Washington: The United States overnight military strikes on Iran sparked reactions from world leaders across the globe on Sunday, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressing grave alarm over the use of force. A number of countries condemned the strikes as a dangerous escalation in a volatile region, urging a return to diplomatic negotiations.
According to France24.com, US President Donald Trump had indicated earlier that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved in Israel's conflict with Tehran. However, it took only days before Washington took military action, targeting three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday. This move has drawn widespread condemnation from several world leaders, who are advocating for a return to the negotiating table.
There is a strong consensus among global leaders that military actions will not solve the crisis, and diplomacy remains the only viable path forward. China has been particularly vocal, condemning the US strikes as a significant violation of international law that exacerbates tensions in the Middle East. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged all involved parties, especially Israel, to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue. China has expressed willingness to collaborate with the international community to uphold justice and contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, suggested that some countries are prepared to supply Tehran with nuclear weapons in response to the US attack, which he claims caused minimal damage and will not deter Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Russia's Foreign Ministry has also condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as a gross violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions.
In Pakistan, the reaction was one of deep disturbance, particularly in light of the recent nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts in the India-Pakistan crisis. The Pakistani government stated that the US attacks violate all norms of international law and affirmed Iran's legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
European leaders have also been vocal, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for a diplomatic resolution and emphasizing the importance of stability in the region. Efforts by the UK, European Union, France, and Germany to broker a diplomatic solution with Iran in Geneva last week were unsuccessful. Starmer highlighted the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program to global security, while the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged restraint and a return to negotiations.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, hosting a NATO summit this week, mentioned that the US attacks represent a further escalation of the Middle Eastern crisis. He indicated that the national security council would convene to discuss the situation.
The strikes have sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia expressing concern over the potential for further escalation. Iraq labeled the US military actions as a grave threat to regional peace and called for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. Saudi Arabia, while concerned, stopped short of condemning the strikes and emphasized the need for restraint and de-escalation.
Qatar, housing the largest US military base in the region, expressed regret over the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas, both part of Iran's Axis of Resistance, have also condemned the US strikes, urging Muslim nations to unite against perceived aggression.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that the US bombing could spark a conflict that the region cannot bear, calling for negotiations to prevent further violence. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace during his Sunday address, urging international diplomacy to prevail over military actions to avert an irreparable crisis.