How the world has reacted to US and Israeli strikes on Iran

US 2026-03-02 1,409Siteadmin

American and Israeli forces have carried out strikes on cities across Iran, in what US President Donald Trump has described as “major combat operations”.

Trump called for the Iranian people to rise up and government forces to surrender following what Israel called a “preemptive attack”. He later said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, which was confirmed by Iranian state TV.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was responding to the strikes by targeting US bases and assets across the Middle East as part of operation “Truthful Promise 4”.

This comes after weeks of threats and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Here is how the international community is reacting.

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the military escalation, and warned that international peace and security were being undermined.

“The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” he said in a statement.

“I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”

At an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York on Saturday afternoon, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said the strikes were “directed toward specific and strategic objectives: to dismantle missile capabilities that threaten allies, to degrade naval assets used to destabilise international waters, and to disrupt the machinery that arms proxy militias and to ensure the Iranian regime, never ever can threaten the world with a nuclear weapon”.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said: “Israel together with the United States acted to stop an existential threat to Israel, to our allies, and to global stability.

“When a regime chants ‘death to Israel,’ ‘Death to America’, we take it seriously. We believe them and we act. Our objectives are clear.”

Russia, Iran’s ally, condemned the strikes. “The aggression that Iran was subjected to today has already resulted in an escalation in the region and could spill over far beyond its borders,” Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia warned.

Moscow earlier called on the international community to assess what it called “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security” in the Middle East.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi – who had been mediating this week’s US-Iran nuclear talks – said he was “dismayed”.

“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” he wrote on X, telling the US that the strikes don’t serve their interests or that of global peace. “I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blasted the joint US and Israel strikes as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.

In a post on X he said that Trump has turned “America First into Israel First – which always means America Last”.

Saudi Arabia condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait as it denounced in the “strongest terms blatant Iranian aggression”.

“The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

A joint statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also urged Iran to “seek a negotiated solution”.

The statement, posted on X by the German Embassy in London, said the countries had consistently urged the Iranian regime to end its nuclear and missile programs, refrain from “destabilising activity”, and to stop the “appalling violence and repression against its own people”.

“We did not participate in these strikes,” the three leaders said, adding they are in contact with international partners, including the US, Israel and others in the region.

“We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said.

Sir Keir said British planes were “in the sky today” in the Middle East as part of “co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.

Previously, Macron said the “outbreak” carries “grave consequences for international peace and security” and warned that ongoing escalation is “dangerous for all”.

“France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners at their request,” he added.

Germany said it was informed of the attack in advance, and that Chancellor Merz consulted with relevant security ministers.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat, called the latest developments “perilous”.

“The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue,” she said in a statement on X, adding she has spoken to Israel’s and other regional foreign ministers.

“Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said it would be consulting allies and regional leaders to support efforts to ease tensions.

In a statement, Brazil’s government condemned the US and Israeli attacks and expressed “grave concern”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country backed the US “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security”.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for restraint and urged all parties “to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the ‘negotiating table'”.

“As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price,” he said, before reminding those involved that protecting civilians is “paramount” under international law.