On Monday (June 23), Iran declared that the recent U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities have broadened the scope of legitimate military targets for its forces. The country also slammed U.S. President Donald Trump as a “gambler” for backing Israel’s ongoing military offensive against Iran. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military command, warned the United States of severe repercussions. "Mr. Trump, the gambler, you might start this war—but we will be the ones to finish it," Zolfaqari said in English at the close of a video statement.

The warning comes amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, who have exchanged missile and air strikes. The international community is closely watching Iran’s response to the weekend U.S. air raids, which Trump claimed could potentially lead to regime change in Tehran. Satellite imagery suggests that the Fordow nuclear facility, buried deep underground, suffered serious damage or destruction in the U.S. assault, though experts have yet to confirm the full extent of the impact.

Trump boasted on his Truth Social platform that the strikes inflicted “monumental damage” on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, adding: “The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!” He also urged Iran not to retaliate, warning that any future attacks would be “much larger and far easier,” raising fears of further escalation in the region. According to U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, the military launched 75 precision-guided munitions, including bunker-buster bombs and over two dozen Tomahawk missiles, targeting three nuclear facilities in Iran.

Despite the intensity of the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no unusual radiation levels near the affected sites. Director General Rafael Grossi told CNN it was still too early to evaluate the extent of underground damage. An unnamed Iranian source told Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium at the Fordow facility had already been relocated before the attack, although this could not be independently verified.

In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel, injuring dozens and causing destruction in Tel Aviv. However, Iran has so far refrained from attacking U.S. military bases or blocking the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for nearly 20% of global oil shipments. A blockade of the strait could trigger a global energy crisis, spike oil prices, and provoke a direct confrontation with the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain. Following the weekend’s events, global oil markets reacted swiftly. On Monday, Brent crude rose by $1.11 (1.44%) to $78.12 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed $1.08 (1.45%) to reach $74.87.