Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday condemned U.S. airstrikes against three key Iranian nuclear facilities that brought the United States directly into the war between Israel and the Islamic Republic.
He said that Iran reserves “all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
Why It Matters
Iran’s reaction to the entry of the United States into the war will be critical for determining whether it leads to a major regional or international conflict. Its options include retaliation against U.S. forces in the region, choking a major global oil supply route and potentially trying to accelerate its nuclear program.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of further military action if Iran does not now pursue peace. He had previously threatened to attack if Iran did not agree through negotiations to curb its nuclear program, which the United States and Israel say is aimed at building nuclear weapons — something Iran denies.
What To Know
Araghchi, who had also been taking part in nuclear negotiations, posted on X that the United States had committed a “grave violation” of the UN Charter, international law and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – a treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior,” he said. “In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
Trump said that the United States had carried out a “very succesful” attack on three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. B-2 stealth bombers had dropped bunker-busting bombs on the Fordow facility, according to Fox News quoting the president. The Natanz and Isfahan sites were struck by Tomahawk missiles from U.S. submarines, it said.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the nuclear sites had been evacuated before the U.S. strikes.
What People Are Saying
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi: “The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.”
U.S. President Donald Trump: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace.”
“Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal.”
What Happens Next
Iran’s leadership under Supreme Leader Ali Ayatollah Khamenei must decide on whether or not to retaliate for the U.S. strikes and whether to continue with negotiations in some form. The reactions of global powers Russia and China, which are close to Iran, will also be critical.
Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images