Governments around the world reacted swiftly after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian cities, prompting retaliation from Tehran and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the assault as a major operation aimed at dismantling threats tied to Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel acted to stop what he called an existential danger. Iranian state television later confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking a dramatic escalation.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the military action and warned that continued fighting could destabilize the broader Middle East. Russia’s ambassador criticized the strikes and cautioned that the violence could spill beyond Iran’s borders.
European leaders urged restraint. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to return to negotiations while emphasizing they did not take part in the attacks. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the situation as perilous and stressed the need to protect civilians.
Regional powers also weighed in. Saudi Arabia denounced Iran’s retaliatory strikes on neighboring Gulf states. Brazil and other countries voiced concern about the risk of escalation.
As missile exchanges continued across parts of the region, many governments pressed for de-escalation, warning that prolonged conflict could threaten international security and civilian lives.
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