The international reaction to the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran came in fast and strong.
Leaders of the European Union issued a joint statement calling for “maximum restraint” and the full respect of international law.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said:
“Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance.”
While noting that the EU had consistently pressed for a diplomatic solution to the “critical issues”, they also highlighted the “extensive sanctions” the bloc has imposed on Tehran “in response to the actions of Iran’s murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards”.
They added that citizens of EU member states in the Middle East were receiving support.
Türkiye’s foreign ministry urged all sides to “cease the attacks immediately,” stressing that the issues facing the region “should be resolved through peaceful means.”
It said Türkiye is ready to provide “the necessary support in mediation” and warned that recent developments pose risks to both regional and global stability.
The ministry also condemned what it described as provocations that could further escalate violence.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, addressing U.S. strikes in Iran on Saturday, said it is important that Washington acts decisively, but also that hostilities do not escalate into a wider war.
"Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken," he wrote on social media.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry attributed the instability to Iran’s domestic policies.
“The cause of the current events is precisely the violence and impunity of the Iranian regime, in particular the killings and repression of peaceful protesters, which have become particularly widespread in recent months,” the ministry said.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, stating that the outbreak of a war involving the United States, Israel and Iran carries “serious consequences” for global stability.
Macron wrote on X that “the current escalation is dangerous for everyone. It must stop.”
He said Iran “must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good-faith negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, as well as its actions to destabilise the region,” calling such steps “absolutely essential for the security of everyone in the Middle East.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada supports the U.S. “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security”.
Britain said Iran must “never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon” and that London is ready to defend its interests after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. A government source confirmed the UK did not take part in the operation and that Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency response meeting, with calls planned to France and Germany.
A government spokesperson said: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.”
The spokesperson added that the UK has “a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests,” while stressing that Britain does not want further escalation.
London said its immediate priority is the safety of British nationals and pledged consular support. It also issued new travel guidance, advising against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain “demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law,” a position later reinforced by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
Albares wrote on X that Madrid supports “those who are receiving the strikes” and reiterated that “the attacks must stop,” calling for dialogue and restraint.
Cairo says the "serious military escalation" in the Middle East is a cause for "deep concern".
The Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement that the escalation risks expanding the conflict, and could prompt “comprehensive chaos” across the region. "Diplomacy and dialogue" is the only option for stability and security in the Middle East, the statement said, while a military solution would only lead to further violence.
The Foreign Ministry also condemned attacks by Iran on Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) condemned the U.S. and Israel over the attack on Iran. The Nobel Prize-winning group’s Executive Director, Melissa Parke, said:
“These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons.”
“Military action is not a viable or long-term solution to prevent nuclear proliferation. All military action must stop immediately,” she added.
Russia has called for "a return to a political and diplomatic settlement" while urging an immediate stop to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the international community should deliver an objective assessment of the situation, and warning that further action risks destabilising the region.
Moscow said that it is ready to assist efforts to find "peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests."
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are m...
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his governmen...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has cleared the criminal record of former soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian in the West Bank in 2016.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
The death toll in a suicide attack at a police compound in northwest Pakistan has reached 31, AFP reported on Saturday, citing a police official.
Azerbaijan has rejected France’s justification for advising its citizens against travel to the country, after Paris cited risks of arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment