The clock no longer ticks in your favor: Iran to US
5 Min Read
Tehran warns of severe and unpredictable retaliation after US-led airstrikes on nuclear sites, accusing Washington and "Israel" of pushing the region toward wider war.
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The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, early Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP)
Iranian officials issued stern warnings Monday following US airstrikes on three of the country's nuclear facilities, describing the attack as a direct act of war and pledging retaliation that could shift the region’s balance of power.
Iran’s Chief of Staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, issued a firm warning on Monday, declaring that the United States’ recent actions have crossed a red line. “The United States has blatantly violated our sovereignty,” he stated, “and in doing so, it has effectively unleashed our fighters to target its interests and military forces wherever they may be.” Emphasizing the gravity of the moment, Mousavi added, “We will never back down — not now, not ever.”
In a related development, Mousavi declared that Washington has now fully entered the war by supporting the Israeli entity, and warned that the United States will face direct consequences.
“Washington must know it has now given the green light for our armed forces to take action against its interests and military forces, and we will never retreat,” the chief of staff said.
He emphasized that the US has openly violated Iran’s sovereignty.
Iranian army launches phases 9, 10 of drone attack
In an official statement, the Iranian Army confirmed the launch of phases 9 and 10 in its ongoing drone campaign targeting "Israel".
“This morning, we initiated the ninth and tenth phases of our drone attack, launching dozens of military drones of various models, all equipped with warheads designed to penetrate fortified targets, toward the Zionist entity.”
The statement added that “available intelligence indicates that the majority of these drones struck their intended targets,” suggesting increased effectiveness and strategic coordination in Iran’s retaliatory operations.
Iran’s full readiness to defend its sovereignty
On his part, Major General Amir Hatami, the new head of Iran's military, declared from the war operations headquarters, "Every time Americans have committed crimes against Iran, they’ve received a decisive response, and it will be the same this time."
"I salute and thank the army commanders for their efforts in the war against the Zionist entity. I thank each and every one of you, commanders and devoted fighters alike."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 23, 2025
- Major General Amir Hatami, Commander of the Iranian Army#IranUnderAttack #Iran pic.twitter.com/jSZrHbBHqy
He reaffirmed Iran’s full readiness to defend its sovereignty, saying, “We will defend the country's independence, territorial integrity, and the Islamic Republic with full force.”
Furthermore, Hatami praised recent national responses to escalating tensions, stating that Iran’s actions have forced its adversaries to confront their own failure and desperation.
“What you have done in recent days carries immense value,” the official said. “Your efforts have made the enemies feel the futility of their attempts, leaving them with no choice but to call upon the main perpetrator of these crimes, the United States, to directly enter the war against Iran.”
He added that Washington’s involvement comes as no surprise to the Iranian people. “This is not new to us. Throughout history, the Iranian nation has witnessed America's crimes, before the Islamic Revolution, after it, and during the years of the Sacred Defense. We saw their brutality firsthand.”
US strike to broaden Iran's list of targets
In a similar vein, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command warned of imminent military escalation, saying, “Let the United States prepare for powerful deterrent operations and devastating consequences.” He added, “The American assault will broaden our list of targets and fuel the spread of war across the region.”
"أحيي قادة الجيش وأشكرهم على جهودهم في الحرب على الكيان الصهيوني، أشكركم فرداً فرداً قادة ومحاربين فدائيين"
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) June 23, 2025
قائد الجيش الإيراني العميد أمير حاتمي في اتصال مع قادة العمليات العسكرية#الوعد_الصادق_٣ pic.twitter.com/xoDzdvV5an
In a formal statement, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command accused the United States of becoming directly complicit in the Israeli aggression on Iran. The command said that “criminal America, through its open-ended support for the Zionist entity's aggression,” had blatantly violated Iran’s sovereignty by attacking its “sacred territory.”
The statement characterized the US strike as a failed attempt to “resuscitate the dying Zionist regime,” asserting that it instead broadened Iran’s list of legitimate military targets and laid the groundwork for wider regional escalation.
“The clock no longer ticks in your favor after this aggression,” the statement warned. “The warriors of Islam will respond with powerful, focused operations that will carry severe, bitter, and unpredictable consequences, God willing.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry: US, 'Israel' bear full responsibility
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned that the US and "Israel" had placed the region in “a historically dangerous position.” He affirmed Tehran’s right to self-defense under international law and described President Donald Trump’s latest threats as “global thuggery".
“Trump’s administration has no credibility to speak of diplomacy while actively undermining it,” Baghaei stated.
“No one can say exactly what comes next, but what is certain is that the responsibility for this war and its fallout lies squarely with the United States and the Zionist regime,” he stressed.
Iranian air defenses respond to escalation
In response to the strikes, Iran’s armed forces reported intercepting and downing several drones, including a Hermes 900 drone operated by "Israel." According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, at least four additional drones were intercepted overnight in western Iran.
These developments follow the recent coordinated airstrikes by the United States and "Israel" on nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, an aggressive escalation with the potential to ignite broader war across the Middle East.
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