Asian powers condemn US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
6 Min Read
China, Indonesia, and South Korea warn of global fallout after US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, urging restraint and diplomatic resolution amid rising tensions.
-
Members of civic groups arrive for a press conference condemning the US military strikes against Iran near the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
China warned on Sunday that US military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have undermined Washington's global credibility and risk plunging the region into deeper instability. According to state broadcaster CCTV, Beijing emphasized that the situation "may go out of control" if not addressed urgently.
The remarks came during a UN Security Council session convened to discuss the heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump announced that the US, in coordination with the Israeli occupation, had "obliterated" key Iranian nuclear sites. This marks the most significant Western military action against Iran since the 1979 revolution.
China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong called for immediate restraint from all parties, particularly the Israeli occupation, urging an end to military escalation. “Parties should restrain the impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire,” he stated. He added that the Israeli occupation “should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war.”
Fu also remarked that while Iran had been directly targeted, the strikes inflicted broader damage. “The United States’ credibility was also damaged, both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations.”
Chinese media, officials decry violation of UN charter
An editorial published by The Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper, denounced the strikes as “extremely dangerous and provocative,” warning that foreign military intervention “will only deepen regional hatred and trauma.”
At a routine press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the strikes, labeling them a “serious violation of the United Nations Charter” due to their targeting of IAEA-supervised nuclear sites. Guo added, “China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East.”
Guo further announced that 3,125 Chinese nationals, including those from Hong Kong and Taiwan, had been successfully evacuated from Iran. Additionally, over 500 Chinese citizens were evacuated from the Israeli-occupied territories, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Indonesia, South Korea call for de-escalation, preparedness
In Jakarta, Indonesia’s chief security minister Budi Gunawan urged all involved parties to return to the negotiating table. “The current priority is ensuring the safe evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Iran,” he said on Monday.
In Seoul, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the Middle East situation as “very urgent", highlighting its impact on global financial markets. “All ministries, including the presidential office, should prepare an emergency response system to promptly handle this,” he instructed senior aides.
Lee warned that national economic adjustments might be necessary to manage inflation risks spurred by rising oil prices. “Rising oil prices could lead to higher inflation that would take a toll on people’s livelihoods,” he said.
It is worth noting that Asian markets dipped, and oil briefly surged to five-month highs following the strikes, amid growing fears of Iranian retaliation.
DPRK condemns US strike on Iran as 'grave violation' of sovereignty
Earlier in the day, the DPRK issued a sharp rebuke of the recent US strike targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, denouncing the action as a serious infringement on Iran’s sovereignty and security. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang labeled the US attack "a grave violation of a sovereign state's security interests and territorial rights."
In a statement released by an unnamed spokesperson from the DPRK Foreign Ministry, the US and "Israel" were accused of provoking instability in the Middle East through what was described as “ceaseless war moves and territorial expansion,” a campaign “accepted and encouraged by the West.”
"(The DPRK) strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US which ... violently trampled down the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state," the spokesperson declared.
The statement further called for international solidarity against these actions: "The just international community should raise the voice of unanimous censure and rejection against the US and Israel's confrontational acts."
Last week, DPRK condemned "Israel's" military strikes against Iran, warning the United States and European powers against "fanning up the flames of war," according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Pyongyang expressed "serious concern" over "Israel's military attack and resolutely denounces it," the spokesperson stressing, emphasizing that "Israel's" killing of civilians was "an unpardonable crime against humanity."
