In a grave warning to the international community, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the United States’ bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it a “dangerous escalation” that poses a direct threat to global peace and security. The airstrikes, which reportedly targeted Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites, were confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who justified the attacks as an attempt to “destroy Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity.” Guterres, just moments before Trump’s national address, urged restraint and highlighted the risk of catastrophic consequences if the conflict spirals further out of control.

Trump, in his televised speech, emphasized the precision and scale of the military operation, claiming the U.S. and Israel coordinated “like perhaps no team has ever worked before.” He warned of more strikes if Iran fails to pursue peace quickly, stating that “most remaining targets can be taken out in a matter of minutes.” Despite the aggressive stance, Trump also posted a message on Truth Social, calling for peace, signaling a mixed approach that has defined the U.S. response since the onset of the conflict on June 13. That date marked the beginning of Israel’s assault on Iranian nuclear assets, triggering Iranian retaliation with drones and missiles.

Efforts by the European Union and the foreign ministers of the UK, Germany, and France to defuse the tension reportedly failed in the final hours before the U.S. strike. Of the three Iranian sites hit, Fordo and Natanz had previously been targeted by Israel, while the Esfahan facility served as storage for enriched uranium. The situation remains highly volatile, with the possibility of rapid escalation, especially as Trump signals readiness for further military action. Guterres’ statement underscores the fragile state of peace in the region, warning that any misstep could ignite a broader and more devastating conflict.