An Israeli official said plans were being made for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to Washington in the coming weeks (AP Photo) As the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, a spokesperson of Iran’s military command, addressing Trump as a “gambler”, warned the United States of powerful operations with heavy consequences.
“Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it,” the spokesperson said in a video statement, a day after the US inserted itself and joined Israel in its war by attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
With the US involvement now, the price of oil rose as financial markets reacted. President Trump, who has warned of additional strikes if Tehran retaliates against US forces, has mused about the possibility of “regime change?”
Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN Security Council that Tehran considers the US strikes a violation of sovereignty and has entrusted its military will now decide the “timing, nature and scale" of Iran’s response, reported AP.
Iranian Military Central Command spokesperson said, "Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war - but we will be the ones to end it."
US President Trump posted on Truth Social suggesting regime change in Iran, writing, “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???”
Meanwhile, Trump is facing criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for bypassing Congress. Critics argue the US Constitution requires congressional approval for military action. Trump’s defenders claim he acted within his powers to stop WMD proliferation.
US Vice President JD Vance said on NBC News that the US isn’t seeking war with Iran, only a dismantling of its nuclear ambitions. “We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear programme.”
However, he refused to confirm Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear sites were “totally obliterated,” only stating the program has been “substantially delayed.”
The US and Israel carried out coordinated attacks using 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Targets included Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. While Trump claimed “monumental” underground damage, independent assessments are ongoing.
Imagery from Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs revealed surface craters above Iran’s nuclear facilities. While Fordow’s deeply buried infrastructure was likely targeted, analysts say it’s too early to confirm whether centrifuge halls were fully destroyed.
Amid threats of further retaliation, Iran’s parliament has approved moves to potentially shut the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial chokepoint for global oil supply. Brent crude spiked to its highest levels since January, raising fears of global economic disruption.
The State Department has advised all American citizens abroad to “exercise increased caution,” and has stepped up emergency evacuations and issued fresh travel warnings for Americans across the Middle East.
According to an internal State Department document reviewed by The Associated Press, the US has doubled the number of evacuation flights out of Israel and begun drawing down diplomatic staff in several hotspots, including Lebanon and Iraq.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel is “very, very close” to achieving its goals in Iran, just a day after launching a joint military operation with the United States targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Praising President Donald Trump for delivering a “serious blow” to Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at neutralising two critical threats—Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani on Sunday told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that “Iran had repeatedly warned the warmongering US regime to refrain from stumbling into this quagmire."
Iranian authorities executed one man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad and arrested at least 25 others across Qom and Kermanshah provinces. Judiciary officials claim espionage rings linked to Israel were actively gathering intelligence amid the ongoing conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Fars News Agency.
Cconcerns are mounting over the human cost of the ongoing conflict. A US-based group, Human Rights Activists, reported that Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and injured 3,450 across the country. Of those killed, the group identified 380 civilians and 253 security personnel among the dead.
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