Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran

Tehran, Jun 23: Amid rising regional tensions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday vowed continued punishment for Israel following US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, his statement made no direct mention of the American military action.

“The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a major crime; it must be punished and it is being punished,” Khamenei said on X, referring to Israel’s recent actions.

His remarks came hours after the United States launched ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ targeting Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

US President Donald Trump, addressing the nation from the White House, said the strikes were aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and halting what he called “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”

"Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier," Trump warned.

Iran denounced the US action as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Tehran has demanded an emergency UN Security Council meeting and declared it “reserves all options” to defend its sovereignty.

The US action has drawn mixed reactions globally. While allies like the UK and Australia have supported the move, Russia, China, Turkey, and Pakistan have strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Washington of fueling an already volatile conflict between Israel and Iran.