Key Points
- Trump warns Iran to “make a deal before it’s too late”
- Israeli airstrikes kill top Iranian military, nuclear leaders
- Trump claims Iran’s hardliners “are all dead now”
- U.S. military aid to Israel emphasized by Trump
- Iran vows severe retaliation against Israel’s strikes
- Trump urges nuclear deal to prevent further destruction
- Israeli strikes targeted over 100 Iranian sites
- Tehran calls Israeli attacks a “declaration of war”
- U.S. denies direct involvement in Israeli strikes
- Diplomatic talks between U.S. and Iran remain uncertain
In the wake of a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a chilling warning to Iran on June 13, 2025, following Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. The strikes killed several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, prompting Tehran to vow severe retaliation. Trump’s message was clear: Iran must “make a deal” on its nuclear program before “there is nothing left,” underscoring the grave consequences of continued defiance.
Israeli Airstrikes and Iranian Casualties
Extensive Strikes Across Iran
On the night of June 12-13, Israel launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran, striking more than 100 targets including nuclear enrichment facilities, missile production sites, and military command centers. Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli army, confirmed that around 200 Israeli warplanes participated in the operation. The primary focus was the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, a core component of Iran’s nuclear program.
High-Profile Deaths
The strikes resulted in the deaths of several top Iranian figures, including Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Hejazi, chief of staff for Iran’s Armed Forces, and multiple leading nuclear scientists such as Mohammad Mehdi Tehri and Ebrahim Abbasi. Iranian state media confirmed these losses, which represent a significant blow to Tehran’s military and nuclear leadership.
Trump’s Response: “Just Do It, Before It’s Too Late”
A Message of Ultimatum
Responding swiftly on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran:
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done.”
He warned that the “next already planned attacks” would be even more brutal and urged Iran to accept a nuclear deal to prevent further bloodshed.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Hardliners “Are All Dead Now”
Trump emphasized that Iranian hardliners who resisted previous peace overtures “are all DEAD now,” implying that the recent strikes have dismantled the faction opposing negotiations. He added:
“They didn’t know what was about to happen. And it will only get worse.”
Military Capabilities Highlighted
Trump underscored the superior military technology possessed by the United States and Israel:
“The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come. And they know how to use it.”
Tehran’s Vow of Retaliation and Regional Tensions
Iran’s Supreme Leader Responds
In response to the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel “must expect severe punishment,” framing the attacks as a “declaration of war.” Tehran promised a strong and “bitter and painful” response, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.
Drone Attacks on Israel
Following the airstrikes, Iran reportedly launched approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory. Israeli defense forces intercepted many of these, but the attacks marked a significant escalation in hostilities.
U.S. Denies Direct Involvement
While Israel conducted the strikes independently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States was not involved in planning or executing the attacks. However, Rubio warned Iran against retaliating against American personnel or interests in the region, stating that Washington would hold Tehran accountable for any such actions.
Trump’s Position on Diplomacy and Conflict
Preference for a Deal
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Trump reiterated his preference for a diplomatic resolution with Iran. In a Fox News interview prior to the strikes, he said:
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon… Other than that, I want them to be successful. I want them to be tremendous. We’ll help them succeed, we’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever is necessary.”
He also expressed concern that Israeli military action could jeopardize ongoing negotiations:
“If I think there’s a chance at a deal, I don’t want [Israel] going in—because I think it could ruin it. It might even help it, but it could also blow it.”
Warning of “Massive Conflict”
Trump acknowledged the possibility of a large-scale conflict erupting in the Middle East, stating:
“There exists a chance of significant conflict… We have many Americans in this area. I said: We must advise them to evacuate because something could occur soon.”
International and Regional Implications
Israel’s Continued Campaign
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the strikes would continue “for as many days as necessary” to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The campaign reflects Israel’s longstanding policy of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which it views as an existential threat.
Diplomatic Uncertainty
The strikes come amid fragile negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with a sixth round of talks scheduled to begin in Oman shortly after the attacks. The violence threatens to derail diplomatic efforts and plunge the region into deeper instability.
Global Reactions
The international community watches closely as tensions escalate. Many nations call for restraint and urge both sides to return to the negotiating table, fearing that further military actions could trigger a wider war affecting global security and energy markets.
Former President Donald Trump’s forceful warning to Iran following Israel’s devastating airstrikes underscores the precarious state of Middle East diplomacy. With top Iranian leaders killed and Tehran vowing retaliation, the risk of a broader conflict looms large. Trump’s message is unequivocal: Iran must seize the opportunity to negotiate a nuclear deal before “there is nothing left.” As the region braces for what may come next, the world waits to see whether diplomacy can prevail over destruction.