Iran Threatens US Bases After Air Strikes Target Nuclear Sites

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish Israel for the US-led airstrikes on Sunday, which targeted three nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Khamenei, threatened that US bases in the Middle East could be attacked in retaliation, stating that any country hosting American forces would be considered a legitimate target for Iranian armed forces. The threat comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other advisors vowed that the US would "receive a response" to the attacks.

Key Takeaways:

• Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish Israel for the US-led airstrikes, with Khamenei's post on X stating that the "Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a major crime; it must be punished-and it is being punished."
• Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Khamenei, threatened that US bases in the Middle East could be attacked in retaliation, stating that any country hosting American forces would be considered a legitimate target for Iranian armed forces.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that the US would "receive a response" to the attacks, while Ali Shamkhani, another Khamenei advisor, stated that "even if nuclear sites are destroyed, game isn't over, enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, political will remain."
• US President Donald Trump urged Iran to end the conflict, with Trump also raising the question of a regime change in Iran, calling for 'Making Iran Great Again.'
• The US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert for its citizens traveling or living abroad, advising them to exercise increased caution due to potential demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad.
• The police departments in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles issued advisories, stating that additional forces have been deployed to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites.

Statistics:

• The US launched surprise strikes on three sites: Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
• The US used B-2 stealth bombers, bunker-buster bombs, and Tomahawk missiles in the attack.
• Craters were visible at the Fordo facility, but the extent of damage to the underground facility is unclear.
• 0% of Iranian nuclear sites were destroyed or inoperable according to Iranian officials, though Rafael Grossi, director of the IAEA, stated that "craters were visible" at the Fordo facility.

Sources:

• IRNA news agency, Ali Akbar Velayati statement
• X, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's post
• AFP, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian statement
• ABC, Vice President JD Vance interview
• Hindustan Times, US State Department worldwide caution alert