Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly denounced the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow, calling them a “barbaric act of aggression.” He warned that Iran reserves the right to respond under international law in defense of its sovereignty.
Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul during an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, Araghchi said the attacks were a clear and unprecedented breach of the United Nations Charter and international law. He accused the U.S., in coordination with Israel, of violating the territorial sovereignty of a UN member state.
Read more: Iran Launches Surprise Missile Strike on Israel in Response to US Airstrikes
Diplomatic Dialogue Halted
Araghchi ruled out any immediate resumption of diplomatic talks, noting that Iran had been actively engaged in negotiations with both the U.S. and European nations when the airstrikes occurred.
“We were pursuing diplomacy just two days ago in Geneva with European representatives,” he said. “It was not Iran that disrupted the process—the United States derailed the dialogue through its aggression. Diplomacy is now off the table, at least temporarily.”
US Held Accountable
Calling the U.S. government “reckless and war-driven,” Araghchi emphasized that Washington would bear full responsibility for any resulting regional instability.
“This attack highlights how far the U.S. is willing to go to destroy peace in the Middle East,” he said, reaffirming that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful and aligned with international agreements.
Global Community Urged to Respond
Araghchi called on the international community to condemn the U.S. strikes, warning that failure to act could jeopardize the global rules-based order.
“If this kind of aggression goes unchecked, the integrity of international law will be completely eroded,” he said, also criticizing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for remaining silent, which he argued damages its credibility and impartiality.
Regional Diplomacy in Motion
The foreign minister said he had constructive talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other regional leaders to explore diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation by Israel. He also announced plans to visit Moscow for consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Iran and Russia have a strong strategic alliance, and we intend to coordinate our response closely,” Araghchi stated.
Concluding his remarks, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s resolve to defend its sovereignty.
“The Iranian nation stands united. We will not let repeated violations go unanswered. Our response will be firm, lawful, and in line with our national interest,” he said.
