Iran says US travel ban shows 'deep hostility' for Iranians, Muslims
Iran on Saturday blasted US President Donald Trump's travel ban on countries including the Islamic Republic, saying it showed 'deep hostility' towards Iranians and Muslims.
'The decision to ban the entry of Iranian nationals — merely due to their religion and nationality — not only indicates the deep hostility of American decisionmakers towards the Iranian people and Muslims but also violates ... international law,' a senior foreign ministry official said in a ministry statement posted on the X social media platform.
Trump's proclamation on Wednesday will bar citizens from 12 countries starting on Monday at 12:01am .
The countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The ban, which Trump said was necessary to protect against 'foreign terrorists', was reminiscent of a similar move he implemented during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, when he barred travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations.
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The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
US joins Israel-Iran conflict with overnight bombing campaign
The United States bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran with the latter responding with strikes on targets in Israel. Israeli security forces and first responders gather at the site of an Iranian strike that hit a residential neighbourhood in the Ramat Aviv area in Tel Aviv on June 22, 2025. AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP President Donald Trump said the US military carried out strikes Sunday on three Iranian nuclear sites and that Tehran 'must now agree to end this war', following days of speculation over whether the United States would join its ally Israel's bombing campaign. As the Iran-Israel war entered its 10th day, here are the latest developments: US intervention Trump said the US military carried out a 'very successful attack' on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo. 'We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran,' Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. 'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site,' Fordo, he said, adding the planes were safely out of Iranian airspace and on the way home. Iranian media said the Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were hit. Ahead the US strikes, The New York Times and specialist plane tracking sites said American B-2 stealth bombers had left a base in the United States and flown across the Pacific. The B-2 can carry America's heaviest payloads, including the bunker-busting GBU-57 — the only weapon capable of destroying Iran's deeply buried nuclear facility in Fordo. Trump said that, after the strikes, Iran 'must now agree to end this war', insisting that under no circumstances should Iran possess a nuclear weapon. Israel raised its alert level after the strikes, permitting only essential activities until further notice, the military announced. Iran says US attacks 'outrageous' Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, condemned the US attacks and said his country had the right to defend its sovereignty. 'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,' the foreign minister wrote on X, describing the attacks as 'lawless and criminal'. 'In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.' Iran's foreign ministry said in a separate statement Washington 'will stop at no illegality or crime' to support Israel. Iran and Israel exchange missile salvos Iran's armed forces said they targeted multiple sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport, after US attacks on key nuclear sites. The targets included the airport, a 'biological research centre', logistics bases and various layers of command and control centres, it said, quoted by Fars news agency. IRNA news agency said 40 missiles were fired in the '20th wave' of Iranian strikes. At least 23 people were hurt and police said at least three impacts were reported. 'Houses here were hit very, very badly,' Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai told reporters at the scene. 'Fortunately, one of them was slated for demolition and reconstruction, so there were no residents inside. 'Those who were in the shelter are all safe and well. The damage is very, very extensive, but in terms of human life, we are okay.' The Israeli military said it had launched its own fresh waves of strikes in western Iran and in Qom, south of Tehran, IRNA reported four Revolutionary Guard members were killed in strikes on a military base in the north of the city. UN nuclear watchdog says 'no increase' in radiation The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency said it had not detected any increase in radiation levels at key nuclear sites in Iran following the US strikes. 'Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran… the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,' the watchdog said on X. The UN body's head, Rafael Grossi, said the IAEA would hold an 'emergency meeting' at the organisation's headquarters in Vienna on Monday in response to the US strikes. © Agence France-Presse
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
International responses to US air strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure
Donald Trump said that Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. Image: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images The United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, joining Israel's bombing campaign after days of speculation over US involvement in the conflict. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," Trump said in a televised address to the nation from the White House after the strikes. Here is a roundup of the key reactions: Iran: 'Everlasting consequences' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as "outrageous" and said his country has a right to defend its sovereignty. "The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he posted on X, adding that the attacks were "lawless and criminal" behavior. "In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people," the foreign minister said. Iran's atomic energy organization also called the US attacks "a barbaric act that violates international law." The agency added that it "will not let the path of development of this national industry... be stopped." Israel: 'Change history' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying the attacks will "help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace." "Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated "America has been truly unsurpassed." He also told Israelis that his promise to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities had been "fulfilled." UK: 'Stability is priority' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," Starmer said on X, adding that "stability in the region is a priority." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading EU: 'Step back' The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. "I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday. UN: 'Dangerous escalation' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge." "At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said in a statement. "There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace." The UN's nuclear agency also reported that it had not detected any increase in "off-site radiation levels" after the attacks on the three nuclear sites in Iran. The agency's chief called for an emergency meeting Monday. Iraq: 'Grave threat' Iraq warned that the US attacks on its neighbour Iran's nuclear facilities threaten peace and stability in the Middle East. "This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability," said government spokesperson Basim Alawadi. Saudi Arabia: 'Exercise restraint' Saudi Arabia expressed "great concern" after the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in its neighbour, the "sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran." "The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation," the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X.
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Investors react to US attack on Iran nuclear sites
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that a 'very successful attack' on three nuclear sites in Iran had been carried out. 'Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,' Trump said in a televised Oval Office address. After days of deliberation and long before his self-imposed two-week deadline, Trump's decision to join Israel's military campaign against its major rival Iran represents a major escalation of the conflict. MARKET REACTION: With most markets closed, the only reaction was in cryptocurrencies. Ether fell more than 5%, bitcoin dipped 1%. Following are comments from some financial analysts: MARK SPINDEL, CIO, POTOMAC RIVER CAPITAL, WASHINGTON DC: 'I think the markets are going to be initially alarmed and I think oil will open higher. We don't have any damage assessment and that will take some time. Even though he has described this as 'done', we're engaged. What comes next? I think the uncertainty is going to blanket the markets, as now Americans everywhere are going to be exposed. It's going to raise uncertainty and volatility, particularly in oil. 'There's plenty of time to deliberate before markets open on Sunday. I'm making arrangements to talk to a few people tomorrow. We'll get an early indication when the dollar opens for trading in New Zealand. This was such a bold action, though, and it's such a big contrast to the comments about negotiating for the next two weeks.' JAMIE COX, MANAGING PARTNER, HARRIS FINANCIAL GROUP, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: 'Oil is sure to spike on this initial news, but will likely level in a few days. With this demonstration of force and total annihilation of its nuclear capabilities, they've lost all of their leverage and will likely hit the escape button to a peace deal.' MARK MALEK, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, SIEBERT FINANCIAL, NYC: 'I think it's going to be very positive for the stock market. I believe that on Friday if you'd asked me, I would have expected two weeks of volatility with markets trying to analyse every drib and drab of information coming out of the White House and I would have said that it would have been better to make a decision last week. 'So this will be reassuring, especially since it seems like a one and done situation and not as if (the US) is seeking a long, drawn out conflict. The biggest risk still out there is the Strait of Hormuz. It could certainly change everything if Iran has the capability to close it.' JACK ABLIN, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER OF CRESSET CAPITAL, CHICAGO: 'This adds a complicated new layer of risk that we'll have to consider and pay attention to ... This is definitely going to have an impact on energy prices and potentially on inflation as well.' SAUL KAVONIC, SENIOR ENERGY ANALYST, MST MARQUEE, SYDNEY: 'This escalation could add enough pressure on Iran to see Iran back down and accept a deal that de-escalates the conflict and brings down oil prices with it. 'The more likely scenario: This US attack could see a conflagration of the conflict to include Iran responding by targeting regional American interests that could include gulf oil infrastructure in places such as Iraq or harassing passage through the Strait of Hormuz. 'Much depends on how Iran responds in the coming hours and days, but this could set us on a path towards $100 oil if Iran respond as they have previously threatened to. The information warfare that appears designed to have caught Iran off guard has also caught oil markets off guard to a degree.' RONG REN GOH, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EASTSPRING INVESTMENTS, SINGAPORE: 'The US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities marks a significant escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and introduces a new phase of geopolitical risk, with direct US involvement likely to prolong tensions in the region. 'For Asian markets, the key vulnerability lies in their sensitivity to higher energy prices. A protracted conflict raises the risk of supply disruptions, which could feed into inflationary pressures and weigh on growth expectations across the region. 'With the prospects of a swift resolution now diminished, investors are likely to reprice risk across markets. I expect to see a flight to safety, with the USD bid and broad-based weakness across Asian risk assets as markets assess the potential fallout from sustained geopolitical instability and elevated oil prices.' ALEX MORRIS, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, F/M INVESTMENTS, WASHINGTON DC: Morris expects crude oil will spike to $80 or more when it resumes trading. 'That's the next stop as a knee-jerk reaction. I think that's the reason this happened on a Saturday and not a Sunday. There's a lot more that is going to happen over the next 24 hours' ERIC BEYRICH, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, SOUND INCOME STRATEGIES, LARCHMONT, NEW YORK: 'If there is nuclear fallout — all bets are off. The regime is going to conclude that it has lost everything and will do all kinds of crazy things, like commissioning terrorist attacks on embassies.' CHRISTOPHER HODGE, CHIEF US ECONOMIST, NATIXIS, NEW YORK: 'There is a plethora of potential ramifications but it appears as if the strikes were targeted, discreet, and discriminating. If so, and if the oil exporting capacity of Iran has not been compromised, then the economic fallout should be contained. 'A short-term pop in oil prices will be viewed by the Fed less as a factor that increases input costs and feeds through to inflation than it will be as a tax on consumers that suppresses demand. I wouldn't expect this to factor into the Fed's decision calculus unless the spike in oil prices is sustained.'
