In a televised White House address Saturday night, President Donald Trump issued a 10-word threat to Iran that sent shockwaves across global diplomatic and military circles: “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.”
The comment followed a coordinated US-led airstrike that obliterated three major Iranian nuclear enrichment sites (Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan) in what Trump called “a spectacular military success.”
The strikes, reportedly carried out with B-2 bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, represent the most direct military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in years. Trump, appearing calm but resolute, declared that the strikes were meant to “stop (…) the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.”
Trump said: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
US’ Donald Trump and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu Tag-Team the Assault
In a striking admission, Trump acknowledged coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the lead-up to the offensive. Shortly after the strikes, Netanyahu expressed gratitude during an appearance on Fox News, saying, “President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you.”
On social media, Netanyahu expanded on his support: “President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’
First comes strength, then comes peace.
And tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. pic.twitter.com/7lTWCZkgw7
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025
Donald Trump’s celebratory tone carried over to Truth Social, where he posted, “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”
He later posted an image of the American flag with the caption: “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
According to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, six 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs were used on Fordow, with other targets destroyed by roughly 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from US submarines stationed in the Persian Gulf.
Will Iran’s Next Move Be Peace or ‘Hail Mary Barrage’?
Iran’s initial response was muted, with state-run IRNA confirming the attack on Fordow and stating that air defences had been activated. The government has yet to release a full damage assessment or retaliatory strategy. But voices close to the regime suggest escalation, not de-escalation, may be imminent.
Speaking to Fox News, commentator and Iranian-American Dr. Sheila Nazarian warned that peace might not be on the table. “I don’t think this regime will take a peaceful route,” she said. “I think they would rather die as martyrs.”
Her grim forecast? A “Hail Mary barrage” of retaliatory attacks.
Incoming barrage of Iranian missiles as recorded from Iraq. TheHome Front Command has now cleared several areas across the country to exit protected areas. Emergency search and rescue units are operating in several areas across the country where falls have been reported. pic.twitter.com/fqR1QhqhgV
— dan linnaeus (@DanLinnaeus) June 16, 2025
In his address, Trump did not mince words, laying the blame for decades of chaos and bloodshed in the region squarely at Tehran’s feet: “For 40 years, Iran has been saying, ‘Death to America! Death to Israel!’ They have been killing our people (…) We lost over a thousand people, and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate.”
He closed his speech with yet another grim warning: “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed (…) Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all, by far, and, perhaps, the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, (…) most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.” The strikes are already a concern for defense analysts. As for a potential regional war, Israel’s military has declared it is ready for a lengthy battle with Iran.
Whether Donald Trump’s dramatic message leads to diplomacy or disaster remains to be seen.
