With Iran’s retaliation looming and international condemnation growing, uncertainty hangs over whether this was a final warning—or the first salvo of war.
BY PC Bureau
In a televised address to the nation Saturday night, President Donald Trump claimed a decisive military victory against Iran, saying that U.S. airstrikes had “completely and totally obliterated” three of the Islamic Republic’s most sensitive nuclear facilities. The remarks came just hours after a high-stakes U.S. air operation struck the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites—locations at the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
“This was a spectacular military success,” Trump declared, speaking from the East Room of the White House, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater—and a lot easier.”
A Direct Warning to Tehran
Trump’s statement marked a dramatic turning point in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Washington and Tehran. He issued a stern ultimatum, warning Iran’s leadership that continued defiance would result in “a level of destruction they have never seen before.”
He emphasized that the goal of the strikes was not war but deterrence, claiming, “We do not seek conflict. We seek peace. But peace must be earned through strength.”
In a moment of overt geopolitical symbolism, Trump also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing their nations’ cooperation as “unprecedented.”
“We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” Trump said. “We’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel, to the region, and to the world.”
READ: US Join Israel, Bombs Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites in Major Escalation
Russian Condemnation: ‘An Act of Aggression’
Russia responded sharply, denouncing the U.S. strikes as a dangerous act of unilateral aggression. In an official statement, President Vladimir Putin accused Washington of “igniting a new front of instability in the Middle East.”
“This was a reckless and illegal use of force against a sovereign nation,” the Kremlin said. “The consequences of such provocations are impossible to control. We call for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address this grave threat to international peace.”
Russia, which maintains close ties with Tehran and has long opposed Western interference in Iranian affairs, warned that further strikes could draw in multiple regional actors and push the conflict beyond containment.
Trump’s address to the nation was short and to the point.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier”. pic.twitter.com/5zXS7eplTM
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) June 22, 2025
China’s Call for Ceasefire and Dialogue
China also expressed serious concern, urging immediate de-escalation and a return to negotiations. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing was “deeply alarmed” by the developments.
“We strongly oppose the use of military force in resolving international disputes,” the statement read. “These airstrikes not only violate international norms but also risk triggering a catastrophic conflict. All parties must exercise maximum restraint and prioritize dialogue.”
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China, a key signatory to the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has continued to support diplomatic engagement with Iran, and is reportedly working behind the scenes to facilitate backchannel talks between Tehran and Washington.
European Leaders Appeal for Restraint
European capitals reacted with dismay. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strikes as “a severe blow to the prospects of peace,” and called on Iran not to retaliate.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged both nations to avoid a wider war: “We understand the threats posed by nuclear proliferation, but the path to lasting security is not through missiles and bunker busters—it is through patient, persistent diplomacy.”
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, announced plans for an emergency EU summit to assess the implications of the U.S. action and explore options for renewed negotiations.
Middle East on Edge: Allies and Rivals Take Sides
The strikes have intensified fault lines across the Middle East. While Israel openly praised the U.S. action, other regional players issued warnings.
Saudi Arabia, which has recently engaged in cautious diplomacy with Iran, criticized the escalation. “Military escalation will not bring peace—it will bring chaos,” said a Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
The United Arab Emirates called for “restraint and wisdom,” while Turkey demanded an end to all military operations, calling the situation “an explosive crisis.”
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced it would convene in Istanbul within 48 hours for emergency consultations.
Iran’s Position: Retaliation ‘Inevitable’
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership responded with fury. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the strikes as “cowardly and criminal,” promising that Iran would retaliate at a time and manner of its choosing.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would not abandon its nuclear program “under threats or bombs,” and accused the U.S. of “declaring war under the guise of preemption.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had already begun preparing retaliatory operations, and Iranian proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen reportedly placed allied forces on high alert.
What Comes Next? Peace—or Wider War?
As tensions rise, the world is now watching for Iran’s next move. Will it retaliate and risk all-out war, or pause to weigh the international response?
While Trump declared, “Now is the time for peace,” many fear that the events of this week may have instead opened the door to the largest conflict in the region in over a decade.
