Eurasia Press & News
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a new warning that the United States must face consequences for its attacks on nuclear facilities within the country.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Sunday for comment.
What It Matters
The U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer”—in Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz marks the first direct involvement of America in the escalating crises between Iran and Israel.
Israel initially struck Tehran and several other cities in “Operation Rising Lion,” a campaign it said was meant to preempt a planned Iranian attack and disrupt Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Iran, which has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, has since retaliated, though Israeli defense systems—bolstered by U.S. military technology—have intercepted about 99 percent of incoming missile fire, according to Israeli officials on Saturday morning in an X, formerly Twitter, post. Iran hit a hospital in southern Israel on Thursday, and local reports noted that buildings in Tel Aviv were on fire from Iranian missiles on Friday.
The U.S. is Israel’s closest ally, providing billions of dollars in military aid annually.
Meanwhile, many politicians on both sides have criticized Trump’s decision to strike Iran without congressional approval.
What To Know
During a Sunday phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian said that the U.S. must “receive a response to their aggression,” according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Pezeshkian directly confronted Washington’s approach to negotiations, telling the French leader that in previous U.S.-Iran talks mediated by Oman, America “used to say something different at the negotiating table than in practice.”
The Iranian president framed the conflict in broader terms, referencing “ongoing US-backed Israeli aggression on Iran” and asserting that Iran has “firmly defended ourselves” against military attacks. He emphasized Iran’s continued willingness to engage diplomatically “within the framework of international laws,” while accusing the other side of demanding “Iran’s surrender.”
Saturday’s U.S. operation involved seven B-2 stealth bombers dropping 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on the heavily fortified Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities, while Tomahawk cruise missiles struck the Isfahan site. The 25-minute operation utilized 125 aircraft total and marked the first combat deployment of the massive “bunker buster” bombs.
Adding to the dramatic escalation, Pezeshkian personally participated in protests in Tehran denouncing the U.S. strikes, with state television broadcasting images of the president moving through crowds in a central Tehran square.
Demonstrators were seen raising their fists and chanting “Revenge, revenge!” as tensions reached a fever pitch in the Iranian capital.
Iranian President Masoud #Pezeshkian has joined a student-led protest in #Tehran’s Revolution Square, voicing opposition to the ongoing war on #Iran.
Earlier this month, "Israel" launched an unprovoked attack on Iran, primarily targeting residential areas and civilian… pic.twitter.com/FXXuKkqxfv
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 22, 2025What People Are Saying
President Masoud Pezeshkian: “Our nation will not knee down in the face of bullying and oppression. It is natural that it will respond to the aggression proportionately. It was the US that attacked us. What would you do if you were us? Naturally, they must receive a response for their aggression.”
French President Emmanuel Macron: “France is still ready to continue the path of diplomacy with Iran. It will continue its efforts for cessation of the conflicts and restoring stability and peace.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during Sunday morning’s press conference: “The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back when this president speaks, the world should listen and the U.S. military, we can back it up. The most powerful military the world has ever known. No other country on planet Earth could have conducted the operation that the chairman is going to outline this morning.”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine said during the Sunday morning press conference: “Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice. We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority. This mission demonstrates the unmatched coordination and capability of the United States military in just a matter of weeks this went from strategic planning to global execution.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: “The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
What Happens Next
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei must decide on whether or not to retaliate for the U.S. strikes and whether to continue with negotiations in some form.
