Iran Vows Retaliation After U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites, Launches New Missile Attacks on Israel
Written by Okafor Joseph Afam, Publisher for SpringnewsNG
Published June 22, 2025
Tehran, Iran – Iran has warned that it will exercise “all options” to defend its sovereignty following what it described as “outrageous” airstrikes by the United States on three key nuclear enrichment facilities. The statement came on Sunday from Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran launched its 20th wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli military sites, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars News Agency. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had activated sirens across the country and launched its own counter-offensive, targeting locations in western Iran.
The situation marks a dangerous escalation in regional hostilities, triggered by Israel’s surprise military strike on Iran earlier last week. The conflict has since expanded, drawing in global powers and raising fears of a broader war in the region.
The U.S. strikes, which reportedly targeted Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, represent the first direct military attack by Washington on Iranian soil in recent history. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran’s nuclear safety authorities reported no radiation leaks or contamination as of Sunday morning, the political fallout has been significant.
Araghchi warned on social media that the U.S. assault would have “everlasting consequences,” calling it a violation of international law and a direct threat to global peace.
“Every member of the United Nations must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior,” Araghchi wrote.
He also accused both the U.S. and Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts.
“Last week, we were in negotiations with the U.S. when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU, and now the U.S. has destroyed that progress,” Araghchi added, referring to the informal diplomatic bloc of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a national address Saturday evening, hailed the airstrikes as a “spectacular military success,” claiming that the attacks had “completely obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear infrastructure. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
“There will be either peace, or there will be a tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” Trump said, warning that the U.S. still had “many targets left.”
Israel praised the U.S. intervention, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Trump’s “bold decision will change history.”
Across the Middle East, reactions have been mixed.
- Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Qatar expressed deep concern over the U.S. military action.
- Lebanon called for restraint and immediate diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, urging regional powers to restore stability.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern, warning that the escalating military exchanges between Iran, the U.S., and Israel could spiral into a full-scale regional war.
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control,” Guterres stated in a press release.
According to Iranian state media, at least 430 people have died in Iran since the conflict began, citing figures from Tehran’s Health Ministry. Meanwhile, 24 Israeli civilians have been confirmed dead from Iranian retaliatory strikes, according to reports from U.N. observers.
