Iranian media: Nation gearing up to declare war on Israel and launch retaliatory actions

Iranian media: Nation gearing up to declare war on Israel and launch retaliatory actions

Israel's preemptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have escalated tensions in the Middle East, with both countries trading accusations and threats of further action. The strikes, which Israel claims were aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, have led to a state of emergency in Israel and a warning of imminent missile and drone attacks on Israeli civilians. Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran and other cities, with some reports suggesting civilian casualties.

The United States has distanced itself from Israel's actions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the U.S. is not involved in the strikes and that Israel acted unilaterally. However, the Trump administration has expressed concern about the potential impact of the strikes on the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Iran's nuclear program.

The global financial markets have reacted to the news with a significant drop in stock prices and a surge in oil prices. U.S. stock futures, an indication of where stocks will open at 9:30 a.m. ET tomorrow, plunged on news of the strikes. The S&P 500 futures slid 1.6%, while Nasdaq futures plunged 1.8% and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped more than 600 points, or about 1.4%. Meanwhile, the price of oil soared 6%. Iran and other countries in the region are among the world's top producers of oil, and any disruption could cause ripples throughout the world.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the strikes were aimed at Iran's nuclear program, including nuclear targets and military capabilities. The IDF stated that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon and that Israel has no choice but to act in defense of its citizens. Iran's Press TV aired initial reports that the Israeli strikes in and around Tehran have resulted in civilian casualties, including at sites in Natanz and Khorramabad.

Iran has responded to the strikes by calling for a declaration of war and promising retaliatory actions. Iranian media outlets have reported that the nation is gearing up for a full-scale military response against Israel. This escalation has raised concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region and the impact on global oil supplies and markets.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for restraint and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. As the conflict unfolds, investors and financial professionals should closely follow updates and be prepared for potential market volatility.

References:
- [1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/12/middleeast/israel-iran-strikes-intl-hnk
- [2] https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/israel-strikes-iran-middle-east-conflict-live-updates-rcna212727
- [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/