On June 14th 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong warning that the military campaign against Iran will intensify further than initially targeted. In a video address, he pledged to strike every target associated with Ayatollahs’ regime and declared that Iran has only experienced “a fraction” of what will become more intense operations, according to Huffingtonpost and other outlets (English Alarabiya News Network/The Guardian etc).
History of Escalation These developments follow Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13 and conducted by Israeli forces against more than 100 Iranian nuclear and military targets such as Natanz, Esfahan and key missile installations across Iran – including Natanz, Esfahan and key missile installations – with air and drone strikes from June 13-16 targeting over 100 Iranian targets including Natanz, Esfahan and key missile installations; reports indicate it took out several high-ranking IRGC commanders as well as multiple nuclear scientists (http://apnews.com +8 | theaustralian.com +8 | Wikipedia).
Iran confirmed 78 deaths and more than 320 injured from Israel’s attack, which they called both a crime and declaration of war, according to The New York Post and Wikipedia respectively. Netanyahu issued his Escalation Message during his address of Congress last Wednesday night, invoking international law as the justification.
Netanyahu addressed directly the Iranian leadership.
“We will strike blows against every site and target of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime; what they have experienced so far can only compare with what will come in coming days,” according to JPost.com and Alarabiya.net (+15). They plan on hitting every target that exists: the Ayatollah’s residences; offices used for political prisoners etc, will all come under attack. In fact “this may only be felt as part of their plan in coming days”
JPost.com + 15 english.alarabiya.net +15 and The Guardian are ready for action that can change this in order to bring about change and we await their response with open arms: this time”
English Alarabiya +15 | TheGuardian +15
He justified the campaign as essential to dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, invoking the Begin Doctrine–preventive strikes designed to stop adversaries from developing WMDs and newyorker.com
Israel defense officials confirmed that their air force now reigns supreme over Tehran’s skies following earlier waves that degraded Iranian air defenses (timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indiatimes, Huffingtonpost/ES, JPost.com etc).
Iran’s Retaliations
In retaliation, Iran launched more than 200 ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other Israeli sites; most were intercepted with U.S. support (Cadenaser.com/Newyorker/+1 for instance).
Iranian state media reported six Israelis killed and many more injured, signalling an expansion beyond battlefield confrontation. Attribution: Wikipedia.org en.wikipedia
Regional and Global Reactions
US: It voiced strong support for Israel’s right to self-defense but called for de-escalation measures to avoid wider conflict. U.S. troops stationed in the region were placed on high alert. Its theguardian.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com @+1
International Community: The UN Security Council and European leaders called for restraint amid fears of regional spillover, with Gulf states reporting skyrocketing oil prices when containment efforts failed to contain the spillover, according to Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Russia & China: Both criticize Israel’s strikes as unlawful and destabilizing; Iran threatens Western military assets if they assist Israel;. theguardian.com in this instance. What’s At Stake?
Israel Risking Regional War
Netanyahu’s threat signals a shift away from strategic deterrence towards outright war, according to analysts who warn prolonged clashes may draw in proxy groups like Hezbollah and escalate into full-scale warfare.
Economic Shockwaves
Brent crude prices have spiked due to instability fears near the Strait of Hormuz and global markets are experiencing unsettling ripple effects from potential shipping disruptions (Newyorker.com/huffingtonpost.es; Timesofindia/indiatimes.com etc).
Diplomatic Breakdown
Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. on indirect nuclear discussions have been indefinitely suspended after Tehran saw diplomacy as impossible until Israeli strikes stop, thus nullifying recent progress made towards agreement.
The Path Forward
With Netanyahu vowing deeper strikes and Iran responding with missile barrages, the conflict has entered uncharted waters. Now more than ever before, international mediation efforts must step in quickly or risk a wider Middle Eastern confrontation. Whether cooler heads and diplomatic channels can break this cycle remains unknown–for now both nations appear poised for what may become prolonged conflict.