[Source/Observer Network, Liu Chenghui]

The US openly striking Iran's nuclear facilities further escalates regional tensions. According to reports by CNN, UN Secretary-General Guterres said on June 21 that he was "very shocked" by the US strike against Iran earlier, calling it "a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to international peace and security."

Guterres emphasized, "There is no military solution; diplomacy is the only way out."

Chilean President Boric condemned the US attack on Iran. He wrote on social media, "We demand and need peace."

The Mexican Foreign Ministry stated on X platform that Mexico once again urged to ease regional tensions, and restoring peaceful coexistence among regional countries is of utmost importance.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil stated on Telegram, "Venezuela condemns the US military aggression against Iran and demands an immediate cessation of hostile actions."

Cuban President Diaz-Canel said, "We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation in the Middle East conflict. This act of aggression seriously violates the Charter of the United Nations and international law, plunging humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences."

The Colombian Foreign Ministry urged all parties to resume negotiations, calling it the "only responsible and lasting way out of the current crisis."

New Zealand Foreign Minister Peters said in a statement, "We are concerned about developments over the past 24 hours, including President Trump's announcement of the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Ongoing military operations in the Middle East are extremely worrying, and it is crucial to avoid further escalation. New Zealand firmly supports resolving issues through diplomatic means and urges all parties to return to the negotiating table. Diplomatic channels will bring more enduring solutions than further military actions."

An Australian government spokesperson issued a statement: "We have consistently made clear that Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile program pose threats to international peace and security. We note that US President mentioned 'now is the time to pursue peace.' The security situation in the region is highly volatile, and we continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomatic consultations."

Satellite image of Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, Visual China

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization condemned the US attack on its key nuclear facilities as a "barbaric act," violating international law. The organization also stated that it will not stop nuclear development. It did not specify the extent of the damage caused by the US strike.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) harshly criticized the US's "barbaric aggression" against Iran in a statement on June 21. "This barbaric aggression represents a dangerous escalation, blind obedience to the Zionist occupation agenda, a blatant violation of international law, and a direct threat to international peace and security."

Mahdi Masht, chairman of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen's Houthi armed group, stated on June 21 night that the Houthis had discovered some UN member states' involvement in the military actions against Iran and had passed relevant content to the UN.

He also stated that the Houthis would strike back at any country involved in the military actions against Iran.

A senior official of the Houthi political bureau posted on social media, stating that Trump must bear the consequences of the air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. "Trump must face the consequences." Previously, the Houthi armed group warned that if the US attacked Iran, they would target US warships and vessels in the Red Sea.

Shahram Akhbarzadeh, director of the Middle East Studies Forum at Deakin University in Australia, pointed out that the risk of regional warfare after the US air strike is "very concerning."

He told Al Jazeera that although Iran has clearly stated its right to respond, its allies in the region may not wait for official orders.

"There are so many Iranian allies and proxies in the region, they may not wait for Tehran's attack orders, they might launch attacks on US assets in the region on their own," he said, "there are so many US assets in the region."

On June 21 night, Trump announced, "The very successful attack on three of Iran's nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, has been completed." Media outlets such as CNN cited US officials as saying that B-2 bombers were involved in the attacks on these three Iranian nuclear facilities mentioned by Trump.

A US official told CNN that six B-2 bombers dropped 12 "bunker buster" large penetration bombs on the Fordow nuclear facility, one B-2 dropped two bunker bombs on the Natanz nuclear facility, and US Navy submarines launched 30 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles at Natanz and Isfahan.

The Iranian Fars News Agency quoted Mohammad Manan Laihi, an Iranian lawmaker, as saying that most of the damaged parts of the Fordow nuclear facility "are above ground and can be restored." His remarks contradict Trump's claim that the uranium enrichment facilities have been "completely and thoroughly destroyed."

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7518634755022176807/

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