kill Iran’s supreme leader if he wanted to.

Segment on Trump’s threats against Iran’s leader. (BBC News)

The American military can certainly make an impact in any air campaign against Iran. The problem from a military standpoint, however, is that the U.S., based on its forces’ deployment, will almost certainly seek to keep its involvement limited to its air force to avoid another Iraq-like quagmire.

While doing so could almost certainly disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, it will likely fall short of Israel’s goal of regime change.

In fact, it could reinforce the Iranian government and draw the U.S. into a costly ground war.

Read more:
Why is there so much concern over Iran’s nuclear program? And where could it go from here?

Israel’s need for American support

The initial stated reason for Israel’s bombing campaign — Iran’s nuclear capabilities — appears specious at best.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued several times in the past, without evidence, that Iran is close to achieving a nuclear weapon. U.S. intelligence, however, have assessed that Iran is three years away from deploying a nuclear weapon.

Regardless of the veracity of the claims, Israel initiated the offensive and requires American support.

Israel’s need for U.S. assistance rests on two circumstances:
1. While Israel succeeded in eliminating key figures from the Iranian military in its initial strikes, Iran’s response appears to have exceeded Israel’s expectations with their Arrow missile interceptors nearing depletion.
2. Israel’s air strikes can only achieve so much in disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Most analysts note that Israel’s bombings are only likely to delay the Iranian nuclear program by a few months. This is due to the fact that Israeli missiles are incapable of penetrating the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which estimates place close to 300 feet underground.
The United States, however, possesses munitions that have reportedly destroyed the Fordow facility. Most notably, the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (more commonly known as a bunker buster) has a penetration capability of 200 feet and was reportedly used in the attack.

Romanticizing air power

Nonetheless, the efficacy of air power has been vastly overrated in the popular media and various air forces of the world. Air power is great at disrupting an opponent, but has significant limitations in influencing the outcome of a war.

Specifically, air power is likely to prove an inadequate tool for one of the supposed Israeli and American objectives in the war: regime change. For air power to be effective at bringing about regime change, it needs to demoralize the Iranian people to the point that they’re willing to oppose their own government.

Early air enthusiasts believed that a population’s demoralization would be an inevitable consequence of aerial bombardment. Italian general Giulio Douhet, a prominent air power theorist, argued that air power was so mighty that it could destroy cities and demoralize an opponent into surrendering.

Douhet was correct on the first point. He was wrong on the second.

Recent history provides evidence. While considerable ink has been spilled to demonstrate the efficacy of air power during the Second World War, close examination of the facts demonstrate that it had a minimal impact. In fact, Allied bombing of German cities in several instances created the opposite effect.

More recent bombing campaigns replicated this failure. The U.S. bombing of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War did not significantly damage North Vietnamese morale or war effort. NATO’s bombing of Serbia in 1999, likewise, rallied support for the unpopular Slobodan Milosevic due to its perceived injustice — and continues to evoke strong emotions to this day.

Iran’s political regime may be unpopular with many Iranians, but Israeli and American bombing may shore up support for the Iranian government.

Nationalism is a potent force, particularly when people are under attack. The attacks on Iran will rally segments of the population to the government that would otherwise oppose it.

Few positive options

The limitations of air power to fuel significant political change in Iran should have given Trump pause about intervening in the conflict.

Some American support, such as providing weapons, is a given due to the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel. But any realization of American and Israeli aspirations of a non-nuclear Iran and a new government will likely require ground forces.

Recent American experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq show such a ground forces operation won’t lead to the swift victory that Trump desires, but could potentially stretch on for decades.

James Horncastle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Why Israel and the U.S. are sure to encounter the limits of air power in Iran – https://theconversation.com/why-israel-and-the-u-s-are-sure-to-encounter-the-limits-of-air-power-in-iran-259348
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Acute food insecurity deepens in the Government-controlled areas of Yemen amid severe funding cuts and economic downturn

Source: World Food Programme

Aden, 22 June 2025 – The food security situation in the Government-controlled areas of southern Yemen is dire, with nearly half of the population acutely food insecure and struggling to find their next meal. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF have warned that the food insecurity crisis is likely to worsen in the months ahead.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partial update, released today, paints a grim picture for southern governorates. Between May 2025 and August 2025, around 4.95 million people are facing Crisis-level food insecurity or worse (IPC Phase 3+), including 1.5 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). This marks an increase of 370,000 people suffering from severe food insecurity compared to the period November 2024 to February 2025.

Looking ahead, the situation is expected to deteriorate even further. Between September 2025 and February 2026, an additional 420,000 people could fall into IPC Phase 3 or worse, if urgent and sustained assistance is not provided. That would bring the total number of severely food-insecure people in southern governorate areas to 5.38 million—more than half of the population.

Multiple overlapping crises continue to drive food insecurity, including sustained economic decline, currency depreciation in southern governorates, conflict, and increasingly severe weather events. The delayed planting season, heightened likelihood of flood risk in July, and the spread of plant and livestock diseases, especially desert locusts, are further expected to compound pressures on an already fragile situation.

Humanitarian actors including UNICEF, WFP, and FAO are reprioritizing their humanitarian efforts in Yemen, targeting high-risk areas with integrated interventions in food security, nutrition, WASH, health and protection sectors to maximize lifesaving impact.

“The fact that more and more people in Yemen don’t know where their next meal will come from is extremely concerning at a time when we are experiencing unprecedented funding challenges,” said Siemon Hollema, the Deputy Country Director of WFP in Yemen. “Immediate support is needed to ensure that we can continue to serve the most vulnerable families that have nowhere else to turn.”

The agencies are urgently calling for sustained and at-scale humanitarian and livelihoods support assistance to prevent communities from falling deeper into food insecurity, ensure access to essential services and generate economic and livelihood opportunities.

Dr. Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative in Yemen, emphasized, “The situation is dire and requires urgent intervention, with agriculture holding the key to ending Yemen’s food insecurity crisis. Further, delayed and insufficient rainfall in April has cast a shadow over the current planting season, threatening the already fragile farming livelihoods and food availability. With urgent support, we can revitalize local food production, safeguard livelihoods, and move from crisis to resilience building ensuring, efficiency and effectiveness.”

Internally displaced persons, low-income rural households and vulnerable children are particularly affected, facing increased vulnerability due to funding cuts, declining livelihood opportunities, and reduced coping mechanisms.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, highlighted that “Approximately 2.4 million children under the age of five and 1.5 million pregnant and lactating women suffer from acute malnutrition in Yemen, placing them at greater risk of illness, developmental delays, and death.” “The IPC nutrition data suggests further deterioration in at least 5 out of 17 of the livelihood zones in IRG areas, so UNICEF and partners are making provisions to scale up intervention which needs to be sustained if we are going to overcome the crisis,” added Peter Hawkins.

——End—–

About FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 members, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

Follow FAO Yemen on X for more: @FAOYemen

About the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP): WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict and disasters.

Follow us on Twitter @WFPYemen

About UNICEF:
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF Yemen and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen

Follow UNICEF Yemen on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Trump’s Display of Peace Through Strength

Source: US Whitehouse

President Donald J. Trump’s bold, decisive action against Iran — the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism — and its key nuclear facilities was met with bipartisan praise from lawmakers across Capitol Hill.

Here’s what they’re saying:

Speaker Mike Johnson: “The President made the right call, and did what he needed to do. Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act. The world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants ‘Death to America,’ simply could not be allowed the opportunity to obtain and use nuclear weapons. The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight’s necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune: “The regime in Iran, which has committed itself to bringing ‘death to America’ and wiping Israel off the map, has rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace. The mullahs’ misguided pursuit of nuclear weapons must be stopped. As we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm’s way.”

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: “President @realDonaldTrump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear program is the right one. The greatest threat to the safety of the United States and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon. God Bless our troops”

Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton: “Iran has waged a war of terror against the United States for 46 years. We could never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. God bless our brave troops. President Trump made the right call and the ayatollahs should recall his warning not to target Americans.”

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch: “As President Trump has said over and over again – as have I – Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Why? A nuclear-armed Iran would without doubt spark a nuclear arms race that would take off around the world. This is a direct threat to American national security if left unchecked. This war is Israel’s war not our war, but Israel is one of our strongest allies and is disarming Iran for the good of the world. I’ve also always said that Israel would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. For Israel this is existential. The Iranians literally want to wipe Israel and all Jews off the face of the earth. This strike will put an end to those ambitions. President Trump took decisive action today to assist the Israelis in their efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Only American weapons could do what has been done. This has made America safer, in addition to the Israelis, and the world more broadly. This is not the start of a forever war. There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran. This was a precise, limited strike, which was necessary and by all accounts was very successful. As President Trump has stated, now is the time for peace.”

Sen. Jim Banks: “I trust President Trump!”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn: “@realDonaldTrump knows peace can only be achieved through strength. This is a victory for the United States.”

Sen. Katie Britt: “I stand by President Trump. Strong and surgical. Please pray for peace.”

Sen. Ted Budd: “Tonight, the United States dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. military alone had the capability to destroy these facilities deep underground, and I commend President Trump for standing with our Israeli allies in their efforts to end the threat of a nuclear Iran once and for all. May God bless and protect our troops, who continue to keep us safe around the world.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy: “Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to peace and stability. Peace must remain the goal.”

Sen. John Cornyn: “President Trump made the courageous and correct decision to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. God Bless the USA. Thank you to our extraordinary military and our indomitable @POTUS This is what leadership on the world stage looks like.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer: “When only we can do what needs doing, we must do it. Great call Mr. President and great job @usairforce ! God Bless The USA! #PeaceThroughStrength #GodBlessIsrael.”

Sen. Ted Cruz: “I commend our pilots and servicemembers, our intelligence personnel, and his national security staff on tonight’s successful and critical operation. The prospect of the Iranian regime acquiring nuclear weapons represents the most acute immediate threat to America and our allies. When the Ayatollah chants ‘Death to America’ he means it, and the reason he is building nuclear weapons is because he intends to use them. President Trump has consistently and unequivocally stated that those threats cannot be countered without dismantling the Iranian regime’s enrichment capacity. The President and his negotiators spent two months exploring whether the regime would agree to a negotiated settlement that met America’s national security needs. At the end of that period, Iranian regime officials declared that instead of agreeing to deal they would open a new enrichment facility and install more advanced centrifuges. After that declaration, our Israeli allies launched a preemptive attack against the regime and its nuclear infrastructure, which was enormously successful. It could not disable the nuclear activities at Fordow, an underground enrichment bunker built into a mountain which was legitimized by the Obama-era deal. As long as Iran was able to access and enrich uranium, they could still rush to build a nuclear arsenal. Tonight’s actions have gone far in foreclosing that possibility, and countering the apocalyptic threat posed by an Iranian nuclear arsenal.”

Sen. John Curtis: “Iran’s relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons is a direct threat to American interests, our allies, and global stability. Today’s action was a serious and necessary response to that danger. I honor the brave servicemembers who carried out the mission with skill and courage. Strength paired with genuine diplomacy is how we create peace, prevent conflict, and preserve freedom. I join the President in calling for a return to diplomacy.”

Sen. Steve Daines: “Thank you President Trump and the men and women of our armed forces. America, Israel and the rest of the world are safer tonight as a result of your bravery, courage and unrivaled skill. Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, has killed hundreds of U.S. service members, attempted to assassinate President Trump, and calls the United States ‘big Satan’ and Israel ‘little Satan.’ Stopping Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is a major step toward achieving peace.”

Sen. Joni Ernst: “By leading with peace through strength, President Trump is making the world a safer place and protecting Americans. Iran must never be able to threaten America with a nuclear weapon. God bless our commander in chief and our servicemembers!”

Sen. Deb Fischer: “For decades, Iran has chanted ‘death to America’ and pledged to wipe Israel off the map. When foreign adversaries pledge to destroy us, we should believe them. President Trump has always been clear: Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon – and I agree. Today, his administration took the necessary steps to keep a nuclear weapon out of Iran’s reach, and I am grateful to the service members who successfully carried out the mission.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty: “@POTUS’s decisive leadership enforced deadlines and redlines. This was a tough decision, one that, as always, President Trump put the interests of the American people first in making. May this be the end of Iran’s nuclear weapon ambitions and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham: “Good. This was the right call. The regime deserves it. Well done, President @realDonaldTrump To my fellow citizens: We have the best Air Force in the world. It makes me so proud. Fly, Fight, Win.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley: “Our commander in chief & brave military forces hv carried out a mission in Iran to prevent nuclear enrichment Iran believes in “Death to Israel Death to America” Keeping USA safe is number 1 responsibility of Pres Trump”

Sen. John Fetterman: “As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”

Sen. James Lankford: “I continue to be grateful for the skill and professionalism of our United States service members. Cindy and I are praying for our military, the President and for a lasting peace.”

Sen. Mike Lee: “Tonight, the Iranian nuclear program was wiped out. Please join me in praying for the safety of the brave men and women of America’s armed forces in the Middle East and around the world, and that these strikes may lead to the lasting peace called for by President Trump.”

Sen. Roger Marshall: “Thank you to our brave American Air Force and their successful mission as no Americans were harmed. We stand tall with President Trump who is protecting the world from a nuclear capable Iran.”

Sen. Dave McCormick: “As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. This targeted attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is the result of the Iranian regime’s failure to make a deal despite months of President Trump’s good faith efforts to negotiate. I applaud President Trump’s strong leadership and his continued commitment to peace through strength. Once again, America’s detractors around the world should know President Trump means what he says. And I am so grateful for America’s brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. I look forward to being briefed along with my Senate colleagues on this action. This is an important step toward ensuring that the world’s largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.”

Sen. Ashley Moody: “This is a solemn and important moment for security and peace. We stand with and pray for our President, the service members who carried out this mission, and the people affected by this conflict.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “To those concerned about U.S. involvement— this isn’t a “forever war” in fact, it’s ending one. @POTUS was clear: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. The Republican-led @SenateGOP trusts President Trump to keep America safe, free, and prosperous. Peace through strength.”

Sen. Pete Ricketts: “President Trump gave Iran ample time to come to the negotiating table on its nuclear program. Tonight’s strikes mean Iran is further from possessing a nuclear weapon. I’m thankful for the heroes who carried out this strike and for our service members in the Middle East and around the world.”

Sen. Rick Scott: “Thank you, @POTUS, @SecDef, and our brave American warriors for a successful strike on three Iranian nuclear sites. This is what peace through strength looks like. The United States and the world are a safer place without Iran possessing a nuclear weapon.”

Sen. Tim Scott: “Decisive American leadership. Americans and the world can thank President Trump for his courage to lead.”

Sen. Tim Sheehy: “The right decision. Iran had every opportunity to give up their nukes. To the naysayers out there, this isn’t starting a war, this is ending one. Iran has been at war with America for 46 years. The Iranian people should rise up and put an end to this murderous regime.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan: “President Trump meant what he said—Iran will never get a nuclear bomb. I commend @POTUS and his national security team for making this important but difficult decision and our brave military members for carrying it out. The terrorist leaders of Iran have, in essence, been at war with the United States for decades—targeting, wounding and killing thousands of American service members for years. Making sure the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism never gets a nuclear weapon is part of the work of reestablishing deterrence against Iran, which was lost during the appeasement of the Biden Administration. This is difficult work, but critical for our national security. I fully support the President and his national security team in these critical efforts.”

Sen. Thom Tillis: “This was the right decision by @POTUS: we cannot allow Iran to build nuclear weapons. God Bless our brave servicemembers who supported and executed this mission.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “God bless our Troops. God bless President Trump. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.”

Sen. Roger Wicker: “Our commander-in-chief has made a deliberate —and correct— decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime. We now have very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies and stability for the middle-east. Well-done to our military personnel. You’re the best!”

Sen. Todd Young: “Thank you to our brave service members who executed this mission. The world will be safer if Iran’s nuclear capability is destroyed. I look forward to briefings in the coming days.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: “A nuclear Iran posed a threat to the Middle East and to the world. @POTUS has been consistent that this dangerous regime should NEVER possess a nuclear weapon. He was right then, and he is right today: NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE.”

House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain: “President Trump is delivering PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. Today’s successful mission destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, protected American lives, and will make the world safer. Now, it’s time for peace. God bless America and our warfighters!”

Rep. Robert Aderholt: “I fully support President Trump’s decision to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities. As I have said, I believe that if Iran gets a functioning nuclear weapon they would not hesitate to use it against Israel or the United States. When they say death to Israel and death to America, we have no reason not to believe them. I pray this action has made the world safer. President Trump has pledged to get us out of “forever wars.” This could be a step toward ending the war we have been in with Iran since 1979. They have killed hundreds and hundreds of Americans in the past half century.”

Rep. Mark Alford: “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH REQUIRES STRENGTH We strongly support President Trump’s targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The Ayatollah must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and we will always stand with Israel.”

Rep. Don Bacon: “Iran with a nuclear weapon is an existential threat. Pres. Trump is protecting America.”

Rep. Troy Balderson: “Thank you @realDonaldTrump for taking decisive action. The world is a whole lot safer tonight.”

Rep. Michael Baumgartner: “There is no greater threat to the world than nuclear proliferation, let alone from a regime that has consistently used radical Islamic terrorists to attack and kill Americans for nearly 4 decades. I fully support President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuke reactor. Trump gave Iran a choice. The Ayatollah chose poorly.”

Rep. Andy Barr: “God Bless Donald J. Trump, God Bless our military, and God Bless the United States of America! America thanks you, @realdonaldtrump! The world thanks you too.”

Rep. Tom Barrett: “I anticipate a full briefing of our military strike in Iran immediately upon my return to Washington. Tonight, I am praying for wisdom in our decisions, President Trump and his team, and the safety of our troops. God bless the United States of America.”

Rep. Aarron Bean: “The rogue Iranian regime has murdered American soldiers and been the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism for decades. Peace through strength is a strategy that works. God bless our brave American troops and God bless the USA!”

Rep. Mike Bost: “I trust that President Trump made the decision to target Iran’s nuclear program tonight due to intelligence that indicates the regime was within reach of developing nuclear weapons that could threaten the lives of American citizens and U.S. troops stationed across the globe. He showed the strength to ensure that never happens.”

Rep. Ken Calvert: “Like President Trump, I have consistently said Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. I support his decision to use the force and precision of the U.S. military in coordination with our ally Israel to uphold this redline with tonight’s targeted strike.”

Rep. Buddy Carter: “I support President Trump. Peace through strength! Thank you to the brave troops who defended us and our ally, Israel.”

Rep. Mike Collins: “Peace through strength. Thank God we have President Trump as Commander in Chief.”

Rep. Jeff Crank: “Tonight, President Trump took decisive action to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, protect Americans and build peace in the Middle East. Congratulations to the Department of Defense on a successful mission.”

Rep. Rick Crawford: “As I have said multiple times recently, I regret that Iran has brought the world to this point. That said, I am thankful President Trump understood that the red line—articulated by Presidents of both parties for decades—was real. The United States and our allies, including Israel, are making it clear that the world would never accept Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon. I have been in touch with the White House before this action and will continue to track developments closely with them in the coming days. I commend President Trump for taking decisive action and I am grateful to the U.S. servicemembers who carried out these precise and successful strikes. I continue to pray for the safety of the forces engaged to protect the free world.”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw: “Support President Trump. You think these decisions were easy? They weren’t. You think this means WW3? You’re wrong. You think it means American soldiers deploying to Iran? You’re wrong. You think it means long term stability in the Middle East and a safer future for Americans? You’re right. Because the regime that wanted ‘Death to the Great Satan’ is at its end. Support the President.”

Rep. Scott DesJarlais: “I stand with President Trump’s decision to take out the last of Iran’s nuclear sites and his call for peace. My full statement & the DOJ indictment on Iran’s attempt to assassinate Trump.”

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart: “I stand with our Commander-in-Chief President @realDonaldTrump in making sure the terrorist regime in Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Proud of our exceptional military and proud to stand by our ally Israel.”

Rep. Neal Dunn: “Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a threat not just to Israel but also to all our allies and the entire free world. The Ayatollah’s regime forced the President’s hand. It was imperative that President Trump act decisively to eliminate that existential threat. Prayers for the Iranian people and peace in the Middle East.”

Rep. Gabe Evans: “I’m glad to see @POTUS take action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. As a veteran of a Global War on Terror, I know we achieve peace through strength. Prayers and thanks to our brave men and women who carried out this necessary operation.”

Rep. Pat Fallon: “President Trump today made the tough, but absolutely correct decision in the best interest of America’s national security to order strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Let me be clear — Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances. Thank you to our brave servicemembers for getting the job done.”

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick: “Tonight, the United States executed a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All our aircraft are safely out of Iranian airspace and headed home. This was the right call—and a necessary one. Make no mistake: a nuclear Iran is an existential threat—not just to Israel, but to the entire free world. Peace through strength is how we lead. And tonight, the greatest military on Earth delivered —for America, for our allies, and for the cause of global security. God bless our Troops. God bless America. And God Bless the enduring cause of liberty, now and forever.”

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann: “President Trump is showing strong leadership that will protect America and the entire world by ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. Iran is the world’s largest state-sponsor of terrorism, responsible for the murder of thousands globally. The Iranian regime must NEVER have access to nuclear weapons. I applaud President Trump for his steadfast leadership as our Commander in Chief and our outstanding Armed Forces for their successful mission.”

Rep. Mike Flood: “Tonight, President Trump took bold steps to ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Keeping Iran from becoming a nuclear power will not only help keep America safe but can provide peace and stability around the world. Thank you to our brave service members who skillfully carried out this mission.”

Rep. Vince Fong: “President Trump’s decisive action to eliminate the nuclear capabilities posed by the Iranian regime was a necessary one to prevent a real and catastrophic threat. Iran can NEVER be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. We’re grateful for the bravery of the @usairforce and all our military personnel. May God protect them and all Americans in harm’s way as we continue the necessary work to preserve peace and stability.”

Rep. Russell Fry: “I stand with President Trump—Iran CANNOT have a nuclear weapon. Peace through strength.”

Rep. Brandon Gill: “’Peace through strength’ means ensuring our existential enemies don’t acquire the most lethal and catastrophic weapons known to man.”

Rep. Carlos Gimenez: “God bless America! God bless the Jewish State of Israel! God bless President Donald J. Trump! The people of #Iran will soon taste freedom again, Israel will be at peace, & democracy will be safe from this radical Islamist terrorist regime!”

Rep. Lance Gooden: “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH! Thank you, Mr. President, and our great military! And thanks, especially, to God, for our pilots’ safe return.”

Rep. Mark Green: “The United States has given Tehran every opportunity to forgo its nuclear ambitions; it has repeatedly refused. President Trump made the right decision. A nuclear armed Iran would be detrimental to the existence of our ally Israel, the stability of the Middle East, and our own national security.”

Rep. Abe Hamadeh: “Iran has limited internet access. The news of Trump’s successful military operation should be spread far and wide in Iran, DROP LEAFLETS. The Iranian people need to know how weak the regime truly is, and now is their time to chart their own destiny if they choose.”

Rep. Mike Haridopolos: “I support the actions taken by President Trump to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The world is a much safer place due to his actions taken today.”

Rep. Pat Harrigan: “President Trump gave Iran a diplomatic off-ramp—60 days to deescalate and come to the table. They kept enriching uranium, kept making threats, and ignored every warning, including the one not to target Americans. We tried peace through strength. With American lives at risk, I support @POTUS’s actions to advance peace in the Middle East.”

Rep. Andy Harris: “A nuclear-armed Iran endangers America, Israel, and the entire free world. The U.S. took decisive action to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability, protecting American lives, our allies, and global stability. This is peace through strength.

Rep. Mark Harris: “I am grateful for President Trump’s thoughtful and wise approach that has gone into the decision and action which has been carried out this evening in a determined approach to make certain Iran does not have a nuclear weapon!! Pray for our nation’s military, the most powerful courageous fighting force in the world!!”

Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “President Trump has tried over and over again to come to a peaceful agreement with Iran, but they have refused to work with us. While I believe war should never be an option, I am proud of President Trump and our military on a successful operation to deter the spread of war in the Middle East.”

Rep. Ashley Hinson: “Thanks to President Trump’s decisive leadership, our military carried out successful strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites tonight. Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism & President Trump made it clear: Iran can never have a path to a nuclear weapon. Now they won’t. Thank you to our brave warriors who carried out these attacks & are now on their way back safely home. God Bless President Trump and the USA.”

Rep. Richard Hudson: “President Donald Trump has been consistent and resolute that Iran- the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism- will not be allowed to build a nuclear weapons capability. He negotiated in good faith and offered Iran peace in exchange for ending their nuclear ambition. Iran did not take President Trump seriously and they have learned tonight that was a mistake. It would be another mistake for Iran to retaliate against Americans anywhere in the world. I support President Trump, I stand with Israel and I pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform around the world. America leads with resolve, and the world is safer when we do.”

Rep. Bill Huizenga: “After attempting to negotiate peace through diplomacy, President Trump took decisive action. We must ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and usher in a new age of nuclear terrorism. I commend the men and women of our Armed Forces for their performance in this operation to make the world a safer place. It is now time for Iran to come to the table and abandon its nuclear ambitions.”

Rep. Wesley Hunt: “When faced with a clear choice between peace and violence, Iran chose violence. That was a grave mistake. Underestimating the resolve of the United States, the leadership of President Trump, and the unmatched strength of the most advanced military force on Earth is not just unwise, it’s fatal. I commend our Commander-in-Chief for acting decisively to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the source. This was not just a mission of military precision, it was a message: the United States will not tolerate threats to our national security or to global stability. To the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who carried out this operation with courage and excellence, thank you. The nation stands in awe of your service.”

Rep. Jeff Hurd: “Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear capabilities. We must always stand up for the safety and security of the U.S. and its allies. I fully support actions taken to prevent an evil regime from being able to harm us, Israel, and our other allies.”

Rep. Darrell Issa: “Tonight, @realDonaldTrump is showing the world the true meaning of peace through strength. And American strength is making peace with Iran possible for the first time in 46 years.”

Rep. Brian Jack: “I stand with our brave military stationed across the world and President Trump, our Commander in Chief.”

Rep. Ronny Jackson: “President Trump once again demonstrated the bold, decisive leadership the American people elected him for. He has long maintained that Iran must NEVER obtain a nuclear weapon and he kept that promise. A nuclear Iran is a direct threat to America and our allies. Tonight, the world is safer because OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF, PRESIDENT TRUMP acted. Thank you President Trump and the servicemembers who carried out the strike. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!”

Rep. Jim Jordan: “God Bless the United States Military. God Bless President Trump.”

Rep. Tom Kean: “The world is a far safer place without Iranian nuclear sites. Thank you to President Trump and our second-to-none American military for carrying out this successful series of strikes. It is time for security and peace for all.”

Rep. Jen Kiggans: “The American military remains the greatest in the world … God bless our troops. I support President Trump’s decision to bomb the three sites in Iran because Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. Iran should heed the president’s warning to not retaliate against U.S. forces or U.S. citizens anywhere in the world. Peace through strength remains our goal.”

Rep. Young Kim: “The military’s targeted actions tonight against Iranian nuclear sites are necessary to deter Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and save lives. I thank our military for their service in this critical operation to restore peace through strength and am glad they are safely on the way home. I look forward to additional briefings from the administration soon.”

Rep. David Kustoff: “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for demonstrating strong leadership on the World stage. Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. This is peace through strength!”

Rep. Darin LaHood: “@POTUS and the United States have been clear: under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. I thank our brave service members, Intelligence Community, and the Administration’s national security team for holding this red line to protect U.S. national security.”

Rep. Nick LaLota: “Tonight’s American response makes it clear: Iran will be held accountable for its proxies killing Americans and its blatant ambition to bring death to America through nuclear weapons. Tehran must return to the table, abandon its nuclear ambitions, and choose peace. Praying for our brave troops and American citizens in the region.”

Rep. Doug LaMalfa: “The President’s decision to carry out a targeted strike on Iranian nuclear sites was the right move. It was necessary, and sent a clear message. No other country has the capability to take out this type of threat. I support President Trump’s decision to take action before it was too late. Iran’s leaders chant “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” as official policy and they mean it. They’ve made it clear that if they ever got their hands on a nuclear weapon, they’d use it on America and Israel. We could not leave major Iranian nuclear sites operational and intact. I hope Iran will take the President’s offer now. They’ve had many chances to give up their weapons ambitions.”

Rep. Nick Langworthy: “God bless the United States of America and the brave men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms and do the extraordinary every day. We pray for their safety, and we pray for wisdom and strength for our Commander in Chief.”

Rep. Bob Latta: “Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The president took decisive action to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Now is the time for peace. God bless and protect our troops.”

Rep. Mike Lawler: “President Trump made the right decision — and like when President Obama struck Libya, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen — he did so under the terms of the 2001 and 2002 AUMF. War has not been declared, however, a Nuclear Iran has been prevented. I fully support the President’s decision.”

Rep. Barry Loudermilk: “Thanks to this bold and decisive action by President Trump, and our amazing military, America and the rest of the world are much safer. Putting America first means prioritizing the safety and security of the United States; and Iran has been a serious threat to the U.S. and our ally, Israel, for decades. President Trump exercised incredible restraint while seeking diplomatic solutions with Iran these past few months; unfortunately, Iran was unwilling to cooperate.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: “May God protect our brave service members until they return home safely, along with our foreign service officers and the dedicated men and women of the State Department. Pray for our country. We need peace.”

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis: “There’s no other military in the world that can do what was just done. God bless America and our brave service members.”

Rep. Tracey Mann: “Audrey and I join the nation in praying for the safety of our troops and civilians in the Middle East. We pray for wisdom for President Trump and his team as they promote American peace through strength. God bless our troops.”

Rep. Rich McCormick: “President Trump gave Iran every opportunity to give up its nuclear ambitions. They are now very aware that this President will not be dropping pallets of cash to bribe them to stop developing nukes, we will be delivering ordinances that ensures they do.”

Rep. Addison McDowell: “President Trump protects America and our interests: A nuclear Iran was never an option. God bless America and the brave men and women who serve our nation.”

Rep. Carol Miller: “Iran was persistent in their refusal to stop enriching uranium. We gave them every opportunity to stop and agree to nuclear disarmament. They refused, so America ended their nuclear weapons program tonight. The Commander in Chief has my full support.”

Rep. Mary Miller: “A great victory for the United States! President Trump understands that PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH keeps America, and the world, safe and secure.”

Rep. Max Miller: “As President Trump has stated before, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. Promises made, promises kept”

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: “Under the constitutional authority granted to the president as Commander-in-Chief under Article II, @POTUS took decisive action tonight to keep America, our allies and the world, safe. His bold leadership and commitment to peace through strength delivered results. Our military successfully struck Iran’s nuclear sites, sending a clear message: the world’s top sponsor of terrorism will never obtain a nuclear weapon. Proud of our warriors and our President.”

Rep. John Moolenaar: “President Trump has been consistent. A nuclear Iran poses a grave threat to our nation, our military, and our allies. His decision to strike Iran is necessary to keep us and our allies safe, and ensure the largest sponsor of terror in the world does not develop nuclear weapons.”

Rep. Barry Moore: “I stand with President Trump. God bless him and our brave service members.”

Rep. Tim Moore: “Iran’s radical regime is a threat to freedom everywhere and has spent decades spreading terror across the globe. President Trump made clear that any attack on Americans or our allies would be met with overwhelming force. May God bless and protect our troops as we confront the evil of Iran and its terrorist proxies.”

Rep. Nathaniel Moran: “Peace through strength in action. This was a necessary step to protect America and its ally Israel from the clear and present danger presented by Iran and its advanced nuclear program. This is the kind of leadership the moment demands. @POTUS”

Rep. Troy Nehls: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I’m glad the mission was successful, and I’m glad we have President Trump in the White House. Peace through strength.”

Rep. Ralph Norman: “President Trump’s bold leadership didn’t just defend democracy around the world — it helped save it. God bless the USA”

Rep. Zach Nunn: “As President Trump takes decisive action to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, I also remain committed to ensuring our troops—including Iowa’s Guardsmen deploying to the region—are protected and not engaged in a forever war. America remains a strong force for Peace through Strength.”

Rep. Andy Ogles: “We must end Iran’s nuclear ambitions and protect American lives. Praise God for a successful mission—keep praying for our country.”

Rep. Burgess Owens: “We have a peace through strength President who doesn’t bluff and knows the world is safer without a nuclear Iran. God bless our U.S. Armed Forces”

Rep. August Pfluger: “Today, American airmen executed an operation at the direction of President Trump to eliminate Iranian nuclear facilities. I commend President Trump, the national security team, and the men and women who executed these orders on this successful mission. The Iranian regime is the largest sponsor of terrorism and the choice is now theirs… I hope they choose peace and a return to normalized society. But one thing is clear, they will not have a nuclear weapon.”

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler: “President Trump was right to strike Iran’s nuclear program. A nuclear Iran was a direct threat to our national security and our allies in the region. Iran is responsible for the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of our servicemembers. May God bless our nation and our troops.”

Rep. John Rose: “Our brave troops executed a well-planned and successful strike in Iran that signals a new chapter in the Middle East, a chapter where there is no misunderstanding about American tolerance of a nuclear-armed Iran. @POTUS is leading with strength, and I fully support this action.”

Rep. David Rouzer: “I commend President Trump for taking decisive and resolute action to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Regardless of any Iranian response which may occur, the President and those in our great military responsible for successfully carrying out this difficult mission have provided a meaningful opportunity for lasting peace in the Middle East and safety to the United States and our allies.”

Rep. Maria Salazar: “Thank you, President Trump, for leading with strength and clarity. Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. May God protect our troops, and may peace prevail through strength.”

Rep. Austin Scott: “I commend the President for his decisive action to attack Iran’s nuclear program. I also commend the bravery and skill of our warfighters who participated in this important mission. There was no scenario in which Iran could be allowed to continue their nuclear weapons program. The time is now for the Iranian people to rise up against the radical regime.”

Rep. Keith Self: “This is what leadership from a Commander in Chief looks like.”

Rep. Adrian Smith: “Through months of talks between negotiators from his administration and Iranian officials, President Trump has shown he is committed to achieving peace for the United States and our allies. Today, he and brave American servicemembers acted decisively when it became clear the Iranian regime, which openly threatened to wield nuclear weapons, was not open to diplomatic engagement. America stands with the friends of freedom, and our forces will defend our people against all threats.”

Rep. Pete Stauber: “Iran has been wanting to eliminate the United States and Israel for decades. President Trump’s decision to surgically remove this threat was decisive leadership with the power of our extraordinary military force! This is peace through strength.”

Rep. Greg Steube: “President Trump made every effort to give Iran a peaceful off-ramp to dismantle its nuclear ambitions. The Ayatollah’s refusal to negotiate in good faith confirms what we’ve long known: Iran cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons. I’m deeply grateful to our brave men and women in uniform for executing their mission with courage and precision. And I thank President Trump for his decisive leadership during this critical moment.”

Rep. Dale Strong: “A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to the entire world. They had ample time to come to the table and make a deal, but forced President Trump to take action to ensure the safety of our country and our allies.”

Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “Peace through strength means you have to be willing to prove your strength when adversaries will not accept the peaceful option. I support President Trump’s decision and am thankful the strikes were successful. God Bless America!”

Rep. Claudia Tenney: “President Trump has shown unwavering resolve in defending the U.S. & the free world. We are grateful for the bravery of our servicemembers who carried out these successful airstrikes & for President Trump’s leadership as our Commander in Chief! God Bless America”

Rep. William Timmons: “President Trump took decisive action against Iran’s nuclear threat. This sends a clear message: the U.S. will defend our interests and our allies. Grateful our Airmen carried out the mission safely — their courage keeps us safe. FLY FIGHT WIN”

Rep. Derrick Van Orden: “Peace Through Strength. The terrorist regime in Iran’s time in the sun is over.”

Rep. Tim Walberg: “Tonight, President @realDonaldTrump displayed decisive action to eliminate the nuclear program of the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. President Trump pursued and exhausted diplomatic options, and to protect the security of our nation, this moment called for strong leadership. God bless America and God bless our troops.”

Rep. Ann Wagner: “Iran was given every chance to get rid of its nuclear program, but instead of choosing peace the Ayatollah embraced violence and chaos. President Trump was absolutely right to send our bombers in and strike the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities, and this decision will save American lives and protect our national security. He and I are in full agreement that we must achieve peace through strength, and today’s decisive strikes are a testament to that shared commitment. Iran cannot and will not have nuclear weapons and today is a direct result of the Ayatollah’s reckless choices…”

Rep. Randy Weber: “Iran should NEVER have their hands on a nuclear weapon. President Trump ensured that won’t happen. Congratulations on a successful mission.”

Rep. Roger Williams: “We must always stand with Israel. Iran should never have a nuclear weapon and I’m thankful that under @realDonaldTrump, our country is stronger than ever. God bless our military. We pray for their safety and for peace.”

Rep. Joe Wilson: “President Trump has been consistent in his willingness to engage in negotiations. Enemies of America insult this effort instead pursuing apocalyptic delusions. Ultimately, Peace is achieved through deterrence and Strength. Assad was warned in 2017. The Iranian regime was warned. War criminal Putin has been warned. President Trump will not hesitate to act when tested.”

Rep. Rob Wittman: “The President was right – Iran refused to commit to nuclear disarmament. This was the right decision. America must secure peace through strength. God bless our servicemen and women in uniform – I am praying for their safe return.”

Rep. Steve Womack: “I support the President’s decisive action to thwart Iran from completing a nuclear weapon. Our Israeli allies were instrumental in setting the conditions for these strikes, and President Trump’s decision ultimately makes America and our allies safer. I thank God for the bravery and safety of our servicemembers who made this mission a success.”

Rep. Rudy Yakym: “Thank you to our brave warfighters for defending the greatest nation on earth. God bless our troops and the United States of America!”

Rep. Ryan Zinke: “We gave Iran a chance, they didn’t take it. The President has been crystal clear: Iran must not have nuclear weapons. If they don’t give up their nuclear program, this will continue to escalate. They will lose their Army, Navy, what’s left of their Air Force AND they will lose their refineries. This is a fight they will not win. I pray for the freedom loving Iranian people who have lived under extremism for too long.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Companies House celebrates 10 years of open data
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Companies House celebrates 10 years of open data

The ground-breaking Find and update company information service was launched 10 years ago. Free access to Companies House data continues to support economic activity and corporate transparency, while new legislation underpins an organisational drive to improve the quality of data on the UK companies register.
Today (22 June 2025) marks 10 years since Companies House made all public digital data on the UK companies register free of charge with the launch of the Find and update company information service on GOV.UK. This commitment to open data was designed to improve corporate transparency and give entrepreneurs the opportunity to come up with innovative ways of using information on the register.

In the last 10 years, the appetite for Companies House data has grown more than tenfold. The register was accessed 1.3 billion times for free information in 2015 to 2016. By 2023 to 2024, it was accessed over 16.5 billion times.

Companies House data is widely used by companies, creditors, investors and researchers, credit reference agencies and providers of financial information.

It’s also a trusted source for journalists and civil society, government, law enforcement and the public.

Companies House data is empowering businesses, easing commerce through the sharing of data, strengthening the fight against financial crime through accountability and helping businesses verify customers, and customers verify businesses.

Companies House Chief Data Officer, Charlie Boundy said:

In 2015 we broke new ground for corporate registers with our commitment to open data. Ten years later that bold decision has led to Companies House supporting 16 billion searches a year, underpinning millions of pounds of everyday financial decisions and our data being valued by industry at £1 billion to £3 billion annually.

Now, Companies House is implementing changes to company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT Act) to improve the integrity and accuracy of data on our register. This will make it even more valuable to users and further support economic growth.

Competition and Markets Minister Justin Madders said:

Over the last 10 years increased transparency from Companies House has empowered businesses big and small, helping level the playing field and improving confidence in our economy.

As part of our Plan for Change we’ll continue to build on this success, strengthening transparency to give companies and consumers more certainty about the businesses they work with.

Ben Cowdock, Senior Investigations Lead, Transparency International said:

For 10 years, the online platform at Companies House has delivered world-leading corporate transparency, setting an example for the best way to make company information available to the public. The data on this platform has contributed to countless investigations into corruption and financial crime by law enforcement, the private sector and civil society alike, and makes the UK a safer place to do business.

We at Transparency International UK use the Companies House service on a daily basis, with the data providing a cornerstone to our research and investigations. We look forward to many more years of using the platform and working with Companies House to ensure it remains a world-leading service for those seeking company information.

Steve Lamb, Chief Operating Officer at Kyckr said:

The launch of the Companies House open data service in 2015 marked a profound leap forward for corporate transparency in the UK. By making company information freely accessible to all, Companies House democratised access to one of the world’s most important datasets, enabling commerce, driving accountability, and strengthening the global fight against financial crime.

At Kyckr, we’ve seen firsthand how open and authoritative registry data can transform the way businesses verify customers and combat illicit activity. Given the UK’s enduring position as an international financial hub, the move by Companies House set a powerful precedent – one that continues, rightly, to be celebrated.

The value of Companies House data

Companies House data is estimated to be worth £1 billion to £3 billion per year to users.

For anti-money laundering (AML) regulated businesses, research published in 2024 suggests the value of company register information is £170 million to £460 million per year in total. ECCT Act reforms are expected to add between £210 million to £400 million in extra value. Much of this is attributed to the introduction of mandatory identity verification for company directors from this autumn.

Notes to editors

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced robust new laws to fight corruption, money laundering and fraud.

The changes we are introducing in phases will enable us to crack down on misuse of the UK companies register.

2019 research Valuing the User Benefits of Companies House Data found that it is worth an estimated £1 billion to £3 billion per year to users.

The 2024 Value of corporate transparency in tackling crime report found that:

for AML-regulated businesses, the value of company register information pre-reform is estimated to be between £170 million to £460 million per year in total (across all businesses) – the reforms are expected to add between £210 million to £400 million in extra value

for law enforcement users, the value of company register information is estimated to be around £2,600 per user, per year – the reforms are expected to generate an additional £1,300 of value per user, per year

Both user groups considered the introduction of identity verification for company directors to be the greatest contributor to the increase in value.

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Published 22 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Update on Developments in Iran (4)

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said he will call an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on Monday in light of the “urgent situation” in Iran following the latest attacks on the country’s nuclear facilities.

“In view of the increasingly serious situation in terms of nuclear safety and security, the Board of Governors will meet in an extraordinary session tomorrow, which I will address,” Director General Grossi said.

The Director General said the IAEA has been informed by the Iranian regulatory authorities that there has been no increase in off-site radiation levels after the recent attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow uranium enrichment site.

“As of this time, we don’t expect that there will be any health consequences for people or the environment outside the targeted sites,” he said. “We will continue to monitor and assess the situation in Iran and provide further updates as additional information becomes available.”

According to the most recent information verified by the IAEA before the attacks on Iran began on 13 June, the three sites targeted by the United States – also including Esfahan and Natanz – contained nuclear material in the form of uranium enriched to different levels, which may cause radioactive and chemical contamination within the facilities that were hit.

As he did in his statement to the United Nations Security Council on Friday, Director General Grossi reiterated his call for military restraint and “indispensable work towards” a diplomatic solution.

“I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities should never be attacked,” he said.

There is a need for a cessation of hostilities so that the IAEA can resume its vital inspection work in the country, including the necessary verification of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, he added.

Director General Grossi also stressed the importance of a continued and timely exchange of information with Iran regarding issues related to nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Press Arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 23 June 2025

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The IAEA Board of Governors will convene a meeting at the Agency’s headquarters starting at 10:00 CEST on Monday, 23 June, in Board Room C, Building C, 4th floor, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC).

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has requested that a meeting of the Board be convened to consider the situation in Iran.

The Board of Governors meeting is closed to the press.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the meeting with an introductory statement, which will be released to journalists after delivery and posted on the IAEA website. The IAEA will provide video footage of the Director General’s opening statement here and will make photos available on Flickr.

Photo Opportunity

There will be a photo opportunity with the IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Vice-Chair of the Board, Ambassador Caroline Vermeulen of the Kingdom of Belgium, before the start of the Board meeting, on 23 June at 10:00 CEST in Board Room C, in the C building in the VIC.

Accreditation

Journalists are requested to register with the Press Office by 08:00 CEST on Monday, 23 June. Please email press@iaea.org.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Xia Baolong concludes HK visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong today had an engagement session with district leaders and visited a Community Living Room (CLR) in Hong Kong.

In the morning, Mr Xia, together with Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, met chairmen and representatives of the 18 District Councils at the engagement session. Mr Xia received briefings on their district work.

Accompanied by Mr Lee and Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, Mr Xia inspected the facilities of the To Kwa Wan CLR to learn about the execution of the CLR Pilot Programme by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. He also took the opportunity to interact with its users.

Mr Xia concluded his visit and left Hong Kong in the evening.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 23, 2025