The United States is on edge after its June 21 airstrikes obliterated three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting fears of retaliation from Tehran. As major cities like New York and Los Angeles bolster security, the world watches Iran’s next move in a rapidly escalating Middle East conflict.
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America on High Alert
Following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, the Department of Homeland Security warned of a “heightened threat environment” on June 22. The State Department issued a global caution, urging Americans abroad to stay vigilant amid the Israel-Iran conflict. From coast to coast, law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD and LAPD, have ramped up patrols around religious and diplomatic sites, with no specific threats yet identified.
President Donald Trump hailed the operation, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, as a “monumental success,” claiming it “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. The Pentagon deployed 125 warplanes, including B-2 stealth bombers dropping 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs used for the first time in combat. Yet, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted visible craters at Fordow but cautioned that underground damage remains unassessed, with Iran claiming its uranium stockpiles were evacuated beforehand.
Iran’s Vow of Retaliation
Tehran is weighing its options, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on June 23. Araqchi insisted there would be no diplomacy until Iran retaliates, warning that “all options” are on the table, including potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical oil route. Iran’s military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, issued a chilling message to Trump: “You may start this war, but we will end it.”
Iran’s arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles, already used against Israel, could target U.S. bases or ships in the region. The Iranian parliament has backed closing the Strait, though the final call lies with the Supreme National Security Council. Such a move could spike global oil prices, which have already hit a five-month high, with Brent crude reaching $78.89 per barrel on June 23.
Global Reactions: Support, Condemnation, and Calls for Peace
Israel, a key partner in planning the strikes, celebrated the U.S. action, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting it could weaken Iran’s regime. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong endorsed the strikes but urged diplomacy, while Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya called for de-escalation, lamenting the cycle of retaliation. The UK, France, and Germany jointly urged Iran to negotiate, warning against further destabilization.
Conversely, Russia and China condemned the strikes as violations of international law, with Russia warning of a broader conflict. North Korea, a suspected military partner of Iran, denounced the U.S. action as a “grave violation” of sovereignty. Pope Leo XIV, in a rare U.S.-born papal address, pleaded for diplomacy over “bloody conflicts,” while the UN’s IAEA scheduled an emergency meeting to address nuclear safety concerns.
Trump’s Mixed Messages and Domestic Pushback
Trump’s rhetoric has stirred controversy. Hours after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the U.S. was not seeking regime change, Trump posted on Truth Social that a new Iranian leadership might be needed if the current regime couldn’t “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN.” The strikes, which Vance described as “targeted” to avoid war, have drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress. Senators like Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) argue Trump violated the War Powers Act, demanding Congressional approval for further action.
The Road Ahead
As Trump prepares to meet his national security team on June 23 and attend the NATO summit in The Hague, the U.S. is bracing for Iran’s response. The IAEA warns that the strikes may have reset Middle East dynamics, risking the unraveling of global nonproliferation efforts. With Iran’s internet blackouts and missile salvos against Israel ongoing, the region teeters on the brink. Analysts like Rachel Ziemba note that while Iran’s oil production is minor, its ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz could send shockwaves through global markets.
What will Iran do next? The world holds its breath as Tehran’s retaliation could reshape the conflict—and the globe.
