Tehran: Iran on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington claimed had dismantled Tehran's nuclear program. However, some officials warned that the full extent of the damage remains uncertain.
According to France24.com, international concern has heightened over fears that the unprecedented US attacks could further exacerbate conflicts in the already volatile region. This follows Israel's recent bombing campaign against Iran earlier this month. Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that bases utilized by US forces could be targets of retaliation. "We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the bomb right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)" Velayati said on social media.
US President Donald Trump, while refraining from directly advocating for regime change in Iran, hinted at the possibility. On his Truth Social platform, he questioned the current Iranian regime's capability to improve the nation, suggesting that regime change might be necessary. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that Iran's nuclear program had been "devastated" by the operation, emphasizing that the strikes did not target Iranian troops or civilians.
Standing beside Hegseth, top US general Dan Caine expressed caution, noting that it was "way too early" to determine the precise level of destruction. However, initial assessments indicated severe damage to all three targeted sites. In parallel, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israeli military actions would cease once Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities were fully dismantled.
As Iran's leadership maintained a defiant stance, President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that the US would "receive a response" for the attacks. Protests erupted in central Tehran, with citizens waving flags and chanting slogans against US and Israeli aggression. In Semnan province, residents expressed shock and concern over the strikes' implications.
In an address following the attack, Trump declared the operation a success, while Vice President JD Vance highlighted the significant setback to Iran's nuclear program. Despite this, Vance acknowledged that Iran retained its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, emphasizing ongoing efforts to manage the situation.
Ali Shamkhani, another advisor to Khamenei, suggested that even with the destruction of nuclear sites, Iran's capabilities and political will remain intact. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), briefed the UN Security Council on visible damage at the Fordo facility, while noting the absence of detected radiation leaks.
The aftermath of the US attack has seen retaliatory strikes from Iran, targeting sites in Israel, including Ben Gurion airport. These attacks have resulted in casualties on both sides, with reports of deaths and injuries in both Iran and Israel. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron, along with German and British leaders, urged Tehran to refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region.