Iran Warns of Retaliation After Trump Confirms Strikes on Nuclear Sites
TEHRAN — Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States after President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in a dramatic escalation of military tensions. Tehran has vowed a “decisive response,” accusing Washington of direct aggression.
The overnight strikes, reportedly involving B-2 stealth bombers and long-range missiles, targeted key nuclear sites across Iran. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Iranian commanders say the country will not remain passive.
In a video released by state media, Iran’s military chief Amir Hatami told officers, “Every time the US has attacked our sovereignty, it has been met with a decisive response. This will be no different.”
General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran’s army chief of staff, echoed the warning in a separate statement, adding, “The United States has now given us the right to respond with any action necessary. We will never retreat.”
Iran’s foreign minister is currently in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Tehran seeks diplomatic and military support in the face of growing pressure from the West.
The Israeli military has also confirmed its role in coordinated strikes against Iran. According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli jets attacked six airports across Iran, destroying 15 aircraft, including fighter jets and a refueling plane. Damage was also reported at multiple runways and underground bunkers.
Iran has not officially acknowledged the Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, President Trump defended the airstrikes in a social media post. He claimed the United States inflicted “monumental damage” on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He then suggested regime change may be inevitable, stating: “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be regime change?”
While the Pentagon has not confirmed the precise scale of destruction, reports suggest Iran may have moved stockpiles of enriched uranium before the strikes. The UN nuclear watchdog has yet to assess the situation on the ground.
Despite US claims of targeted attacks, global reaction has been mixed. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the moment a “perilous crossroads,” urging Iran to avoid escalation and return to compliance with nuclear obligations. “Diplomacy can still prevail,” he said in a televised statement.
Overnight, Israeli air defenses, backed by US systems, intercepted one missile launched from Iranian territory toward Israel. A separate drone was shot down near Eilat on Israel’s southern coast.
Observers note that Iran’s limited military response so far may reflect either depleted missile capacity or a calculated delay as leaders consider their next move.
Meanwhile, street protests have erupted in cities around the world condemning the US airstrikes. In Los Angeles, demonstrators gathered outside federal buildings to protest what they called “unprovoked aggression.”
The situation has also exposed diplomatic tensions. Pakistan, which had nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize just a day before the strikes, is now facing backlash for its earlier praise. Pakistani officials have since condemned the attacks, calling them violations of international law.
The US State Department has issued a global security alert, warning American citizens to exercise increased caution amid fears of retaliation against US assets.
As of Monday, over 40,000 US troops remain stationed across the Middle East, now on high alert. Both Iran and the US appear locked in a dangerous standoff, with the potential for a broader regional conflict looming.
