UN calls US strikes on Iran 'dangerous escalation' as world leaders react
The United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran overnight, joining Israel's bombing campaign after days of speculation over US involvement in the conflict.
"Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," Mr Trump said in a televised address to the nation from the White House after the strikes.
Here is a roundup of the key reactions so far.
Iran: 'Everlasting consequences'
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as "outrageous" and said his country has a right to defend its sovereignty.
"The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he posted on X, adding that the attacks were "lawless and criminal" behaviour.
"In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people," the foreign minister said.
Iran's atomic energy organisation also called the US attacks "a barbaric act that violates international law".
"The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the great nation of Iran... it will not let the path of development of this national industry (nuclear), which is the result of the blood of nuclear martyrs, be stopped," it said in a statement published by state media.
Israel: 'Change history'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Mr Trump, saying the attacks will "help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace."
"Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Mr Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated "America has been truly unsurpassed."
He also told Israelis that his promise to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities had been "fulfilled".
Hamas: 'Brutal aggression'
Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the "blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran".
"This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation," Hamas said, calling the attack "a flagrant violation of international law, and a direct threat to international peace and security."
UN: 'Dangerous escalation'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge".
"At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said in a statement. "There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."
Democrats: 'Unilateral military action'
The top Democrat in the US House of Representatives accused Mr Trump of pushing the United States toward war.
"President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.
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Irish Examiner
42 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Diplomacy not an option, warns Iran after US attacks key nuclear sites
Iran's foreign minister has warned that diplomacy is not an option after a US strike on its nuclear facilities. Abbas Araghchi said while the 'door to diplomacy' should always be open, 'this is not the case right now'. The United States attacked three sites in Iran overnight, inserting itself into Israel's war aimed at destroying the country's nuclear programme, and President Donald Trump claimed the facilities had been 'completely and fully obliterated'. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but it insisted its nuclear programme will not be stopped. Mr Araghchi said: 'The warmongering, lawless administration in Washington is solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far reaching implications of its act of aggression.' He said 'there is no red line' that the US has not crossed, adding: 'The most dangerous one was what happened only last night when they crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities only.' Satellite images taken on Sunday show damage to the mountainside at the underground site at Fordo. The images, by Planet Labs PBC, show the once-brown mountain now has parts turned grey and its contours appear slightly different than in previous images, suggesting a blast threw up debris around the site. That suggests the use of specialised American bunker-buster bombs on the facility. Light grey smoke also hung in the air. Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. It is not clear whether the US will continue attacking Iran alongside its ally Israel, which has been engaged in a nine-day war with Iran. 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Israeli authorities reported that more than 80 people suffered mostly minor injuries, though one multi-storey building in Tel Aviv was significantly damaged, with its entire facade torn away to expose the apartments inside. Houses across the street were almost completely destroyed. Following the Iranian barrage, Israel's military said it had 'swiftly neutralised' the Iranian missile launchers that had fired, and that it had begun a series of strikes towards military targets in western Iran. President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House following the air strikes (Carlos Barria/pool/AP) Iran has maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only, and US intelligence agencies have assessed that Tehran is not actively pursuing a bomb. However, Mr Trump and Israeli leaders have argued Iran could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel that significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. But US and Israeli officials have said American B-2 stealth bombers and the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb that only they have been configured to carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear programme buried deep underground. Mr Trump appears to have made the calculation – at the prodding of Israeli officials and many Republicans – that Israel's operation had softened the ground and presented a perhaps unparalleled opportunity to set back Iran's nuclear programme, perhaps permanently. 'We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan,' Mr Trump said in a post on social media. 'All planes are now outside of Iran air space. 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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Iran targets 30 sites in Israel after US nuclear site strikes, including international airport
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Irish Daily Star
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Star
Donald Trump says 'we love you, God' before asking Him to bless the Middle East
Donald Trump has made a religious emotional statement, praising God during his Saturday night White House speech after the US struck Iran Addressing the nation from the White House on Saturday night, President Donald Trump, praised God and the U.S. military as he spoke about the American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. His brief remarks followed a high-stakes military operation that has drawn both support and criticism at home and abroad. Standing at a podium flanked by JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Pete Hesgeth, Trump thanked the armed forces and made a pointed appeal to faith. 'And I want to just thank everybody, and in particular, God,' Trump said. 'I want to just say we love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them.' The president continued, invoking divine favor as tensions remain high in the region. 'God bless the Middle East, God bless Israel and God bless America,' Trump said before concluding his remarks with, 'Thank you very much.' The address came hours after Trump announced that U.S. forces had successfully struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan using B-2 stealth bombers. The action, conducted without congressional authorization, has sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ro Khanna, have called the strikes unconstitutional and are pushing for a War Powers Resolution to limit further military engagement. While Trump framed the strikes as a defensive and historic achievement, critics warn that the move risks dragging the U.S. into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East. As Trump left the podium, C-SPAN coverage captured the moment's solemnity, showing the president flanked by officials as he exited. Trump stated: 'For 40 years, Iran has been saying, 'Death to America, Death to Israel.' They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs, with roadside bombs. That was their specialty.' 'We lost over 1,000 people, and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate. In particular, so many were killed by their general Qassem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue,' he noted. New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, has put the state on warning, increasing security in the state. 'I am receiving intelligence briefings and closely monitoring the evolving situation in Iran alongside federal and local partners,' she wrote to X. 'The New York State Police are working to protect at-risk sites and fight cyberattacks.' Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, who usually backs Trump, took to X, writing: 'While President Trump's decision may prove just, it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional.'
