Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, has pledged that the country will respond firmly to recent United States airstrikes targeting key nuclear sites. In a televised statement broadcast on state media Monday, Mousavi condemned the attacks and warned of consequences.
“This crime and desecration will not go unanswered,” said Mousavi in a video statement published on state TV.
The US airstrikes, carried out over the weekend, targeted several heavily guarded and highly secretive nuclear enrichment sites in Iran. The mission, described by the White House as a complete success, marked a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump declared in a social media post that “monumental damage was done,” although independent verification of the extent of the destruction has not been provided.
Despite the aggressive military action, the White House stated that the United States remains open to diplomacy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking on Fox News, said President Trump is still interested in engaging in peaceful negotiations.
However, she added that if the Iranian government refuses to pursue a diplomatic resolution, it would be justifiable for the people of Iran to challenge the regime’s rule.
“If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a peaceful diplomatic solution, which the president is still interested and engaging in, by the way, why shouldn’t the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime that has been suppressing them for decades?” Leavitt said.
Although US officials have repeatedly said regime change is not their objective, President Trump appeared to contradict that stance in a separate post, asking, “Why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”
The airstrikes came in support of Israel’s ongoing military campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iran has long been accused by the United States, Israel, and other Western powers of attempting to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian energy programme, a charge Tehran denies.
Iran Launches Missile Salvos as Power Disruptions Reported in Israel
In response to the airstrikes, Iran launched several waves of missiles at Israel on Monday morning. According to the Israeli military, at least three separate missile barrages were recorded. Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom, confirmed that no casualties were reported.
The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) reported power disruptions in multiple communities due to damage near what it described as a “strategic infrastructure facility.”
While the IEC did not disclose the exact location, officials later confirmed a missile had landed near one of its sites. Avraham Rabukhin, head of the company’s grid division in the Tel Aviv and Coastal district, said response teams arrived at the scene within half an hour to assess the damage.
“All disconnected customers were reconnected within 30 minutes,” Rabukhin stated.
“The damage was minor, and repair efforts are ongoing.”
Although journalists were allowed to film the affected area, Israel’s military censorship rules prohibited the publication of specific details about the site.
Footage captured by AFP showed an excavator clearing debris in southern Israel. Military operations between Iran and Israel have intensified since Israel launched large-scale strikes on 13 June, targeting Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure as well as key security figures.
The full extent of Iran’s retaliation remains unclear due to military restrictions on reporting. However, official figures confirm that at least 50 impacts have been recorded across Israel, with 24 people killed in the latest round of conflict.
As both nations continue their aerial offensives, Tehran has vowed a strong response to the US involvement, warning of further consequences for what it sees as direct aggression.
