TEHRAN, Iran — In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iranian state television announced that all American citizens and military personnel within the region are now considered “legitimate targets” following the United States’ coordinated airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The chilling declaration came hours after President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. military involvement in a joint operation with Israel targeting Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites.
Trump described the mission as a “very successful attack” designed to cripple Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and deter further nuclear development.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had earlier warned that any U.S. military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict would provoke “irreparable harm,” has remained in a fortified underground facility as Iranian forces brace for potential follow-up strikes.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Khamenei cautioned Washington that a direct intervention would trigger catastrophic retaliation.
Sunday, June 22, 2025’s declaration by state media now appears to mark a formal shift toward retaliatory military engagement with the U.S.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said: “Iran must now make peace,” or face even more devastating future strikes.
U.S. officials confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs were used in the attacks, reportedly marking the first-ever combat deployment of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy deeply buried targets.
In response to anticipated Iranian retaliation, Israel declared a national security lockdown, suspending education, banning public gatherings, and shutting down non-essential services.
The Israeli Defence Forces have also raised their alert levels across all fronts.
The U.S. strikes have drawn sharp condemnation from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which called them a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Iran’s foreign minister warned of “everlasting consequences” and reiterated the country’s right to defend its sovereignty under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have reportedly been placed on high alert.
Hezbollah has also threatened retaliation, raising concerns that U.S. embassies and installations across the Middle East could become flashpoints in the coming days.
