Global powers urge restraint after US strikes Iran; Tehran vows retaliation; PM Modi, Starmer, Erdogan respond to crisis

Time of India

9 hours ago

The United States launched targeted airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites -- Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan -- early Sunday, intensifying its role in the Israel-Iran conflict.
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The attacks, confirmed by President Donald Trump, involved B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and bunker-busting GBU-57 bombs. Donald Trump hailed it as a 'very successful attack,' while Iran condemned it as a 'savage assault' and vowed never to halt its nuclear program.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi declared the time for diplomacy was over, accusing the US of crossing 'a very big red line.' As tensions soared, international leaders and organisations issued stark warnings against further escalation.
Turkey warns of catastrophic consequences
Turkey voiced strong apprehension, warning that the US strike could push the Iran conflict to a 'catastrophic' global level. The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed concern that such military actions risk triggering uncontrollable regional fallout.
Turkey's foreign ministry said the operation undermines efforts toward a peaceful resolution in the Middle East and that unilateral military actions such as these disregard the sovereignty of nations and the authority of international law.
It also called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), signalling Ankara's intent to mobilise Muslim nations for a united diplomatic response.
The Turkish government has historically played a mediating role in regional disputes and has warned that the US strikes could irreversibly damage that diplomatic ecosystem. 'We are at a critical juncture,' one senior Turkish diplomat said.
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'Any misstep now could plunge the region into chaos beyond recovery.'
Iran: 'A savage assault' and promise of retaliation
Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Washington of launching 'a dangerous war' and described the attack as an act of "warmongering" by a "lawless administration." Iran's Atomic Energy Organization confirmed hits on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and declared that its nuclear program would continue undeterred.
Mehdi Mohammadi, adviser to the Iranian Parliament Speaker, added, 'The site had been evacuated a long time ago and the damages are not irreversible… you cannot bomb knowledge.'
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Iran heads to Moscow for coordination
Hours after the strikes, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced an urgent visit to Moscow to consult with President
. "I'm going to Moscow this afternoon," Araghchi said at a press conference in Istanbul. 'We will hold serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow morning.'
Russia, a key Iranian ally and recipient of Iranian military support in Ukraine, has condemned Western interventionism in the Middle East.
Though the Kremlin has yet to formally respond, diplomatic analysts suggest that Russia may use this opportunity to reaffirm its strategic partnership with Iran while cautioning Washington against further escalation. The move reflects the deepening alliance between Tehran and Moscow in opposition to US influence.
India: PM Modi , Pezeshkian discuss crisis; PM calls for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy'
Prime Minister
held a 45-minute phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday.
The call came as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its tenth day and concerns over a wider regional war mounted. During the conversation, PM Modi reiterated India's position in favour of diplomacy over conflict, emphasising that 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' are essential to restore peace in the region.
'Spoke with President of Iran @drpezeshkian. We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed 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,' PM Modi said in a post on X.
According to sources cited by ANI, the call was initiated by President Pezeshkian, who briefed PM Modi on the evolving situation following the US strikes. Pezeshkian described India as a 'friend and partner in promoting regional peace, security and stability,' and thanked PM Modi for India's consistent diplomatic stance.
He also acknowledged India's "important role and voice" in promoting peace and stability in West Asia.
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Pakistan condemns US strikes, cites UN Charter
Pakistan issued a strong condemnation of the US airstrikes, calling them a 'violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter.' In a formal statement, the Pakistani foreign ministry expressed deep concern over 'escalating tensions' and affirmed Iran's right to self-defence.
The statement added, 'We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.'
Notably, this criticism came just a day after Pakistan publicly endorsed President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions. Islamabad's sharp rebuke appears to underscore its stance against military aggression and in favour of regional diplomacy. The foreign office also warned of "severely damaging implications for the region and beyond" and urged protection of civilian lives.
Given its 900-km shared border with Iran and deep cultural, economic, and religious links, Pakistan is directly exposed to fallout from the conflict. The Pakistani military leadership, including Army Chief General Asim Munir, is reportedly coordinating with regional allies to prepare contingency plans. Calls have also emerged in Pakistan's parliament for an immediate diplomatic initiative to defuse the crisis.
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Saudi Arabia expresses 'great concern', calls Iran a 'sisterly nation'
Saudi Arabia reacted cautiously yet sympathetically to Iran in the wake of the United States' airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Saudi foreign ministry said the Kingdom was "following with great concern" the situation unfolding in Iran. Notably, Riyadh referred to Iran as a "sisterly Islamic Republic," signalling a more conciliatory tone compared to past tensions between the two Gulf rivals.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America," the statement said.
UK PM Keir Starmer backs US strikes, calls Iran's nuclear programme a 'grave threat'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced strong support for the United States' decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites, breaking with many global powers that called for immediate de-escalation.
In a public statement, Starmer described Iran's nuclear ambitions as a 'grave threat to international security' and said the US was justified in acting to neutralise that threat.
"Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and 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," Starmer said.
The UK's firm endorsement of the strikes sets it apart from several European nations, who have instead called for restraint and renewed diplomacy. Starmer's statement aligns the UK more closely with Washington and Tel Aviv, both of whom argue that Iran's nuclear infrastructure must be dismantled preemptively.
UN warns of 'dangerous escalation'
UN Secretary-General António Guterres labelled the strikes a 'dangerous escalation,' cautioning that the conflict could spiral out of control with 'catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world.' He reiterated the international community's call for calm and a return to diplomatic solutions.
Netanyahu praises Trump's historic move
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Trump's decision, calling it 'a pivot of history.'
In a video address, he stated, 'Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history.' Netanyahu described US-Israel coordination as 'unmatched' and praised the unity between the two nations.
Trump: 'A spectacular military success'
In a national address, President Trump declared the mission a 'spectacular military success' and asserted that Iran's nuclear threat had been neutralized.
'Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,' he said. He also warned that 'future attacks would be far greater and easier' if Tehran retaliated.
Trump later posted: 'This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!'
IAEA reports no radiation leak
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that it detected 'no increase in off-site radiation levels' following the US strikes on the nuclear sites. Monitoring efforts remain ongoing to assess the long-term impact.