Tehran erupted in outrage on Sunday after the United States launched air strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran has described as an act of “savage aggression” and a flagrant breach of international law. The strikes marked the first direct US military intervention against Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and signalled a dramatic escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

In a strongly worded statement, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran condemned the attacks, declaring them a “violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)” and international safeguards monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It accused the United States of acting with “indifference—and even complicity—of the IAEA” and warned of consequences. “The American enemy… has taken responsibility for the attacks,” the statement read, adding that this blatant breach was rooted in “jungle rules”.

Despite the damage, Iran claimed no radioactive contamination had been detected at the targeted sites, and reassured citizens that there was “no danger to residents living around the nuclear sites”. Iran’s nuclear safety authorities confirmed that all monitoring systems were intact, and no radiation leaks had occurred.

US President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, hailed the strikes as a “spectacular military success”, saying American B-2 bombers had carried out a “full payload” attack with precision munitions including GBU-57 bunker busters. Trump said Iran’s “key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated”, adding, “If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”

Declaring Iran “the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said, “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.” In his post on Truth Social, he described the moment as “historic”, asserting that “Iran must now agree to end this war.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US President, calling the strikes “a pivot of history”. He credited Trump with strengthening the alliance between the US and Israel and applauded his “bold decision” for denying Iran “the world’s most dangerous weapons”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi fiercely denounced the US action, calling it a “grave violation” of the UN Charter and the NPT. “Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour,” he said. Araghchi insisted Iran would “reserve all options” under international law to defend its sovereignty, signalling potential retaliation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, warned that Iran’s response to continued aggression by Israel and its allies would be “more devastating”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate de-escalation. “This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security,” he said, urging all parties to “avoid a spiral of chaos” and return to diplomacy.

According to Iranian human rights monitors, more than 600 people have been killed in Iran since the outbreak of hostilities. Israel claims that Iran has launched over 1,400 projectiles in retaliation, including drones and ballistic missiles, killing at least 24 people on its soil.

The US strikes used an array of advanced military assets, including stealth B-2 bombers, Virginia-class submarines, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. Military analysts say the use of GBU-57 bunker busters suggests the operation targeted deeply fortified nuclear infrastructure that only the US military could destroy.

Despite the intensity of the attacks, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation pledged that its nuclear programme — referred to as a “national industry built on the blood of nuclear martyrs” — would continue undeterred. “We will not allow the development of this national industry to be halted,” the statement declared, vowing legal actions and renewed resolve.

Full Statement by Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation Following the attacking of Nuclear Facilities:

”Following the brutal attacks by the Zionist enemy in recent days, early this morning, the country’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were subjected to savage aggression—an act in violation of international laws, particularly the NPT.

This action, which violates international regulations, unfortunately took place under the indifference—and even complicity—of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The American enemy, through virtual space and by the declaration of its president, has taken responsibility for the attacks on the mentioned sites, which are under continuous IAEA monitoring in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement and the NPT.

It is expected that the international community will condemn this lawlessness rooted in “jungle rules” and support Iran in asserting its legitimate rights.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assures the great nation of Iran that despite the malicious plots of its enemies, with the dedication of thousands of revolutionary and motivated scientists and experts, it will not allow the development of this national industry—built on the blood of nuclear martyrs—to be halted.

This organization is taking the necessary steps to defend the rights of the noble Iranian people, including legal actions.“