By Euronews with AP
Published on
The US attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran “were carried out in coordination with the IDF.” according to Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin on Sunday.
“These actions mark a crucial step in stopping the Iranian regime’s aggression and its ability to pose a threat to the region and the world. The regime’s ability to threaten Israel is being dismantled piece by piece,” said Defrin.
The US military targeted the Iranian sites of Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz early on Sunday. In a televised address from the White House, US President Donald Trump said the sites had been “completely and fully obliterated”.
Trump also launched dozens of missiles from submarines without congressional approval.
Neither Iran nor the UN nuclear watchdog have reported immediate signs of radioactive contamination near to the targeted facilities.
It was a risky move meant to weaken a longtime enemy, even as Tehran has warned of revenge attacks that could lead to a wider conflict in the region.
Iranian FM says “There is no red line that they have not crossed.”
Hours after the attacks, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Turkey:
“The warmongering, a lawless administration in Washington is solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far-reaching implications of its act of aggression.”
He added: “They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities”.
Araghchi condemned the attacks, saying that the time for diplomacy had passed and called on the UN Security Council for an emergency session. He also stated that under the principles of the UN Charter, Iran has the right to self-defence.
Iran is a close ally to Russia
The Iranian foreign minister plans to travel to Moscow on Monday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions”.
Iran and Russia are close allies, and Tehran has kept it no secret that it has been helping Russia in its war on Ukraine, notably supplying it with attack drones.
Meanwhile, Israel released footage claiming their attacks struck Iranian soldiers and missile launchers.
The IDF said in a statement that “missile launchers were struck in Isfahan, Bushehr and Ahvaz”.
It further explained that “Strikes were also conducted on military sites involved in the production of aerial defence batteries, the ‘Third Brigade’ UAV command centre, and a UAV storage facility near the command centre,”.
The US’ decision to join the conflict follows more than a week of Israeli strikes on Iran. Israel says its goal is to destroy the country’s air defences and missile systems, while also damaging its nuclear facilities.
Video editor • Lucy Davalou