US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites draw Israel's praise, China calls it ‘repeat of Iraq mistake'

The Print

4 hours ago

'Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior… Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of committing a 'grave violation of international law'. 'This morning's attacks are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,' Araghchi said in a statement posted on X.
New Delhi: The US airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran, in what President Donald Trump called a 'decisive blow' to Tehran's nuclear ambitions, have drawn praise from Israel, condemnation from Iran's allies, and urgent calls for de-escalation from a host of nations and international bodies.
Iran's ally China strongly condemned the strikes, saying that US' actions 'seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East'.
A statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs read, 'China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation.'
China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA.
The actions of the U.S. seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.… pic.twitter.com/6m3oo3bz6u
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) June 22, 2025
In addition, through commentary published by the state-run CGTN, China raised pointed questions about whether the United States was 'repeating its Iraq mistake in Iran'. It warned that the use of force in the Middle East has historically led to 'prolonged conflicts and regional destabilisation', advocating for diplomacy as the only viable solution.
Meanwhile, another Iranian ally Pakistan, which had declared it would officially nominate President Trump for the Nobel, also condemned the attacks. 'We reiterate that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter,' read Pakistan foreign ministry's statement on X.
🔊PR No.1️⃣8️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Pakistan Condemns the US Attacks on the Nuclear Facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
🔗⬇️https://t.co/2qpo27WzVQ pic.twitter.com/ugtFomQ5HO
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2025
The Israeli government has, however, hailed the move as a historic turning point in curbing Iran's nuclear programme. In a recorded statement, the country's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, 'Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons.'
In another statement on X, he said: 'Immediately after the operation was completed, President Trump called me. It was a very warm, very moving conversation. He blessed me, he blessed our army and he blessed our people. And I congratulated him, the United States pilots, and the American people. President Trump is a strong leader of the free world. He is a great friend of Israel, a friend like no other.'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Iran's nuclear programme 'a grave threat to international security', and said that 'the US has taken action to alleviate that threat'.
'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis,' he wrote on X.
Similarly, Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney posted: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security, and Canada has been consistently clear that Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate that threat, the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. Stability in the region is a priority.'
Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security, and Canada has been consistently clear that Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate that threat, the situation in the…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 22, 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to express 'deep concern at the recent escalations'.
'Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability,' Modi posted on X.
Early Sunday, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which, Trump said in an address to the nation, had been 'completely and fully' obliterated. The focus of the strike was Fordow—the deeply fortified uranium enrichment centre—which was hit by the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), better known as the bunker buster bomb.
However, the US joining Israel in the war with Iran has left several nations and international bodies concerned.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the strikes, calling the act a 'dangerous escalation' and 'direct threat to international peace and security'. In a formal statement, Guterres warned that the conflict risked spiralling 'out of control', stressing that 'there is no military solution', and urging all parties to 'de-escalate immediately' and return to diplomacy.
Iraq government spokesperson Basim Alawadi Iraqi said, 'This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability.'
Riyadh has expressed 'great concern' about the developments, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, while Egypt voiced alarm over the 'rapid escalation', warning it threatens both regional and international peace. Its foreign ministry urged respect for national sovereignty, warning of the 'dangers of slipping into further chaos'.
Oman denounced the US strikes as 'illegal aggression', calling them a serious breach of international law, and a potential trigger for wider conflict. Muscat reaffirmed Iran's right to peaceful nuclear development under IAEA oversight.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun warned of rising tensions and urged for immediate negotiations to avoid further destruction, emphasising that Lebanon cannot bear another regional conflict.
France called for restraint and return to diplomacy under the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while European Council President Antonio Costa echoed the call for calm and adherence to international law and nuclear safety norms.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the situation as 'extremely worrying', and stressed the need to return to negotiations. 'Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action,' Peters said.
Australia's government noted the longstanding threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, but emphasised that the situation required 'dialogue and diplomacy'. Similarly, Mexico's foreign ministry, in a post on X, reaffirmed its 'pacifist conviction', and called for 'restoration of peaceful coexistence' in the Middle East.
Some nations, including Venezuela and Cuba, condemned the strikes outright. Venezuela's foreign minister Yván Gil described the US action as 'military aggression' carried out 'at the request of the State of Israel', while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned the bombings constituted a 'dangerous escalation', and a serious violation of the UN Charter.
In Latin America, Chilean President Gabriel Boric joined the chorus of criticism. 'Having power does not authorise you to use it in violation of the rules that we as humanity have given ourselves,' Boric posted on X. 'Even if you are the United States.'
Within the US, President Trump's strikes drew backlash from Democratic lawmakers. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused him of bypassing Congress, and pushing the US into another costly and potentially disastrous war in the Middle East. 'Donald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action,' Jeffries said.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh
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