Iran stands firm on nuclear program after attacks

June 23, 2025 (MLN): Iran vowed to continue its nuclear program despite coordinated U.S. airstrikes on three major nuclear sites Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan said Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, during an emergency press conference at the National Press Club, Islamabad.

The ambassador described the nuclear program as peaceful and aimed at civilian purposes such as electricity generation.

He emphasized that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program on fifteen separate occasions.

He stated that negotiations were ongoing when Israel carried out attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and assassinated top nuclear scientists and military commanders.

In response, Iran launched missile strikes using domestically developed weapons, as per the press release issued.

Dr. Moghadam condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes as blatant violations of international law, declaring that “Israel could not face Iranian missiles for ten days.”

He warned that Iran would respond to the U.S. in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and would target American assets globally if provoked further.

He thanked the Government of Pakistan for strongly condemning the strikes and expressed appreciation for its solidarity with the Iranian people.

He added that Iran’s nuclear commission is investigating the aftermath of the strikes to ensure public safety in case of further escalation.

“We are ready to fight this war for a long time with the guidance of our leadership and the help of our forces,” he said, while noting that Iran has not requested weapons from any country.

In response to a media query, he also revealed that drones and other weapons had been recovered from individuals involved in espionage inside Iran, some of whom were Iranian citizens.

The ambassador’s remarks came in the backdrop of a dramatic escalation in the Middle East, where the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched powerful airstrikes on Iran’s critical nuclear facilities.

President Donald Trump confirmed the overnight assault, describing it as a “spectacular military success” and warning Tehran that any retaliation would be met with even more devastating force.

The strikes followed Israel’s initial attack on June 13, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military assets. Iran responded with multiple missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, causing injuries and infrastructure damage.

As both the U.S. and Israel escalate military operations against Iran, the risk of a full-scale regional war continues to rise  raising global concerns over oil supplies, diplomatic fallout, and the broader humanitarian impact across the Middle East.

Copyright Mettis Link News