Danger rising: Iran targets U.S. bases

The war between Israel and Iran is threatening to drag the United States in deeper after Tehran on Monday vowed “serious, unpredictable consequences” against American forces based in the Middle East following the devastating US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities.

The warning came just hours after US warplanes, backing Israel’s offensive, dropped massive bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s key nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow — an assault US President Donald Trump said caused “monumental damage.”

“This hostile act... will widen the scope of legitimate targets of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iranian armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said on state TV, hinting that American military bases in the region—and beyond—may soon be in Tehran’s crosshairs.

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, doubled down, saying that US bases “in the region or elsewhere” were now potential targets.

The US State Department has issued a rare “worldwide caution” for American citizens amid growing fears of Iranian retaliation not just in the Middle East, but globally.

Global powers were scrambling to stop the spiral. British, French, and German leaders urged Iran to “stand down” and avoid plunging the entire region into deeper chaos. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a looming “cycle of retaliation after retaliation.”

Trump: Obliteration is accurate

On social media, Trump bragged about the scale of the damage. “Obliteration is an accurate term,” he wrote, without providing the satellite images he cited.

The Pentagon confirmed that seven US B-2 stealth bombers flew 18 hours to deliver 14 GBU-57 bombs—the powerful bunker-busters in the American arsenal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the strikes “devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” but stressed they “did not target Iranian troops or civilians.” The UN’s atomic agency, however, reported no spikes in radiation.

Despite denials from Washington, speculation of a regime-change agenda resurfaced after Trump posted: “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change???”

Missiles in the air

The tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran have not let up. Sirens wailed in both countries early Monday as Israel bombed targets in western Iran, while Iranian drones and missiles headed for Israeli skies.

Israel struck missile launch and storage sites in western Iran as fighting between the two countries entered the 11th day.

The Israeli military said over 15 fighter jets targeted military facilities in Kermanshah, “neutralizing” surface-to-surface missile sites aimed at Israeli territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the bombardment would continue until Iran’s nuclear and missile threat was eliminated, claiming the campaign was “very, very close” to completion.

Tehran’s governor reported “more than 200” attacks on the capital since Israel’s bombing began on 13 June. Iranian officials said at least 400 have been killed on their side, while Israeli casualties stood at 24.

Iran-Russia talks set

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Monday for “important” talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, two days after US strikes targeted Iran’s key nuclear sites.

Russia, a key ally of Iran, has condemned both the Israeli and US attacks but stopped short of offering military assistance, despite a sweeping strategic partnership agreement signed with Tehran earlier this year.

“In this dangerous new situation, our consultations with Russia are of great importance,” Araghchi said, as quoted by Russian state media upon his arrival.

According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Araghchi is expected to meet with Putin and other senior Russian officials to discuss “regional and international developments following the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime.”

Putin, who earlier positioned himself as a potential mediator between Iran and Israel, has since dialed back that stance. Speaking at a forum last week, he clarified that Russia was merely “suggesting ideas” and would be “happy” if both sides found them useful.

While the Kremlin has labeled the US strikes “irresponsible,” Moscow has treaded carefully, avoiding direct involvement in the escalating conflict.

Execution amid chaos

Adding to the tensions, Iran announced another execution of a citizen accused of spying for Israel—the second in as many days. Rights groups fear that Tehran could accelerate executions amid the ongoing war.

As the conflict grinds into its 11th day, the danger of escalation remains dangerously real, with Iran’s new threats against US targets pushing the crisis into uncharted—and far more explosive—territory.