Iran has declared that the United States’ recent airstrikes on its nuclear facilities were largely ineffective, claiming that enriched uranium stockpiles and sensitive equipment had already been removed before the attacks.
On Saturday night, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed a coordinated military assault on three major Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The operation, he said, was a “complete success.”
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on his social media account. “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.”
However, Iran countered swiftly. In a strongly worded response on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the U.S. military action as “criminal aggression” and a blatant breach 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?” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He continued, “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 further condemned the assault, stating, “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.”
Iranian state media outlets IRIB and Mehr News Agency reported that the country had relocated enriched uranium and critical materials from the targeted sites “some time ago,” well before the U.S. strikes occurred.
A report from IRIB quoted anonymous officials stating: “Enriched uranium stockpiles moved out of sites beforehand.” Mehr News added, “Iran evacuated all three sites long ago. U.S. strikes may have hit buildings, but not the core program.”
Hindustan Times also cited Iranian sources who said the airstrikes “missed their intended value” due to prior evacuations, adding credibility to Tehran’s claims.
Speaking further, Araghchi warned of grave repercussions if global institutions fail to act.
“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 asserted.
As the international community closely monitors the situation, concerns are rising over the potential fallout of the U.S.-Iran confrontation. Analysts warn that continued escalation could further destabilize the already tense Middle East region.
Despite Iran’s claims of minimal damage, the strikes represent one of the most serious escalations between the two nations in years — prompting fears of a broader conflict that could have global consequences.
