World leaders mostly condemn Israel for 'deeply regrettable' strikes on Iran

Several world leaders reacted to Israel’s launch of strikes on Iran early Friday morning, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, in which several Iranian military leaders and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated and nuclear targets damaged. 

Most European leaders opted for silence in the immediate aftermath of the strike, possibly awaiting internal EU policy coordination. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is not in the EU, said the strikes were “concerning” and “serve no one.”

“The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region,” Starmer said, adding,

“Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on 𝕏 that France is “closely monitoring” the situation:

“France is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, in close coordination with its partners. We call on all parties to act with restraint and to avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability,” he wrote. “The security of our citizens and the protection of our interests in the region are at the top of our priorities,“ he continues, adding that France has “repeatedly expressed our deep concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”

A staunch supporter of Israel, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said Israel’s actions were “a reasonable” response to Tehran.  

Iran “is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb,” Lipavsky told reporters in Prague.

“And I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb. I have a great deal of understanding for, let’s say, military action aimed at preventing the production of a nuclear bomb in the region,” he added. “Iran has long failed to fulfill its obligations to the international community, is building up its nuclear program and, at the same time, uses rhetoric aimed at destroying the state of Israel,” he added.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned of “destabilization” of the Middle East: 

“Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran. This risks further destabilizing a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions,” she said.

New Zealand and Japan declared the strikes to be “really unwelcome” and “deeply regrettable.”

“It's a really unwelcome development in the Middle East. The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that,” said New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

In addition, Japan “strongly condemned” the action. “Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including talks between the United States and Iran, to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, the use of military force is deeply regrettable. The government strongly condemns this action, which escalates the situation,” said Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. 

Saudi Arabia blasted the Israeli strikes, calling them “blatant aggressions.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

Turkey’s foreign ministry demanded Israel stop its “aggressive actions: 

“Israel must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The United Arab Emirates issued a condemnation “in the strongest possible terms”:

“The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expressed its deep concern over the ongoing escalation and its repercussions on regional security and stability,” the UAE’s government news outlet wrote.

United Nation’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a condemnation through his spokesperson while calling for “maximal restraint”: 

“The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway,” his spokesperson said. “The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”