Iran's military gave U.S. President Donald Trump a biting warning on Monday, threatening severe retaliatory measures after American airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
The attacks, which Tehran regards as a direct attack on it, have expanded the range of what Iran regards as "legitimate targets," the military announced.
Iran's Military Central Command spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari addressed the U.S. president directly in English and stated: "Gambler Trump, initiate this war, but we will finish it."
That threat followed U.S. precision attacks on Iran's three most important nuclear facilities—its deeply buried uranium enrichment plant at Fordo, as well as nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. President Trump asserted that the mission had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program.
As tensions mounted and the world waited for Iran's reaction, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced Israel's air attack on June 13 as a serious blunder.
"The Zionist enemy. is being punished right now," Khamenei wrote on social media, referring to the barrage of retaliatory fire.
Concerns of a wider regional conflict sent shivers through international markets, driving oil prices up by over 4% in early Monday trade. In reaction to the increased turmoil, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to exercise its leverage to deter Iran from trying to shut down the Strait of Hormuz—a key waterway that accounts for about 20% of the globe's oil supply.
At the same time, Iran has threatened to attack American bases throughout the Middle East. In the wake of growing threats, the U.S. State Department released a global security warning for U.S. citizens.
"The fighting between Israel and Iran has caused travel disruptions and intermittent closure of airspace throughout the Middle East. There is a possibility of protests against US citizens and interests overseas," the warning said.
Interestingly, the warning did not mention the U.S. airstrikes against Iran, but it came at a time when there were increasing fears of retaliation and the security of Americans abroad
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