(NewsNation) — The U.S. strike on Iran fueled fears that Israel’s war with Tehran could escalate to a wider regional conflict, and other countries began reacting Sunday with calls for diplomacy and words of caution.
Here is a look at reactions from governments and officials around the world.
Iran
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has asked for an emergency Security Council meeting for what he described as the U.S.’s “heinous attacks and illegal use of force” against Iran.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog
“In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed. A decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope. Thank you, President Donald Trump. Thank you, United States of America. This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East — and help advance the urgent release of our hostages held in captivity in Gaza.”
Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the U.S. bombing could lead to a regional conflict that no country could bear and called for negotiations.
“Lebanon, its leadership, parties, and people, are aware today, more than ever before, that it has paid a heavy price for the wars that erupted on its land and in the region,” Aoun said in a statement on X. “It is unwilling to pay more, and there is no national interest in doing so, especially since the cost of these wars was and will be greater than its ability to bear.”
Oman
The U.S. airstrikes threaten “to expand the scope of the conflict and constitute a serious violation of international law and the United Nations charter,” a spokesperson for Oman’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Oman was a mediator in the nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. that have been upended by the Israel-Iran war.
Pakistan
“Pakistan reiterates its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the unjustified and illegitimate aggression committed by Israel against Iran. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran, and offer our deepest condolences at the loss of numerous lives as a result of targeting of civilian areas by Israel.”
Qatar
“The State of Qatar regrets the deterioration of the situation resulting from the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities and is following with great concern the developments following the recent attacks on the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities. In this context, it stresses the need to halt all military operations and immediately return to dialogue and diplomatic channels to resolve outstanding issues.”
Saudi Arabia
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with deep concern the developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”