'Final strikes before ceasefire': 9 killed in Iran, 5 in Israel

On the 12th day of conflict, a ceasefire has been implemented between Iran and Israel through the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump. Just before the ceasefire, at least nine people were killed, 33 injured, and four houses destroyed in an attack in Iran, which the country claims was carried out by Israel.

On the other hand, five people were killed and 22 injured in a series of missile attacks on Israel. Iran's elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), called it the “final attack” before the ceasefire.

On Tuesday (June 24), the governor’s office in Gilan reported that a “terrorist” attack in the city of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh in northern Iran killed nine people and injured 33. The deputy governor stated that 16 of the casualties—either dead or injured—were women and children. Iranian media claimed that Israel was behind the attack.

According to BBC and Al Jazeera, among the dead was senior Iranian nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Seddiqi. The Israeli military has also acknowledged his killing.

Meanwhile, in the Israeli city of Be’er Sheva in the south, four people were reportedly killed in a ballistic missile attack by Iran. BBC Arabic reported the information citing Israeli media sources.

Israel’s ambulance service stated that 22 people were injured in multiple attacks, with two in moderate condition and 20 slightly injured.

The country’s Fire and Rescue Service reported widespread destruction in several buildings in the area.

Iran’s state-run media outlet SNN reported that the country launched its “final wave of missiles” toward Israel before the ceasefire was enacted.

In response to these attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media, “The ceasefire is now in effect, please do not violate it.” A few hours after Iran agreed to the ceasefire, Israel also announced its acceptance of the U.S. proposal.

Iran’s state television (IRINN) reported that the ceasefire was “imposed” on Israel after a “successful” Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Qatar. The news channel’s statement claimed that after the Iranian strike, President Trump “begged” for a ceasefire.

In a televised statement read by a presenter, the IRGC was praised, and the Iranian people's resistance was honored.

Confirming acceptance of Trump’s ceasefire proposal, an Israeli government statement said, “Iran has achieved its objectives through its attacks, and hence agreed to the ceasefire. Any violation will result in a strong Israeli response.”

The statement added that Israel “dealt significant blows to Iran’s military leadership and destroyed several dozen key targets of the Iranian central government.”

It further claimed that within the last 24 hours, Israeli forces carried out heavy strikes on government targets in central Tehran, killing hundreds of paramilitary forces. These militias were reportedly used by the Iranian government to suppress protests.

The statement ended with thanks to U.S. President Donald Trump for his assistance in defense and participation in eliminating the nuclear threat from Iran.

Earlier, as of Monday (June 23), Iran’s health ministry reported nearly 500 deaths over the 11-day conflict. State TV reported that over 3,000 people were injured by Israeli attacks. However, Iranian human rights organization Human Rights Activists in Iran believes the actual death toll is nearly double that figure.

On the other hand, Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, reported that at least 24 people were killed and over 1,300 injured in the attacks.