Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have remained defiant amid considerations that Israel may launch an assault on Iran as the worldwide nuclear watchdog adopts one other Western-led censure decision.
Whilst Oman confirmed on Thursday that it’s going to host a sixth spherical of talks on Sunday between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme, studies by shops reminiscent of The New York Occasions, quoting officers within the US and Europe, warned that Israel is “prepared” to assault Iran, even with out army backing from Washington. Israel has lengthy threatened to assault Iran’s nuclear websites.
The administration of US President Donald Trump additionally carried out a partial evacuation of embassy workers in Iraq and dependants of US personnel throughout the Center East in an indication of escalating rigidity within the area.
“I don’t need to say imminent, but it surely appears to be like prefer it’s one thing that might very nicely occur,” mentioned Trump at a White Home occasion on Thursday, commenting on the chance of an Israeli strike.
“We won’t give in to America’s coercion and bullying,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned in a televised speech within the western metropolis of Ilam on Thursday, mentioning that Iran resisted eight years of invasion within the Eighties by neighbouring Iraq, which was backed by many overseas powers.
Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), advised state tv that if Israel assaults, it will be met with a “history-making” response that may go far past Iran’s two rounds of retaliatory strikes on Israel final 12 months.
He mentioned Iran will not be “defenceless and encircled” like Gaza, the place the Israeli army has killed greater than 55,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
Chatting with a crowd in Tehran, IRGC Quds Pressure commander Esmail Qaani mentioned Iran’s armed forces have made important strides in enhancing their attacking capabilities within the months for the reason that earlier missile barrages launched towards Israel.
“In the event that they assume the axis of resistance and Iran have been weakened after which boast based mostly on that, it’s all a dream,” mentioned the commander, who leads the exterior drive of the IRGC, which is tasked with increasing Iran’s regional affect.
Mohammad Bagheri, chief of workers of the Iranian armed forces, introduced on Thursday that he has given the order to launch extra army workout routines after a sequence of large-scale drills have been held throughout Iran earlier this 12 months. An array of missiles and drones, warships, particular forces and even underground missile bases featured in these drills.
On Wednesday, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh reiterated that each one US army bases in international locations throughout the area are reliable targets if battle breaks out with the US.
He mentioned Iran had efficiently launched an unnamed ballistic missile final week with a 2,000kg (4,410lb) warhead and promised casualties “on the opposite aspect will probably be higher and would drive the US to depart the area”.
Iran to construct third enrichment web site
After days of deliberation, the board of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) on Thursday handed a decision to censure Iran over its advancing nuclear programme and several other excellent circumstances involving unexplained nuclear supplies discovered at Iranian websites.
The decision was put ahead in Vienna by the US together with France, Germany and the UK, the three European nations who’re nonetheless celebration to Iran’s 2015 nuclear take care of world powers, which Trump unilaterally deserted in 2018.
The worldwide nuclear watchdog has adopted a number of Western-led censure resolutions towards Iran over the previous few years, however the one on Thursday was essentially the most severe in practically 20 years as a result of it alleges Iran will not be complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.
Iran’s Ministry of International Affairs branded the accusation “utterly baseless and fabricated” and mentioned Western powers are utilizing the worldwide physique as a software for exerting political stress.
Tehran’s response was additionally important. The Atomic Power Group of Iran and the International Ministry collectively introduced that the nation would construct its third uranium enrichment web site at a “safe” location.
They added that first-generation centrifuges will probably be changed with sixth-generation machines on the Fordow enrichment plant, which is able to significantly enhance Iran’s capacity to create extremely enriched uranium.
The Natanz and Fordow amenities, each constructed deep underground to guard them towards bunker-buster munitions utilized by the US and Israel, are at the moment the one amenities enriching uranium in Iran. They’re each beneath heavy supervision by the IAEA.
Iran is now enriching uranium as much as 60 % and maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceable and has civilian makes use of, reminiscent of energy era and the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals. Uranium should be at 90 % purity to construct nuclear weapons.
‘Zero’ enrichment demand looms over talks
Iran and the US are as soon as once more heading to Muscat at the same time as they nonetheless disagree over enrichment, the important thing concern for any potential settlement.
The 2015 nuclear deal allowed Iran to complement uranium as much as 3.67 % beneath IAEA monitoring, however Trump, who now says he’s much less assured a couple of take care of Iran, has insisted on “zero” enrichment going down inside Iran.
Tehran, which this week rejected one other US proposal that included zero enrichment, is slated to supply a counterproposal quickly to attempt to advance the negotiations.
Concepts for a nuclear consortium that features Iran’s neighbours to bolster belief have up to now failed to offer any breakthrough.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea are anticipated to satisfy with US envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday earlier than he heads to the Omani capital for the newest spherical of talks.
Tehran leans on nationwide sentiment
In Tehran’s Vanak Sq., authorities this week put in an enormous sculpture of Arash Kamangir (Arash the Archer), a hero in Iranian mythology.
The story of Arash concerned the hero placing his life in peril by climbing Mount Damavand – the very best peak in Iran at 5,609 metres (18,402ft) and a logo of nationwide pleasure – to make use of his archery abilities to set Iran’s borders. Within the story, his arrow flies for days earlier than setting Iran’s boundaries with Turan, a historic area in Central Asia.
The story is one which evokes a way of nationwide pleasure amongst all Iranians. When photographs of the sculpture went viral on social media, some Iranians praised the transfer whereas others criticised it as an try to faucet nationalist sentiment at a time when Iran could also be attacked.
A big 2 -meter statue of Arash Kamangir was put in at present in Vanak Sq. in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/QQBglpxWXO
– Azadeh Mokhtari (@azademokhtari) June 10, 2025
Translation: A 15-metre-high (50ft-high) sculpture of Arash Kamangir was put in at Tehran’s Vanak Sq. at present.
However even with the spectre of struggle seeming to loom over Iran once more, markets within the nation have remained comparatively secure in current weeks as they anticipate the outcomes of negotiations with the US.
The Iranian rial modified fingers in Tehran for about 840,000 per US greenback on Thursday, having solely barely dipped in contrast with the times earlier than and its information of extra army and political stress on Iran.
“Most individuals I’ve spoken to listed below are following the information of the talks with the US and Israel’s threats very carefully, however there’s no panic,” a 36-year-old vendor at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar advised Al Jazeera, asking to stay nameless.
After years of stringent sanctions, together with native mismanagement, Iran has been going through constantly excessive inflation. It at the moment stands above 30 %. Iranians are additionally reduce off from worldwide cost networks and banned from most worldwide providers as a result of sanctions.
“No person needs a struggle,” the seller mentioned. “We have now sufficient issues as is. I actually hope they attain a deal.”
