Morning Brief: Trump Administration Quietly Shuts Down Russia Pressure Task Force Amid Ukraine Stalemate

Good morning! Kickstart your Wednesday with SOFREP’s Morning Brief for June 18, 2025, your quick rundown of what’s shaking the world: Israel’s airstrikes on Tehran have killed over 580 as its conflict with Iran intensifies, while 59 more Palestinians died in Gaza after Israeli tank fire hit an aid site. Trump scrapped a Russia task force amid the Ukraine deadlock and gave TikTok’s Chinese parent 90 more days to divest. France is under pressure to apologize for its nuclear test fallout in Polynesia, and Modi pushed back on US mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire.

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Israeli Airstrikes Kill Hundreds in Tehran as Conflict Escalates

Israel launched a major wave of airstrikes on Tehran early Wednesday, marking the sixth day of its campaign against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

According to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, the strikes have killed at least 585 people and wounded 1,326 across Iran. The group reported 239 civilian deaths and 126 among security forces.

Israel confirmed more than 50 fighter jets carried out the latest strike, claiming to have targeted a centrifuge manufacturing facility in Tehran. A massive explosion was heard around 5 a.m. local time, and residents fled the capital in large numbers. Parts of the city—including the historic Grand Bazaar—shut down amid ongoing bombardment. One strike hit near Hakimiyeh, home to a Revolutionary Guard academy.

The Israeli military also claimed responsibility for the killing of Gen. Ali Shadmani, recently appointed commander of the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ. He replaced Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, killed last week in a similar strike.

⭕️ The IDF struck a centrifuge production site and multiple weapon manufacturing facilities in the Tehran area, key elements of Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Over 50 IAF fighter jets targeted:

– A facility for producing centrifuges used to enrich uranium beyond… pic.twitter.com/YXMiKAJWVz

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 18, 2025

The Iranian government has not confirmed recent casualties and continues to downplay the scale of the damage, sticking to its previous toll of 224 dead. Meanwhile, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation, killing 24 in Israel, according to Israeli figures.

On Wednesday, fresh salvos triggered air raid sirens in southern Israel, but most were intercepted.

The US has reinforced its regional military presence. President Donald Trump fueled uncertainty with calls for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and public warnings to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump claimed the US knows Khamenei’s location but said he would not be targeted—“at least not for now.” He also held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss next steps.

MORE: Israel has continued striking Iranian military targets, which has likely degraded Iranian missile forces significantly. This degradation is reflected in the decreasing volume of Iranian missile fire at Israel. ⬇️

Israel has continued striking energy infrastructure and… https://t.co/hQ50RNhW3E pic.twitter.com/djCqeQyPxH

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 18, 2025

Iran’s military vowed more retaliation, stating that previous strikes were only a “warning.” The US Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed through Friday due to security concerns.

The conflict continues to escalate with no sign of de-escalation, amid regional uncertainty and fears of broader war.

Israeli Tank Fire Kills 59 Civilians at Gaza Aid Distribution Site

Israeli tanks fired into a crowd gathered for humanitarian aid in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Tuesday, killing at least 59 Palestinians and injuring 221 others, including 20 critically, according to Gaza medics.

The shelling occurred as thousands of desperate civilians gathered near stalled aid trucks on a main road, seeking food amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Eyewitnesses told Reuters that Israeli forces initially allowed people to approach before launching at least two shells into the crowd. Video footage circulating online showed mangled bodies strewn across the street, with casualties transported to Nasser Hospital by any available means, including donkey carts and rickshaws.

🚨Khan Younis | Southern Gaza Strip
Israeli forces have blown up the historic castle towers in Qizan Rashwan.

As global attention shifts to the Israel-Iran conflict, Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza carrying out an unprecedented campaign of destruction and mass killing. pic.twitter.com/yPoz6c0uCr

— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) June 17, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged firing in the area and said the incident occurred near troops and a stuck aid truck, promising to review the circumstances. The IDF expressed regret for civilian harm and said it strives to avoid casualties while ensuring troop safety.

Tuesday’s toll was the deadliest single-day incident since aid operations resumed in May. The Gaza Health Ministry reports at least 397 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,000 wounded while trying to access aid since late May.

The aid delivery system, largely funneled through the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been controversial. The UN condemns the system as unsafe and politically compromised.

Israel argues it prevents Hamas from seizing supplies, a claim Hamas denies. GHF stated that the strike occurred near a UN World Food Programme site, not one of its four guarded locations.

Dozens more Palestinians have been killed as Israeli soldiers yet again opened fire on crowds trying to reach the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution centres.

— in pictures https://t.co/BZXaHNGjfH pic.twitter.com/sdhlC2jrj8

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 17, 2025

Elsewhere in Gaza on Tuesday, at least 14 additional people were killed in Israeli air and ground strikes, bringing the day’s death toll to 73. The broader conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has resulted in nearly 55,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

As violence rages, some Gazans have expressed grim satisfaction over Israeli casualties in the parallel conflict with Iran, which supports Hamas, sharing images of damage from Iranian missile strikes.

Trump Administration Quietly Shuts Down Russia Pressure Task Force Amid Ukraine Stalemate

The Trump administration recently dismantled an interagency working group tasked with crafting strategies to pressure Russia into accelerating peace talks with Ukraine, according to three US officials.

The group, according to a report by Reuters, formed in early spring, lost relevance by May as it became clear President Trump was uninterested in escalating pressure on Moscow.

The initiative, coordinated by the National Security Council (NSC) and involving the State Department, Pentagon, Treasury, and intelligence agencies, dissolved after the White House abruptly dismissed most of the NSC’s Ukraine-focused personnel three weeks ago. Among those removed was Andrew Peek, the top NSC official for Europe and Russia.

Officials said the group’s demise reflected Trump’s growing frustration over the lack of progress in ending the war in Ukraine—a campaign promise he has been unable to deliver. Some insiders say the president now questions whether the US should continue brokering peace, further eroding the task force’s purpose.

Trump admin disbands group pushing Russia to accelerate Ukraine ‘peace talks’ — Reuters

The inter-agency team — formed this spring — stalled by May as Trump allegedly showed no interest in adopting a more confrontational stance toward Moscow pic.twitter.com/wIMO6M2iBr

— RT (@RT_com) June 17, 2025

The disbanding raises concerns among European allies ahead of a critical NATO summit. Trump’s recent comments—labeling Russia’s 2014 G8 expulsion a mistake and blaming both sides for the ongoing war—have only deepened European unease.

While the group explored measures like economic incentives for former Soviet states to curtail trade with Russia and covert operations options, no final plans were approved. US officials insist Trump could still pivot to a tougher stance, but the collapse of the working group and broader NSC cuts have left few high-level figures driving Russia policy.

The move follows earlier suspension of US efforts to counter Russian sabotage and disinformation. Despite mounting bipartisan calls, including from Sen. Lindsey Graham, for expanded sanctions, Trump remains undecided and continues to publicly fault both Russia and Ukraine.

The White House and key agencies declined to comment. The working group’s termination underscores a broader shift away from aggressive US engagement in the Ukraine conflict, even as the war drags into its fourth year.

Trump Extends TikTok Divestment Deadline Again, Seeks US Ownership Deal

President Donald Trump will issue an executive order this week granting a 90-day extension for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations.

The White House said Tuesday the move aims to keep the app running while ensuring American users’ data remains secure.

This marks the third deadline extension since Trump took office. The most recent extension in April collapsed after China withdrew from a near-final deal, following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. The original ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court but has yet to be enforced due to ongoing negotiations.

US President Donald Trump will extend a June 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok for 90 days despite a law that mandated a sale or shutdown absent significant progress, the White House https://t.co/51CRGylUp4 pic.twitter.com/BbLixET9n3

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 18, 2025

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration remains committed to securing a U.S.-controlled TikTok platform.

“President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” she said.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping will “ultimately approve” a divestiture deal. He also acknowledged TikTok’s impact on his popularity among young voters, noting his 15 million followers on the platform and describing a “warm spot” for the app.

It remains unclear how many more extensions Trump can authorize as the administration attempts to finalize a US takeover of TikTok.

French Lawmakers Call for Apology Over Nuclear Test Fallout in Polynesia

A French parliamentary report released Tuesday urged Paris to formally apologize to French Polynesia for the harmful fallout of nuclear testing conducted there from 1966 to 1996.

The report cites extensive radiation exposure that affected tens of thousands of islanders during the 193 nuclear tests carried out on the Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls.

The committee behind the report said the apology must go beyond symbolism and serve as a key step toward reconciliation between France and its overseas territory. Lawmakers proposed adding the apology to the 2004 law that defines French Polynesia’s semi-autonomous status.

The US and its legacy of nuclear bombs testing: 1- Nevada Test Site, over 900 tests. 2- Marshall Islands 67 tests including Castle Bravo, islanders weren’t warned(still extremely radioactive) 3- 12 high-altitude tests still toxic 4- Amchitka Island Caused a 6.9 mag earthquake. pic.twitter.com/KiOtQoTbRn

— shego 🔻 (@shegoisback) June 17, 2025

The legacy of the tests, which included atmospheric and underground detonations, remains a source of anger and is widely viewed by locals as rooted in colonial disregard for their lives and well-being. Health impacts from the fallout have reportedly been downplayed, with only a small number of civilians compensated to date.

An investigation by Disclose earlier this year, citing declassified French military documents, found the scale of radioactive contamination was far greater than previously acknowledged. Victims are now seeking broader compensation as France confronts its controversial nuclear past in the Pacific.

Modi Rejects US Mediation Claim in India-Pakistan Ceasefire During Call with Trump

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan resulted from direct military talks—not US mediation—India’s top diplomat confirmed Tuesday.

The leaders spoke during a phone call on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.

Trump had previously claimed that the US facilitated the ceasefire following the May 7–10 conflict, which erupted after a deadly April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-backed terrorists, while Islamabad denied involvement.

Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South. pic.twitter.com/GJegQPilXe

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2025

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi firmly denied any US role and reiterated that India has never accepted, and will never accept, third-party mediation on bilateral issues with Pakistan. Modi emphasized that the ceasefire talks occurred directly through existing military channels at Pakistan’s request.

The conflict saw heavy cross-border exchanges, with both sides employing airstrikes, drones, and artillery. Modi also told Trump that India’s cross-border counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, is ongoing.

PM Modi and President Donald Trump hold a 35-min telephonic conversation

‘Operation Sindoor is ongoing… India won’t accept any mediation on Pakistan’ Modi told Trump@SaroyaHem brings you this report by @sidhant pic.twitter.com/OM3ytEHUiZ

— WION (@WIONews) June 18, 2025

Trump reportedly expressed support for India’s counterterrorism efforts and invited Modi to visit the US, but the Indian leader declined due to prior commitments. Modi invited Trump to India later this year for the Quad summit, which Trump accepted. The White House has not commented on the call.

Sources: Reuters, The Associated Press, and other News Agencies