New Delhi, June 23 -- The United States vigorously defended its military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Sunday (June 22), framing the action as a long-overdue measure to protect global peace, regional allies, and American lives.

Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea delivered a forceful speech, stating that Washington had exhausted all other options before launching the strikes, which targeted key facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

"The time finally came for the United States, in the defense of its ally and in the defense of our own citizens and interests, to act decisively," Shea said.

Shea accused Iran of fostering four decades of hostility toward the West, hig...