Jerusalem/Tehran/Washington, June 23, 2025 — The Israel–Iran conflict entered its 11th day on Monday, intensifying with aerial bombardments, major retaliatory threats, and global diplomatic unease. Explosions were reported in Jerusalem early in the day, just hours after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they had struck surface-to-surface missile sites in western Iran.

The attack, the latest in a series of Israeli offensive operations that began on June 13, follows closely on the heels of a massive U.S. airstrike campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend.

Israeli Strikes Continue: Targets Include Missile Launch Sites and Military Infrastructure

According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, the airstrikes in western Iran on Monday were aimed at launch sites used for Iran’s surface-to-surface missiles, which Israeli officials claim had been used to target its northern territories.

The IDF said the mission was successful in neutralizing “multiple high-threat assets”, including mobile launch systems and hardened storage bunkers, though Iranian state media contested this, reporting only limited damage and several civilian casualties.

Blasts were heard across Jerusalem in the aftermath of the military announcement, triggering city-wide air raid sirens. While it is unclear whether the explosions resulted from an actual Iranian missile attack or intercepted projectiles, panic briefly gripped the capital, with residents sheltering in underground facilities.

U.S. Enters the Fray: ‘Bunker Buster’ Bombs Hit Iranian Nuclear Sites

In a major escalation, the United States military confirmed over the weekend that it had used “bunker buster” bombs and cruise missiles to strike three major nuclear sites in Iran, including the heavily fortified Fordow, Arak, and Natanz facilities.

While President Donald Trump stated that the attack had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” defense analysts and IAEA officials have urged caution, citing the absence of verified on-ground intelligence due to restricted access.

“The impact of the strikes on Iran’s enrichment capabilities is still being assessed,” said a senior official at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “Satellite imagery shows structural damage, but we can't yet confirm operational downtime.”

Iran’s Reaction: ‘Diplomacy is Over’

Tehran’s response was swift and furious. Government spokesperson Ali Nezami described the U.S. strike as a “gross violation of international law” and a “very big red line”, asserting that the Islamic Republic would retaliate at a time and place of its choosing.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a rare televised address, accused Washington and Tel Aviv of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to cripple Iran’s sovereignty. “The time for diplomacy is over,” he said. “We will respond with full force.”

Iran also summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents U.S. interests in Iran, to deliver a formal diplomatic protest.

Escalation Timeline: How the Conflict Unfolded

U.S. Defense Secretary: ‘We Do Not Seek War’

Despite authorizing the airstrikes, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. "does not seek war" with Iran. “This was a targeted, defensive action meant to deter further nuclear escalation. The door to diplomacy remains open.”

However, diplomatic experts warn that the attack may have closed off negotiation paths. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that no talks would be held under military pressure, further straining efforts by European and Gulf intermediaries to de-escalate the situation.

Regional & Global Impact: Oil, Markets, and Diplomacy

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil supply flows, remains tense. Iranian naval commanders have hinted at a potential blockade, a move that could severely disrupt global energy supply chains. India, China, Japan, and several EU nations have urged restraint, fearing spikes in energy prices and a freefall in global equities.

Markets have already reacted nervously. On Monday:

• Brent crude surged to $102.30/barrel, its highest since 2022.

• The Dow Jones and Nikkei 225 both opened 1.8% down.

• Gold and Bitcoin rose sharply as investors fled to safe-haven assets.

Global Responses: Divided Stance

• Russia condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them “reckless adventurism.”

• China warned that “military brinkmanship must not replace diplomacy.”

• France and Germany urged all parties to “return to negotiation tables.”

• India expressed grave concern and urged both restraint and dialogue, citing potential threats to its oil imports and diaspora in the Gulf.

What's Next: Experts Warn of Broader War

Security analysts are concerned that the situation could spiral into a multi-theatre conflict, pulling in proxy actors across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

“This could evolve into a wider regional war unless cooler heads prevail,” warned retired U.S. General Mark Clark. “With Hezbollah and Iranian proxies active, and the U.S. now directly involved, the risk of escalation is immense.”

Conclusion

The situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile, with the Israel–Iran conflict now drawing in global powers. While Israel and the U.S. frame their actions as defensive, Iran views them as acts of war, significantly reducing the possibility of a near-term diplomatic resolution.

With blasts echoing through Jerusalem, Tehran vowing revenge, and the Strait of Hormuz on edge, the next few days may be pivotal in determining whether this crisis escalates into a full-fledged regional war or pulls back from the brink.

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