By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) – Finland’s prime minister on Sunday called for restraint and a return to diplomacy following reported US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Finland is “monitoring the situation closely,” Petteri Orpo said on X, noting that he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a planned EU foreign ministers meeting.
“We must avoid escalating the situation and return to negotiations,” he said.
“It is important for Finland that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and that no new nuclear-weapon state emerges in the world,” he added.
Orpo also cited assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which confirmed that “no increase in radiation levels has been reported in the area.”
Tensions in the region further escalated after US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American forces carried out “very successful” airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, amid growing fears of a broader conflict.
Following the US strikes, Iran called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to condemn the attacks and hold those who violate international law accountable.
Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since then.
Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.