US-Iran tensions rise, as Trump claims dominance over Iran’s airspace

Tensions in the Middle East as of Tuesday, June 17, 2025, continue to escalate as both Israel and the United States intensify their pressure on Iran, leading to renewed speculation that Washington may soon join the offensive initiated by its key regional partner.

According to online media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump has reinforced his stance on ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions permanently.

Trump declared US’ air superiority over Iran.

He was quoted to have said,

“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.

“Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured “stuff.”

“Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.

His early departure from the G7 summit in Canada drew international attention and fueled speculation that the U.S. may be preparing for more decisive involvement in the conflict.

When questioned about leaving the summit early, Trump dismissed the notion of a temporary peace agreement.

“An end. A real end. Not a ceasefire. An end,” he stated aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, hinting at a far-reaching goal beyond a mere pause in hostilities.

Meanwhile, Israel announced plans to intensify its military actions against Tehran.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli forces would strike “very significant targets” in the Iranian capital and warned residents to evacuate.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that it was too early to assess the overall effectiveness of the campaign.

However, the spokesperson confirmed that Israeli operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure were “deepening by the day.”

President Trump echoed this momentum on social media, claiming the U.S. and Israel had achieved “complete and total control of the skies over Iran.”

He credited advanced U.S.-produced military technology for supporting Israel’s dominance in the air.

Neither Katz nor Trump detailed their next military objectives.

However, Vice President JD Vance praised Trump’s restraint, noting the administration’s focus on defending U.S. personnel and citizens.

Vance also warned that further actions might be necessary if Iran continues its nuclear enrichment activities.

Though global markets have shown signs of stability since the conflict erupted with Israeli airstrikes last Friday, fears remain that the war could engulf other nations in the energy-rich region.

Trump’s G7 exit followed another day of intense fighting, with Iran launching ballistic missiles and Israel striking sites across Iranian territory, including Tehran.

The U.S. Navy’s USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group has been sent to the region ahead of schedule, marking the first major American military movement since the conflict began.

Satellite images released this week indicate that Israeli attacks have damaged underground enrichment facilities at Natanz, Iran’s main site for nuclear fuel production.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the damage in a post on X but stated that Iran’s other major enrichment facility in Fordow had not yet sustained visible harm.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch advocate for military action against Iran, openly backed U.S. involvement in targeting Fordow.

Speaking to reporters, Graham said, “I’m all in for destroying their nuclear program,” stressing that military action is now the only viable option.

“The window for diplomacy has passed—we’re in the land of force,” he declared, advocating for the use of bunker-busting bombs and joint operations with Israel if necessary.

Israel, which has received defensive support from the U.S. in response to Iranian missile attacks, has urged deeper American involvement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News that the two nations share a common adversary in Iran, asserting that it is in the United States’ strategic interest to stand by Israel.

While President Trump has not entirely ruled out future negotiations, he criticized Tehran for failing to reach a deal earlier, suggesting that diplomacy might no longer be practical.

He said he may consider dispatching special envoy Steven Witkoff or Vice President Vance to speak with Iranian officials, depending on how the situation evolves.

“They should have done the deal,” Trump remarked.

“I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”

Israel reported a significant reduction in missile fire from Iran on Tuesday, with only a few dozen rockets launched overnight compared to the hundreds seen during the weekend.

However, the toll on infrastructure has been severe. Oil Refineries Ltd. shut down its major Haifa facility after sustaining missile damage that killed three employees.

The plant, which supplies about 70% of Israel’s fuel, has a maximum daily production of nearly 200,000 barrels.

Gasoline distributor Sonol warned that the refinery closure could lead to fuel shortages across the country.

The recent hostilities were triggered when Israel launched sudden strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites last week, killing top military leaders and nuclear scientists.

Israel has since achieved air superiority, enabling extensive bombing of cities and critical infrastructure.

For Iran, the conflict presents a strategic dilemma.

Its government must avoid appearing weak but has limited options left. Its regional proxies have been severely weakened by Israeli operations since late 2023.

Official figures put the Iranian death toll at over 200, while Israel has confirmed 24 fatalities and more than 600 injuries.

Oil prices have surged amid concerns that the war could disrupt global supply.

Analysts warn that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. On Tuesday, Qatar instructed LNG tankers to delay entering the strait due to escalating risks.

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