KUALA LUMPUR — A wave of international condemnation has followed the United States’ airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, with global powers warning of catastrophic consequences and accusing Washington of violating international law — even as US President Donald Trump lauded the operation as a “spectacular military success.”
Governments across Europe, the Middle East and Asia said the unilateral strikes risk fuelling wider conflict and breaching Iran’s rights under international agreements.
China, Turkiye, France, Germany, India and Pakistan were among those urging de-escalation, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt called for respect of Iran’s sovereignty.
In a statement late Saturday, China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on sites safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), describing the move as a “serious violation of the UN Charter” and a blow to regional stability.
Turkiye said peace must be sought “through dialogue, not confrontation,” while Oman and Qatar warned of dire consequences if hostilities continued.
European Council President Antonio Costa said, “Diplomacy is the only viable path to peace,” cautioning that any further escalation could endanger nuclear safety.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris added, “The risk of a wider Iran-Israel conflict is more real than ever,” while Swiss authorities called for an immediate return to negotiations.
Despite the global outcry, Trump hailed the overnight operation as a historic achievement. “This is an historic moment for the United States of America, Istael (sic), and the world,” he posted on his Truth Social platform.
“Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!”
In a televised address from the White House, Trump confirmed that US forces had struck nuclear enrichment facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror,” he said.
Flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump said Iran’s key facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated,” and issued a stark warning to Tehran: “There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.”
“All our planes made it safely out of Iranian airspace,” Trump added, claiming that “most” of Iran’s remaining targets “can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”
Iran, which had earlier vowed to retaliate if the US joined the Israeli assault, fired around 30 missiles at Israel early Sunday, four of which penetrated Israeli missile defences and caused injuries and damage, according to the IDF.
In response, Trump warned that “any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
The military escalation follows weeks of intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel, sparked by Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this month. Many regional states, including Iraq and Lebanon, fear the fallout could plunge the Middle East into a broader war.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for restraint, warning that his country was unwilling to bear the cost of further conflict. Iraq’s government said the strikes “go beyond the borders of any country,” and urged all parties to pursue peace.
Meanwhile, Latin American leaders in Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and Bolivia also condemned the strikes, describing them as violations of international law and a threat to global stability.
Despite mounting criticism, Trump’s administration maintains that the operation was necessary to neutralise a growing threat.
Still, the chorus of international voices calling for calm underscores the deep divide between Washington’s approach and the global demand for a diplomatic resolution. — June 22, 2025
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