Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday the U.S. attacks on the country's three nuclear facilities indicated that the United States is the "main factor" behind Israel's hostile actions against Iran.
He made the remarks at a cabinet meeting while strongly condemning the U.S. attack on Saturday on Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear facilities, according to a statement published on the website of his office.
Pezeshkian said although the United States initially was trying to deny its role in Israeli strikes against Iran, it eventually joined the war.
He added the Iranian armed forces' "powerful" attacks against Israel Sunday morning were in fact a response to the U.S. "aggressive" policies.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that by directly attacking the country's nuclear facilities, the United States practically placed itself at the forefront of the "aggression" against Iran.
It said in response to "such aggressions and crimes," Iran would continue its "precise, targeted and formidable" strikes against Israel's infrastructure, strategic centers and interests.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow late Sunday. He is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the latest developments following the U.S. strikes.
On Sunday, Araghchi also strongly condemned the U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them a violation of a “red line.” He said Tehran is considering multiple options in response.
At a press conference, Araghchi called the U.S. attack on Iran "an outrageous, grave, and unprecedented violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law."
He urged the international community and organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, to fulfill their responsibilities in response to this violation of international law.
Iranian president slams U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities
Iranian president slams U.S. attacks on nuclear facilities
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
