Coordinated US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities drew no public rebuke from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who instead vowed retribution against Israel. The Iranian leader, in a strongly worded post from his official handle on X (formerly Twitter), declared that Israel had made a "grave mistake" and would face continued punishment. Yet, his statement made no mention of the United States, whose military action has drawn global condemnation and support in equal measure.
"The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a major crime; it must be punished—and it is being punished. It is being punished right now," Khamenei wrote on Sunday.
The silence on Washington’s role comes even as Iran reels from the aftermath of ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’, a surprise offensive launched by the Trump administration targeting three sensitive nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Also read: Op Midnight Hammer: US hit Iran’s N-sites in biggest B-2 raid
White House: A warning to Tehran
Speaking from the White House, US President Donald Trump defended the strikes as a preemptive action meant to neutralise Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not. Future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier,” Trump warned.
“The decision to strike Iran was aimed at the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror,” he added.
Washington's military action has drawn sharp reactions globally. Russia, China, Turkey and Pakistan have condemned the United States for escalating tensions in the region, accusing it of exploiting the Israel-Iran conflict to further its own geopolitical agenda.
Iran appeals to UN, vows right to self-defence
Iran has responded to the US assault by calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, terming the strikes a violation of the UN Charter and international law. A statement from Tehran said the country “reserves all options” to defend itself.
Though Israel has remained largely silent since the attack, reports suggest Tel Aviv is preparing for further retaliation from Iranian-backed militias across the region.
Meanwhile, Iran’s decision to focus its rhetoric solely on Israel, bypassing the US strike entirely, has stirred speculation about internal strategic calculations within Tehran’s leadership. Analysts suggest the silence may be an attempt to delay direct confrontation with Washington, which could trigger wider conflict and provoke further sanctions.
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