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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities revealed that this country is the main factor behind Israeli attacks.
Pezeshkian spoke at a cabinet meeting in the capital, Tehran, condemning the U.S. attack on three nuclear facilities in Iran.
"The U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities revealed that this country is the main factor behind Israeli attacks. Although they initially tried to hide their role, they inevitably came forward after observing our armed forces' determined and deterrent response and the obvious inadequacy of the Zionist regime," Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian stated, "The powerful attacks carried out by Iranian armed forces this morning against the occupied territories are actually a response to America's aggressive policies, because essentially the Zionist regime is not in a position or size to have the capability and courage to attack Iran alone."
U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
An official from the governorship of Qom city, where Iran's most critical nuclear facility, Fordow, is located, confirmed to Anadolu Agency (AA) that the facility was attacked.
Isfahan Deputy Governor Akbar Salihi also told the country's media that there were attacks near the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear centers. Salihi stated that detailed information would be announced later.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television announced that the facilities had been evacuated beforehand and nuclear materials had been moved to another location, without confirming the attack reports.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the U.S. is "now taking direct part in a war that began when Israel attacked Iran," after the U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.
Eide told reporters, "We are deeply concerned about this further escalation of the war in the Middle East through the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. This means that they (the U.S.) are now taking direct part in a war that began when Israel attacked Iran."
"International law must be respected by all parties. And now that there are many indications that we will see a further escalation of the war. We must remind ourselves of the importance of international law," Eide emphasized.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store noted, "It is regrettable that the work to find a diplomatic solution and a new nuclear agreement with Iran has not progressed."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy will continue its efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table following the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's three nuclear facilities, Meloni made a post on X. After the worsening of the crisis in the Middle East, she held a teleconference with government members and intelligence unit directors this morning, stating, "The crisis is at the center of the government's attention in all its aspects, from the situation of citizens in the region, with whom the Foreign Ministry is in constant contact, to economic and security effects. Italy will continue its efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table."
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In a written statement from the prime minister's office regarding Meloni's meeting with relevant ministers and security bureaucracy, it was shared: "During the discussion, the situation of the targeted points in Iran following the attacks was analyzed. A clear assessment of the damage will only be possible as hours progress."
The statement also noted that Prime Minister Meloni will continue her contacts with major allies and leaders in the region in the coming hours.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated in his initial assessment in the morning hours that Italy hopes tensions will decrease after this attack.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto evaluated on the TG1 channel: "This bombardment completely changes the scenario. It opens the door to a much bigger crisis. A stronger response from Iran may come that risks spreading to all American targets."
Russia said it "strongly condemned" the United States's bombings of nuclear sites in Iran, calling the attacks "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law."
"It is already clear that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry added in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on the night of June 21-22.
The situation in the region further deteriorated after Trump announced that American forces carried out "very successful" airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, amid growing fears of a broader conflict in the region.
Following the U.S. strikes, Iran called on the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to condemn the U.S. aggression and to hold accountable those who violate international law.
Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks. Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.
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