What Will Ali Khamenei Do After the US Strikes Iran?

June 22, 2025: The Israel-Iran conflict has taken a dramatic turn with the United States entering the fray, launching strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Declaring the operation a “spectacular success,” President Donald Trump warned of even “greater force” should Iran retaliate.

Israel expressed gratitude to the U.S. for what it called efforts to make the Middle East a “safer place,” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirming that Israel had been informed in advance of the strikes.

Also Read: What We Know About The Three Iranian Nuclear Sites Struck By The US

In swift retaliation, Iran launched a volley of missiles at Israel, injuring multiple civilians across the country. The violence continues to escalate, with the Iranian health ministry confirming over 430 deaths and 3,500 injuries from Israeli strikes alone. Meanwhile, Israel has reported 24 deaths since the conflict intensified last week.

This sharp escalation follows Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Iran responded with waves of drone attacks on Israeli territory and has vowed to continue its military response.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has appealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn the attacks on its nuclear infrastructure. However, the IAEA stated that the facilities hit at Isfahan contained either no nuclear material or only small amounts of natural or low-enriched uranium.

Blaming the IAEA and its chief Rafael Grossi for “paving the way to this aggression,” Araghchi accused the global nuclear watchdog of indirectly enabling the strikes.

As the conflict enters its second week, tensions remain at a boiling point with no signs of de-escalation in sight.