Saudi Arabia responds following US airstrike on Iran
Saudi Arabia has called for restraint from all sides following the United States’ airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In a statement released Sunday by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh said it is "closely monitoring with deep concern" the recent developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States. The statement emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and avoid further conflict. It also urged the international community to intensify efforts toward a political resolution. Earlier on Sunday, the United States launched direct strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Former President Donald Trump announced the attacks via his social media platform, Truth Social. In his post, Trump said, "Successful strikes have been carried out on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear centers. All aircraft involved are now out of Iranian airspace. Congratulations to our American warriors for a flawless mission. No other military in the world could have executed such an operation. Now is the time for peace."
In a follow-up post, Trump claimed the strike had destroyed the Fordow nuclear site, which is located 262 feet underground, using heavy bunker-busting bombs. In a national address, Trump warned, "Many targets still remain. Tonight’s objectives were the most difficult and perhaps the most justified. But if peace doesn’t come swiftly, we will strike other targets with precision, speed, and efficiency." Iranian officials have confirmed the strikes. The state-run IRNA news agency cited a government broadcasting official who stated that none of the targeted nuclear sites contained radioactive material at the time of the attacks. This suggests that Iran may have removed enriched uranium or radioactive elements before the airstrikes. The airstrikes follow an earlier, unprovoked Israeli assault on Iran that began in the early hours of June 13. Israel claimed the preemptive strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure were necessary due to imminent threats of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and civilians. That conflict continues. Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes against Israel, and the confrontation has now entered its tenth day. According to Israeli authorities, 24 Israelis have been killed so far.
Iran’s Ministry of Health reports that at least 430 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict with Israel began, with over 3,500 injured. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) puts the Iranian death toll at 657.
