Iran’s foreign minister warned Sunday that Tehran will not return to diplomatic talks until it responds to U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities. Speaking in Istanbul, Abbas Araqchi condemned the attack and said Iran reserves “all options” to defend itself.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns, in the strongest terms, the United States’ brutal military aggression,” Araqchi said. “This is a grave and unprecedented violation of the UN Charter and international law.”
The U.S. launched airstrikes early Sunday, targeting several Iranian nuclear sites. The move came amid rising tension between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. now fully drawn into the conflict.
Araqchi said Iran was engaged in ongoing negotiations with the U.S. and European officials in Geneva just two days before the attack.
“We were in the middle of talks when this happened,” he said. “It is irrelevant to ask us to return to diplomacy when we were attacked mid-negotiation.”
He confirmed a Monday visit to Moscow for talks with President Putin. Iran and Russia are strategic partners, with Russia holding a permanent UN Security Council seat.
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Araqchi said Iran is working closely with Russia and China to call an emergency Security Council session. The goal is to push for a resolution condemning what Iran describes as a criminal act of aggression.
“They have crossed every red line,” Araqchi said. “And the last one was the most dangerous—attacking peaceful nuclear sites.”
Iran’s request for a UN session includes demands to hold the U.S. accountable for what it calls violations of the UN Charter and international law. Tehran also seeks recognition of its right to respond in self-defense.
There’s been no U.S. response yet to Iran’s statements or its UN appeal.
It’s not yet clear how much damage the strikes caused. No word on casualties.
Araqchi spoke as regional tensions escalated, with Iran’s next steps under close watch. The possibility of wider conflict remains high.
