Iran has claimed that recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities caused minimal damage, asserting that enriched uranium stockpiles and critical equipment were removed from the targeted sites in advance.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier confirmed a large-scale military operation targeting three of Iran’s major nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
Trump announced the strikes via his official social media accounts, sparking concerns about rising tensions and the potential for a full-scale war between Washington and Tehran.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump declared.
He added: “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday accused the Trump administration of sabotaging ongoing diplomatic efforts through its latest military offensive.
Abaghchi described the airstrikes as “criminal aggression” and a violation of international law.
“Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy,” Araghchi said. “This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw?” the minister wrote on X.
He further stated: “To Britain and the EU High Representative, it is Iran which must ‘return’ to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?”
Araghchi continued: “The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.”
He warned that the attack would have long-term consequences.
“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, 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,” he concluded.
According to Iranian state media, including IRIB and Mehr News Agency, uranium stockpiles and key components had already been removed from the affected nuclear facilities.
Hindustan Times also cited Iranian sources stating: “Enriched uranium stockpiles moved out of sites beforehand, as per IRIB news. Iran evacuated all three sites ‘some time ago,’ according to Mehr News Agency. U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuke infrastructure in vain? Tehran says it had evacuated sites earlier.”
The fallout from this development continues to reverberate globally, with Iran insisting that the U.S. violated international norms and failed to cripple its nuclear infrastructure.
