WW3 Fears Explode as Khamenei Vows “Crushing Revenge” for Trump’s Iran Nuclear Bombing

SUBHEADLINE: Trump’s High-Stakes Gamble Ignites Fears of Wider War; DEFCON 3 Ordered, Impeachment Calls Intensify

Dateline: June 22, 2025 | WASHINGTON D.C./TEHRAN

WW3 fears explode – The world reeled Sunday as the fallout from President Donald Trump’s unilateral U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, including the obliterated Fordow facility, escalated dramatically. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a chilling vow of “crushing revenge“ against America, triggering a global wave of condemnation, surging oil prices, a Pentagon order of DEFCON 3, and intensified calls for Trump’s impeachment over the lack of Congressional approval.

The Strikes & Immediate Aftermath:

• Precision Destruction: As confirmed by Pentagon officials, Friday night’s operation utilized B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike at least three critical Iranian nuclear sites. The primary target, the deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility, was described by satellite analysts as “functionally destroyed.” The Natanz enrichment complex also sustained significant damage. The stated goal: “irreversible degradation” of Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon.
• Trump’s Gambit: The analysis frames the attack as Trump’s biggest foreign policy gamble since returning to office. Officials privately acknowledged acting on intelligence suggesting Iran was nearing a weapons breakthrough, coupled with a desire for a decisive response to Iran’s attack on Israel. “We took out the heart of their nuclear terror,” a senior advisor stated. Crucially, Congress was notified after the missiles were launched, sparking immediate constitutional fury.

Khamenei’s Ominous Threat & Iranian Mobilization:

• “Crushing Revenge”: In a rare, fiery televised address Sunday, Supreme Leader Khamenei explicitly linked the retaliation to Trump’s bombing of Iran. “This cowardly crime by the Great Satan will not go unanswered. The revenge for this pure blood will be crushing, severe, and a lesson they will never forget,” he declared, promising actions that would make America “regret this historic mistake.”
• IRGC on High Alert: The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) echoed Khamenei, placing all forces on maximum alert. IRGC commanders vowed “operations beyond borders” targeting U.S. interests globally, explicitly mentioning the potential for strikes making Americans “feel insecurity in their own homes.” Searches for “will Iran attack the U.S.?” and “Iran threatens US homeland” spiked worldwide.
• Proxy Activation: U.S. intelligence agencies report heightened communications between Tehran and its regional proxies – Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen – signaling imminent coordinated attacks on U.S. forces and allies.

Global Backlash & Fractured Alliances:

• UN Emergency Session: The United Nations Security Council convened its second emergency meeting in 24 hours. Russia and China launched scathing condemnations, calling the U.S. strikes “illegal acts of aggression” and “unprovoked warmongering.” They placed sole blame on Washington for pushing the region to the “brink of catastrophe.”
• Allied “Grave Concern”: Key U.S. allies offered tepid, strained responses. The UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement expressing “grave concern” over the escalation and Khamenei’s threats, urging “maximum restraint.” However, they notably refused to endorse the U.S. action, highlighting a significant diplomatic rift. “Our commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering, but unilateral actions of this magnitude risk engulfing the entire region,” a European diplomat stated anonymously.
• Gulf Silence: Gulf Arab states (Saudi Arabia, UAE), historically wary of Iran, remained largely silent, reflecting their complex position – relief at the setback to Iran’s nuclear program tempered by fear of Iranian retaliation and regional war spilling onto their soil.

Domestic U.S. Turmoil & Impeachment Drumbeat:

• DEFCON 3 & Homeland Alert: The Pentagon elevated the U.S. military’s alert status worldwide to DEFCON 3 (Increased Force Readiness). The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of heightened risks of Iranian cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, potential terrorist plots by Iranian proxies or sympathizers inside the U.S., and attacks on soft targets. Security surged around U.S. nuclear sites, government buildings, and transportation hubs.
• Constitutional Crisis Erupts: The lack of Congressional approval dominated the political response. Leading Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, declared the strikes an unconstitutional “act of war” requiring prior authorization. “The President is not a king. Bombing another nation’s sovereign territory, destroying its nuclear facilities without an imminent threat, demands Congressional debate and approval. This is an impeachable offense,” Jeffries stated, announcing emergency House hearings. Libertarian Republican Rep. Thomas Massie joined the criticism, questioning the legal basis.
• Republican Divide: While hawks like Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham praised Trump’s “decisive leadership,” others expressed deep unease. Sen. John Fetterman demanded a full classified briefing, stating, “The gravity of this action and the potential consequences demand total transparency and accountability to Congress.”
• Public Anxiety: Reports emerged of Americans stocking up on essentials. Social media was flooded with searches for “Are we at war with Iran?”, “Is WW3 starting?”, and “Where would Iran strike first?”. Trump is expected to address the nation again Sunday evening.

Market Meltdown & Global Economic Fears:

• Oil Shock: Global oil prices skyrocketed over 17% in early Asian trading Monday – the largest single-day surge since the 1990 Gulf War. Traders fear Iran will attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, choking off nearly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil.
• Markets Plunge: Stock markets across Asia and Europe nosedived. U.S. futures indicated a massive sell-off at the opening bell on Wall Street. Gold and other safe-haven assets surged as investors fled risk.
• Recession Fears: Economists warned the combined shock of surging oil prices and market turmoil could tip the fragile global economy into recession.

Analysis: On the Precipice
President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites was a calculated, high-risk gamble intended to shatter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and project overwhelming strength. Instead, it has:

1. Unleashed Existential Iranian Vengeance: Khamenei’s threat of “crushing revenge” signals Iran views this as an existential fight, moving beyond proxy conflicts to direct confrontation with the U.S.
2. Fractured the Western Alliance: Key allies have distanced themselves, refusing to endorse the action and highlighting a crisis of confidence in U.S. unilateralism.
3. Ignited a Constitutional Firestorm: The bypassing of Congress has triggered a profound debate over war powers, with impeachment now a serious political possibility.
4. Threatened Global Economic Stability: The surge in oil prices and market panic risks worldwide economic damage.

What Next? The World Holds Its Breath:

• Iran’s Retaliation: The form, scale, and timing of Iran’s promised “crushing” response are the critical unknowns. Will it be a massive drone/missile barrage on U.S. bases? A terrorist attack on U.S. soil? A move to close the Strait of Hormuz? Cyber Armageddon? Or all the above?
• U.S. Counter-Response: How will Trump and the U.S. military react? Further escalation could lock both nations into an uncontrollable spiral toward full-scale war.
• Congressional Power Play: Will Congress reassert its authority? Will hearings lead to War Powers resolutions, funding cuts, or impeachment articles?
• Diplomatic Hail Mary? Is there any remaining path for de-escalation via back channels or third parties (Oman, Qatar)? The UN appears impotent.

The bombing of Fordow may have set back Iran’s nuclear clock, but it has wound the Doomsday Clock perilously close to midnight. The world now waits, with profound dread, for Iran’s next move and the potential onset of a devastating US Iran war. This is a breaking news story; updates expected following Trump’s national address.