Tehran / Washington — Iran has declared it will retaliate following U.S. President Donald Trump’s airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites, marking a dramatic shift from the isolationist policies he once championed. The strikes, carried out in coordination with Israel, have escalated tensions in the Middle East, raising fears of a new and possibly prolonged conflict.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned French President Emmanuel Macron that “the Americans must receive a response to their aggression,” following what Iran calls an unlawful military act.
The airstrikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, involved seven U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers flying 18-hour missions to deliver GBU-57 bunker buster bombs at nuclear enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While President Trump declared that Iran’s nuclear capacity had been “completely and totally obliterated,” Pentagon officials offered a more cautious view, saying the attacks “substantially delayed” rather than eliminated Iran’s capabilities.
Iran Responds: “America Must Pay”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced diplomatic talks were off the table, calling the U.S. actions a “blow to diplomacy.” Speaking in Istanbul, Araghchi said, “We reserve all rights to defend our security, our interests, and our people.” He is set to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.
Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that countries assisting U.S. operations would become “legitimate military targets.” Iran also hinted at possibly closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil passage, which would have seismic effects on the global economy.
UN and Global Reaction
In an emergency UN Security Council meeting, acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shear justified the strikes as defensive and necessary to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned the U.S. and Israeli action as “flagrant violations of international law.”
Russia’s envoy Vassily Nebenzia warned the U.S. had opened “a Pandora’s box,” while leaders from China, the EU, and various Arab nations urged a return to diplomacy.
Israel and U.S. Cooperation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. intervention, saying: “We are moving step by step to eliminate the nuclear and missile threats from Iran.” Israeli jets also conducted strikes on Iran’s Imam Hussein strategic missile command centre and other military targets.
Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking on U.S. media, emphasized the U.S. is “at war with Iran’s nuclear program, not with Iran itself,” reflecting attempts to soothe concerns among Trump’s isolationist support base.
Despite his earlier promises to avoid another “forever war,” Trump signaled regime change may still be on the table, posting on social media:
“If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change??? MIGA!!!”
Iran’s Counterstrike and Regional Fallout
On Sunday, Iran launched around 20 ballistic missiles at Israel, injuring at least 16 people and triggering citywide sirens. Israeli air raids continued into western Iran, reportedly targeting missile launchers and Revolutionary Guard positions.
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Though Iranian state media downplayed the extent of U.S. damage, satellite images showed six massive craters at the Fordow site. However, Iranian officials claimed most enriched uranium had already been moved—a claim that could not be independently verified.
Strait of Hormuz at Risk
Iran’s parliament passed a bill allowing the government to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which transports about 20–25% of global oil trade. Experts warn this would be a “massively escalatory” move with major global consequences.
“It would disrupt global oil trade and potentially alienate Iran’s neutral Arab neighbors,” said Andrew Borene, a former senior U.S. intelligence official.
What Comes Next?
Despite public statements stressing that the mission was not about regime change, U.S. officials admit future actions now depend on Iran’s next move. Trump warned Tehran of “many more targets” if peace efforts fail.
“Tonight’s strike was the most difficult and perhaps most lethal,” Trump said. “But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill.”
Israel Strikes Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Again as NATO Demands Tehran Abandon Weapons Ambitions
QOM / TEHRAN / LONDON — Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after Israel carried out another airstrike on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear site, located in Qom province, just south of Tehran. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirmed the attack, quoting a spokesperson from the regional crisis management authority who said:
“The aggressor attacked the Fordow nuclear site again.”
The Fordow complex, believed to be central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, has already been targeted in recent airstrikes by the United States as part of broader military efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear development.
The renewed Israeli strike underscores fears that the region could spiral further into military confrontation. Neither the Israeli government nor the Iranian defense ministry has officially commented on the latest incident.
NATO Sends a Clear Message
Speaking ahead of a two-day NATO summit in The Hague, Secretary General Mark Rutte warned Tehran that the international alliance will not tolerate the development of nuclear weapons:
“Allies have repeatedly urged Iran to meet its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty,” Rutte said.
Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but ongoing enrichment activities and a lack of transparency with international inspectors continue to alarm global powers.
UK Government Targets Pro-Palestinian Group
In a separate development, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that she would seek to ban the activist group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.
The group—known for targeting sites connected to arms manufacturers supplying Israel—was behind a high-profile break-in at RAF Brize Norton three days earlier.
“A draft proscription order will be laid in parliament on 30 June,” Cooper told MPs on Monday.
If the order passes, membership in Palestine Action or expressions of support for it would become a criminal offense under UK anti-terror laws.
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, describes itself as a direct-action network aimed at “preventing genocide and war crimes in Palestine.” The group has routinely targeted facilities linked to the Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer.
Legal Pushback and Public Support
The proposed ban has drawn criticism. In a letter sent to Cooper, Kellys Solicitors, representing Palestine Action, described the move as:
“Unlawful, dangerous and ill-thought-out.”
The letter also highlighted that many activists have previously been acquitted by UK juries, suggesting public sympathy for the group’s objectives.
The statement added that Palestine Action has “gathered a significant level of public support,” framing the proscription attempt as an attack on civil liberties and protest rights.
Outlook: Flashpoints Across Regions
- Middle East Tensions: With Israel continuing to strike Iranian targets and Iran vowing retaliation, global powers fear an uncontrollable escalation.
- European Politics: NATO maintains a firm stance on nuclear non-proliferation, while Britain’s domestic policy takes a hard turn on activism connected to foreign conflict.
- Next Steps: Iran is expected to formally respond to the latest Israeli aggression, while UK MPs will debate and potentially approve the Palestine Action ban by the end of June.
US Urges China to Stop Iran from Closing Strait of Hormuz Amid Oil Price Surge
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on China to intervene and prevent Iran from closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, warning of severe economic fallout. Oil prices climb as regional tensions escalate.
Israeli Strikes Hit Fordow and Prison Gates in Tehran; Iran Appeals to Russia Amid Tensions
Israel reportedly targets Iran’s Fordow nuclear site and a Tehran prison entrance in fresh airstrikes. Iran’s supreme leader reaches out to Vladimir Putin for support, vowing revenge against the US.
