World leaders reacted swiftly on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced that the United States had conducted a “very successful attack” on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordo site.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the strikes a “HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD,” adding that “IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR.” He later addressed the nation from the White House, describing the operation—targeting Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan—as a “spectacular military success” that “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment capabilities. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, emphasized that the strikes had significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program, with B-2 bombers deploying massive bunker-buster munitions on the mountain-embedded Fordo facility.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the move in a video statement, calling Trump’s decision “bold” and one that “will change history.” He highlighted the longstanding U.S.-Israel coordination and the principle of “peace through strength,” with other Israeli figures, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, echoing that the action made the world safer.
In stark contrast, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as “outrageous” and warned of “everlasting consequences.” In a statement on X, he described the attacks as “extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior” that violated the UN Charter. “Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed,” Araghchi said. “In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm over the escalation, urging all parties to return to diplomacy and warning that the strikes posed a serious threat to regional and global peace. European leaders, including those from the UK, France, and Germany, called for restraint and a negotiated solution to prevent further spillover. Russia strongly denounced the action as unprovoked aggression, while other nations voiced concern that the strikes could undermine ongoing or potential talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
The U.S. strikes mark a significant escalation in the long-running tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump stressed that the operation aimed to eliminate the nuclear threat posed by what he called the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, while signaling openness to peace if Iran complies. As assessments of damage continue, the international community watches closely for Iran’s response and the risk of broader conflict.
