Iran warns US of consequences after strikes, says Trump betrayed his voters
Iran says the United States will be 'solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences' of its attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, adding that US President Donald Trump has 'betrayed' American voters by submitting to Israel's wishes.
During an address to a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US crossed 'a very big red line' by attacking Iran's three nuclear facilities.
Speaking just hours after Trump announced that US warplanes had 'obliterated' the nuclear sites, Araghchi condemned the strikes and called on the United Nations Security Council to act.
'It is an outrageous, grave and unprecedented violation of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law,' he said, adding that the 'warmongering and lawless' US administration will be 'solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far-reaching implications of its act of aggression'.
'The US military attack on the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of a UN member state carried out in collusion with the genocidal Israeli regime has once again revealed the extent of the United States' hostility towards the peace-seeking people of Iran. We will never compromise on their independence and sovereignty,' he said.
'The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, and people by all means necessary against not just US military aggression, but also the reckless and unlawful actions of the Israeli regime.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who escalated the Middle East conflict by launching strikes on Iran on June 13, praised Trump's 'bold decision' to hit Iran's nuclear sites, and said Israel and the US acted in 'full coordination'.
After the strikes, Trump said Iran 'must now agree to end this war' and that under no circumstances could Iran possess a nuclear weapon.
But Araghchi said any demand to return to negotiations on the country's nuclear programme was 'irrelevant'. The US and Iran were engaged in nuclear talks before Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran – publicly backed by the US – earlier this month.
Iran denies its uranium enrichment programme is for anything other than civilian purposes, rejecting Israeli allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons. Netanyahu has pledged to continue the attacks for 'as many days as it takes' to stop Iran from developing a 'nuclear threat'.
'The world must not forget that it was the United States which – in the midst of a process to forge a diplomatic outcome – betrayed diplomacy by supporting the genocidal Israeli regime's launch of an illegal war of aggression on the Iranian nation,' Araghchi said.
'So we were in diplomacy, but we were attacked. They gave a green light to Israelis, if not instructed them, to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. They have proved that they are not men of diplomacy, and they only understand the language of threat and force.'
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday said he still hopes Iran will return to the negotiating table.
'I can only confirm that there are both public and private messages being delivered to the Iranians in multiple channels, giving them every opportunity to come to the table,' he told reporters.
Trump also 'betrayed' US voters
Araghchi also accused Trump of betraying not only Iran, but his own supporters as well. He said Trump was elected on a platform of putting an end to 'America's costly involvement in 'forever wars''.
'He has betrayed not only Iran by abusing our commitment to diplomacy, but also deceived his own voters by submitting to the wishes of a wanted war criminal who has grown accustomed to exploiting the lives and wealth of American citizens to further the Israeli regime's objectives,' said Araghchi, referring to Netanyahu.
Iran says more than 400 people have been killed and at least 3,056 others wounded since Israel launched its attacks on June 13. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed in Iranian strikes.
Araghchi said he would head to Moscow later on Sunday and hold 'serious consultations' with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday morning in the wake of the unprecedented US strikes.
'Russia is a friend of Iran and we enjoy a strategic partnership,' he said in Istanbul. 'We always consult with each other and coordinate our positions.'
Meanwhile, Iran's delegation to the UN also formally called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday to discuss the US strikes. In a letter submitted to the council carried by Fars News Agency, the Iranian delegation urged 'immediate action and the adoption of necessary measures under the framework of the United Nations Charter'.
'Silence in the face of such blatant aggression will plunge the world into an unprecedented level of danger and chaos,' Araghchi said in Istanbul. 'Humanity has come too far as a species to allow a lawless bully to take us back to the law of the jungle.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
30 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
US eyes South Korean shipyards amid China naval expansion fears
Agencies Asia's fourth largest economy South Korea, like many other Asian nations is facing painful tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump, but its shipbuilding industry could prove a useful bargaining chip. Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25% country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8. Here's a look at what's going on: In the 1970s, South Korea's military leader president Park Chung-hee accelerated the country's heavy industry, designating sectors such as steel and shipbuilding 'strategically important' and rolling out state subsidies. At the same time, POSCO was founded, now one of the world's largest steel producers and conglomerate Hyundai built its shipyard in southeastern Ulsan, which started to grow rapidly. European rivals struggled to keep pace. Sweden's Kockums Shipyard filed for bankruptcy in 1987 and in a symbolic shift of global shipbuilding power, Hyundai acquired its 140-meter (460-foot) Goliath crane for $1. It now towers over southern Ulsan. In the 1990s and 2000s, South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries ramped up investment in research and development, backed by generous government subsidies. The country secured a competitive edge in high-value-added vessels, including liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers, very large crude carriers, and offshore platforms. Now, South Korea ranks as the world's second-largest shipbuilding nation, trailing only behind China. South Korea's exports hit a record high in 2024, with analysts pointing to shipbuilding as one of the key drivers. The sector accounted for nearly 4% of total exports and grew by almost 20% from the previous year, reaching $25.6 directly employs around 120,000 workers or roughly 1% of the country's total workforce; with indirect employment significantly higher in industrial hubs like Ulsan. Industry data shows so far this year that new orders have exceeded 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion). In March, Hanwha Ocean secured a landmark $1.6 billion contract to build LNG carriers for Taiwan's Evergreen Marine, one of the largest single orders in the sector this year. Trump has showed 'significant interest in South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation,' said South Korea's trade, industry and energy minister Ahn Duk-geun in April. Like the Europeans, the U.S. shipbuilding industry has lagged behind South Korea and China, and as a result, the sector is seen as a 'highly important bargaining chip in trade negotiations,' he added. At an APEC finance ministers' meeting in South Korea in May, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chung Ki-sun, vice chair of HD Hyundai, the country's largest shipbuilder, before he met Seoul's top officials. 'South Korea's shipbuilding and defense industries see a window of opportunity,' said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University.
Qatar Tribune
31 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
NATO allies agree on 5% defence spending target
BrusselscTypeface:> NATO allies have reached agreement on a new target for defence spending days before a major summit in The Hague, with leaders to pledge raising annual defence-related expenditure to at least 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), DPA learnt on Sunday. The Western defence alliance's members have been under pressure to significantly raise defence spending from US President Donald Trump, who complains that Canada and the European partners have been piggy-backing on the massive US defence budget. Meanwhile the threat of a potential Russian attack on NATO territory has also caused allies to reconsider their defence capabilities. As per the current target, NATO members are to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence annually, a goal that is finally set to be reached by all 32 allies for the first time this year, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Allies were scrambling to come to an agreement ahead of next week's leaders summit in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday, amid last minute opposition voiced by Spain, one of the NATO members lagging behind the most when it comes to defence spending. According to the agreement, at least 3.5% of national GDP is to be spent on conventional defence, DPA learnt following the conclusion of a written decision procedure. An additional 1.5% can be allocated for related expenditure, including for combating terrorism and for infrastructure that can be used for military purposes - such as investments in railway lines and the expansion of ports. NATO allies are set to agree to meet the new defence spending target by 2035 in a planned final declaration at the NATO summit, diplomats told DPA. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
31 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
NHRC chairperson affirms keenness to support OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission
QNA Doha Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to promoting and supporting human rights, and also emphasized her support for the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the importance of strengthening its credibility and presence, as well as its role in ensuring the effective implementation of human rights across all OIC member states. In a statement issued on the occasion of her election as a member of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the OIC, she affirmed a renewed commitment to working with professionalism, credibility, dedication, independence, and integrity. Drawing on experience leading one of the world's most prominent and transparent national human rights institutions, Al Attiyah emphasized a dedication to upholding the principles of transparency and independence, and to carrying out responsibilities independent from any external influence. It is noteworthy that Al Attiyah was elected as a member of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the OIC, in elections held on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Istanbul, Turkiye. The election of the NHRC chairperson stands as a testament to the prestigious position of the State of Qatar in advancing and protecting human rights. It further reflects the country's active and constructive role in international forums, as well as the global recognition of Qatari expertise and national competencies in this vital field.
