Pakistan(National Times)- World leaders have issued strong and varied responses after US forces launched air strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The strikes, confirmed by the White House early Sunday morning, targeted Iran\u2019s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. The US administration framed the attacks as a response to Tehran\u2019s continued enrichment efforts and as a warning to deter further escalation in ongoing conflict with Israel.\u00a0 President Donald Trump described the operation as a “necessary and proportionate act to prevent a greater conflict”. The reaction from global capitals was swift, ranging from staunch support in Israel to sharp condemnation from Iran and its allies. The United Nations and several countries called for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement congratulating President Trump, saying: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran\u2019s 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling them a serious breach of international norms: \u201cThe 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. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.\u201d He added that Iran \u201creserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people\u201d, citing the right to self-defence under the UN Charter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres expressed deep concern over the attack, stating: \u201cI am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge \u2013 and a direct threat to international peace and security… There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the developments were \u201cextremely worrying\u201d: \u201cOngoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.\u201d An Australian government spokesperson echoed the call for calm: \u201cWe have been clear that Iran\u2019s nuclear and ballistic missile programme has been a threat to international peace and security… We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.\u201d Mexico\u2019s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on X urging \u201cdiplomatic dialogue for peace\u201d and emphasising its commitment to a pacifist foreign policy. Similarly, Venezuela\u2019s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil described the US action as \u201cmilitary aggression\u201d, adding: \u201cVenezuela Condemns US Military Aggression Against Iran and Demands an Immediate Cessation of Hostilities.\u201d Cuban President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel also took to X to condemn what he called a \u201cdangerous escalation\u201d, accusing the United States of violating the UN Charter and pushing the region into crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Washington, reaction to the strikes revealed deep divisions within Congress, with Republicans largely backing the president\u2019s decision and Democrats warning of overreach and potential long-term conflict. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker said the operation was commendable but warned of \u201cvery serious choices ahead.\u201d Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch called it a necessary step in support of an ally: \u201cThis war is Israel\u2019s war, not our war, but Israel is one of our strongest allies and is disarming Iran for the good of the world… There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran.\u201d Others strongly disagreed. \u201cThis is not constitutional,\u201d said Representative Thomas Massie, referring to Congress\u2019s authority to declare war. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the president, stating: \u201cThe president gave Iran\u2019s leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement.\u201d In contrast, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of misleading the nation and bypassing Congress: \u201cDonald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action.\u201d Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further, saying: \u201cThe president\u2019s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorisation is a grave violation of the Constitution… It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.\u201d Senator Tim Kaine criticised what he described as \u201chorrible judgment\u201d, while Representative Rashida Tlaib said the strikes were reminiscent of \u201cdecades of endless war in the Middle East… all based on the lie of \u2018weapons of mass destruction.\u2019\u201d Former congressman Max Rose, now a senior adviser at VoteVets, called the action illegal and warned that \u201cthis conflict is his and the Republicans who have abrogated all their responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan(National Times)- World leaders have issued strong and varied responses after US forces launched air strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The strikes, confirmed by the White House early Sunday morning, targeted Iran\u2019s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. The US administration framed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":106590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n