‘Gambler Trump, we will end it’: Iran vows retaliation after US bombs nuclear sites

In a rare direct address to the US President, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Military Central Command, said in English: “Gambler Trump, you can start this war, but we will be the ones who end it.”

Zolfaghari further warned that the US strikes had widened the scope of Iranian military retaliation. “The United States’ direct involvement in the conflict expands the range of legitimate targets for the Iranian armed forces,” he said.

The United States’ direct involvement in the conflict expands the range of legitimate targets for the Iranian armed forces, Iran’s military central command spokesperson said on Monday.

Addressing US President Donald Trump directly, Ebrahim Zolfaghari said in English: “Gambler… pic.twitter.com/gRPuOZxt0P

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) June 23, 2025

This comes amid Iran and Israel launched intense waves of attacks Monday and Trump raised the prospect of regime change in Tehran, escalating a crisis already inflamed the strikes over the weekend.

In a post on the Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump addressed the issue of regime change in Iran, applying his Maga rhetoric to the Middle East.

“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!!!” he wrote.

His comments, as is often the case, contradicted his senior government officials.

The US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, had previously said the mission “was not and has not been about regime change” but instead “a precision operation” targeting Iran’s nuclear programme. The vice-president, JD Vance, said the US was “not at war with Iran, we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear programme”, while the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the US was “not looking for war in Iran”.

Israel struck missile launchers near Kermanshah, Iran, while Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks, triggering sirens and power outages in Israeli cities. Later, Israel hit targets in Tehran and Karaj, including a strike near the infamous Evin prison.