New York: The United States' recent military strikes on Iran have led to widespread reactions from global leaders, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressing deep concern over the escalation of military force. The strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday, were met with condemnation from various countries who labeled them as a dangerous intensification in an already volatile region.
According to France24.com, US President Donald Trump had indicated that a decision regarding involvement in Israel's conflict with Tehran would be made within two weeks, but the action came sooner than anticipated. The international community, including US allies, is now urging a return to diplomatic negotiations as the only viable solution to the crisis.
China has strongly criticized the US strikes, describing them as a serious breach of international law that exacerbates tensions in the Middle East. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called for an immediate cease-fire and dialogue, emphasizing China's readiness to collaborate with the global community to restore peace and stability in the region.
In Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, suggested that several countries might supply Tehran with nuclear weapons in response to the US attack, which he claimed inflicted minimal damage and would not deter Iran's nuclear ambitions. Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrikes as a violation of international statutes and UN resolutions.
Pakistan, which had recently nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts in the India-Pakistan conflict, described the US strikes as a deeply troubling escalation that contravenes international law. The Pakistani government asserted Iran's right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have called for Iran to re-engage in negotiations to peacefully resolve the crisis, underscoring the importance of stability in the region. Efforts by the UK, EU, France, and Germany to mediate a diplomatic solution in Geneva fell short last week, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged restraint and a return to dialogue.
As tensions ripple through the region, some nations and groups aligned with Iran have condemned the US actions while advocating for de-escalation. Iraq's government warned that the military escalation poses a grave threat to regional and global security, urging diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis.
Saudi Arabia expressed concern over the airstrikes but stopped short of condemning them, emphasizing the need for restraint and efforts to prevent further escalation. Qatar, home to a major US military base, also regretted the rising tensions, having played a mediating role in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Houthis in Yemen and Hamas, both part of Iran's Axis of Resistance, condemned the US strikes, calling on Muslim nations to unite against perceived aggression. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun cautioned that the US bombing could spark a regional conflict, urging negotiations to avert disaster.
In a call for peace, Pope Leo XIV appealed during his Sunday Angelus prayer for international diplomacy to prevail and prevent the tragedy of war from deepening into an irreparable crisis.