Iran warns of retaliation, China and Russia respond
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 23, 2025, 22:38 IST
( Image credit : IANS, TOIGLOBAL )
The Iran-Israel conflict intensifies, sparking global alarm as Iran threatens retaliation against U.S. bases following American airstrikes on its nuclear sites. China and Russia express deep concern, with warnings about regional war and disruptions to global trade. As military operations escalate and casualties mount, international pressure grows to prevent a broader conflict, threatening global stability and impacting financial markets.
As the Iran-Israel conflict enters its eleventh day, the crisis continues to spiral, drawing sharp warnings from global powers and heightening fears of a broader regional war. The latest developments include Iranian threats of direct retaliation against U.S. military bases and strong diplomatic rebukes from both China and Russia, signaling growing international unease over the escalating violence.
On Monday, Iran’s armed forces warned the United States of "serious, unpredictable consequences" following American airstrikes on three of its nuclear sites—Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. The strikes were part of a U.S.-Israel effort to disrupt Iran’s nuclear infrastructure amid intensifying hostilities. Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a pointed threat, stating that U.S. bases “in the region or elsewhere” could now be considered valid targets by Iranian forces.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s military, said the U.S. attack would significantly broaden the range of legitimate Iranian military targets and increase the chances of the conflict spilling beyond its current geographic boundaries. In response to the threat level, the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, which hosts a major U.S. military base, has reduced its on-site staffing.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue across Iranian territory. On Monday, Israel reportedly struck Tehran’s notorious Evin prison and targeted the Fordow nuclear site again. In Israel, civilians were forced into bomb shelters as air raid sirens blared amid at least three missile barrages over a two-hour span.
The human toll is mounting rapidly. According to Iran’s Health Ministry, Israeli strikes since June 13 have killed over 400 people. Iran’s retaliatory actions have resulted in 24 deaths in Israel, based on official figures.
As the conflict threatens to destabilize the broader region, major world powers are voicing concern. China issued a formal warning about the potential “spillover of war,” urging diplomatic efforts to prevent the fighting from disrupting global trade, particularly through the Gulf’s vital maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of the world’s oil supply, has emerged as a focal point of concern. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appealed to China to help deter Iran from blocking the strait. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, cautioned that any closure would be “extremely dangerous.”
Russia, too, weighed in, with President Vladimir Putin condemning the U.S. and Israeli strikes as “unprovoked” and “unjustified” during a meeting in Moscow with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, Moscow has so far stopped short of offering concrete military assistance to Tehran.
With tensions escalating on multiple fronts, analysts warn that the conflict could draw in additional nations, further complicating diplomatic efforts and threatening global stability. The war has already had ripple effects across financial markets, with oil prices experiencing volatility as traders brace for potential disruptions in the global supply chain.
As Iran vows retaliation and continues its military posturing, the international community faces mounting pressure to prevent the conflict from expanding into a full-scale regional war—or worse, a direct confrontation between global powers.
On Monday, Iran’s armed forces warned the United States of "serious, unpredictable consequences" following American airstrikes on three of its nuclear sites—Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. The strikes were part of a U.S.-Israel effort to disrupt Iran’s nuclear infrastructure amid intensifying hostilities. Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a pointed threat, stating that U.S. bases “in the region or elsewhere” could now be considered valid targets by Iranian forces.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s military, said the U.S. attack would significantly broaden the range of legitimate Iranian military targets and increase the chances of the conflict spilling beyond its current geographic boundaries. In response to the threat level, the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, which hosts a major U.S. military base, has reduced its on-site staffing.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue across Iranian territory. On Monday, Israel reportedly struck Tehran’s notorious Evin prison and targeted the Fordow nuclear site again. In Israel, civilians were forced into bomb shelters as air raid sirens blared amid at least three missile barrages over a two-hour span.
The human toll is mounting rapidly. According to Iran’s Health Ministry, Israeli strikes since June 13 have killed over 400 people. Iran’s retaliatory actions have resulted in 24 deaths in Israel, based on official figures.
As the conflict threatens to destabilize the broader region, major world powers are voicing concern. China issued a formal warning about the potential “spillover of war,” urging diplomatic efforts to prevent the fighting from disrupting global trade, particularly through the Gulf’s vital maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of the world’s oil supply, has emerged as a focal point of concern. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appealed to China to help deter Iran from blocking the strait. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, cautioned that any closure would be “extremely dangerous.”
Russia, too, weighed in, with President Vladimir Putin condemning the U.S. and Israeli strikes as “unprovoked” and “unjustified” during a meeting in Moscow with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, Moscow has so far stopped short of offering concrete military assistance to Tehran.
With tensions escalating on multiple fronts, analysts warn that the conflict could draw in additional nations, further complicating diplomatic efforts and threatening global stability. The war has already had ripple effects across financial markets, with oil prices experiencing volatility as traders brace for potential disruptions in the global supply chain.
As Iran vows retaliation and continues its military posturing, the international community faces mounting pressure to prevent the conflict from expanding into a full-scale regional war—or worse, a direct confrontation between global powers.