On June 23, 2025, China and Russia sharply criticized the United States following its missile and bomb strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on the night of June 22. Official Beijing said that Washington had "spoiled its reputation" and caused significant damage to it, undermining its credibility as an international partner. This was reported by Reuters, citing a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which emphasized that the unilateral actions of the United States were destroying the prospects for a diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened at Iran's initiative, Russia's Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya called the US actions "irresponsible, dangerous and provocative." He stressed that Washington, seeking to maintain global hegemony, is deliberately violating international law by striking at facilities under IAEA safeguards.

The U.S. strikes, which President Donald Trump described as a “successful bombing,” came as a surprise despite ongoing talks with Tehran. Trump said key sites in Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely destroyed,” though Vice President J.D. Vance said the program had only been “significantly slowed.” Iran, for its part, has rejected claims that the sites had been destroyed, vowing to continue enriching uranium. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the U.S. actions a “betrayal of diplomacy” and said Tehran would take all measures to protect its interests, including possibly closing the Strait of Hormuz.