Latest news with #USAttacks
Japan Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
U.S. strikes against Iran create dilemma for Japan
The recent U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran have put Japan in a dilemma over how to balance its principle of upholding the rule of law and its alliance with the United States amid the Iran-Israel conflict. After criticizing Israel's attacks on Iran, Japan would have been accused of adopting a double standard if it did not decry the U.S.' actions. But criticizing the United States poses a risk of damaging the Japan-U.S. alliance. Faced with this dilemma, Japan has opted to express a certain level of understanding for the U.S.' actions. Immediately reacting to Israel's preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities on June 13, the Japanese government said that it "strongly condemns" Israel based on its principle of upholding the rule of law. Tokyo chose stronger language than its Group of Seven peers, given that it had criticized China's assertive actions as a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force. The U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday put Japan on the spot. The U.N. Charter bans the use of force with only a few exceptions, such as acts taken in self-defense. Although Washington said that it exercised its right to collective self-defense, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, "That is a difficult point to make in terms of international law." If Japan had gone out to publicly question the lack of reasoning under international law, such actions would have displeased U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly causing the two countries' ties to slump. Tokyo finally came up with a foreign minister's statement Monday, saying, "Japan understands that the U.S. action demonstrates its determination to de-escalate the situation while preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." In the statement, Tokyo neither supported nor decried the U.S. move. "We can't possibly tell the United States, our ally, that there are international law-related concerns," a senior Foreign Ministry official said. Asked about the legal assessment of the U.S. attacks, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a news conference Monday, "I know there are various arguments from the viewpoint of international law." "Our country is not directly involved in the matter," he also said. "It's hard to give a definite assessment." Since Trump has made statements perceived as lacking respect for international law, such as repeatedly expressing hope that his country will annex Greenland, the Japanese government is seen continuing to find itself torn between the Japan-U.S. alliance and upholding the rule of law.
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
CIA says US bombing set Iran's nuclear programme back for ‘years'
The US attacks in Iran have caused severe damage to Tehran's nuclear programme, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe said on Wednesday. New intelligence from 'historically reliable' methods had shown that 'several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years', Ratcliffe said in a statement. The CIA is continuing to analyse the consequences of the attacks, he added. Tulsi Gabbard, the National Intelligence director agreed. Writing on social media, she said a potential reconstruction of the facilities that the US bombed in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, would take years. However, it remained unclear what new findings led her and the CIA to this new assessment. Gabbard and the CIA's statements supported those of US President Donald Trump, who claimed the facilities had been completely destroyed. He described the attacks he ordered over the weekend as a death blow to Iran's nuclear programme.
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Iran-Israel latest: Trump orders Israel ‘do not drop those bombs' as he accuses both sides of violating ceasefire
Kremlin rejects criticism it did not do enough to help Iran The Kremlin on Tuesday pushed back against criticism that it had not done enough to back Iran, saying it had taken a "clear position" by condemning US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic. President Vladimir Putin has condemned what he called "unjustified" US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, with which he signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January. He said on Monday that Russia would try to help the Iranian people, although he gave no specifics. Iranian sources told Reuters earlier this week that Tehran had not been impressed with Russia's support so far. Asked about comparisons to the toppling last year of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, when Moscow refused to send troops or more air power to keep its ally in power, the Kremlin said some people were trying to spoil the Russian-Iranian partnership. "Russia actually supported Iran with its clear position," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had appreciated Moscow's stance when he met Putin on Monday.
Daily Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
‘Pandora's box': Russia warns of ‘nuclear disaster' after US bombs Iran
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Vladimir Putin has slammed American attacks on Iran as 'unprovoked' and 'unjustified', a day after a Russian diplomat warned the US had opened a 'Pandora's box' that could bring the world to the 'verge of a nuclear disaster'. The Russian President on Monday met with Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, following Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday that the US military had carried out massive strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan — marking the first ever US attacks on Iranian territory. Russia, which is a crucial backer of Iran, did not announce any concrete support at Monday's meeting. Moscow so far has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner. 'This absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran is unjustified,' Mr Putin said in televised remarks to Mr Araghchi at the start of their meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the exchange after the talks by saying 'they were unlikely to be effective' during such a 'heated moment'. Mr Araghchi later said the meeting was 'very good' and that Russia's stance on the issue remained 'firm', noting its role in the UN Security Council. He did not provide further details on the talks with the Russian leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin. Picture: Alexander Kazakov/AFP Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said revealing details of the Putin-Araghchi meeting would have been 'irresponsible' and that Russia and Iran were working on 'many directions' when asked if Tehran requested military aid from Russia. It came after Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia delivered an ominous warning. 'Through their actions, the US has opened a Pandora's box,' Mr Nebenzia told an emergency meeting on Sunday. 'No one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it will bring. Unless we stop the escalation, the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large-scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.' Since Israel launched its wave of strikes on June 13, triggering Iran to respond with missiles and drones, Russia has not publicly offered military help to Tehran. Russia was 'making efforts to help the Iranian people', Mr Putin said in the Monday meeting, without elaborating. A Wall Street Journal illustration showing impact craters at Fordow. Picture: WSJ Asked what specific support Russia might offer, Mr Peskov told reporters, 'It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation services.' Mr Putin has pitched himself as a mediator between Iran and Israel, an idea rejected by Mr Trump last week. Mr Peskov also said the strikes on Iran would not affect bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington — with the Kremlin seeking a rapprochement with the US since Mr Trump returned to power — saying they were 'different issues'. Russia had called on the US not to take military action against its ally — with Moscow-Tehran ties massively boosted during Russia's Ukraine offensive — and speculation has grown about how the Kremlin would react. Nikita Smagin, an independent expert on Russia-Iran relations, said Mr Araghchi was likely to have delivered a plea for military aid on behalf of the Iranian leadership. 'I don't think that the head of the Iranian foreign ministry rushed to Moscow just to exchange concerns on the American strike,' he told AFP in a comment. Mr Smagin speculated that Russia — caught up in its more than three-year Ukraine offensive — would rather distance itself from the Israel-Iran conflict and try to reap short-term benefits, such as higher oil prices and advancing in Ukraine while the West's focus is on the Middle East. US President Donald Trump. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP On Monday evening, local time, Iran launched what it called its 'mighty and victorious' response to US air strikes on its nuclear sites. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said 'Operation Besharat al-Faith' saw missiles fired at the US' Al Udeid air base in Qatar. It is the US' largest air base in the region. The skies across Qatar's capital Doha — familiar to many Australians who fly through on the way to Europe — were streaked with antimissile interceptors and explosions. Qatar said it brought down every missile. Both the US and Qatar have said there was no damage to the base and no injuries. Writing on his Truth Social platform on Monday evening, Mr Trump said Iran had 'officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered'. 'I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,' he wrote. 'Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' A short time later, the US President announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total' ceasefire. 'On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR',' he wrote. 'This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!' Originally published as 'Pandora's box': Russia warns of 'nuclear disaster' after US bombs Iran
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘Pandora's box': Russia warns of ‘nuclear disaster' after US bombs Iran
Vladimir Putin has slammed American attacks on Iran as 'unprovoked' and 'unjustified', a day after a Russian diplomat warned the US had opened a 'Pandora's box' that could bring the world to the 'verge of a nuclear disaster'. The Russian President on Monday met with Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, following Donald Trump's announcement on Saturday that the US military had carried out massive strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan — marking the first ever US attacks on Iranian territory. Russia, which is a crucial backer of Iran, did not announce any concrete support at Monday's meeting. Moscow so far has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner. 'This absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran is unjustified,' Mr Putin said in televised remarks to Mr Araghchi at the start of their meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the exchange after the talks by saying 'they were unlikely to be effective' during such a 'heated moment'. Mr Araghchi later said the meeting was 'very good' and that Russia's stance on the issue remained 'firm', noting its role in the UN Security Council. He did not provide further details on the talks with the Russian leader. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said revealing details of the Putin-Araghchi meeting would have been 'irresponsible' and that Russia and Iran were working on 'many directions' when asked if Tehran requested military aid from Russia. It came after Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia delivered an ominous warning. 'Through their actions, the US has opened a Pandora's box,' Mr Nebenzia told an emergency meeting on Sunday. 'No one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it will bring. Unless we stop the escalation, the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large-scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.' Since Israel launched its wave of strikes on June 13, triggering Iran to respond with missiles and drones, Russia has not publicly offered military help to Tehran. Russia was 'making efforts to help the Iranian people', Mr Putin said in the Monday meeting, without elaborating. Asked what specific support Russia might offer, Mr Peskov told reporters, 'It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation services.' Mr Putin has pitched himself as a mediator between Iran and Israel, an idea rejected by Mr Trump last week. Mr Peskov also said the strikes on Iran would not affect bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington — with the Kremlin seeking a rapprochement with the US since Mr Trump returned to power — saying they were 'different issues'. Russia had called on the US not to take military action against its ally — with Moscow-Tehran ties massively boosted during Russia's Ukraine offensive — and speculation has grown about how the Kremlin would react. Nikita Smagin, an independent expert on Russia-Iran relations, said Mr Araghchi was likely to have delivered a plea for military aid on behalf of the Iranian leadership. 'I don't think that the head of the Iranian foreign ministry rushed to Moscow just to exchange concerns on the American strike,' he told AFP in a comment. Mr Smagin speculated that Russia — caught up in its more than three-year Ukraine offensive — would rather distance itself from the Israel-Iran conflict and try to reap short-term benefits, such as higher oil prices and advancing in Ukraine while the West's focus is on the Middle East. On Monday evening, local time, Iran launched what it called its 'mighty and victorious' response to US air strikes on its nuclear sites. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said 'Operation Besharat al-Faith' saw missiles fired at the US' Al Udeid air base in Qatar. It is the US' largest air base in the region. The skies across Qatar's capital Doha — familiar to many Australians who fly through on the way to Europe — were streaked with antimissile interceptors and explosions. Qatar said it brought down every missile. Both the US and Qatar have said there was no damage to the base and no injuries. Writing on his Truth Social platform on Monday evening, Mr Trump said Iran had 'officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered'. 'I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,' he wrote. 'Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' A short time later, the US President announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total' ceasefire. 'On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR',' he wrote. 'This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!'
