Iran Accuses US of Betraying Diplomacy with Strikes, Warns of Consequences
Iran has sharply condemned the United States following airstrikes on key nuclear and military facilities, accusing Washington of betraying diplomacy and escalating the region toward open conflict. Iranian officials warned that the attacks would not go unanswered and that the consequences could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.
Diplomacy “Sabotaged”
In a strongly worded statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry declared that the United States had “demolished all trust built through months of indirect diplomatic efforts.” Tehran accused Washington of opting for military aggression over dialogue and said that continued hostilities would render any nuclear negotiations meaningless.
The strikes, which targeted sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, were described by Iranian officials as a direct attack on the country’s sovereign right to develop peaceful nuclear energy. Iranian negotiators reportedly walked out of backchannel talks hours after the strikes began.
Iran Signals Retaliation
Top Iranian leaders, including commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that the U.S. would face “unpredictable and strategic consequences.” They indicated that Iran’s response would be multifaceted, potentially involving cyber retaliation, maritime disruptions, and actions by regional allies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Military analysts suggest Iran may also reaccelerate its nuclear program, potentially breaching the enrichment thresholds that had previously been capped under international agreements.
Regional Instability Worsens
The airstrikes and Iran’s response have raised the threat level across the Middle East. Gulf nations have heightened military alerts, and oil markets have reacted with sharp volatility. The Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil transit route—is being closely monitored amid fears of potential disruption.
International observers have warned that Iran’s framing of the strikes as a betrayal could deepen distrust, making future diplomatic engagement significantly harder. The situation remains fluid, with multiple nations calling for urgent restraint.
