Tensions in the Middle East soared further on Monday as Iran issued a stern warning to U.S. President Donald Trump, following the recent American airstrikes on its nuclear facilities. Iranian officials accused Trump of escalating hostilities by joining Israel’s military campaign against the Islamic Republic.
In a bold statement, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Military Headquarters, declared:
“Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it.”
The statement came in response to a U.S. air offensive on Sunday that reportedly deployed bunker-buster bombs targeting Iran’s underground nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility. Iran claimed these attacks had expanded the list of “legitimate targets” for retaliation.
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Escalation Without Direct Response to U.S.
While Iran has intensified missile attacks on Israel in recent days, it has not yet retaliated directly against U.S. military bases or naval assets, despite growing pressure from hardline factions within the country. Nearly 20% of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, near Iran’s southern coast — a potential pressure point Tehran could exploit.
Trump Defends Strike, Hints at Regime Change
President Trump, known for his provocative rhetoric, defended the U.S. strike on social media, calling it a “Bullseye!” and claiming:
“Monumental damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran… far below ground level.”
In another post, Trump suggested that regime change in Iran may now be justified:
“If the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change? MIGA!!!”
Trump’s language has alarmed global observers, given the U.S.’s historical resistance to openly advocating for regime change in sovereign nations.
Damage Assessment and International Response
While satellite imagery analysts believe the Fordow facility may have suffered severe structural damage, there is no official confirmation yet. The Iranian government has remained tight-lipped about casualties or infrastructural losses.
Meanwhile, global powers are closely monitoring the situation as the prospect of a broader regional war looms. Iran and Israel exchanged another wave of missile strikes on Monday, with cities on both sides facing significant risk.
