Iran says US, 'Israel' crossed 'red line' as Araghchi heads to Moscow
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Iran’s FM accuses the US and "Israel" of crossing a red line by striking nuclear facilities, vows retaliation, and announces urgent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to journalists on June 3, 2025, in Beirut (AP)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States and the Israeli occupation of crossing a “very big red line” by launching coordinated attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, warning that Tehran will respond by “all means necessary.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul, Araghchi said the strikes marked a grave escalation in the war, particularly after US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had bombed three nuclear facilities, including the underground enrichment site at Fordow.
"I still do not have exact information about the level of damage, but I don't think it matters... Last night's attack was a grave crime,” Araghchi said. “The United States has dealt a serious blow to international peace and security.”
The Iranian foreign minister rejected renewed Western appeals for diplomacy, accusing Washington of destroying the talks.
“They have proved that they are not men of diplomacy, and they only understand the language of threat and force,” Araghchi said. “The United States decided to blow up diplomacy.”
Posting earlier on X, Araghchi said, "Israel blew up negotiations with its June 13 attacks, and the United States did the same with strikes on Sunday.”
Addressing European officials, he asked, “How can Iran return to something it never left?”
Araghchi to meet Putin in Moscow
Araghchi also confirmed that he was en route to Moscow and would hold high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday morning.
The Kremlin has offered to mediate between Iran and "Israel" and warned that the current conflict could destabilize the entire region.
Turkey, hosting the OIC meeting, also issued a strong warning. “The ongoing developments could cause the regional conflict to escalate to a global level. We do not want this catastrophic scenario to come to life,” Ankara's foreign ministry said.
Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025
This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy.
What conclusion would you draw?
To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must "return"…
Trump, for his part, posted on social media that Iran must now “agree to end this war” or face further consequences.
Araghchi dismissed the ultimatum as irrelevant and reiterated that Iran would defend its sovereignty without compromise.
