Iranian President threatens U.S. with retaliation after airstrikes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has threatened that the United States (U.S.) must “receive the response to its aggression,” following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

According to a statement from Pezeshkian’s office, he made the remarks during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In response to Macron’s call for restraint, Pezeshkian insisted that the United States must be held accountable for its attacks on Iran.

He described the U.S. strikes as a “clear symbol of its insincerity and the baselessness of its claims about favoring dialogue and seeking peace.”

In spite of his strong condemnation of the U.S., Pezeshkian emphasised Iran’s continued commitment to diplomacy with Europe.

“We have always declared our readiness for dialogue and interaction with Europe and have never abandoned the path of diplomacy, as we maintain that no one suffers harm from dialogue,” he said.

According to the statement, Macron reiterated France’s willingness to pursue negotiations with Iran and affirmed that Paris would continue efforts to de-escalate the conflict and restore stability.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that American forces had completed strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The U.S. strikes followed Israeli attacks that began on June 13, targeting multiple locations across Iran, including nuclear and military sites.

Those attacks reportedly killed several senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on Israel.

As of Saturday, the Iranian Health Ministry reported more than 400 people killed and more than 3,500 wounded in Iran.

Israeli authorities have reported 24 fatalities. (Xinhua/NAN)