Eye on Extremism: June 25, 2025
Top Stories
Reuters: Fragile ceasefire holding, Trump envoy says peace talks with Iran 'promising'
The ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding on Wednesday a day after both countries signalled that their air war had ended, at least for now. Each side claimed victory on Tuesday after 12 days of war, which the U.S. joined with airstrikes in support of Israel to take out Iran's uranium-enrichment facilities. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said late on Tuesday that talks between the United States and Iran were "promising" and that Washington was hopeful for a long-term peace deal. "Now it's for us to sit down with the Iranians and get to a comprehensive peace agreement, and I am very confident that we are going to achieve that," he added.
Newsweek: With Iran Weakened by US and Israel, ISIS Rejoices and Resurges
While uncertainty lingers in the wake of President Donald Trump's surprise ceasefire announcement in a war that has raged between Iran and Israel—and drawn in direct U.S. intervention—another archnemesis of Tehran lurks in the shadows. The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) operates both east and west of Iran and has also stepped up operations within the Islamic Republic itself, having claimed the deadliest operation in the nation's post-revolutionary history in January 2024. Just earlier this month, before Israel launched its large-scale campaign of strikes, Iranian officials announced the arrest of 13 alleged ISIS members in three cities and the execution of nine other suspected ISIS members charged with plotting attacks.
CEP Mentions
FOCUS: Danger of terrorism from Iran’s allies: What this means for Germany now
CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler writes: Of course, due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, there is still an increased risk that Hamas or Hezbollah sympathizers will decide to commit acts of violence even without instructions from Iran. Unfortunately, it can be assumed that the current military conflict has further radicalized the violence-oriented anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli milieu in Germany. For these reasons, it is important that the German security authorities continue to monitor these dangers closely in the current phase in order to be able to intervene at an early stage. The German government's decision on June 13, the day of the first Israeli airstrikes on Iran, to increase the protection of Israeli and Jewish facilities was important. This increased protection should be maintained.
Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior advisor to the Counter Extremism Project, cautioned that Tehran may already be close to exhausting its proxy playbook.
The regime in Tehran is under pressure. "It currently doesn't have many options left to respond," says Middle East expert and terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project in an interview with our editorial team. The security situation in Europe and Germany could also be affected.
BBC: BBC Radio 5 Live with CEP Senior Advisor Edmund Fitton-Brown
Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Senior Advisor and former UK Ambassador for Yemen, Edmund Fitton-Brown, joined BBC Radio 5 Live host Mark Summers and guest Chris Doyle, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, to discuss the Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the United Kingdom's stance.
LBC: CEP Senior Advisor Edmund Fitton-Brown on LBC
Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Senior Advisor and former United Kingdom Ambassador for Yemen Edmund Fitton-Brown was interviewed on LBC Radio about the Israel-Iran conflict, a tenuous ceasefire, and possible outcomes.
ARTE Journal: Fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel / NATO summit in The Hague
CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for segment: “A fragile ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump has come into effect in the war between Iran and Israel. / The most important sites of the Iranian nuclear program have been hit, but enriched uranium may have been relocated beforehand. / Thousands of dual nationals have fled Iran since the war began – mostly via Turkey.”
ProSieben: :newstime June 24, 2025
CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed on the situation in Iran.
RTL Direkt: Broadcast from June 24, 2025
CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for segment: “Trump calls on Israel to respect the ceasefire: Is he a suitable peacemaker?”
Analysis
Washington Institute: Is the Islamic Republic Starting to Crack? The Signs to Watch
Although the crisis has not yet checked all the boxes that would signal fatal regime vulnerability, the situation could change quickly due to shifting conditions on the battlefield, on the streets, or within the halls of power in Tehran.
EUROPOL: European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2025 (TE-SAT)
A total of 58 terrorist attacks were reported by 14 EU Member States in 2024. Of these, 34 were completed, 5 were failed and 19 were foiled. Overall, 449 individuals were arrested for terrorism-related offences across 20 Member States. These numbers are sourced from Europol’s European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2025 (TE-SAT), published today. This flagship report – the only one of its kind in Europe - describes the major developments and trends in the terrorism landscape in the EU in 2024, based on qualitative and quantitative information provided by EU Member States and other Europol partners.
Jerusalem Post: Did Iran’s IRGC Quds Force head Esmail Qaani survive? – analysis
The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Esmail Qaani appears to have survived the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. Qaani was one of the IRGC commanders who was initially listed as having been killed on June 13. However, video that circulated on June 24 appears to show him alive and in Tehran. It remains to be seen how he survived and to await confirmation from sources regarding his role and status. However, the appearance of the videos clearly are designed to show that he survived and is able to walk around Iran in the open.
United States
Reuters: Trump tells Congress that Iran had nuclear weapons program, contradicting US spy agencies
U.S. President Donald Trump told Congress this week that the Iranian sites bombed by the U.S. housed a "nuclear weapons development program," even though U.S. spy agencies have said no such program existed. Trump's claim raised questions whether U.S. intelligence backed up his decision to order the strikes on Iran on Sunday. The Republican president made the assertion in a letter dated Monday to House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a key ally, and it was posted on the White House's website. "United States forces conducted a precision strike against three nuclear facilities in Iran used by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its nuclear weapons development program," Trump wrote.
As the United States faces possible retaliatory attacks from Iran, a “brain drain” in top Justice Department and FBI national security and counterterrorism units could reduce their ability to prevent potential terror and cyberattacks from Tehran, according to six former senior DOJ and FBI officials. Staff levels in the DOJ National Security Division’s Law and Policy section have dropped by as much as two-thirds, two former DOJ officials said. Its counterintelligence and export control section — which tracks foreign espionage in the U.S. by Iran and other foreign rivals — has lost about a third of its workforce, the former DOJ officials said.
NBC News: FBI returning agents to counterterrorism work after diverting them to immigration
The FBI is returning counterterrorism agents who were ordered to focus on immigration cases back to their old jobs because of concern about potential threats from Iran, four people with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News.
NBC News: ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals with criminal records or suspected terrorist ties
Eleven Iranian nationals with either criminal records or suspected terrorist ties who had been living in the United States illegally were arrested over the weekend while American war planes were bombing nuclear facilities in their homeland, federal officials announced Tuesday.
BBC: FBI sharpens focus on counter-terrorism after Iran strikes
Officials across the US are on heightened alert after the US bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran. There is no specific threat but in recent days, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have spoken with governors and law enforcement agencies across the country about the heightened threat environment.
Reuters: Trump tells Congress that Iran had nuclear weapons program, contradicting US spy agencies
U.S. President Donald Trump told Congress this week that the Iranian sites bombed by the U.S. housed a "nuclear weapons development program," even though U.S. spy agencies have said no such program existed. Trump's claim raised questions whether U.S. intelligence backed up his decision to order the strikes on Iran on Sunday.
Many details of Zohran Mamdani’s stunning win in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday are yet to become clear, including exactly how many voters ranked him first and whom he will face in November’s general election. But whatever happens in November, Mamdani already has earned the most support of any U.S. politician who endorses the movement to boycott Israel. His victory offers a clear sign that backing the movement, known as BDS, is hardly the red line that its critics long tried to make it.
Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick have introduced Senate Resolution 288, a bipartisan resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism across the country. Citing the antisemitic attack that injured eight people in Boulder, Colardo, the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence and the murder of Israeli embassy staff members Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, the senators denounced anti-Jewish hatred.
Jewish News Syndicate: Testy House judiciary panel hearing on antisemitic terrorism
Republicans and Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee veered between accusations of partisanship and appeals to national unity in an at-times fiery hearing on antisemitic terrorism on Tuesday.
Long War Journal: 2 US Islamic State supporters arrested in June on terrorism charges
Over the past month, US law enforcement authorities arrested two Americans on terrorism charges, including charging one individual with “attempting to provide material support to [the Islamic State].” On June 24, law enforcement arrested Ammaad Akhtar, 33, of Stockton, California, for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Court documents cited by a US Justice Department release allege that Akhtar began communicating with someone he believed was a member of the Islamic State in February 2025. During these conversations, Akhtar expressed his support for the terrorist group and a desire to fight alongside them overseas.
ABC 7: Local law enforcement on high alert, conducting threat assessments amid conflict with Iran
As the world waits to see if a volatile ceasefire between Iran and Israel will hold, former federal and local law enforcement and private security experts say police are on high alert conducting 24/7 threat assessments. In Chicago on any given day, busy trains, packed buses and city sidewalks are all under constant surveillance.
We Are Iowa: Jordan Creek Mall janitor arrested for allegedly threatening terrorism against the mall
A West Des Moines man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly threatening terrorism against Jordan Creek Mall. 35-year-old Kelly Arthur Jonathon Clark reportedly told a fireworks stand employee that he "was familiar with the anarchist handbook and that he would like to see a big bang and black smoke." The incident allegedly happened around 10 a.m. Tuesday, just down Jordan Creek Parkway from the mall.
France
Reuters: Exclusive: Le Pen's far-right French party rebuffed US offer of support, sources say
A U.S. State Department delegation met with senior officials from France's National Rally (RN) in late May, but their offer to publicly support figurehead Marine Le Pen after a court barred her from office was rebuffed by the far-right party, two sources said. Le Pen, one of the most prominent figures of the European far right, was a frontrunner for the 2027 French presidential election before a court in March banned her from the contest after she was convicted of embezzling EU funds.
Politico: French PM Bayrou gets temporary lifeline from far right
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally won’t bring down France’s government — for now. Party officials confirmed Wednesday that the French far-right party would not back a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister François Bayrou’s minority government, which is expected to be voted on in the coming days. However, National Rally lawmakers stressed that the centrist prime minister’s days in office were numbered.
Germany
NTV: Bavaria puts the AfD on the extremist list
In future, applicants for the civil service in Bavaria will have to disclose whether they are members of the AfD. The background to this is a decision by the state cabinet to include the AfD in the Bavarian extremist list, as announced by the state Ministry of the Interior in Munich. Membership of a listed organization can therefore lead to the rejection of an applicant - but only after a "case-by-case examination", according to the statement. "Enemies of the constitution have no place in the public service," explained Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann of the CSU. Civil servants or employees in the public sector would have to guarantee "that they stand up for the free democratic basic order". It is necessary to take a close look at applicants for the civil service who are members of the AfD, Herrmann continued.
Germany’s top prosecutor on Wednesday submitted a new arrest warrant based on terrorism allegations for a Syrian man who stabbed and critically injured four men outside a restaurant in the western city of Bielefeld last month.
Spain
Reuters: Spanish court approves extradition of Ecuadorean tied to TV station attack
Spain's High Court on Tuesday authorized the extradition of William Jofre Alcivar Bautista, accused of leading a violent attack on an Ecuadorean TV station in early 2024, provided that Ecuador guarantees his safety in custody. Alcivar, known as Commander Willy and alleged head of the criminal group Los Tiguerones, was arrested in Spain alongside his brother Alex in October 2024.
The Canadian government has recently revised its travel advisory for Spain, one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. Each year, millions of visitors flock to iconic cities like Madrid and Barcelona, drawn by their rich history, vibrant culture, and famous landmarks. However, despite its popularity, Spain is not without its risks for travelers. Canada has assigned Spain a yellow travel advisory, citing concerns over the potential threat of terrorism. While this is a significant consideration, travelers should also be cautious of other prevalent issues, such as scams and fraud. This article provides important insights into the updated travel advisory and offers practical tips to help you stay safe during your visit to Spain.
United Kingdom
BBC: White supremacist 'plotted terror attack' in city
A white supremacist who "idolised Hitler" planned to carry out a terrorist attack at the Lord Mayor of London's residence, a court heard. Alfie Coleman is accused of buying a pistol and 188 rounds of ammunition with a dream of "sparking a race war" in September 2023.
Palestine Action has formally instructed a legal team to challenge the UK Home Secretary’s unprecedented move to proscribe the direct-action group as a terrorist organisation. The legal response is being spearheaded by human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce of Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, with support from Kellys Solicitors.
Afghanistan
UPI: U.S. offers reward to locate abducted Afghan American in Afghanistan
he United States is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information locating Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan American businessman who was abducted in Afghanistan nearly three years ago. The reward from the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice Program was announced Tuesday by department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who said during a regular press briefing, "We have determined that he has been disappeared, and that he has not been heard from."
Gaza Strip
Reuters: Exclusive: US to give $30 million to Gaza aid operation despite violence concerns
The United States is giving $30 million to a controversial humanitarian group delivering aid in war-torn Gaza despite concern among some U.S. officials about the month-old operation and the killing of Palestinians near food distribution sites, according to four sources and a document seen by Reuters. Washington has long backed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation diplomatically, but this is the first known U.S. government financial contribution to the organization, which uses private U.S. military and logistics firms to transport aid into the Palestinian enclave for distribution at so-called secure sites.
Iran
Times of Israel: Israeli strikes hollowed out Iran’s leadership, but IRGC will remain dominant force
Hours before the sun rose on June 13, nearly 200 Israeli fighter jets roared into Iranian airspace, while Mossad operatives on the ground released attack drones from secret bases. The surprise Israeli strikes hit key Iranian nuclear sites as well as ballistic missile stores, which represented twin threats that Israel saw as existential. But its highly coordinated, precise attack didn’t only focus on Iran’s hardware. Israel also spent years tracking the key figures at the top of the Islamic Republic’s command structure and in the opening hours of the campaign, it assassinated many of them — some in their apartments, others reportedly lured to an underground command center.
Reuters: Iran's parliament approves bill on suspending cooperation with IAEA
Iran's parliament approved a bill on Wednesday to suspend cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, state-affiliated news outlet Nournews reported. The move follows an air war with Israel in which Iran's longtime enemy said it wanted to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran will hold national funerals on Saturday for senior military commanders and top scientists killed during the country’s recent 12-day war with Israel, state media reported on Wednesday, just a day after a ceasefire took effect. Among the high-ranking officials to be honored is Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was killed on the war’s first day. Salami, known for his close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will be buried on Saturday in central Iran, IRNA added.
Israel
In a video statement on Tuesday summing up the war against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “achieved a historic victory” that would “abide for generations” following the US-brokered ceasefire to end the 12-day conflict. He said Israel removed “two existential threats — the threat of destruction via nuclear weapons and the threat of destruction via 20,000 ballistic missiles” that Iran was moving to build. Israel would have faced destruction in the near future “if we hadn’t acted now.” US President Donald Trump acted “in an unprecedented fashion,” the prime minister said, thanking him for “his part in defending Israel, and removing the Iranian nuclear threat.”
Jerusalem Post: Seven IDF soldiers killed in Khan Yunis blast, terrorist attached IED to vehicle
Seven soldiers from the IDF's Combat Engineering Corps were killed in an explosion in Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Wednesday.
Times of Israel: IDF says it shot down drone from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace
A drone apparently launched from Yemen was shot down by the Israeli Air Force a short while ago, the military says.
Jewish News Syndicate: Israel declares Central Bank of Iran a terrorist organization
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has signed a special order designating the Central Bank of Iran a terrorist organization, he announced on Wednesday. The decision was made “at the request of the Mossad and the National Bureau for Economic Warfare,” he posted on X.
Lebanon
Naharnet: Israel says killed money changer who transferred funds to Hezbollah
Israel said it killed Tuesday in south Lebanon the head of a money exchange firm that was allegedly transferring money from Iran to Hezbollah for military purposes. “Haytham Abdullah Bakri, the head of the ‘Al-Sadiq’ Currency Exchange who operated with Hezbollah to transfer funds for Hezbollah terrorist activities, was eliminated by the IDF (Israeli army) in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli army said.
Naharnet: Hezbollah hails Iran's 'divine victory' over Israel
Hezbollah on Wednesday hailed what it called its ally Iran's victory over Israel after 12 days of war, declaring it the start of a "new historical phase". In a statement, Hezbollah offered its "most sincere congratulations" to the Islamic republic, praising its "glorious divine victory". The victory, it said, was "manifested in the precise and painful strikes it launched" against Israel, as well as "the lightning response to the American aggression against its nuclear facilities".
Naharnet: Report: Security forces on high alert to foil any terror plot
Lebanese security agencies have been put on maximum alert to thwart potential terrorist attacks following the church attack in Syria, Kuwait’s al-Anbaa newspaper has reported. “Officials have stressed the need to control things domestically and carry out preemptive steps to confront potential terrorist attacks targeted against places of worship or other sites,” the daily said.
Naharnet: US-Lebanon ties may benefit from reduced Iranian support for Hezbollah
The whipsaw chain of events involving Iran, Israel and the United States that culminated in a surprise ceasefire has raised many questions about how the Trump administration will approach the Middle East going forward. Yet, the answer to the bottom line question — "what's next?" — remains unknowable and unpredictable. That is because President Donald Trump has essentially sidelined the traditional U.S. national security apparatus and confined advice and decision-making to a very small group of top aides operating from the White House.
Naharnet: Lebanese Army says arrested IS Lebanon leader
The Lebanese Army said it has arrested the suspected leader of the Islamic State group in Lebanon after implicating him in planning several operations. "Following a series of security, surveillance and monitoring operations, the Intelligence Directorate arrested citizen R.F., nicknamed "Qasoura", a prominent leader of the terrorist organization Daesh," the army said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.
Syria
The sleeper cell behind a deadly church bombing near Damascus belonged to the Islamic State group, which had plans to target a Shiite shrine in a similar attack, Syria ‘s Interior Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Sunday’s attack on the Mar Elias church killed at least 25 people. The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of the country’s minorities.
Yemen
Reuters: Yemen's Houthis likely to be persistent problem for US, senior military official says
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement will likely be a persistent problem for the U.S. in the future, a senior U.S. military official said on Tuesday, even after Washington and the Houthis reached an agreement last month that ended a U.S. air campaign against the group. “The Houthis are likely to be a persistent problem... that we'll be dealing with in the future a few times again," Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, director for operations of the Joint Staff, told lawmakers. Grynkewich has been nominated to lead the U.S. military's European Command.
Armenia
OC Media: Armenia raids opposition homes and detains Archbishop Galstanyan for ‘plotting coup’
Armenian authorities have raided the homes of dozens of opposition figures, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, following which he and 13 others were arrested for allegedly plotting ‘terrorist attacks and a coup d’état’. On Wednesday afternoon, Armenia’s Investigative Committee said they had charged 16 people and arrested 14 others.
Pakistan
Deccan Herald: Pakistan Army officer, who captured IAF pilot Abhinandan in 2019, killed
An officer of the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group, who had claimed to have captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman after his jet was shot down in a dogfight in 2019, was killed in a clash with the Taliban militants, according to the army.
Australia
7 News: PM Anthony Albanese is questioned on local terror threat level amid US strikes on Iran
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to allay fears about an increase in terror threats in Australia, following the US bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran at the weekend. America’s Donald Trump administration confirmed it had completed an attack on three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The Jewish Council of Australia has condemned a social media post by AFL football legend Warren Tredrea, saying it promotes "far-right antisemitic conspiracy theories" and Holocaust denial. In a video posted on Tredrea's Instagram account, a guest on the former Port Adelaide captain and premiership winner's new podcast makes statements about Israel, which he says is a "fake state" that was behind the creation of terror group ISIS.
A historic synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, was defaced twice in one day over the weekend, the latest in a surge of antisemitic incidents as anti-Israel sentiment grows nationwide amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. According to local police, an unknown individual spray-painted offensive graffiti on the walls of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Sunday afternoon. Despite its removal, the building was targeted again later that evening by unidentified offenders.
Technology
Africa Report: Wagner’s red room: How Russian mercenaries flaunt their crimes on Telegram
For several months, we infiltrated a private Telegram channel linked to Russia’s Wagner Group. The findings are horrifying: routine torture, executions and desecration of corpses – particularly in Mali. The war crimes, laced with racism, are documented by the perpetrators themselves and shared with an audience that leans neo-Nazi.
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