Trump Hints at Possible U.S. Strikes on Iran as Khamenei Warns of “Irreparable Damage”
WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — June 18, 2025 — Former President Donald Trump declined to confirm whether the U.S. would launch strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying he “may or may not” take military action as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel.
Speaking to reporters from the White House lawn, Trump delivered a vague but ominous message:
“I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
His ambiguous remarks come amid growing fears of a wider Middle East conflict, as Israeli airstrikes on Iran enter their sixth consecutive day. The possibility of direct American military involvement has sparked concern in Washington and divided Trump’s Republican allies.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender.” In a televised address, Khamenei warned:
“Any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly cause irreparable damage.”
He dismissed the idea of negotiating under pressure, emphasizing that the Iranian nation would never yield to threats.
U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate Amid Israel’s Air Offensive
While Trump suggested that Iran was now open to renewed negotiations, he criticized Tehran for not engaging sooner, stating:
“Why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country.”
Iran’s U.N. mission quickly rejected Trump’s claims, saying no Iranian officials had requested talks and refuted suggestions of “groveling” for diplomacy.
In recent days, Israel has pushed the U.S. to support efforts to destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, especially with powerful bunker-busting bombs that only the U.S. can deliver.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces launched new strikes on Tehran, reportedly hitting two centrifuge production sites, according to the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog. Iran responded with a barrage of around 30 ballistic missiles and two waves of drones — all of which Israel claimed were intercepted.
Key Developments:
Iran Threatens U.S. Bases: Iranian officials warned they would target American bases in the region if the U.S. joins the conflict. U.S. intelligence reports suggest Iran has missiles prepared for retaliatory strikes.
Shift in Israeli Military Doctrine: Israel’s bold attacks mark a major change in strategy since the Hamas-led assault in October 2023. Analysts say this shift has weakened Iran’s regional alliances and solidified Israel’s military dominance.
Evacuation of Stranded Citizens: The first rescue flights for stranded Israeli travelers landed at Ben Gurion International Airport. Thousands remain grounded due to the ongoing airspace closure.
Internet Disruption in Iran: Amid heavy internet outages, Iranian state media urged citizens to delete WhatsApp, accusing the app of spying for Israel. WhatsApp denied the allegations.
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