Iran has threatened US military bases in the Middle East after a major airstrike that the US said destroyed Iran's nuclear program. As the exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel continues, the US has issued a warning to all its citizens abroad.
Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that US bases would be legitimate targets if used to attack Iran. He said, "Any country that allows the US to use them to attack Iran will be considered an enemy."
Oil prices rose more than 4% in Asia, a sign of fears of a possible escalation of tensions in the region. President Donald Trump appealed to Iran to end the unrest after the surprise attacks on nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Trump boasted on social media that "Iran's bomb-making plan has been thwarted."
According to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the operation did not target Iranian soldiers or civilians, but only the nuclear sites themselves. General Dan Caine added that although it was too early for a final assessment, it appeared that the sites were severely damaged.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's military strikes will continue until Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities are completely destructed.
