Iran’s health ministry has reported a number of casualties due to the destruction caused by these recent US airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. Officials reported that none of those injured exhibited symptoms associated with radioactive contamination. Fires are out of control, areas are under evacuation orders, and tensions are extremely high. Iran too has declared that it will decide the timing, nature and scale of retaliation to the US and Israel’s attacks. The unfolding crisis has captured worldwide attention, and for good reason as leaders everywhere are chiming in as the conflict intensifies.
On early Monday, Iranian state outlet Nour news was reporting that air strikes were hitting Parchin, a military complex south east of Tehran. In addition, the new strikes have raised both local and regional fears of retaliation and may worsen instability in the region. At the same time, Iranian officials have threatened strikes against US forces in retaliation for the historic military attack.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Israel’s military actions, calling them a “big crime … that deserves revenge.” He made it clear that Iran would not remain complacent in the face of aggression.
When he was still candidate Trump, former President Donald Trump made the now-famous declaration. He proposed that escalating military strikes might bring about regime change in Iran. Damages Trump called the strikes “monumental damage” to Iran’s nuclear sites. He claimed that satellite photography had verified the destruction of valuable facilities.
“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!” – Donald Trump
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quick to calm Americans’ fears. He reiterated that the United States is “not going looking for a war with Iran.” He noted that even as military escalations continue, he and others in the region are still calling for and emphasizing diplomatic solutions.
JD Vance noted that the US is “not at war with Iran; we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear programme,” highlighting a focused strategy aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation without escalating into broader conflict.
Concerns about the airstrikes’ great effectiveness and implications were shared by none other than President Trump’s US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Most importantly, he reported that they are still in the process of receiving damage reports. He further affirmed that this bombing was focused on places tied directly to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The battle damage assessment is ongoing, but our initial assessment… is that all of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike.” – Pete Hegseth
General Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced that the first strikes had proven effective. The real impact to our underground infrastructure has yet to be fully assessed, especially that from flooding.
International leaders are condemning the strikes. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the US measures with unusual vigor. He accused Tehran of skipping out on nuclear negotiations.
“The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that.” – Anthony Albanese
Critics have condemned the strikes as against international law. Abbas Araqchi, deputy for Iranian negotiations chief, criticized the US for departing from all established international norms. He argued that the US only responds to “the language of the threat and force.”
Iranian officials have expressed outrage over the move. They threatened grave consequences for any nation providing sanctuary to US personnel participating in the strikes. Ali Akbar Velayati’s reaction was immediate and unequivocal. He further warned that any country that gives American troops permission to fire on Iran would be considered a target itself.
“Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces.” – Ali Akbar Velayati
The impacts of this war stretch far past the battlefield. Earlier this month, the US State Department warned of possible travel disruptions. They are sounding the alarm about potential attacks on Americans around the world as a result of heightened escalations between Iran and Israel.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters is winding back the rhetoric and increasing the call for a diplomatic solution. He argues that talking things through will result in a more sustainable resolution than ongoing military escalations.
“New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks.” – Winston Peters