After several delays, Axiom Mission 4 is ready to launch on June 25. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew will fly to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will lift off at 2:31 am EDT from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch was earlier delayed due to bad weather, rocket issues, and repairs on the ISS. NASA and its partners are now ready for the mission. The crew is expected to reach the ISS by 7 am on June 26, if all goes well. (PC: NASA)

Explosions were heard at Camp Taji, a military base near Baghdad, just minutes after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. An Iraqi military official said an unidentified drone struck the base, damaging a radar system. No one was hurt. Videos on social media showed the base on fire. Some posts said radar and missile systems were hit. Trump earlier said both Israel and Iran agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” over the next 12 hours. He called it the end of the “12-day war.” Neither Israel nor Iran has officially confirmed the truce. (PC: AFP)

Iran has denied agreeing to a ceasefire with Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a truce. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “As of now, there is NO agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” He added Iran may stop its attacks if Israel ends airstrikes by 4 am Tehran time. “We have no intention to continue our response afterwards,” he said. Trump claimed a 24-hour phased ceasefire would begin at midnight Eastern Time. The statement came after Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar. Qatar condemned the strike and said most missiles were intercepted. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump said Israel and Iran have agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire," ending their 12-day war. "Congratulations to everyone!" he posted on social media. The ceasefire will begin in six hours. Iran will stop first, and Israel will follow 12 hours later. The war will officially end after 24 hours. Trump praised both nations for their "stamina, courage, and intelligence." He added, "This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!" The news may impact global markets, especially oil and gold prices. (PC: India Today)

Qatar closed its airspace on Monday after the US and UK told their citizens to stay indoors due to rising tensions in the region. The US embassy warned Americans in Qatar to shelter in place. The UK issued a similar alert. The move follows US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and threats of retaliation. Qatar’s government said the airspace closure is to protect residents and travellers. It added that there is no specific threat and the country remains safe. Flights were diverted, and Doha’s busy airport was affected. Qatar hosts the US Al Udeid base and CENTCOM’s air operations centre.

Bahrain has suspended all air traffic temporarily after Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar. The decision was made as a safety step due to rising tensions in the region. Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Authority said the move was a precaution after recent events. The airstrike was Iran’s response to US attacks on its nuclear sites. Data from FlightRadar24 showed planes heading toward Bahrain before the airspace was closed. The situation in the Gulf remains tense as more countries prepare for possible fallout from the Iran-US conflict. Flights are expected to resume once safety is confirmed. (PC: lightradar24.com)

Iran launched missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday in response to US airstrikes on its nuclear sites. According to reports, Iran told Qatar in advance to avoid escalation. It also warned the US through diplomatic channels. Iran said the number of missiles matched the US bombs dropped on Iranian targets. Explosions were heard across Doha. Qatar condemned the attack but said its airspace is now safe. Iran said it targeted bases away from civilian areas and wanted to send a strong message. Another US base in Iraq, Ain al-Assad, was also struck. (PC: X)

The Indian Embassy in Doha has advised all Indian nationals in Qatar to stay indoors following Iranian missile strikes targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq. Explosions were reported near the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, prompting safety concerns. Iran claimed the strikes, called “Blessing of Victory,” were retaliation for recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Qatar’s Defence Ministry confirmed its air defence intercepted the missile and reported no casualties. It reassured citizens that the situation is under control. The embassy urged Indians to remain calm, follow local updates, and adhere to Qatari authorities’ safety instructions. (PC: News18)

Iran fired six missiles at US military bases in Qatar on Monday in its first direct strike after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites. The attack marked the launch of Iran’s new military operation, Besharat Fatah. Loud blasts were heard across Doha, causing panic. Qatar quickly closed its airspace, and embassies told people to stay indoors. The US base at Al Udeid, the largest in the region, may have been targeted. There are no confirmed reports of damage or casualties yet. The strike signals a dangerous escalation, with rising fears of a full-blown conflict in the Middle East. (PC: AFP)

The US B-2 bomber flew for 37 hours non-stop to strike Iran’s nuclear sites in “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The mission was one of the longest in B-2 history. The stealth jet took off from Missouri and was refuelled in the air several times. It has beds, toilets, snacks, and a microwave, making it feel like a flying hotel. Each bomber had two pilots, with a third sometimes on standby. The B-2 dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs, hitting targets at Fordow and other sites. This was the first time the GBU-57 bomb was used in combat. The B-2 will soon be replaced by the B-21. (PC: @StevesSimStation/Youtube.com and AFP)