Reactions are pouring in from leaders internationally over the U.S. and Israel carrying out major military strikes in Iran Saturday, which U.S. President Donald Trump has said are geared toward overthrowing the Iranian regime.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “use of force,” adding that the motion was inconsistent with the UN Charter.
“I condemn today’s military escalation within the Middle East. The usage of force by the USA and Israel against Iran, and the next retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” he said in an announcement.
Hours after the U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes within the region against U.S. and Israeli bases in places just like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
How countries within the region reacted
An announcement from the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry said it “condemns and denounces in strongest terms” Iran’s attacks on countries within the region but didn’t mention U.S. strikes in its statement.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
“Continued military escalation will only bring more suffering to the people of the region and undermine development opportunities,” he said.
The Qatari foreign ministry said Doha has the “full right to reply” to Iran’s attacks, nevertheless it said it has at all times urged all sides to facilitate dialogue.
“The State of Qatar has consistently sought to distance itself from regional conflicts and has worked to facilitate dialogue between the Iranian side and the international community,” the statement said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he felt “sorrow” on the news of the strikes on Saturday.
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“We view with sadness this morning’s attacks, which not only clearly violate Iran’s sovereignty but in addition threaten the peace of the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.” Erdogan said, adding that Iran’s strikes against Arab states were “likewise” unacceptable.
Russia, which shares several key strategic interests with Iran, issued an announcement from its foreign ministry saying the U.S. and Israel “have launched into a deadly course.”
“This can be a deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in direct violation of the basic principles and norms of international law,” the statement said.
How other global powers reacted
The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing was “highly concerned” by the attacks on Iran, adding that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity must be respected.
“China calls for an instantaneous stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability within the Middle East,” the statement read.
The European Union expressed concern but didn’t explicitly say whether the bloc supported or opposed the U.S. motion.
“Ensuring nuclear safety and stopping any actions that might further escalate tensions or undermine the worldwide non-proliferation regime is of critical importance,” a joint statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said.
In a separate statement, posted to social media, von der Leyen said she is convening a “special security College” of the EU on Monday in light of the continued situation in Iran.
The EU called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to guard civilians, and to completely respect international law.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called the situation “dangerous.”
“The outbreak of war between the USA, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” he said.
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said in a video statement that his country “played no role in these strikes.”
“But we’ve got long been clear — the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent,” he said.
The U.K. is strengthening its defence capacities within the region in light of the present situation, he said.
“Our forces are lively and British planes are within the sky today as a part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to guard our people, our interests, and our allies — as Britain has done before, according to international law,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government supports the U.S. motion “to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to stop Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security.”
How Canada has reacted to date
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday morning that Canada “supports the USA acting to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to stop its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”
Carney also called for all parties to “protect civilian lives as best as possible in what’s a really serious situation.”
Global Affairs Canada is urging all Canadians in Iran to shelter immediately and to register with its Registration of Canadians Abroad service for its latest updates.
Travel advisories have since been updated for Canadians in Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing military activity” within the region.
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