Iran has issued a series of escalating statements and warnings in response to Israeli military actions, with tensions reaching critical levels in June 2025 as Israel launched what it called "preemptive strikes" against Iranian nuclear facilities12.
Recent Military Response and Immediate Reactions
Following Israel's June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iranian officials have responded with strong condemnation and threats of retaliation1. The Iranian government has characterized these attacks as violations of international law while promising swift and devastating responses34.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami warned that any Israeli aggression would be met with a response that is "more forceful and destructive" than previous encounters56. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has also stated that Iran has access to all US bases in the region and would target them "without hesitation if provoked"4.
Threats Against US and Israeli Targets
Iranian officials have explicitly threatened to target both Israeli and American interests in response to any attacks on Iranian territory78. Iran's Defense Minister warned that if nuclear talks fail and "a conflict is imposed on us," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "will target all U.S. bases in the host countries"7.
A senior Iranian security official told Press TV that Iran is at its "highest level of military readiness" and warned that "if the United States or the Zionist regime attempts any act of aggression, they will be caught by surprise"3. Iranian officials have also claimed to possess secret Israeli intelligence documents that give them "extensive intelligence superiority regarding the target bank of the United States and the Zionist regime"3.
Supreme Leader's Position
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made several significant statements regarding Israeli attacks. In November 2024, following Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites, Khamenei threatened both Israel and the United States with "a crushing response"910. He stated that "the enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation"9.
However, Khamenei has also shown a more measured approach at times, particularly following the October 2024 Israeli strikes when he said the attack should not be "exaggerated or downplayed"1112. This represented a departure from his typically fiery rhetoric, as he had previously threatened to "flatten Haifa and Tel Aviv" if Israel attacked Iran11.
Parliamentary and Government Responses
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has declared that Iran's response to Israeli aggression will be "definite and calculated"13. He emphasized that "the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself entitled and obliged to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression, based on its inherent right of legitimate defense"13.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has consistently condemned Israeli attacks as "clear violations of international law and the United Nations Charter"1415. Following previous Israeli strikes, the ministry stated that Iran "considers itself entitled and obliged to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression"15.
Military Preparedness and Retaliation Plans
Iranian officials have indicated they have detailed plans for immediate counterattacks if Israel strikes nuclear facilities16. According to reports, Iran's plan involves "an immediate counterattack of a similar scope to the attack it launched in October 2024, when it fired a massive salvo of close to 200 ballistic missiles at Israel"16.
Iran has also warned that it would hold the US responsible alongside Israel in the event of an attack and would target American forces in the region16. The IRGC has stated it will give a "devastating response to any Israeli foolish act," emphasizing that enemies fail to understand "the power of the Iranian nation in supporting the Islamic Republic in times of war"17.
Nuclear Program Defense
Iranian officials have been particularly vocal about defending their nuclear program from potential Israeli attacks. President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran would rebuild its nuclear facilities if they were destroyed, stating that "our capabilities exist in our minds and therefore whatever they do, we will rebuild again"6.
Iran's nuclear chief has expressed astonishment that IAEA inspectors knew precisely where to look for suspected materials, suggesting deliberate contamination of sites by hostile actors18. Iranian officials have accused the IAEA of being "merely a tool for a select few nations" and compromising its integrity18.
Regional Implications
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned of a "large-scale war" if Israel attacks again, though he has also indicated Iran would pursue a "diplomatic approach" and consult with allies including China19. Despite the threats, Iranian officials have expressed hope that "reason will ultimately prevail and prevent actions that could have serious consequences"19.
Iran continues to position itself as the leader of what it calls the "Axis of Resistance," with Khamenei praising Hamas and Hezbollah as providing "vital service to the entire region and the entire Islamic world"20. Iranian officials have consistently linked Israeli attacks to broader regional conflicts, particularly the situations in Gaza and Lebanon1413.
The escalating rhetoric and military preparations suggest Iran views the current situation as a critical juncture that could determine the future balance of power in the Middle East, with Iranian officials making clear their intention to respond forcefully to any further Israeli military actions34.
- https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-857575
- https://www.nbcnews.com/world/israel/israel-iran-strikes-rcna212729
- https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/06/12/3333609/iran-warns-us-israel-of-surprise-response-to-any-attack
- https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-11-2025
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/12/israel-ready-strike-iran-tehran-nuclear-programme/
- https://nypost.com/2025/06/12/world-news/israel-considering-striking-iran-without-us-support-after-nuclear-talks-stall-report/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-is-poised-to-launch-operation-on-iran-sources-say/
- https://www.newsweek.com/iran-middle-east-war-israel-donald-trump-2084349
- https://www.npr.org/2024/11/02/nx-s1-5176493/iran-leader-threatens-israel-crushing-response
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/02/middleeast/iran-supreme-leader-response-israel-intl
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ced99eznje9o
- https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-strikes-oil-gaza-hamas-hezbollah/33175072.html
- https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/10/27/736068/Iran%E2%80%99s-response-to-Israeli-act-of-aggression-will-be-%E2%80%98definite,-calculated%E2%80%99,-says-Parliament-speaker
- https://en.mehrnews.com/news/223562/Iranian-Foreign-Ministry-issues-statement-after-Israel-attack
- https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-israel-airstrikes-limited-damage-escalation-fears/
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-has-plans-for-immediate-counterattack-if-israel-strikes-nuclear-facilities-nyt-reports/
- https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/513393/IRGC-Iran-will-give-devastating-response-to-any-Israeli-foolish
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/10/iran-warns-against-iaea-pressure-israel-attack-as-more-us-talks-loom
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-foreign-minister-warns-of-large-scale-war-if-israel-attacks-again/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04pvp5qr6no
- https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-attack-iran-nuclear-program-ac023cd5
- https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/israel-considering-military-strike-iran-sources-say-rcna212528
- https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241102-iran-s-khamenei-threatens-crushing-response-to-israel-attacks
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-leader-khamenei-said-to-order-reprisal-attack-on-israeli-military-sites/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E6HOzwGTCM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvfhP630EjY
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/12/middleeast/israel-iran-strikes-intl-hnk
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/us/politics/iran-us-iraq-diplomats-middle-east.html
- https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/israel-strike-iran-response-witkoff
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/witkoff-said-to-warn-iranian-response-to-israeli-strike-could-lead-to-mass-casualties/
- https://www.euronews.com/2025/06/12/israel-reportedly-preparing-to-strike-iran-a-political-manoeuvre-or-all-out-war
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/12/analysis-is-israel-planning-to-strike-iran-or-is-it-bluffing
- https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-netanyahu-israel-iran-conflict-rcna212758
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