On Monday, Iran said the United States’ recent attacks on its nuclear sites have expanded the range of legitimate targets for the Iranian armed forces. This statement came after former US President Donald Trump hinted at a regime change in Tehran.
Ebrahim Zolfaqari, the spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said:
“Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it.”
#BREAKING
Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya base: Powerful operations with heavy consequences await the US. pic.twitter.com/th83NlSOf8— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) June 23, 2025
As global attention turned to Iran’s response to the US strikes, Iran and Israel exchanged air and missile attacks.
These developments followed the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend. Trump suggested that this might result in the overthrow of the Iranian government.
Fordow Site Heavily Damaged
According to commercial satellite images, the US attack on the Fordow nuclear plant, located far underground, caused major damage or possibly destroyed the facility and the uranium-enriching centrifuges it contained.
However, experts said the full status of the site is still unconfirmed.
Trump made multiple posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he claimed the attacks caused major destruction.
“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran,” he stated.
He also wrote, “The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”
Earlier, he posted, “It’s not politically correct to use the term ‘regime change,’ but if the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change??? MIGA!!!”
These comments suggest Trump may be adopting a more confrontational policy toward Iran.
Despite Trump’s statements, members of the current US administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, publicly said the United States is not seeking to overthrow the Iranian government.
‘Operation Midnight’
The US entered the conflict early Sunday morning by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The attack was called Operation Midnight and involved the US Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
”The US used 75 precision-guided munitions, including bunker-buster bombs, and launched more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles,” says General Dan Caine, chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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In response, Iran launched several missiles at Israeli targets. The attack injured civilians and caused serious damage in Tel Aviv.
Iran’s government condemned the US strikes and said it would defend itself using all available force.
Tehran insisted that its nuclear programme is peaceful and not aimed at developing weapons.
An unnamed Iranian official claimed that most of the country’s enriched uranium had been moved before the airstrikes. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
Images also showed substantial movement of trucks and bulldozers around Fordow in the days preceding the strikes, in what appeared to be an attempt by Iran to move out equipment and nuclear materials stored at the protected site in anticipation of US strikes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there was no increase in off-site radiation levels after the airstrikes.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told CNN that a full assessment of damage, especially underground, is still ongoing.
Pope Leo XIV Urges for Peace
Pope Leo XIV called for immediate peace in the Middle East. He warned that the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s missile retaliation against Israeli cities could trigger uncontrollable escalation.
During his weekly address from the Apostolic Palace, the Pope said:
“We must halt the tragedy of war before it descends into an irreparable abyss.”
He described the situation as “alarming” and “dramatic,” and said the suffering of civilians, especially in Gaza and other conflict zones, must not be overlooked.
He added that the world’s call for peace must be met with “responsibility and reason,” and not drowned out by “the noise of weapons and rhetoric that fuel conflict.”
Israel Strikes Back at Iranian Airports
Israel confirmed it carried out airstrikes targeting at least six airports across Iran, in the west, east, and central regions.
According to a statement posted on Israel’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, remotely operated drones destroyed 15 Iranian military aircraft and helicopters.
IDF: The IDF Struck Six Airports in Iran: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Destroyed 15 Iranian Regime Fighter Jets and Attack Helicopters As part of the effort to expand air superiority over Iranian skies.#Iran #IranIsraelConflict #IranVsIsrael pic.twitter.com/1zP0mO3at1
— WBC Defenders (@WBCdefenders) June 23, 2025
The Israeli strikes also damaged runways, underground shelters, refuelling aircraft and various military jets, including F-14s, F-5s and AH-1 helicopters.
Israel said these attacks weakened Iran’s air force and disrupted its ability to launch aircraft from those bases.
Missile Sirens Across Israel
Following these attacks, Israeli media, including The Times of Israel, reported new missile launches from Iran. This triggered missile sirens across central and southern parts of the country.
In Jerusalem, air raid sirens interrupted parliament proceedings, and lawmakers were seen rushing to shelters.
These alerts followed an earlier wave of Iranian missile attacks that caused similar alerts in northern Israel.
Yemen Declares Entry Into War
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced they are officially entering the war following the US strikes on Iran.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, wrote on social media:
“Yemen is officially entering the war (against the United States and Israel). Keep your ships away from our territorial waters.”
Protests Erupt in Iran and the United States
In Iran, crowds gathered at the holy shrine of Hazrat Masumeh (SA) in Qom to protest the American and Israeli attacks.
Thousands of people gather in the courtyards of the Shrine of Lady Masoumeh in the holy city of Qom to reject US-Israeli aggression against Iran#Iran #Israel #USAgressions pic.twitter.com/tWu6zHGUDY
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 22, 2025
In Tehran, a large building facade featured a banner with artwork representing different segments of Iranian society.
At the same time, protests broke out in the United States. Anti-war demonstrations were reported in several cities.
ICAN Condemns US Strikes
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) condemned the US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, calling them illegal.
In a statement on Sunday, ICAN urged the US to halt what it called “illegal” military actions and return to diplomacy.
ICAN’s Executive Director Melissa Parke said,“Military action is not the solution to concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme.”
She added that US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, which makes the strikes unnecessary and dangerous.
She also said the attack could harm global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear arms.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.