Enemy made grave big mistake, must be punished: Khamenei on US strikes
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fiercely condemned the US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, warning of a harsh and decisive response to Israel and the US. He vowed that the enemies will face severe punishment for their reckless provocation.The supreme leader of Iran shared his first response to the US strike on three nuclear facilities. On X. he wrote, "The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime; it must be punished and it is being punished; it is being punished right now."
advertisementThe US dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs onto the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site and two other sites on Sunday. Iran has vowed to give a response to US aggression. Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, said the US must "receive a response." He condemned the United States for carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. These attacks were the most serious Western military action against Iran since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
"The Americans must receive a response to their aggression," Pezeshkian said during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON ESCALATIONSAmid the escalating conflict, Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting on Sunday. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused Israel and the US of destroying diplomacy, said all US allegations are unfounded and that the nuclear non-proliferation treaty "has been manipulated into a political weapon."advertisement"Instead of guaranteeing parties' legitimate rights to peaceful nuclear energy, it has been exploited as a pretext for aggression and unlawful action that jeopardize the supreme interests of my country," Iravani told the council.UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres denounced the attacks, saying, "The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn.""We must act -- immediately and decisively -- to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme," he added.Tune InMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
20 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Putin was asked why is he not helping Iran. His reply
Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin has clarified Moscow's role in joining the Iran-Israel conflict, following the US entry with surprise air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting.(REUTERS file) Putin, a long-time ally of Iran, called out those who questioned Moscow's commitment to its allies, terming them "provocateurs", TASS news agency reported. The Russian President said that Russia has a nuanced relationship with its allies in the Middle East. Also Read: What Russia, China said on US strikes on Iran nuclear sites: 'Dangerous escalation...' "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that almost two million people from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation reside in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history," Putin said while speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Follow LIVE updates on Israel-Iran conflict here He further said that 15 per cent of Russia's population follows Islam and Moscow is an observer in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades. Moscow enjoys warm relations with Israel even as it developed strong economic and military ties with Iran. Also Read: 'Made a big mistake': Khamenei vows punishment for Israel, no mention of US attack on Iran Putin has also emphasised that Russia has a trusting relationship with Iran and helped build its first nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Russia condemns US strikes Following US' Sunday strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites in Iran, Russia condemned the bombings, calling them "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". "It is already clear that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry said. Last week, Putin had offered to help mediate an end to the Israel-Iran conflict. He said that Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns. Also Read: Why are Iran and Israel fighting? Rivalry of regional foes explained Meanwhile, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed punishment for Israel day after the US struck three nuclear facilities in Iran. Taking to X, the official handle of the Iranian leader vowed to intensify attacks against Tel Aviv, but made no mention of the US attacks. "The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a major crime; it must be punished—and it is being punished. It is being punished right now," Khamenei said in the post.
Indian Express
21 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Bullseye': Donald Trump claims US strikes inflicted ‘monumental damage' to Iran's nuclear facilities
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday (June 22) claimed that the overnight military strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure delivered a severe blow to Tehran. Taking to his Truth Social handle, Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites suffered 'monumental damage', citing the satellite images. He further affirmed that 'obliteration' was the 'accurate term' for the devastation caused by US airstrikes. 'Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' he wrote in a post. Iran says 'no signs of contamination' at nuclear sites Trump's remarks come as Iran downplayed the US attacks, saying that there were no signs of contamination at its key nuclear sites — Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz. Iranian state media also quoted the country's National Nuclear Safety System Centre, which said that its radiation detectors recorded no radioactive release after the strikes. 'There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites,' the statement said. It further stated that the residents living in the vicinity of the nuclear sites hit by the US were not in danger. Experts suggest that Iran, anticipating a US strike, might have relocated its stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium from Fordow, potentially hiding it in undisclosed locations, especially the ones not known to Israel and the US. 'I don't think you can with great confidence do anything but set back their nuclear program by maybe a few years. There's almost certainly facilities that we don't know about,' Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey told Reuters. The US, on Saturday (June 21), carried out 'Operation Midnight Hammer' against Iran, targeting its three key nuclear sites, Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. Trump said that the attack's objective was the 'destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror. '
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
After striking Iran without broad consultation, Trump faces criticism from US Congress
US President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites without full congressional consultation has widened existing rifts on Capitol Hill, raising sharp criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans. As per The Associated Press (AP), the Trump administration briefed top Republican leaders—including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune—prior to the operation. In contrast, Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries were only informed after the military strikes had begun. Speaking to CNN, Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said: 'Bad enough that we weren't informed… But unconstitutional that we didn't have the opportunity to debate and speak… on one of the more consequential foreign policy things that this country has done in a long time.' This uneven communication has deepened partisan tensions. Critics argue that the strikes may have bypassed constitutional requirements by not seeking congressional approval. Senator Mark Warner and others voiced concern, as per CNN, that the action lacked a clear legal basis and was executed without regard for intelligence community input. Senator Tim Kaine is calling for a Senate war powers vote, aiming to reassert Congress's constitutional role in authorising military action. Speaking to CBS, he said: 'Congress should be consulted… We were not.' According to NBC News, Senator Mark Kelly said: 'The president can act when there's a clear and imminent threat… That wasn't the case here.' Some Democrats even called the action grounds for impeachment, while Republican lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham defended the strike: 'Congress can declare war or cut off funding. We can't be the commander-in-chief.' Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced opposition to prolonged involvement in the Middle East, as per CNN. Representative Thomas Massie, a longtime non-interventionist, plans to push for a House vote limiting Trump's military authority. Speaking to CBS, he said: 'We were tired of endless wars in the Middle East.' Trump lashed out at Massie on social media, labeling him a 'pathetic LOSER.' Iranian officials have warned of retaliatory attacks following the US strikes, and concerns are growing about the safety of US personnel and regional stability. Iran could disrupt vital commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a global chokepoint for oil transit. US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to NBC, said: 'We're not at war with Iran. We're at war with Iran's nuclear program.' Vance also responded to criticism by the Congress, saying Trump had 'clear authority to act to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.' Congress is now gearing up for a showdown over presidential war powers. Lawmakers are expected to debate—and potentially vote on—measures limiting Trump's ability to launch further military operations without legislative approval. (With inputs from AP, CNN, Reuters, NBC News)
