TEHRAN -- Governor of Iran's central Qom province Akbar Behnam Jou said on Sunday that no risk of a nuclear radiation leak exists within a 500-meter radius of Fordow enrichment facility in the province, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

He made the remarks while dismissing concerns about a potential nuclear contamination as a consequence of US attacks earlier in the day, which also targeted two other Iranian nuclear facilities of Natanz and Isfahan, the report said.

Behnam Jou said Iran had staged comprehensive maneuvers in that area, having thoroughly examined all possible scenarios, even the "worst-case" ones.

He assured that people in the province could continue their daily lives in calm.

TEHRAN -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday the US attacks on the country's three nuclear facilities indicated that the United States is the "main factor" behind Israel's hostile actions against Iran.

He made the remarks at a cabinet meeting while strongly condemning the US attack on Saturday on Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear facilities, according to a statement published on the website of his office.

Pezeshkian said although the United States initially was trying to deny its role in Israeli strikes against Iran, it eventually joined the war.

He added the Iranian armed forces' "powerful" attacks against Israel Sunday morning were in fact a response to the US "aggressive" policies.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that by directly attacking the country's nuclear facilities, the United States practically placed itself at the forefront of the "aggression" against Iran.

It said in response to "such aggressions and crimes," Iran would continue its "precise, targeted and formidable" strikes against Israel's infrastructure, strategic centers and interests.

"The aggressors should wait for regret-inducing responses," the IRGC warned in the statement.

US President Donald Trump announced the completion of his country's attacks on the three Iranian sites in a post on social platform Truth Social.

The attacks came as Israel has since June 13 launched major airstrikes on different areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists and a large number of civilians.

Iran has retaliated Israel's attacks with missile and drone strikes. As of Saturday, more than 400 Iranians have been killed and over 3,000 wounded, according to Iran's Health Ministry. In Israel, the death toll stands at 24, according to local authorities.

After talks in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday about the Israel-Iran conflict yielded little fruit, the European Union has been urged to play a more independent role in peace negotiations, even as the situation in the Middle East worsened following the United States' bombing of nuclear sites in Iran.

"The discussions and proposals made by the Europeans in Geneva were unrealistic. Insisting on these positions will not bring Iran and Europe closer to an agreement," Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying on condition of anonymity.

For Di Dongsheng, dean of the School of Global and Area Studies at Renmin University of China, the continued Israel-Iran conflict has put Europe in an awkward position.

"Relying heavily on the oil exports from the Middle East, Europe now faces a high risk of an energy shortage if the situation worsens and the Strait of Hormuz gets closed," he told China Daily. "Besides, what Israel has been committing in Gaza, recognized by many as a massacre, has aroused quite fierce oppositions from the European people and certain political parties."

Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist, earlier sailed with others toward Gaza earlier this month, in an attempt to open a humanitarian channel into the region that is under an Israel blockade. She was subsequently deported by Israeli forces.

Yet politically, major European powers stand more with Israel and some right-wing politicians in a number of European nations are almost as closely aligned with Israel as the US, Di said, listing Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his recent quote in which he thanked Israel for "doing the dirty job for us all" as an example.

Those sorts of attitudes may further split Europe, which is already divided on multiple major issues, he said.

Jian Junbo, director of the Centre for China-EU Relations at Fudan University, said that Iran's peaceful use of nuclear energy had become at the center of the issue. But Jian said Israel potentially ignited a powder keg in the Middle East with its sudden attack on Iran on June 13 after claiming Iran was "funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon".

"If the Middle East situation gets out of control, more powers such as the Houthi group and the Kurdish forces might rise there, turning it into bigger chaos," he said. "In that case, Europe's interests will be more fragile."

Mick Wallace, a former member of the European Parliament, said: "Europe is not capable of acting independently today ... This is a big problem for Europe now for as long as Europe fails to adapt an independent policy of its own, the more insignificant Europe will become on the world stage."

He also said that Europe should "condemn this illegal US act of aggression against Iran and EU member states should break off all business links with Israel while they continue to behave as a lawless apartheid state".

President of France Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "I am convinced that a path exists to end war and avoid even greater dangers. To achieve this, we will accelerate the negotiations led by France and its European partners with Iran."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief, posted on X that all sides should step back.

"Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security," she added.

EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation again on Monday, she added.

TEHRAN -- Iran on Sunday reported explosions near the southern city of Bushehr, where a nuclear power plant is located, and in the central province of Yazd as a result of Israel's attacks, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

China strongly condemns the US attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday after US President Donald Trump announced that the United States carried out strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran — Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

The actions of the US seriously violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, the spokesperson 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, the statement 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 added.

JERUSALEM -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its fighter jets struck two warplanes at the Dezful Airport in western Iran on Sunday morning.

The statement noted that in separate strikes earlier in the morning, eight missile launchers were "neutralized," including six that were poised to fire at Israeli territory.

It added that on Saturday evening, approximately 20 Israeli fighter jets struck dozens of military targets in Iran.

Among the targets hit were a military site housing components for explosive production, weapons storage and manufacturing facilities, and air defense systems, according to the statement.

It added that the IDF also targeted military infrastructure at Isfahan Airport to prevent the Iranian air force from utilizing the site.

ISTANBUL -- The US attack on Iran is an outrageous, grave and unprecedented violation of fundamental principles of the Charter of the UN and international law, said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday in a press conference in Istanbul.

ISTANBUL -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday strongly condemned the US military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, saying Tehran has multiple options under consideration in response to this "red line" violation.

"The US attack on Iran is an outrageous, grave, and unprecedented violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law," Araghchi said at a press conference in Istanbul.

He added that the "lawless" US administration is "solely and fully" responsible for the consequences of its act of "aggression."

"Of course, the door to diplomacy should be always kept open," Araghchi said. "But this is not the case right now. My country is under attack, under aggression, and we have to respond based on our legitimate right of self-defense. We will do so for as long as needed and necessary."

"We are now calculating the damages," he added, urging the world and international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, to act in accordance with their responsibilities in the face of this "violation of international law."

Araghchi also announced that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in Moscow to discuss the latest developments following the US strikes.

Araghchi is in Turkiye to attend the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul. 

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Sunday condemned the US attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities, showing grave concerns at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.

"The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran, is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond," the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Pakistan emphasized the imperative need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to an end, the foreign ministry said, adding that all parties must adhere to international law, particularly the international humanitarian law.

It added that recourse to dialogue and diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, remains the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.

Asia-Pacific countries have expressed their willingness to find a political solution to US and Israeli attacks against Iran while some voiced condemnation of or expressed concern over US attacks against Iran's atomic energy facilities.

The head of the Pakistani parliament's defense committee said, "The US aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities is a war crime."

Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said, "Targeting nuclear facilities inside Iran is a dangerous threat to security and peace in the Middle East and exposes regional stability to great risks."

Iraq "expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the targeting of nuclear facilities" in Iran, Bassem Al-Awadi said on Sunday. "This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability," he added.

The Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry, in a statement on X platform, "affirmed its condemnation and denunciation of violating the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing the need to exert all efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and avoid escalation."

The kingdom also called on the international community to boost efforts in such "highly sensitive circumstances" to reach a political solution to end the crisis, Arab News reported.

Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Teheran, on Sunday strongly condemned US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.

The Gulf sultanate "expresses deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States on sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran", the official Oman News Agency said.

Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, on Sunday said the foreign ministry "warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in statement released by the Lebanese Presidency on X, said, "The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities raises fears of an escalation of tensions that could threaten security and stability in more than one region and country.

Aoun called for restraint and the launch of constructive and serious negotiations to restore stability to the countries of the region and avoid further killing and destruction.

The Palestinian Resistance committees stated, "The attack on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities is an act of aggression and a threat to the entire region, and requires a united stance from all the free people of the nation to confront these arrogant aggressors," according to Mehr News Agency of Iran.

Both governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea are reportedly holding meetings on the latest situation.

In New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters instead clarifying whether New Zealand supported President Trump's actions, said the crisis is "the most serious I've ever dealt with" and that "critical further escalation is avoided."

"Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action," he said.

Australia, which evacuated embassy employee in Teheran on Friday, said it will "continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". But a government official said in a written statement: "We note the US President's statement that now is the time for peace."

Jan Yumul contributed to this report.

JERUSALEM/TEHRAN -- Ballistic missiles fired from Iran into central and northern Israel on Sunday morning wounded 26 people, two of whom in moderate condition, Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom reported.

The Israeli police said that the strike, including two barrages of a total of about 30 missiles, directly hit the cities of Tel Aviv and Ness Ziona in central Israel and Haifa in the north, causing heavy damage to residential buildings, roads and vehicles.

It was the first missile strike from Iran towards Israel after a pause of around 29 hours, and the first since the United States bombed Iran's nuclear facilities.

Shortly after the Iranian attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its air force struck and destroyed the missile launchers in Iran that carried out the latest strike targeting Israel.

Hours before the missile strike and following the US bombing, Israel closed its airspace in an apparent precautionary measure, the Israel Airports Authority announced.

The IDF's Home Front Command also announced additional emergency rules for the public, including bans on educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, except for essential sectors.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement following the US attack in Iran that it was carried out in full operational coordination with Israel.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on Sunday confirmed the attack, saying that the fresh wave of attacks targeted Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and a biological research center, among others.

In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, it also announced the beginning of its 20th wave of strikes against targets inside Israel.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said the new wave of attacks featured a combination of long-range solid- and liquid-fuel missiles equipped with "devastating" warheads and employing new tactics to render Israel's air defense ineffective.

It added the strikes targeted backup bases as well as different layers of the command and control centers.

On June 13, Israel launched major airstrikes on different areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks. As of Saturday, more than 400 Iranians have been killed and over 3,000 wounded, according to Iran's Health Ministry. In Israel, 24 civilians were killed by Iranian missile strikes, according to local authorities.

Iran "condemns the brutal US military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities" and reserves the right to defend itself with full force, said an official statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

The US military assault on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities is not only a blatant and unprecedented violation of the UN Charter -- particularly the principles prohibiting the use of force and requiring respect for states' territorial integrity and national sovereignty-- but also a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the statement said.

"The world must not forget that it was the United States that, in the midst of a diplomatic process, betrayed diplomacy by supporting the genocidal and lawbreaking Israeli regime to impose a war of aggression on the Iranian nation. Now, in completion of that regime's unlawful and criminal acts, the United States itself has launched a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic of Iran," said the statement released on X platform.

Iran "is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression," said the statement.

At a news conference earlier, US President Donald Trump said Saturday local time that Iran's key nuclear facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated". US military struck Iran's atomic energy sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. But Iran had evacuated these three nuclear sites "a while ago," said Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran's state broadcaster.

Trump also threatened that future attacks against Iranian targets will be "far greater and a lot easier". "If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill," he said at his news conference.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also urged the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to "unequivocally condemn this criminal act of aggression by the United States against Iran" and to hold the United States accountable for its egregious violation of the fundamental principles of United Nations Charter and of the norms of international law.

The ministry also called on the IAEA Board of Governors to immediately convene and "carry out its legal responsibility in response to this dangerous US attack on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, all of which have been under the Agency's full safeguards and monitoring."

The "war-mongering and lawless regime of the United States of America" is held fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far-reaching implications of this egregious act of aggression and heinous crime, the ministry said.

Jan Yumul contributed to this report.

JERUSALEM - Sirens sounded across central, northern Israel and Israel-controlled Jerusalem as Iran launched a new wave of ballistic missiles.

Israelis in affected areas were instructed to remain in bomb shelters.

It marked the first Iranian ballistic missile strike on Israel in over a day -- and the first since the United States attacked Iran's three nuclear facilities.

Israel closed its airspace in an apparent precautionary measure following the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, the Israel Airports Authority announced earlier.

A statement from the Israel Defense Forces said with the approval of the Defense Minister Israel Katz, and following the situational assessment, it was determined that as of Sunday at 03:45 am (0045 GMT), immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command instructions.

As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Partial and Limited Activity to Essential Activity. The instructions include a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, except for essential sectors, said the statement.

US President Donald Trump said earlier on Saturday that the United States has completed attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran, namely "Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan."

The United States' unilateral military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan constitute a reckless escalation and a flagrant violation of international law. This direct intervention in the volatile Israel-Iran conflict violates the sovereignty of Iran and fundamental principles of the UN Charter. Such unilateralism undermines the rules-based international order and sets a dangerous "might-makes-right" precedent.

Although Washington is suggesting that the US' bombing of multiple Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday is a contained move to prevent the Islamic republic producing nuclear weapons, it has all the hallmarks of another "washing powder" moment with Israel resolutely trying to drag the US into a war with Iran.

As House Representative Hakeem Jeffries said, President Donald Trump didn't seek Congressional authorization for the use of military force and he therefore "shoulders complete and total responsibility" for the risks of entangling America in a disastrous war. This marks a stark reversal from Trump's "America First" campaign pledge to avoid foreign conflicts.

The attacks may have already opened Pandora's box. What the world should be concerned about now is the immediate consequences and implications of the strikes, which not only violated Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also breached multiple international laws and rules on nuclear security.

International law provides clear protection for nuclear facilities worldwide. Article 56 of the Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions expressly prohibits attacks on nuclear plants, because such attacks can cause nuclear leaks jeopardizing the lives of thousands of civilians. The International Atomic Energy Agency, too, has, in many of its resolutions, condemned attacks on nuclear facilities as gross violations of international law and the UN Charter.

The attacks came amid intensive diplomatic efforts to reach a political resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. Although the US signaled that after the attacks its bilateral talks with Iran can continue, the Saturday attacks are likely to have derailed the whole process aimed at securing a negotiated settlement of the issue.

The attacks also came at a time that Iran's increasingly effective response to Israel's aggression has pushed the latter to a breaking point dragging their conflict in the direction of a war of attrition that Israel is in no position to wage.

But although the US' Saturday attacks may have seemed to help Israel reverse the situation, they have only served to push the situation further toward the abyss.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres rightly warned the actions pose a "direct threat to international peace and security", risking uncontrolled escalation with catastrophic humanitarian consequences for civilians already suffering across the Middle East.

Trump's threatening of more strikes "if peace does not come quickly", issued shortly after the bombings, starkly underscores this volatility. Further conflict will inevitably undermine global stability by jeopardizing peace, energy security and disrupting critical shipping lanes, sending shockwaves through a fragile world economy.

As the world stands on the brink of a cataclysm, it is imperative that reason prevails. Diplomacy, not unilateral force and threats of escalation, is the only viable path to sustainable security and preventing nuclear proliferation.

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were "outrageous" and "will have everlasting consequences."

Tehran "reserves all options" to retaliate, said the minister.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has detected the launch of missiles from Iran after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the IDF said on Telegram.

The Israeli army added that an air raid alert has been declared in some regions of Israel and ordered residents to take shelter in protected areas.

The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement earlier that Israel has closed its airspace after the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites, although land crossings with Egypt and Jordan are operating normally.

"Israel's airspace is closed to entry and exit. The public should stay updated with the airlines. Land crossings to Sinai and Jordan are operating as usual," the statement said.

The Iranian state media reported that there were "no signs of contamination" at the nuclear sites at Esfahan, Fordo and Natanz after US airstrikes, quoting a statement from the country's National Nuclear Safety System Center.

"There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites," the statement said.

US President Donald Trump said earlier on Saturday that the United States has completed attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran, including "Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan."

"All planes are now outside of Iran's airspace. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," he said on the social platform Truth Social.

Tehran must agree to "end this war," Trump wrote on Truth Social after the strikes.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency acknowledged attacks on the country's nuclear facilities.

Iran had evacuated these three nuclear sites "a while ago," said Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran's state broadcaster, adding that Iran "didn't suffer a major blow because the materials had already been taken out."

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization confirmed the US attacks, but said its work will not be stopped.

"The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the great Iranian nation that despite the evil conspiracies of its enemies, with the efforts of thousands of its revolutionary and motivated scientists and experts, it will not allow the development of this national industry, which is the result of the blood of nuclear martyrs, to be stopped," the agency said in a statement issued after Trump announced the US attacks.

The organization also confirmed that Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were attacked again early Sunday, following Trump's remarks that the US military had struck three nuclear targets.

"Necessary measures, including legal procedures, are on the agenda to defend the country's rights," said the organization.

It condemned the attacks as a violation of international law, particularly the Non-Proliferation Treaty, calling on the international community to denounce the strikes and support Iran's pursuit of its legal rights.

The Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission has confirmed that no radioactive traces have been detected in the environment of the country or other Arab Gulf states following the US military strikes.

In a post on its official X account, the Saudi nuclear body said that continuous monitoring has shown no signs of radiological impact on the region's environment.

In its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the United States used the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, known as the "bunker buster," local media quoted two sources familiar with the operation.

B-2 bombers are the only aircraft capable of carrying the bombs, said the report.

Trump and his team were in touch with top congressional Republicans before the strikes, but did not brief top Democrats on his plans until after the bombs had been dropped, the report added.

The attacks marked a historic escalation in the Middle East. It may provoke retaliation from Tehran against US troops and military installations across the region, said the report.

A senior official from Yemen's Houthi group said in a social media post early Sunday that it would hold Trump responsible for the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

"Trump must bear the consequences," Houthi political bureau member Hizam al-Assad posted on X.

Prior to the US attacks, the Houthi group said in a statement that it would target US ships if Washington attacks Iran.

"If America is involved in the attack and aggression against Iran ... the armed forces (Houthi forces) will target its ships and battleships in the Red Sea," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement, aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on Sunday after the US attacks, calling it a "bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities."

Trump had created a "pivot of history," he added.

The US air raids on Iran came on the ninth day after Israel launched attacks on Iran on June 13.

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran will face more military strikes if peace does not come quickly.

Addressing the nation Saturday evening, Trump said that Iran's key nuclear facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated," and that future attacks will be "far greater and a lot easier."

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes," he said.

Trump said that he decided a long time ago not to let Iran gain a nuclear weapon and that without peace, there will be "tragedy" for Iran that will far exceed what's taken place.

"War starts right now," Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said after Trump's announcement of US successful attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities of "Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan."

Iran had evacuated these three nuclear sites "a while ago," said Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran's state broadcaster.

Appearing on state-run television, he said that Iran "didn't suffer a major blow because the materials had already been taken out."

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization confirmed the US attacks, but said that its work will not be stopped.

"The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the great Iranian nation that despite the evil conspiracies of its enemies, with the efforts of thousands of its revolutionary and motivated scientists and experts, it will not allow the development of this national industry, which is the result of the blood of nuclear martyrs, to be stopped," the agency said in a statement issued after Trump's announcement of the US attacks.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites are "a dangerous escalation" and "a direct threat to international peace and security."

"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," said Guterres in a statement.

There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control -- with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world, he said.

Guterres called on UN member states 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," he said.

WASHINGTON - US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites in a "very successful attack," President Donald Trump said on Saturday, adding that Tehran's nuclear program had been obliterated.

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.

"The strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said in a televised Oval Office address. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated."

In a speech that lasted just over three minutes, Trump said Iran's future held "either peace or tragedy," and that there were many other targets that could be hit by the US military.

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill."

The US reached out to Iran diplomatically on Saturday to say the strikes are all the US plans and it does not aim for regime change, CBS News reported.

Trump said US forces struck Iran's three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. He told Fox News six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites.

US B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes, a US official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," Trump posted. "Fordow is gone."

"IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR," he added.

Reuters

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has condemned the attacks of the United States on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which it said, contradicts international law, especially the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to its statement.

"This action, contrary to international law, was unfortunately carried out in the shadow of indifference and even with the cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency," the statement said.

The US, through its president, has taken responsibility for the attack on the aforementioned sites, which are under the continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, based on the Safeguards Agreement and the NPT Treaty, the AEOI added, according to Mehr News Agency.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi warned of the risk of nuclear contamination from Israel's attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran on Friday in his briefing at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Talking of serious damage at the Natanz site in Israeli air strikes, Grossi was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency as saying: "The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity."

Grossi also warned of the serious consequences of an attack on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is an operating nuclear power plant and hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material, and the Tehran Nuclear Research Reactor.

In a post on X, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is "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," said Guterres.

He also called on all UN 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," said the UN secretary-general.

Analysts have been concerned that potential contamination from the attacked atomic energy sites might be disastrous for the whole region.

Jan Yumul contributed to this report.

UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday branded the US strikes on Iran as 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," Guterres said in a statement.

"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," he said.

Reuters

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran must now make peace or "we will go after" other targets in Iran after US strikes that he said "obliterated" Iranian nuclear sites.

"There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," Trump said in a nationally televised speech at the White House.

Reuters