When world leaders speak after a sudden turn in geopolitical affairs, every word is weighed for intent and consequence. In recent days, a terse public statement from former President Donald Trump has added fuel to an already volatile situation unfolding in the Middle East—raising new questions about diplomacy, deterrence, and who holds the reins in global security decisions.
What began as strategic military action has escalated into a dramatic standoff, with Trump’s warning adding a new layer of tension. Here’s an in-depth look at what happened—and what it might mean going forward.
The Beginning: Israel’s “Rising Lion” Strikes
In the early hours of June 13, 2025, Israel launched a sweeping military operation—dubbed Operation Rising Lion—against targets within Iran. Using over 200 fighter jets, drones, and precision munitions, the strikes focused on nuclear facilities, enrichment sites such as Natanz, and residences linked to high-ranking military officials aljazeera.com+9time.com+9theguardian.com+9.
Iranian media and officials confirmed the deaths of several key figures, including:
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Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC time.com+6theguardian.com+6nypost.com+6
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Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff washingtonpost.com+10theguardian.com+10theaustralian.com.au+10
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Nuclear scientists like Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi theaustralian.com.au+2theguardian.com+2time.com+2
These strikes targeted more than 100 locations across Tehran, Natanz, and beyond apnews.com+14businessinsider.com+14time.com+14, while early reports from the UN atomic watchdog confirmed there were no radiation leaks at Natanz or Bushehr theguardian.com.
Iran’s Response: Declaring War and Launching Drones
Tehran swiftly condemned the operation as a “declaration of war” nypost.com+2theguardian.com+2economictimes.indiatimes.com+2. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed “harsh punishment”, while President Pezeshkian said Iran would not remain silent theguardian.com.
Indeed, Iran responded by firing more than 100 drones toward Israel aljazeera.com+7cbsnews.com+7theguardian.com+7, prompting Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to declare a nationwide emergency and sound air-raid sirens npr.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9theguardian.com+9.
Meanwhile, regional airspace closures and Western nations urging de-escalation signaled this could spiral into a wider conflict theguardian.com.
Trump Weighs In: ‘Very Successful’ — and Urgent Advice
Amid the chaos, Donald Trump stepped into the spotlight. Speaking to Fox News and later on Truth Social, the former president endorsed Israel’s actions as “a very successful attack, to put it mildly” uk.news.yahoo.com+2reuters.com+2the-independent.com+2.
But his message went beyond praise. Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran: “Make a deal before it is too late.” He underscored that Iran had been given a “60‑day ultimatum”—now at day 61—to negotiate a new nuclear agreement or face more devastating consequences washingtonpost.com.
Trump used blunt rhetoric:
“They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!”
“Iran must make a deal … BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
“We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.” the-independent.com+1uk.news.yahoo.com+1theguardian.com
He also told CNN that the U.S. “supports Israel,” a veiled reassurance—even though the Biden administration was scrambling to distance itself from the attack .
Why Trump’s Intervention Matters
Trump’s remarks carry weight for several reasons:
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Framing the strikes as leverage — encouraging Israel to maintain pressure while offering a conditional “exit” if Iran negotiates.
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Positioning the U.S. as supportive but not direct actor, contrasting sharply with explicit U.S. military involvement theguardian.com.
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Reasserting personal brand — Trump harkened back to his own presidency, during which he withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 JCPOA and imposed crushing sanctions economictimes.indiatimes.com+11reuters.com+11reuters.com+11.
He capitalized on the moment to pose himself as a decisive strategist—one who’s offering a lifeline, wrapped in a menacing ultimatum.
A Blast from the Past: Sanctions, Agreements, and Withdrawal
To understand the significance of Trump’s ultimatum, it’s important to revisit the context:
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The 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal limited Iran’s activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
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Trump pulled the U.S. out in 2018, reinstating sanctions and declaring the agreement “defective at its core” theaustralian.com.au+9en.wikipedia.org+9aljazeera.com+9.
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The strategy deeply damaged Iran’s economy—oil revenue dropped by roughly $160 billion by 2016; the rial plunged to record lows and Iran plunged into recession .
Now, Trump is reiterating that military force is a negotiating tool—applied by proxy—to force renewed compliance.
Inside “Operation Rising Lion”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the charges as targeting Iran’s nuclear program to “rollback the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival” en.wikipedia.org+2theguardian.com+2cbsnews.com+2. The mission spotlighted:
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Natanz and possibly Fordow, Israel’s key nuclear focus points en.wikipedia.orgtheguardian.com+5businessinsider.com+5theaustralian.com.au+5.
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Military leadership and scientific advisors, some eliminated theaustralian.com.au.
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Use of drones and Mossad coordination, supplementing aviation strikes .
The operation demonstrated determination—and capacity—to strike deep, though experts warn Iran’s fortified underground facilities may remain intact businessinsider.com+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1.
International Reactions: Alarm and Alignment
World leaders reacted swiftly:
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UN Security Council met in emergency session; UN Secretary‑General Guterres urged maximum restraint theguardian.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
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France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and New Zealand condemned the attack and called for de-escalation theguardian.com.
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China advised citizens in Iran to remain alert; the U.S. sent naval destroyers to signal support for regional security en.wikipedia.org.
The Israeli government declared a state of national emergency and mobilized military reserves . Iran pulled its diplomats and suspended nuclear talks, vowing retaliation .
The High-Stakes Gamble: Escalation or Negotiation?
This strike, with Trump’s intervention, marks a crossroads:
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Military escalation risk is high. Iran’s response could include drone attacks, missile barrages, or regional proxy involvement.
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Diplomatic deadlock deepens. The attack hit just before planned nuclear negotiations, signaling a breakdown in dialogue en.wikipedia.org.
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Energy and markets are already reeling. Oil jumped 7–11%, airline stocks tumbled, and flight paths diverted .
Trump’s message suggests a path forward: negotiate or face sustained military blowback aimed at preserving Israel and hindering Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
What Happens Next?
1. Iranian Retaliation?
Expect drone and missile barrages, possibly targeting Israeli communities, U.S. assets, or regional partners.
2. Diplomatic Fallout.
Iran’s withdrawal from talks could stall efforts at a new deal. International mediation could spin into crisis.
3. U.S. Involvement.
Though U.S. officials claim no direct participation, military supports are being mobilized—naval ships, intelligence collaboration, and warnings to all sides.
4. Regional Shifts.
Arab capitals are monitoring carefully. Some, like Saudi Arabia, have called for restraint—others may be pulled into proxy battles.
5. Global Markets.
Energy uncertainty continues. Investors are watching for supply disruptions and escalating geopolitical risk.
Final Analysis
Donald Trump’s words—“very successful,” “make a deal,” “they are all dead”—aren’t just commentary. They’re part of a broader strategy: using military escalation as leverage, while funneling the pressure toward diplomacy—even if only through threat.
But there’s a thin line between leverage and catastrophe. If Iran responds with force, or if global powers refuse to engage diplomatically, the region could slip into full-scale warfare.
In this volatile environment, every move—from bombers and drones to tweets and interviews—will shape whether the outcome becomes a negotiated ceasefire or a spiral into greater conflict.
