Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israel Following US Strikes

Khamenei's Strong Response to US Military Action

Tehran: In a significant statement on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacted to the recent US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, asserting that the repercussions for Israel, labeled as the 'Zionist enemy,' will persist.

Describing the attacks as 'a major crime,' Khamenei issued a warning of impending retaliation.

In a message shared on X, he remarked, 'The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave error, committed a significant crime; it must face consequences, and it is currently being punished.'

The US military action followed Israeli assaults on June 13, which targeted various locations in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, resulting in the deaths of numerous senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, according to reports.

Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel. As of Saturday, Iranian health officials reported over 400 fatalities and more than 3,500 injuries within Iran, while Israeli authorities confirmed 24 deaths.

On Sunday, an Israeli drone strike in Isfahan province resulted in the deaths of three individuals in an ambulance, as reported by Iran's ISNA news agency.

The governor of Najafabad county, Hamidreza Mohammadi Fesharaki, stated that the vehicle was transporting a patient at the time of the strike.

He confirmed that all individuals in the vehicle, including the driver, patient, and companion, lost their lives.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to continue its military operations. 'Israel will maintain its full-scale operations in both Iran and Gaza,' he declared, emphasizing that the nation would not be 'drawn into a war of attrition.'

'We will not halt this historic operation until we achieve our objectives,' Netanyahu asserted.

In a related development, the Iranian Parliament voted to support the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, just a day after the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.

However, any final decision regarding retaliation will be made by the Supreme National Security Council, led by Khamenei.

The parliamentary vote serves merely as a recommendation for potential action.

The US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—termed 'Operation Midnight Hammer'—in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz represent America's first direct involvement in the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

This military action has faced criticism, particularly regarding the absence of Congressional approval for such an operation.