Iran Condemns US Strike On Nuclear Facilities Amid Global Calls For De-escalation 

Iran condemned the US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities Sunday, warning of “everlasting consequences” and accusing Washington of a grave breach of international law, even as world leaders reacted with alarm to the sudden escalation in fighting between the United States and Israel, and Iran, in an already volatile Middle East, Axios reported. 

On Saturday, the US launched overnight attacks on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, in a dramatic expansion of the Israel-Iran conflict that erupted on June 13.  

US President Donald Trump said the goal was to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and halt what he called “the nuclear threat posed by the No. 1 state sponsor of terror.” Declaring it a “spectacular military success,” Trump warned that if Tehran retaliates against Americans or their property, the US would strike again “with force far greater than what was witnessed.”  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately praised Trump’s “bold decision,” calling it a historic move that “will change history.” In a video statement, Netanyahu reiterated the phrase “peace through strength,” saying the US action showed “a lot of strength” and would make Israel safer. 

But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the strikes as “criminal behavior” and “a grave violation of the (United Nations) Charter,” Politico added. 

Araghchi said Iran “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests and people,” adding that diplomacy had been “blown up” by the US and Israel. 

Following the strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared “war starts right now” and threatened retaliation against US military installations across the region, Euronews wrote. 

The weekend strikes marked a historic US military intervention against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, long considered off-limits by previous administrations. Observers noted that the strikes followed a failed diplomatic outreach effort via Turkey last week, as the US sought backchannel talks with Iranian officials. 

The airstrikes drew strong condemnation from Russia and China, with Moscow calling the attack “a gross violation of international law” and warning of further global instability. China said the bombing seriously violates the UN Charter and urged all parties to de-escalate, according to CNBC News. 

Russia has supported Iran with technology to develop its nuclear program, while China is a major buyer of Iranian oil. 

Meanwhile, US allies in Europe and Australia expressed fear about the risk of further escalation.  

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for Iran to “engage in a credible diplomatic solution,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iran to resume negotiations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned the conflict could spread without a diplomatic off-ramp. 

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia expressed “great concern,” and Lebanon warned the strikes could trigger broader instability.