5 hours ago
Last Updated:June 22, 2025, 21:28 IST
The warning came after US airstrikes early Sunday targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan
Commuters drive along a bridge near a building bearing a landmark anti-US mural in Tehran, on June 22, 2025. (AFP photo)
Iran on Sunday warned that “every American civilian and military personnel" in the region will be considered a “legitimate target", according to the country’s state broadcaster.
The warning came after US airstrikes early Sunday targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
General Dan Caine, the top US military officer overseeing the operation, said the strikes caused “extremely severe damage" to the nuclear programme. The mission, named Operation Midnight Hammer, involved seven B-2 stealth bombers and marked the largest operational B-2 strike in US history.
“This was the largest B-2 operational strike in US history and the second-longest B-2 mission ever flown," said General Caine.
In Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian joined public protests denouncing the US action. Footage aired by state TV showed crowds in central Tehran chanting “Revenge, revenge!" as the president moved through the square.
Iran’s Health Ministry confirmed that a number of people had been wounded in the strikes, though none showed signs of radiation exposure.
“Fortunately, none of the injured individuals who were transferred to these centres following the American bombardment showed any signs of radioactive contamination," said Iran’s ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour on X, noting that nuclear emergency units were already in place near the targeted sites.
Baqaei also condemned the US actions, describing them as an “unconscionable act of aggression — perpetrated by a nuclear-armed state against a non-nuclear nation." He added that Iran was ready to defend itself by “all necessary means" following the unprecedented US strikes.
It is now crystal clear that the U.S. administration has been colluding with a war criminal and genocidal warmonger to wage an unjust war of aggression against our beloved nation in flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear…— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 22, 2025
“Iran is resolutely determined to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and people by all necessary means," he wrote.
The B-2 bombers, capable of flying nearly 10,000 kilometres without refuelling, were specifically chosen for their ability to penetrate heavily defended targets, according to the US military.
US President Donald Trump, who previously withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, had spent recent weeks exploring a diplomatic solution. However, after more than a week of Israeli strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, he opted for direct military action, further deepening the escalating conflict in the region.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Iran
First Published:News world 'Every American In The Region, Civilian Or Military, A Target,' Warns Iran
