Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’: Unbiased Updates, June 18, 2025
Trump’s message to Iran? Surrender or else. The president argues that this war isn’t only Israel’s and emphasizes how near the U.S. could be to intervening.
Additionally, federal agents arrested a candidate for mayor in New York after he linked arms with a migrant facing deportation.
Also, TikTok is still ticking — for now. Trump has once again delayed the TikTok ban for 90 days.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Israel claims strikes on Iranian uranium facility; Iran’s leader vows ‘no mercy’
Israel has intensified its strikes on Iran, claiming it targeted a facility that produces uranium centrifuges and another that manufactures missile components. All while intercepting ten missiles fired from Iran overnight. Iran’s supreme leader — whom both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have suggested assassinating, which has now led to growing talk of regime change — responded online, promising no mercy and a strong response.
Now, there are growing signs that the U.S. could be drawn in.
Trump posted on Truth Social, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and claiming “we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” However, it’s unclear whether “we” refers to the U.S., Israel or both.
Officially, the State Department insisted the U.S. was not involved in Israel’s strikes inside Iran. Still, Trump met with his national security team in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday, June 17, and multiple reports claimed the president has considered joining Israel in targeting Iran’s nuclear sites. Though that’s not confirmed.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties are attempting to slow the march to war.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has introduced a resolution under the War Powers Act to block strikes. Co-sponsor Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif, joined him. However, no other Republicans have supported him so far.
Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine is leading a similar initiative, insisting that Trump secure approval from Congress before initiating military action, unless the U.S. is addressing an imminent threat. However, GOP Senate leader John Thune stated that it’s too early, and the objective remains to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear program.
More National Guard troops deployed to LA as court decides if Trump exceeded authority
As a federal appeals court evaluates whether Trump exceeded his authority by deploying the California National Guard, the White House sent an additional 2,000 troops to Los Angeles.
U.S. Northern Command stated that troops are present to protect federal property and personnel, not to engage in law enforcement. This deployment is part of the same contingent ordered last week, meaning that there are technically no new troops, but rather a reinforcement of the mission.
The total now includes 4,100 National Guard members and 700 Marines already on the ground. This comes as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday over California’s legal challenge to Trump’s order, which took control of the state’s National Guard without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent.
No ruling yet, but a lower court judge who previously ordered Trump to return control to California will hold a follow-up hearing on Friday, June 20. That order is currently on pause, but it could be extended.
The stakes are high. It’s the first time since 1965 that a president has federalized a state guard without a governor’s approval. Legal experts say the outcome could set a strong precedent for presidential authority to deploy troops in American cities.
NYC mayoral candidate arrested after clash with ICE at courthouse
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested mayoral candidate and city comptroller Brad Lander on Tuesday, June 17, at a New York City immigration court after he linked arms with a migrant facing deportation. Video showed plainclothes agents pushing through a crowd as Lander demanded to see a warrant.
Moments later, agents pried him away, shoved him against a wall and handcuffed him. A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said Lander assaulted a federal officer; however, as of now, no charges have been filed.
Authorities released Lander back to the public later in the afternoon. He emerged to cheers from supporters, who included New York Governor Kathy Hochul. He denied assaulting anyone, saying he was standing in solidarity.
Lander, a Democrat, is one of several elected officials arrested in recent weeks while protesting the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration across the country.
Court protects gender identity on passports
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing its passport policy on transgender and non-binary Americans, calling it unconstitutional.
The State Department has denied passports that reflect gender identity, instead requiring applicants to use their sex assigned at birth, per a Trump executive order. However, Judge Julia Kobick in Boston ruled the policy discriminates based on sex and is “rooted in irrational prejudice.”
She has now granted class-action status, meaning the ban is blocked for all transgender, non-binary, and intersex applicants across the country while the lawsuit unfolds.
Trump officials assert that the policy concerns biological accuracy. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) described it as a significant win for equal rights.
Trump delays TikTok ban again amid China tensions
Trump has again extended the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell. Congress passed a law back in January to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns and claiming that China could access sensitive personal data through the app.
Former President Joe Biden signed it into law. However, when Trump took office, he delayed enforcement.
Now he’s delaying the ban for a third time, giving Bytedance another 90 days to strike a deal. Trump said he doesn’t want TikTok to go dark and the White House plans to use the time to finalize a sale.
But the major hold-up? The ongoing trade war with China.
A deal was nearly announced in April until Beijing told ByteDance to back off after the U.S. imposed new tariffs. Lawmakers on both sides are growing impatient, saying TikTok should be banned unless China is completely out.
Panthers defeat Oilers to win Stanley Cup for second consecutive year
On Tuesday night, June 17, history repeated itself in the National Hockey League when the Florida Panthers clinched the Stanley Cup by defeating the Edmonton Oilers for the second consecutive year.
Sam Reinhart scored four goals for the Panthers as they dominated the Oilers 5-1. Reinhart is the same player who scored the winning goal in the 2024 series.
It requires sixteen wins, four series against different teams, and approximately two months to claim hockey’s holy grail.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
