This satellite tv for pc image by Planet Labs PBC reveals Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment web site at Fordo after a U.S. airstrike focused the power Sunday, June 22, 2025.
AP/Planet Labs PBC
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AP/Planet Labs PBC
Because the world reacted to information of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear amenities, worldwide officers largely responded with alarm and requires restraint — although some expressed reward.
Throughout the Center East, reactions ranged from concern to condemnation. The Saudi authorities mentioned it was following occasions “with nice concern,” and referred to as for pressing diplomacy.
The governments of Iraq and Qatar each warned the strikes risked destabilizing an already unstable area. Pakistan additionally issued a press release condemning the strike and warning of “severely damaging implications” for the broader area.
Amongst Iran’s allies and regional proxies, the response was extra forceful. Yemen’s Houthi motion described the strikes as a “cowardly” U.S. act accomplished in assist of “the Zionist entity.” The group vowed continued resistance, saying the assault would solely strengthen Iran’s dedication to its regional alliances.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group which led the Oct. 7, 2023 lethal assault towards Israel –— and which has obtained arms and assist from Iran — mentioned it condemned the “blatant U.S. aggression” towards Iran as a “direct menace to worldwide peace and safety.”
Applause in Israel
In Israel, the strikes had been hailed as a protracted overdue transfer to eradicate what leaders described as an existential menace.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Trump in a pre-recorded video message posted early Sunday and mentioned the operation was carried out “in full coordination” with U.S. forces.
Former Protection Minister Yoav Gallant referred to as the motion “a daring resolution for the US, for Israel, for all of humanity.”
Members of Israel’s opposition additionally backed the transfer by the U.S. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition within the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, dismissed critics of the strike as “helpful idiots” who fail to notice by means of the “cynicism” of regimes like Iran’s. “Israel, the Center East and the world at the moment are safer,” Lapid wrote on X.
Measured response in Europe
European response has to this point been restrained, with most governments taking a cautious method of their response.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appeared to supply measured however conditional assist for the strike.
“Iran can by no means be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,” Starmer mentioned in a put up on X, calling the U.S. motion an effort to “alleviate that menace.”
On the similar time, he urged a return to diplomacy. “The scenario within the Center East stays unstable and stability within the area is a precedence.”
France’s overseas minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, mentioned in a put up on X Sunday that his nation discovered in regards to the U.S. strikes “with concern,” emphasizing that France was not concerned.
He mentioned France “urges the events to point out restraint with the intention to keep away from any escalation that might result in an extension of the battle.”
In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz referred to as on Iran to “instantly start negotiations” with Israel and the US.
Different international reactions – U.N and Russia
United Nations Secretary-Basic António Guterres condemned using power, calling the U.S. strikes “a harmful escalation in a area already on the sting.”
Guterres warned of “catastrophic penalties for civilians, the area, and the world,” and urged all events to de-escalate.
The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company — the UN’s nuclear watchdog, which advocates for nuclear vitality and opposes nuclear weaponry — mentioned it might maintain an emergency assembly on Monday “in mild of the pressing scenario in Iran”. It confirmed there was no detectable radiation and mentioned it might present additional assessments.
Russia mentioned Sunday that it “strongly condemned” the US’ bombings of nuclear websites in Iran, calling the assaults “irresponsible” and a “gross violation of worldwide regulation”.
“It’s already clear {that a} harmful escalation has begun, fraught with additional undermining of regional and international safety,” the Russian overseas ministry added in a press release.
The Trump Administration’s view
President Trump framed the choice to affix Israel’s offensive on Iran as a navy and diplomatic success.
“We’ve got accomplished our very profitable assault on the three Nuclear websites in Iran, together with Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” President Trump wrote on Fact Social Saturday.
In later remarks from the White Home, Trump mentioned the target of the strikes was the “destruction of Iran’s nuclear capability” and mentioned Iran’s nuclear enrichment amenities had been “fully and completely obliterated.”
“Iran, the bully of the Center East, should now make peace. If they don’t, future assaults can be far higher and quite a bit simpler,” he warned.
Iran’s response
Iran’s International Ministry denounced the strikes as “a grave crime” and an “unprecedented violation” of the UN Constitution. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, a senior Iranian diplomat, accused Washington of torpedoing diplomatic progress.
“Final week, we had been in negotiations with the US when Israel determined to explode that diplomacy,” he wrote on X. “This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US determined to explode that diplomacy.”
A member of Iran’s parliament representing Qom, Mohammad Manan Raisi, mentioned Fordo — one of many websites attacked — had sustained “solely ground-level injury” and that “no nuclear radiation has been reported.”
