PDB Afternoon Bulletin | June 18th, 2025: Why Iran’s Firepower Is Rapidly Fizzling Out & A Border Milestone

Host: Mike Baker
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Mike Baker, former CIA Operations Officer and host of The President's Daily Brief (PDB) Afternoon Bulletin, delivers a comprehensive analysis of two critical issues impacting national and international security: the declining missile capabilities of Iran and a significant shift in U.S. border control policies.

1. Iran’s Missile Attacks Against Israel Are Losing Steam

Timestamp: [00:27]

Mike Baker opens the bulletin by addressing the recent surge in tensions between Tehran and Israel. Leaders in Iran have been making aggressive statements, but Israel's robust air defenses and precise military responses have effectively neutralized Iranian military actions.

Key Details:

• Recent Threats: Iranian state media issued a chilling message predicting an "imminent event" that "the world will remember for centuries" ([00:27]).
• Supreme Leader's Declaration: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted, "We will show no mercy to the Zionists," accompanied by an apocalyptic illustration depicting chaos ([00:27]).
• Failed Missile Attacks: Despite the threatening rhetoric, Iran's missile strikes on Israel have been largely ineffective. Approximately 30 missiles were launched, with Israeli air defenses intercepting almost all of them. The only casualty was minor damage to a parking lot in central Israel caused by debris from an interception ([00:27]).

Notable Quote:

"There were no casualties, no major damage. The only confirmed incident was a fire in a central Israel parking lot that damaged 20 cars, not by a direct missile hit, but by debris from an interception."
— Mike Baker [04:30]

2. Reasons Behind the Decline in Iran’s Missile Effectiveness

Timestamp: [04:30]

Baker delves into the underlying causes of Iran's diminishing missile efficacy against Israel, attributing the decline to two primary factors:

a. Targeted Strikes on Missile Launch Platforms:

• Operation Rising Lion: Since its initiation on Friday, Israel has destroyed approximately 40% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, significantly degrading Iran’s offensive capabilities ([04:45]).
• Relocation of Assets: Iranian forces have been forced to retreat to Western Iran's interior, specifically the province of Isfahan, pushing their missile launchers to the edges of their effective range and complicating Israeli strikes ([05:10]).

b. Breakdown of Iran’s Command and Control:

• Leadership Losses: The assassination of Major General Ali Shedmani, a high-ranking military official connected to Supreme Leader Khamenei, has crippled Iran's emergency war headquarters. Just days after taking command, Shedmani was killed, following closely behind the death of General Gollum Ali Rashid ([06:00]).
• Impact on Military Structure: Iran's rigid, top-down military hierarchy struggles to adapt without its top commanders. This centralization leads to confusion and delays, as lower-level officers lack the autonomy to make critical decisions ([06:30]).

Notable Quote:

"Orders flow from the Supreme Leader to trusted generals, and that's where initiative tends to stop. Lower level officers are often afraid to make decisions. Mistakes are punished, fealty and caution are rewarded."
— Mike Baker [06:30]

3. Israel Signals Ongoing and Enhanced Military Operations

Timestamp: [07:20]

Despite Iran's ineffective missile attacks, Israel indicates that its military efforts are far from over. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S. hinted at upcoming operations designed to further destabilize Iranian capabilities.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Surprises: "We've pulled off a number of surprises. When the dust settles, you're going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday that will make the Beeper operation almost seem simple," stated the Israeli ambassador to U.S. media ([07:20]).
• Reference to the Beeper Operation: This nod refers to a successful covert operation in September where Israel used explosive-laden pagers to incapacitate Hezbollah fighters, showcasing Israel’s innovative and strategic military tactics ([07:40]).

Notable Quote:

"We're just getting started," emphasizing Israel’s commitment to continuing its military campaign against Iran.
— Mike Baker [07:20]

4. Iran’s Cybersecurity Crackdown Amidst Military Pressure

Timestamp: [07:50]

In response to the escalating military pressure, the IRGC’s Cybersecurity Command has implemented stringent measures to secure Iranian officials from potential cyber threats and tracking.

Details:

• Restrictions Imposed: All Iranian officials and security personnel have been instructed to avoid using internet-connected devices, including phones, smartwatches, and laptops. This includes minimizing the use of smart devices and taking necessary precautions ([08:30]).
• Official Statement: "Be sure to minimize the use of smart devices connected to the Internet and take the necessary precautions," as stated by the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency ([08:30]).

Analysis: Baker interprets this as a sign of desperation from the Iranian regime, highlighting a rare moment of strategic adaptation amidst ongoing vulnerabilities.

Notable Quote:

"Translation well, they're scared of being tracked and possibly blown up, which is a reasonable fear."
— Mike Baker [08:45]

5. Historic Shift in U.S. Border Control Under the Trump Administration

Timestamp: [10:11]

Shifting focus to domestic affairs, Mike Baker reports a monumental change in U.S. border security. In a complete reversal from the previous administration, the U.S. Border Patrol released zero migrants last month.

Key Statistics:

• Apprehensions Dropped: From nearly 118,000 illegal border crossings in May 2024 under President Biden to only 8,725 in the past month under President Trump—a 93% decrease ([10:11]).
• Policy Shift: The Trump administration's rigorous crackdown on illegal immigration, including dismantling the Biden-era "catch and release" policy, has been credited for this significant reduction ([10:11]).

Official Statements:

• Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores: "Under the leadership of this administration, CBP has received historic support... border numbers are now trending at historic lows, evidence of sustained success in restoring security along the southern border" ([10:30]).
• Paul Perez, President of the National Border Patrol Council: Criticized the Biden administration for reducing Border Patrol agents to overworked clerks and lauded the current administration for allowing agents to focus on patrolling ([10:45]).

Call to Action: Trump's border czar, Tom Holman, emphasized the need for Congress to make these gains permanent, advocating for the "big, beautiful bill" to continue robust deportation operations ([10:50]).

Notable Quote:

"The border was wide open. Now we've got the complete opposite. All of our agents are actually patrolling the border for the first time in many, many years."
— Paul Perez [10:45]

Conclusion

Mike Baker’s Afternoon Bulletin delivers a stark analysis of the waning military prowess of Iran and a transformative leap in U.S. border security. Iran's missile capabilities are being systematically dismantled by Israeli precision strikes and internal command disruptions, while Israel hints at future operations that could further limit Iran's regional influence. Concurrently, the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies have led to unprecedented control over the U.S. southern border, marking a significant policy shift with long-term implications for national security and immigration reform.

For more insights and daily briefings on pressing national and international issues, follow The President's Daily Brief hosted by Mike Baker.