China slams US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, urges ceasefire

China has issued a strong condemnation of the United States following President Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. forces launched strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — in a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement released on June 22, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the strikes as a serious breach of international law, Caliber.Az reports.

“China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA,” the spokesperson said. “The actions of the U.S. seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.”

The Chinese government stressed that the targeted sites were under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), implying that the strikes could pose significant risks to regional and global security.

Beijing also called on all parties involved in the escalating conflict — singling out Israel — to immediately pursue a ceasefire, protect civilians, and resume diplomatic dialogue.

“China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation,” the statement read.

Positioning itself as a potential mediator, China reiterated its readiness to work with the broader international community in efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

“China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East,” the spokesperson concluded.

The already tense situation persisting between Israel and Iran since June 13, which is in its 10th day on June 22, deteriorated even more as American forces conducted airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The attacks, described by US President Trump as a “spectacular military success,” aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, which the US and Israel claim pose a severe threat to global security.

The US operation involved B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deploying GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), 30,000-pound “bunker-buster” bombs designed to penetrate deeply buried targets. The primary target, Fordow, is a heavily fortified uranium enrichment facility located 300 feet beneath a mountain south of Tehran, making it one of Iran’s most secure nuclear sites. Six B-2 bombers dropped a dozen MOPs on Fordow, while US Navy submarines launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Natanz and Isfahan, according to US officials. Trump claimed the strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities.

By Khagan Isayev