Iran vows to end war after US strike on nuclear sites

Iran has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump following a US strike on its nuclear facilities, declaring that while Trump may have started the conflict, Iran will be the one to end it. The remarks came after the US deployed powerful bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israel’s ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in English in a recorded message, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military command, referred to Trump as a "gambler" and asserted Iran’s readiness to escalate. Although Iran has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has not yet targeted US bases or threatened oil shipments near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy trade.

The strikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant, reportedly causing severe damage, have raised alarm internationally. While independent verification is pending, commercial satellite imagery suggests that key uranium-enriching infrastructure might have been destroyed. Trump claimed major damage to all of Iran’s nuclear sites and hinted at a possible change in Iran’s leadership, questioning the viability of its current regime.

Israel’s air campaign, launched on June 13, has faced minimal resistance, with fresh strikes targeting western Iran and Tehran, including radar systems and missile launchers. Iran reported over 400 deaths, mostly civilians, though limited images of the destruction have been released. Tehran has been largely evacuated as residents seek safety in rural areas.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes on Israel, killing 24 civilians and injuring hundreds—the first time Iranian missiles have significantly breached Israeli defenses. Nevertheless, Iran’s capacity for further retaliation appears diminished following recent setbacks, including the loss of its key ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

One remaining option for Tehran is to disrupt oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. Although Iran’s parliament has approved a potential closure of the strait, final authorization would require approval from the Supreme National Security Council. Such a move would risk economic turmoil and a direct clash with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

Despite rising tensions, global oil prices have remained below crisis levels, indicating market belief in a possible diplomatic resolution. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss coordinated responses. Araqchi stated that Iran will consider all possible actions and will not return to diplomacy until it has enacted its response.