Doha: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned the US airstrikes launched overnight on several of Iran's nuclear facilities, stating that the attacks clearly demonstrate that Washington is behind the hostile acts carried out by the Israeli entity against Tehran. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Pezeshkian said that despite Washington's initial denial of involvement, it was forced to intervene directly after a firm and deterrent response by Iran's armed forces, particularly in light of what he described as Israel's inability to confront Iran militarily.

According to Qatar News Agency, referring to recent assaults that resulted in the death and injury of senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, Pezeshkian stressed that it is time for internal unity. He affirmed that the Iranian people have repeatedly demonstrated their readiness to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity with all available means.

The president's remarks came in the aftermath of US airstrikes carried out at dawn, targeting three major nuclear sites - Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan - as part of a secret military operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer."

Iran responded to the strikes, calling them a blatant violation of international law and asserting its right to retaliate using a range of defensive options, including the launch of ballistic missiles targeting sites within the Israeli entity.

These rapidly unfolding developments sparked widespread international concern, with the United Nations, the European Union, and several regional countries warning of the dangers of further escalation and the potential for a broader conflict that could threaten regional stability.