During his weekly press conference, Baghaei confirmed that “Iran had no doubt that America was indeed a partner, and then officially joined later.” He added, “But when the President of the United States openly admits that he was in full control and clearly contradicts the claim of the U.S. Secretary of State, this is an explicit acknowledgment of committing an international crime,” according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for the initial Israeli attack on Iran, contradicting previous U.S. assertions that the Israeli government acted independently. Trump stated to reporters last Thursday, “Israel attacked first, it was a very strong attack, and I was completely responsible for it.” He added, “When Israel first attacked Iran, it was a great day for Israel because that attack caused greater damage than the rest of the attacks combined.” During the 12-day war, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran, we are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is to protect U.S. forces in the region.” Trump increasingly credits himself with the outcome of the war between Iran and Israel, repeatedly claiming that America “completely eradicated” Iran’s nuclear program. On June 13, 2025, Israel launched surprise airstrikes in an operation called “Rising Lion,” targeting military sites and nuclear installations in Iran, notably the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. The Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of several prominent nuclear scientists, military leaders, and Iranian officials, including Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Iran responded with missile strikes against Israel in a military operation called “True Promise 3,” targeting dozens of military sites and airbases in Israel, affirming that the operation would continue as long as necessary. Israel justified its attacks by claiming that Iran had reached a “point of no return” in uranium enrichment and was nearing possession of a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies, insisting that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. The United States also launched an attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on the night of June 22. According to Washington, “the attack aimed to destroy or seriously weaken Iran’s nuclear program.” Days later, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced a response to the United States by striking the American Al-Udeid base in Qatar, leading to a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
