The global community shifted its attention to a joint U.S-Israel strikes on Iran on Saturday.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the United States and Israel launched a massive, joint military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the Trump administration, the strikes targeted nuclear facilities, missile silos, and leadership compounds in Tehran and other major cities.
Global reactions to U.S-Israel strikes on Iran have been swift and deeply polarized, with the international community split between calls for regime change and desperate pleas for de-escalation to avoid a total regional war.
Here is how the international community is reacting
United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the U.S-Israel strikes on Iran and warned that international peace and security are being undermined.
“The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” he said in a statement.
“I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”
An emergency UN Security Council meeting has been called for later on Saturday.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi – who had been mediating this week’s U.S-Iran nuclear talks – said he was “dismayed”.
“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” he wrote on X, telling the US that the strikes don’t serve their interests or that of global peace. “I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blasted the joint US and Israel strikes as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.
In a post on X, he said that Trump has turned “America First into Israel First – which always means America Last”.
A joint statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also urged Iran to “seek a negotiated solution”.
The statement, posted on X by the German Embassy in London, said the countries had consistently urged the Iranian regime to end its nuclear and missile programs, refrain from “destabilising activity”, and stop the “appalling violence and repression against its own people”.
“We did not participate in these strikes,” the three leaders said, adding they are in contact with international partners, including the US, Israel, and others in the region.
“We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait as it denounced in the “strongest terms blatant Iranian aggression”.
“The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, saying it was a “reckless move”.
“The attacks are once again being carried out under the guise of a renewed negotiation process,” its foreign ministry said, referring to the US-Iran nuclear talks which took place last week.
The Kremlin’s statement also called on the international community to assess what it called “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security” in the region.
Although the UK said it was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes, Sir Keir says British planes “are in the sky today” in the Middle East as part of “co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.
Previously, Macron said the “outbreak” carries “grave consequences for international peace and security”, and warned that ongoing escalation is “dangerous for all”.
“France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners at their request,” he added.
Macron’s statement also called for an “urgent” United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting.
Germany said it was informed of the attack in advance, and that Chancellor Merz consulted with relevant security ministers.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat, called the latest developments “perilous”.
“The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue,” she said in a statement on X, adding she has spoken to Israel’s and other regional foreign ministers.
“Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said it would be consulting allies and regional leaders to support efforts to ease tensions.
In a statement, Brazil’s government condemned the US and Israeli attacks and expressed “grave concern”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country backed the US “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security”.
