World leaders react to US attack on Iran nuclear sites
World leaders are reacting after US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites.
* OFFICE OF AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE
'We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.'
* ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
'Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history ... History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons.'
* UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES
'I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge - and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control - with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on member states to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.'
* VENEZUELA FOREIGN MINISTER YVAN GIL
'Venezuela Condemns US Military Aggression Against Iran and Demands an Immediate Cessation of Hostilities. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly and categorically condemns the bombing carried out by the United States military, at the request of the State of Israel, against nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan complexes.'
* MEXICO FOREIGN MINISTRY
'The ministry urgently calls for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country's pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority.'
* CUBA PRESIDENT MIGUEL DIAZ-CANEL
'We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.'
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
US attacks Iran LIVE updates: Trump joins Israel's war after bombing Iran's nuclear facilities; Iranian top diplomat to meet Vladimir Putin
Go to latest The latest on the crisis in the Middle East The United States yesterday launched an assault on three nuclear sites in Iran, bringing the US directly into a conflict that threatens to escalate. US President Donald Trump claimed in an address to the American people that nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and – crucially – Fordow, the 'nuclear mountain' that could only be penetrated by American military technology, had been 'completely and totally obliterated'. Trump said he hoped that Iran would engage in peace talks, but he also threatened any retaliatory action would be met with force and lead to 'tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days'. Overnight, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said America 'does not seek war' with Iran despite entering the latest Middle East conflict on the side of Israel. What comes next? Iran's top diplomat will travel to Moscow today to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The International Atomic Energy Agency called an emergency meeting as fears grow of escalation in the Middle East. As for Trump? North America correspondent Michael Koziol writes: 'Despite his declaration of success, it is too soon to tell whether this was a master stroke or a mistake.' How will Iran respond? The regime has threatened a full and ferocious response with 'everlasting consequences', and had already flagged its intention to target US military and diplomatic sites if America entered the war. However, Iran's options are limited, according to Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shahanan, who writes: 'It is relatively weak militarily and Israel has air supremacy. Iran's armed non-state supporting actors have either been degraded, or internal political or broader national considerations have forced them to critically re-evaluate that support.' What about the enriched uranium? A senior Iranian source has told Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium had been removed from the Fordow nuclear facility before the US attack. Experts have said chemical contamination was the most likely consequence of damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, but the prospect of nuclear fallout or widespread contamination was low. More on this from science reporter Angus Dalton here. Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments throughout the day. Map: Nuclear sites hit by US military bombing raid 4.14am Decoys and bunker-busters: How America attacked Iran Here is a little more information to have come out of a Pentagon briefing overnight. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided some extraordinary detail about the US mission to hit Iran's nuclear sites. They described an extensive operation that included 125 aircraft overall, strikes by Tomahawk missiles launched from a US submarine and the use of 14 massive ordnance penetrator – or bunker-buster – bombs, which were used for the first time in combat. Potentially the most interesting part, though, was when they spoke of how the US used decoy planes to draw attention so that B-2 bombers could more easily evade flight trackers and slip into Iranian airspace. 4.11am More details of Operation Midnight Hammer released At a Pentagon media briefing overnight, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said America 'does not seek war' with Iran despite appearing to enter the latest Middle East conflict on the side of Israel. Hegseth used the briefing to divulge more details of Sunday's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. The mission, called 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, Hegseth and Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. Seven B-2 bombers flew for 18 hours from the United States into Iran to drop 14 bunker-buster bombs, Caine said. In total, the US launched 75 precision-guided munitions, including more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military aircraft. The attack was made without the knowledge or support of Congress. Hegseth said the Pentagon only notified US lawmakers about the operation after American aircraft had left Iran.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
US attacks Iran LIVE updates: Trump joins Israel's war after bombing Iran's nuclear facilities; Iranian top diplomat to meet Vladimir Putin
Latest posts Latest posts 4.05am Opinion: Trump ignores intelligence advice and attacks anyway In the end, Israel's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, got what he wanted – America involved in his aerial campaign against Iran. And in a timeframe determined by Israeli rather than US calculations, writes Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shanahan. It is an extraordinary turn of events. Neither the International Atomic Energy Agency nor America's own Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard supported Netanyahu's claim about the 'golden information' possessed by Israel indicating an imminent threat posed by any weaponised nuclear program. Yet, US President Donald Trump told reporters not to listen to Gabbard. Once again, the White House has committed its forces to a conflict in the Middle East without making a proper case. 4.04am Analysis: Master stroke or mistake? Five months after the starter's gun fired on Donald Trump's second presidency, he has made his most consequential decision, writes our North America correspondent Michael Koziol. The decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities had been one faced by many of his predecessors, who ultimately opted against the idea. The merits of this cannot and will not be known today, not until the damage to the three Iranian sites has been assessed and the regime's retaliation, whatever that may be, has taken place. But politically, this move fundamentally changes the shape of the Trump presidency. The accusation of timidity and indecision – Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO) – can no longer be credibly levelled against him. Did that irksome critique contribute to his resolve? We don't know. But it is becoming clearer that Trump has followed a predetermined path, or at the very least, seized on an opportunity with relish – and along the way, he has obscured his intentions to America and the world. 4.04am The latest on the crisis in the Middle East The United States yesterday launched an assault on three nuclear sites in Iran, bringing the US directly into a conflict that threatens to escalate. US President Donald Trump claimed in an address to the American people that nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and – crucially – Fordow, the 'nuclear mountain' that could only be penetrated by American military technology, had been 'completely and totally obliterated'. Trump said he hoped that Iran would engage in peace talks, but he also threatened any retaliatory action would be met with force and lead to 'tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days'. Overnight, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said America 'does not seek war' with Iran despite entering the latest Middle East conflict on the side of Israel. What comes next? Iran's top diplomat will travel to Moscow today to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The International Atomic Energy Agency called an emergency meeting as fears grow of escalation in the Middle East. As for Trump? North America correspondent Michael Koziol writes: 'Despite his declaration of success, it is too soon to tell whether this was a master stroke or a mistake.' How will Iran respond? The regime has threatened a full and ferocious response with 'everlasting consequences', and had already flagged its intention to target US military and diplomatic sites if America entered the war. However, Iran's options are limited, according to Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shahanan, who writes: 'It is relatively weak militarily and Israel has air supremacy. Iran's armed non-state supporting actors have either been degraded, or internal political or broader national considerations have forced them to critically re-evaluate that support.' What about the enriched uranium? A senior Iranian source has told Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium had been removed from the Fordow nuclear facility before the US attack. Experts have said chemical contamination was the most likely consequence of damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, but the prospect of nuclear fallout or widespread contamination was low. More on this from science reporter Angus Dalton here. Map: Nuclear sites hit by US military bombing raid
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'No way' Australia will deploy combat troops in Iran
Australia is considering its next steps after one of its closest allies joined with Israel to bomb Iran, exacerbating volatility in the Middle East. After days of growing escalation, the US unleashed strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The Australian government has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue since Israel first launched strikes in mid June. Though some have raised questions over whether Australia should do more to support its ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the government was unlikely to get involved in combat. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do. "I'd be very surprised if there's anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement. When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes. And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a government spokesperson said they "note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace" while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. While the coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a "necessary action to take". However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime. Australia is considering its next steps after one of its closest allies joined with Israel to bomb Iran, exacerbating volatility in the Middle East. After days of growing escalation, the US unleashed strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The Australian government has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue since Israel first launched strikes in mid June. Though some have raised questions over whether Australia should do more to support its ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the government was unlikely to get involved in combat. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do. "I'd be very surprised if there's anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement. When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes. And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a government spokesperson said they "note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace" while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. While the coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a "necessary action to take". However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime. Australia is considering its next steps after one of its closest allies joined with Israel to bomb Iran, exacerbating volatility in the Middle East. After days of growing escalation, the US unleashed strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The Australian government has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue since Israel first launched strikes in mid June. Though some have raised questions over whether Australia should do more to support its ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the government was unlikely to get involved in combat. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do. "I'd be very surprised if there's anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement. When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes. And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a government spokesperson said they "note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace" while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. While the coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a "necessary action to take". However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime. Australia is considering its next steps after one of its closest allies joined with Israel to bomb Iran, exacerbating volatility in the Middle East. After days of growing escalation, the US unleashed strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The Australian government has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue since Israel first launched strikes in mid June. Though some have raised questions over whether Australia should do more to support its ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the government was unlikely to get involved in combat. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do. "I'd be very surprised if there's anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement. When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes. And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a government spokesperson said they "note the US president's statement that now is the time for peace" while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. While the coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a "necessary action to take". However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia's respond to the bombings would be defining."Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Downer said on X. "We've been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation." About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation. Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan. Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country's regime.
