Iran slams NATO chief remarks on US strikes as 'disgraceful'
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Iran condemns NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s praise of US strikes on its nuclear sites, labeling his remarks as “disgraceful” and “irresponsible".
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks during a media conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (AP)
Iran strongly criticized NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday for his enthusiastic message to President Donald Trump regarding the US strikes on key nuclear sites, calling his remarks "disgraceful, despicable, and irresponsible."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump's "decisive action" in Iran after US strikes hit nuclear facilities, calling it "truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do" that "makes us safer."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the remarks, stating that it was "disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible" for the NATO Secretary-General to "congratulate a 'truly extraordinary' criminal act of aggression against a sovereign State," in a post on X. Accusing the NATO chief of lack of integrity, Baghaei stressed that whoever "supports a crime is regarded as complicit."
It is disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible for #NATO's SG to congratulate a 'truly extraordinary' criminal act of aggression against a sovereign State.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 25, 2025
Who endorses an injustice lacks integrity.
who supports a crime is regarded as complicit.
The US strikes on Sunday targeted key facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, following the Israeli large-scale bombardment campaign against Iran 10 days earlier.
Iran demands US reparations, warns of future retaliations
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh demanded that the United States pay millions in reparations for its joint strikes with "Israel" on Iranian civilian nuclear sites, during an interview for Al Mayadeen on June 25.
He further stated that Tehran plans to file formal complaints with the United Nations, denouncing the attacks on its scientific and technical facilities located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, emphasizing the need for international condemnation and accountability.
The Iranian Deputy FM also emphasized the necessity of holding Washington accountable for the significant destruction caused to Iran’s nuclear facilities, arguing that the attacks represent a clear violation of international law and an unjustified act of aggression, while underscoring the importance of a global response to such provocations.
No negotiations until 'Israel' ceases strikes
Khatibzadeh additionally told Al Mayadeen that Iran cannot trust a negotiator who has actively conspired against it, cautioning that any demands that could not be imposed through military means would not be surrendered at the negotiating table, while reaffirming Tehran's stance against coercion and its commitment to defending its sovereign rights.
He stated that Iran has conveyed, through indirect channels, that resuming nuclear talks with Washington requires an end to Israeli attacks and accountability for its aggression, stressing that negotiations cannot continue amid ongoing hostilities.
![Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi during a speech in Sanaa, Yemen, August 7, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)\](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/8/7/a2ede8ef-8a7d-46a0-91a5-69a216c3ece6/1.jpg?format=webp "Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi during a speech in Sanaa, Yemen, August 7, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)\")