Russia ominously suggested that the US opened a “Pandora’s box” by bombing three nuclear facilities in Iran — warning that “the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.”
“Through their actions, the U.S. has opened a Pandora’s box,” Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said at an emergency meeting on Sunday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attend a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on June 23, 2025. via REUTERS“No one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it will bring,” Nebenzia said as Russia offered to mediate a solution to the conflict.
“Unless we stop the escalation,” Nebenzia warned, “the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large-scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.”
President Trump announced Saturday the military had carried out historic airstrikes against Iran days after Israel initiated extensive attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military — marking the first-ever US strike on Iranian territory.
President Trump delivers an address to the nation alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2025 REUTERSThe US attacked Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan with 30 Tomahawk missiles launched by US submarines.
Trump announced the successful attacks from the White House late Saturday and stated the “objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
Stay up to date on the latest developments in the US airstrike on Iran
- Jaw-dropping footage released showing how 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs were used in historic Iran strike
- US began secretly designing bombs specifically to target Iran’s Fordow 15 years ago
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry admits nuclear sites ‘badly damaged’ by US strikes
- Trump admin officials slam leaked bomb damage assessment indicating Iran could restart nuclear program within months: ‘Completely preposterous’
- Iranian construction crews working at Fordow nuclear site after US strikes, satellite images show
“The strikes were a spectacular military success,” Trump said, with Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio by his side.
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on June 23, 2025. via REUTERSTrump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “worked as a team, like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” to wipe out Iran’s nuclear program.
“Congratulations President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
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The US launched 75 precision-guided munitions, including bunker-buster bombs and more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles, against the Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday.
Iran and Israel have been exchanging fierce airstrikes over Israel’s fears that the Islamic Republic is moving fast to producing a nuclear weapon.
The US and Israel are awaiting Iran’s response as they both push for a regime change.
Trump has repeatedly warned of additional strikes if Tehran retaliates against US forces.
