Moscow blasts US redo of ‘Iraqi weapons of mass destruction’ stunt

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Russia has sharply condemned the United States for its airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the attacks “irresponsible, provocative and dangerous,” and warning they risk pushing the Middle East toward a large-scale war with potentially catastrophic nuclear consequences.

Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Sunday, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Washington of violating the UN Charter, international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“The United States has opened a Pandora’s box, and no one knows what consequences may follow,” Nebenzia said, noting that by targeting IAEA-supervised nuclear sites, Washington has “once again demonstrated total disregard for the position of the international community.”

Nebenzia drew a pointed comparison to the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War, when then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented false evidence to “justify the invasion of another sovereign state, only to plunge its people into chaos for decades and not find any weapons of mass destruction.”

“Many today feel a strong sense of déjà vu,” he said. “The current situation is essentially no different: we are once again being urged to believe in fairy tales in order to once again bring suffering to millions of people living in the Middle East.”

Russia argued that Tehran has not been proven to be pursuing a nuclear weapon, echoing earlier assessments by US intelligence that were dismissed by President Donald Trump as “wrong.” Nebenzia accused Washington of fabricating a narrative to justify the use of force and of undermining the decades-long diplomatic framework built around Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The Russian envoy also criticized what he described as the hypocrisy of Western nations that had for days called for “restraint” in the same Security Council chamber, yet failed to condemn Washington for joining Israeli strikes – and even blamed Iran for the escalation.

“We are witnessing an astonishing example of double standards,” he said. “Iran has been and remains one of the most thoroughly inspected states under the NPT, but instead of encouraging such an attitude, it receives bombardments of its territory and civilians by a state that refuses, in principle, to sign the NPT.”

Nebenzia warned that the US strikes undermine the authority of the IAEA and the global non-proliferation regime, and that continued escalation could return the world to an era of uncontrolled nuclear risk.

“This is an outrageous and cynical situation, and it is very strange that the Director General of the IAEA did not say a word about it. Neither has he ever called on Israel to join the NPT,” Nebenzia added.

Anti-war protests take place in New York, Washington DC, Boston

Protests against the U.S. military involvement in Iran, including some in New York and outside the White House June 22, are expected to continue throughout the week in communities across the country.

The protests come on the heels of President Donald Trump ordering attacks on three nuclear facilities in Iran. Demonstrations were underway Sunday, June 22 in Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, according to social media posts.

“The people of the United States don’t want another forever war. The people of the United States want money for people’s needs!’’ the Party for Socialism and Liberation posted on X.

People take part in an anti-war demonstration at Times Square in New York protesting US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites [Kena Betancur/AFP]

The protests, some organized in part by ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition, an anti-war group, call for Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the war on Iran.

ANSWER is a left-wing group that has organized protests against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other U.S. military actions, including some that have drawn hundreds of thousands of participants. Earlier this year, the organization was part of a coalition of groups across the country protesting in the days after Trump’s inauguration.

Other protests are planned in the coming week, including a national ‘‘Stop the War on Iran’’ march slated for June 28 in Washington, D.C. Others protested across the globe, including in Japan and Iran.

Trump administration officials defended the attacks Sunday morning, and President Trump threatened possible further actions.

People hold signs as they demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, DC, against US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites [Alex Wroblewski/AFP]

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speech and skill," Trump said Saturday at the White House.

Congress is scheduled to return to Washington this week. Many Republican lawmakers applauded Trump’s move.

“President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated,’’ Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said in a statement. “That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision, and clarity.’’

Some Democrats, however, blasted Trump's “unilateral decision” to attack Iran without congressional approval, calling it illegal.

“This move, a rash sequel to his withdrawal from the nuclear deal, puts our nation, our troops, and innocents at grave risk,’’ Rep. James Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, said in a statement. “Trump promised to be a peacemaker and vowed to avoid plunging the U.S. into more wars in the Middle East. This attack is inconsistent with his promise to the American people.”

Protesters shout slogans during an anti-war demonstration in Boston, Massachusetts [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]

Anti-war demonstrators have begun to peacefully gather in New York's Times Square and various locations across the U.S. in response to the Trump administration's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Chinese foreign ministry says US attack ‘seriously violates’ international law

Patrons of the Chapel Street Cafe watch as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation following U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. June 21, 2025. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Purchase Licensing

China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA. The actions of the U.S. seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East. China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation. China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.

Beijing has “strongly condemned” the US attack on Iran, noting its nuclear facilities were under the safeguards of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency.

“The actions of the US seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation.”

In a brief statement on Sunday night, the Chinese foreign ministry said the bombing of the facilities, which were under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, seriously violated the United Nations Charter and its principles.

It called on all parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians and start dialogue.

“China is willing to work with the international community to uphold justice and restore peace and stability in the Middle East,” the ministry said.

The call came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had conducted the bombings, calling the strikes a “spectacular military success” and pledging more attacks if Tehran did not stand down.

The actions of the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, the spokesperson said.

China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation, the spokesperson said.

China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East, the spokesperson said

Russia’s Medvedev criticises Trump for starting ‘new war’

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, says the “absolute majority” of nations are against “the actions of Israel and the United States”.

Dmitry Medvedev [File: Ekaterina Shtukina/Sputnik/Kremlin/Pool via AP]

“Trump, who came as a peacemaker president, started a new war for the US,” he said on his Telegram channel after Washington’s strikes on Iran.

“The United States is drawn into a new conflict with the prospect of a ground operation. With this kind of success, Trump won’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of the UK, France, Italy, UAE, Qatar, none of their statements condemned the US attack, instead they were merely symbolic statements. And that clarifies their position as US stooges.

‘Very extensive’ damage in Tel Aviv suburb after Iran retaliation

Rescuers and security personnel at the site of a missile attack in Tel Aviv [Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters]

At least 27 people in Israel have been wounded after Iran launched 40 missiles at the country in response to US-Israeli attacks.

One of the bombing targets was the Ramat Aviv area of Tel Aviv, with missiles tearing holes in the facades of apartment blocks.

“Houses here were hit very, very badly,” said Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. “Fortunately, one of them was slated for demolition and reconstruction so there were no residents inside.”

He added: “Those who were in the shelters are all safe and well. The damage is very, very extensive, but in terms of human life we are okay.

Damaged buildings and vehicles after Iran missile strikes on Israel [Jack Guez/AFP]

Eli Bin, the head of Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom, told reporters that a total of 23 people had been wounded nationwide in the attacks, with "two in moderate condition and the rest lightly injured."

Two waves of missiles were launched at Israel from around 7:30 am (0430 GMT), the Israeli military said.

Sirens rang across the country, with air defences activated shortly afterwards, causing loud explosions heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israeli police reported "the fall of weapon fragments" in a northern area encompassing the port of Haifa, where local authorities said emergency services were heading to an "accident site".

Reporting on missile strikes is subject to strict military censorship rules in Israel, but at least 50 impacts have been officially acknowledged nation-wide and 25 people have been killed since the war began with Iran on June 13, according to official figures.

Tel Aviv, the southern city of Beersheba and the northern port of Haifa have been the three areas most frequently targeted by Iran.

Israel's sophisticated air defences have intercepted more than 450 missiles along with around 1,000 drones, according to the latest figures from the Israeli military.

Iran has launched its first salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel after the US military conducted airstrikes at three key Iranian nuclear facilities

Aftermath of an Iranian drone strike on Beit She'an, Israel. Photo: Michael Giladi/AFP

Iran has launched its first salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel after the US military conducted airstrikes at three key Iranian nuclear facilities in the early hours of Sunday, marking a dramatic escalation in the West Asian conflict.

Iran’s state media said more than 30 ballistic missiles had been fired as sirens rang across parts of Israel, while explosions were heard in Jerusalem. The Israeli Army said it was working to intercept missiles from Iran. Israel had closed its airspace after the US strikes on Iran.

Israel’s rescue services said Saturday that an Iranian drone had struck a residential building in the north of the country following a wave of attacks reported by the military.

“A drone strike hit a two-storey residential building in northern Israel,” the Magen David Adom said in a statement, referring to an impact site in the Beit She’an valley by the northeastern border with Jordan.

Emergency workers rescue civilians as Iran launched missiles at Israel. (Reuters)

Israel’s sophisticated air defenses have intercepted more than 450 missiles fired at the country by Iran, along with around 400 drones, since the start of the war on June 13, according to official figures.

The locations of strikes in Israel are subject to strict military censorship rules and are not always provided in detail to the public.

The National Public Diplomacy Directorate, which is overseen by Israel’s prime minister, has acknowledged 50 impact sites.

At least 19 people were injured in Haifa on Friday following a strike on a building by the city’s docks.

The northern Israeli port has been frequently targeted along with coastal hub Tel Aviv and southern Beersheba.

AFP photographs from the scene of the drone strike in Beit She’an on Saturday showed a hole torn in the side of the building next to a crater and mounds of earth that appeared to have been thrown up by the drone’s explosives.

Magen David Adom said its rescue teams found no visible casualties as they arrived at the scene.

In separate statements, the Israeli military reported several drones had been sighted and intercepted at locations in northern Israel mid-morning on Saturday after a barrage of 40 drones overnight.

A total of 25 people have been killed in Israel since the start of the war, according to official figures. At least 27 ballistic missiles were launched into the Jewish State in two waves, striking 10 different locations on Sunday morning, The Times of Israel reported, citing the Israel Defense Force.

The attack on Fordow Nuclear Site ‘has not been seriously damaged’, says Iranian MP

Manan Raisi, who represents the Qom area where Fordow is located, says the attack on the underground nuclear site was “superficial”.

“Based on accurate information, I state that contrary to the claims of the lying US president, the Fordow nuclear facility has not been seriously damaged, and most of what was damaged was only on the ground, which can be restored,” Raisi said, according to the Tasnim news agency.

He also echoed earlier assessments that there has been no detected leakage of radioactive material after the US strikes.

IRNA, Iran’s official news agency, said that residents near Fordow “did not feel any signs of a major explosion” after the US strike.

“Conditions in the area were completely normal,” the agency said. “Further details of the incident will be reported by official experts.”

The Crisis Management Headquarters in the province of Qom, where Fordow is located, issued a statement saying that “there is no danger to the people of Qom and the surrounding area”.

"Fordow Nuclear Facility, officially the Shahid Ali Mohammadi Nuclear Facility is an Iranian underground uranium enrichment facility located 30 kilometres (20 mi) north of the Iranian city of Qom, at a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base".

"The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is not a nuclear plant as Trump has suggested, but rather a uranium enrichment facility. It is where Iran processes uranium to higher levels of enrichment, much of which Iran sells and uses to generate electricity."

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has said that radiation system data and field surveys do not show signs of contamination or danger to residents near the sites of Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

“Announcement from the Nuclear Safety System Center. Following the illegal US attack on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, field surveys and radiation systems data showed: No contamination recorded,” the organisation said in a social media post.

“There is no danger to residents around these sites. Safety is in a stable state.”

This proves that Iran's uranium enrichment facilities are not producing nuclear weapons, other evidence:

Saudi Arabia says 'no radioactive effects' detected in Gulf

Following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Saudi Arabia on Sunday said that here is 'no nuclear effects' detected in Gulf.

Saudi Arabian information also proves Trump's lies to influence the world, that the US has succeeded in destroying Iran's nuclear facilities.

Earlier, Iran had confirmed there were “no signs of contamination” at its nuclear sites at Isfahan, Fordo and Natanz after US airstrikes targeted the facilities.

Iranian state media quoted the country's National Nuclear Safety System Centre, which published a statement saying its radiation detectors had recorded no radioactive release after the strikes.

Iran fires more ballistic missiles

Iran launched an early morning missile attack on central Israel, resulting in a fire in Holon, as several Israeli attacks were reported including on Iran’s Isfahan, home to a key nuclear research centre.

Iran again carried out missile attacks on several cities of Israel including Tel Aviv, Beersheba, Haifa on Friday evening. According to Al Jazeera's report, 23 people have been injured due to missile falling in Haifa. Among them, the condition of three, including a 16-year-old minor, is critical.

This morning, Iran attacked with a ballistic missile near the Microsoft office in the Israeli city of Beersheba. This set many cars on fire. Nearby houses were also damaged. Iran fired a missile at a hospital in Beersheba on Thursday, in which more than 50 people were injured.

Israel and Iran conflict enters eighth day

Today is the eighth day of the war between Iran and Israel. Amidst the war with Israel, Iran has opened its airspace for India. Under Operation Sindhu, the Indian government will rescue about 1 thousand Indian citizens from there in 3 special chartered flights during the next two days.

A fire has broken out in Israel’s capital Tel Aviv after Iran launched a new wave of missiles. Several explosions were reported in the skies above Tel Aviv as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its second week.