Khamenei’s Stark Warning to Israel Follows US Attacks on Nuclear Facilities
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a stern warning to Israel, declaring that the “Zionist enemy” has committed a grave error and is currently facing consequences for its actions. This warning came just a day after the United States launched precision strikes against several Iranian nuclear sites. Significantly, Khamenei did not explicitly mention the US military operation in his statement.
His message emphasized ongoing retribution, stating: “The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime; it must be punished and it is being punished; it is being punished right now.”
Details of the US Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Complexes
The US attacks targeted key nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, deploying B-2 stealth bombers armed with massive 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs. Satellite images following the strikes revealed a significant crater above Natanz’s underground enrichment site, indicating the bombs penetrated beyond hardened concrete defenses.
Officials described the operation as leveraging unique American capabilities to breach Iran’s deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, aiming to cripple Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran’s Promise of Proportionate Retaliation
In response, Iranian officials have vowed a measured yet firm retaliation. They have also warned that US military bases in the region could become valid targets. Iran has condemned the US strikes as a sabotage of ongoing diplomatic efforts, with the Iranian military asserting it will determine the timing, nature, and scale of its response.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused the US of plunging the region into turmoil and violating international law. Iravani also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging Israeli influence over US President Donald Trump to push America into harmful conflict.
He emphasized that while Iran was engaged in diplomacy with Europe, the US chose to undermine those efforts. Asked about how Iran might proceed, Iravani echoed the Iranian foreign minister’s sentiment, highlighting the difficulty of returning to negotiations after such an attack.
Trump Defends Strikes, Hints at Regime Change
President Trump defended the military action amid domestic political debates. Responding to criticism from lawmakers, he hailed the strikes as a “spectacular military success,” claiming they effectively removed the threat of an Iranian bomb.
He distanced himself from calls for Congressional approval and suggested that if the current Iranian regime cannot “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN,” a regime change might be inevitable.
Israel’s Ongoing Campaign Against Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
Meanwhile, Israel maintains its offensive posture. Israeli officials assert that the elimination of Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities is within reach, signaling intensified pressure on Tehran to halt its nuclear program.
Summary
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, Iran’s leadership warns Israel amid US-led strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, promising proportionate responses and accusing the US of disrupting diplomacy. The US defends its operations as a decisive move to prevent nuclear escalation, while Israel pushes toward neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat.
