‘US Crossed a Big Red Line’: Iran Foreign Minister To Travel to Moscow for Talks With Putin

New Delhi: In a press address at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul on Sunday (June 22), Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the United States for its airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities – Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.

Araghchi called the attacks a “grave and unprecedented violation” of the UN Charter and international law and warned that the US would bear “sole and full responsibility” for the “dangerous consequences” of its actions. He called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action to address what he described as an act of aggression orchestrated in collusion with Israel.

Araghchi’s remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that US warplanes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, hailing the operation as a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities. Trump, speaking from the White House, urged Iran to “end this war” and vowed that under no circumstances would Iran be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government escalated tensions with Iran through strikes on June 13, praised Trump’s “bold decision” and confirmed that the US and Israel acted in “full coordination.”

Also read: No Condemnation from Modi, Only 'Deep Concern' Over US Strikes in Phone Call With Iran President

Araghchi accused the US of crossing “a very big red line” by targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, which Iran insists are for civilian purposes. He rejected Israeli claims that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons, calling such allegations baseless. The minister also dismissed Trump’s call for renewed nuclear negotiations as “irrelevant,” pointing out that the US and Iran were engaged in diplomatic talks before Israel’s surprise attack earlier this month, which the US publicly supported.

“The world must not forget that it was the United States which – amidst a diplomatic process – betrayed diplomacy by backing the genocidal Israeli regime’s illegal war on Iran,” Araghchi said.

The Iranian minister further accused Trump of betraying the American voters, noting that Trump’s 2024 campaign promised to end the US’s involvement in “forever wars.” Araghchi claimed that Trump had “submitted to the wishes of a wanted war criminal”. He was referring to Netanyahu and the ongoing Israeli attack on Palestine. “Trump has not only abused Iran’s commitment to diplomacy but deceived his own voters,” Araghchi said.

According to Iran, Israel’s attacks since June 13 have killed over 400 people and wounded at least 3,056, while Iranian strikes have killed at least 24 in Israel. Araghchi, in the conference, vowed that Iran would defend its sovereignty, territory and people “by all means necessary” against both the US and Israeli aggression.

He announced plans to travel to Moscow later on Sunday for “serious consultations” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasising the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier in the day had expressed hope that Iran would return to negotiations, confirming that “public and private messages” were being sent to Tehran through multiple channels. Araghchi, however, dismissed the prospect of diplomacy with a US administration that he described as “warmongering and lawless.”

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