A top aide to Ayatollah Khamenei has issued a stark warning, calling for missile strikes against the U.S. naval fleet—”now our turn to act”—in response to ongoing Israeli and U.S. military actions in the region. The aide emphasized Iran’s right to retaliate following what Tehran described as unlawful strikes on its nuclear sites, underscoring a dangerous expansion of the conflict.

Over the weekend, U.S. forces struck Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities, reportedly using bunker-buster munitions to neutralize deeply buried infrastructure. Although the IAEA reported no radiation leakage, Iran denounced the strikes as acts of war and signaled that diplomacy is no longer viable.

In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel, causing civilian injuries and property damage, including at hospitals, while Tel Aviv’s air defences intercepted a significant portion of the barrage. Iranian proxies, including Hezbollah and Houthi militants, are also reportedly active in the region, potentially targeting U.S. or allied interests.

Global leaders—led by the UN Secretary-General and European governments—have appealed for restraint, warning of a broader, uncontrollable war. With Iran’s dramatic shift from defence to offence, tensions in the Middle East have surged to a new, perilous peak.