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World leaders commend, condemn, action, call for diplomacy
From Kenneth Udeh, Washington
The United States carried out coordinated airstrikes on three major nuclear facilities in Iran, announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, marking one of the most direct and consequential military actions against Tehran in modern U.S. history.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
He later addressed the nation from the White House in a prime-time speech, declaring the strikes a “spectacular military success” and stating that Iran’s key nuclear enrichment infrastructure had been “completely and totally obliterated.”
The airstrikes, executed with precision by U.S. forces, targeted facilities long suspected to be central to Iran’s uranium enrichment operations.
Trump said the U.S. dropped a “full payload of bombs” on the heavily fortified Fordow site and confirmed that all aircraft involved had safely exited Iranian airspace.
“This is a historic moment for the United States of America, Israel, and the world,” Trump said. “Iran must now agree to end this war. If not, future attacks will be far greater and far easier.”
Standing behind a stern-looking Trump during his address were Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump emphasised that the goal of the operation was to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat and respond to decades of hostility.
“For 40 years, Iran has chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’ They’ve killed our soldiers with roadside bombs and maimed thousands. That ends now. There’s no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight, not even close,” he declared.
Trump confirmed that the strike was closely coordinated with Israel.
Just minutes before Trump’s address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. action on live television, calling it “a bold decision that will change history.”
“President Trump and I always say, ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace,” Netanyahu said.
Global reactions: Praise, condemnation, and urgent calls for diplomacy
The international response to the U.S. strike was swift and mixed.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning, describing the bombing as a dangerous escalation. “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he said. “There is no military solution. The only hope is peace.”
Several world leaders and foreign ministries condemned the attack. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil accused the U.S. of committing “military aggression at the request of the State of Israel,” calling for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel echoed similar concerns, writing on social media: “We strongly condemn the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. This dangerous escalation violates the UN Charter and international law.”
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue. “In line with our principles of peace and non-intervention, we call on all parties to restore calm and seek peaceful coexistence,” the ministry said on X.
In South Korea, the presidential office convened an emergency meeting to assess the potential fallout from the U.S. military action, with officials warning of broader implications for regional security and global energy markets.
Context and fallout
The strikes follow a recent Israeli bombing campaign that left over 400 people dead in Iran and significantly damaged Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Iran has not yet formally responded to Saturday’s U.S. attack, but regional tensions are at their highest point in years.
Trump had hinted earlier in the week that a decision would be made “within two weeks” on whether to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. The rapid execution of the plan underscores a dramatic escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran-Israel standoff, as well as the stakes of Trump’s second term in office.
“This is only the beginning,” Trump warned. “There will either be peace or unimaginable tragedy.”