Iran Doubles Down Amid Rising Threat of Israeli Strike During US Nuclear Talks
Tehran, Iran – June 12, 2025 — As diplomatic tensions intensify, Iran is escalating its military posture and nuclear infrastructure development amid warnings that Israel is preparing a possible attack—even as Iran and the United States are set to resume nuclear talks in Oman this weekend.
Despite looming negotiations, Tehran has announced the construction of a third uranium enrichment facility and launched fresh rounds of military drills in a bold show of defiance against Western pressure and Israeli threats.
The move follows a strong censure resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday, which accused Iran of failing to meet its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Tehran rejected the claims as “baseless and fabricated,” accusing Western nations of manipulating the IAEA for political leverage.
Iranian Leaders: “We Will Not Bow to Bullying”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking in Ilam, fiercely condemned what he termed “America’s coercion and bullying,” referencing the country’s resilience during the Iran-Iraq War as a symbol of national strength.
IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami warned that any Israeli aggression would be met with a “history-making” response, while Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani emphasized the improved attack capabilities of Iran’s military since last year’s retaliatory strikes on Israel.
New Enrichment Site, Advanced Centrifuges
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, in coordination with its Foreign Ministry, announced the development of a third uranium enrichment site in a secure location. The Fordow site will soon be upgraded with sixth-generation centrifuges, a significant leap from older models and a step toward increasing uranium purity beyond the current 60%—still below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material.
Trump Administration and Military Movements
Former US President Donald Trump, now a key figure in Middle East policy discussions, said Thursday: “I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” in reference to an Israeli strike. His administration has also evacuated embassy staff from Iraq and other regions, signaling elevated threat levels.
Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh confirmed a successful test of a ballistic missile carrying a 2,000kg warhead and declared that all US military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets if hostilities erupt.
Tensions Rise Ahead of Oman Talks
Oman is scheduled to host the sixth round of Iran-US talks on Sunday. The key point of contention remains uranium enrichment: while the 2015 nuclear deal allowed enrichment up to 3.67%, Trump and US negotiators now demand “zero” enrichment inside Iran. Tehran recently rejected this demand and is preparing a counterproposal.
Despite backchannel diplomacy and regional proposals, such as a multilateral nuclear consortium, no breakthrough has been achieved.
Symbolism and Stability at Home
In a nod to national pride, authorities unveiled a 15-meter sculpture of Arash Kamangir, a mythic Iranian archer, in Tehran’s Vanak Square—sparking debate online about the timing and symbolism as potential conflict looms.
Still, local markets have remained relatively stable, with the Iranian rial trading at approximately 840,000 per US dollar. Inflation, however, continues to plague the economy, exceeding 30%.
“No one wants a war,” said a vendor in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. “We have enough problems already. We’re just hoping they reach a deal.”
