Iran has declared it will continue its nuclear activities despite what it described as a “savage attack” by the United States, following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities over the weekend.
In a televised response on Iranian state media, a prominent news anchor issued a defiant warning to Trump:
“Mr. Trump, you started it—and we will end it.”
According to The New York Times, the anchor accused the U.S. of committing a crime by violating Iran’s airspace and insisted that the U.S. has “no place in the West Asian region.” During the broadcast, a graphic displayed U.S. military bases across the Middle East with the bold caption: “Within the fire range of Iran.”
Iran Responds to Attacks, Promises No Pause in Nuclear Development
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization also weighed in, stating that the country will “never” abandon its nuclear program. Iranian officials condemned the U.S. strikes and called on the international community to denounce what they described as blatant aggression. CNN’s Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen reported that Tehran is characterizing the attack as brutal, but insists Iran will press forward.
Trump Celebrates Airstrikes as a Military Victory
On Saturday (June 21), President Trump announced the strikes via his Truth Social platform, praising the mission’s success:
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran airspace. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”
He added,
“Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
Later that evening, Trump addressed the nation from the White House, declaring the operation a “spectacular nuclear success,” and demanding that Iran “make peace” or face even stronger consequences.
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater—and a lot easier.”
Trump also reminded Americans that Iran has long chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” signaling his administration’s zero-tolerance stance.
Rising Global Tensions and Warnings of Retaliation
As tensions escalate, U.S. military forces have reportedly been briefed on potential Iranian counterattacks both at home and abroad. American bases in the Middle East are on high alert, and officials have warned of possible retaliatory terrorist plots.
Iranian state television, which has been used as a mouthpiece for the regime’s defiance, was also reportedly hit by an Israeli airstrike during a live broadcast earlier this week, though this event remains under investigation.
This latest round of conflict marks a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran relations and comes amid a larger backdrop of regional instability involving Israel. The world now watches closely for Iran’s next move in what could be the beginning of a broader confrontation.
