‘Gravely Alarmed’ World Leaders React After U.S. Strikes Iran

The world is reacting after President Donald Trump authorized U.S. strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israel in its conflict with Iran.

“Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said in an address to the nation on Saturday night. “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”

Iran has since responded with a grave new warning, threatening “everlasting consequences” and calling for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

Read More: Iran Delivers Furious Warning, Speaks of ‘Unprecedented Level of Danger and Chaos’ After ‘Heinous’ U.S. Strikes

As the world awaits to see what Iran’s next step will be, global leaders have been reacting to the news of the strikes.

Argentina

Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a right-wing ally of Trump’s in Latin America, re-posted a message in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Today is a great day for Western civilization,” read the post, authored by Argentine billionaire and businessman Marcos Galperin.

Australia

The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, called for “de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy” in a statement issued by a spokesperson.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong signaled Australian support for the U.S. strikes, saying in a TV interview: “We support action that the U.S. has taken to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” She told reporters in Canberra: “We do not want to see escalation.”

Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated Trump’s belief that “Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,” something that he says Canada has been “consistently clear” about. He said that Trump’s directive was meant to “alleviate the threat” but that the situation is still “highly volatile.”

“Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis,” Carney emphasized. “As G7 leaders agreed in Kananaskis, the resolution of the Iranian crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a cease-fire in Gaza.”

Chile

Chilean President Gabriel Boric condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them a violation of international law. He went on to “demand peace.”

“We will defend respect for international humanitarian law at all times,” he said. “Having power does not authorize you to use it in violation of the rules we have established as humanity. Even if you are the United States.”

China

China “strongly condemns” the U.S. strikes, according to state media.

“The actions of the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East,” a spokesperson said. “China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a cease-fire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation.”

Read More: ‘If Middle East Is Unstable, World Will Not Be at Peace’: How China Views the Israel-Iran War

Czechia

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala said that the country supported the U.S. strikes, calling them “an understandable effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.”

“U.S. military action, which supported Israel's efforts, may finally force the Iranian regime to take action that would lead to a calmer situation in the Middle East,” he said.

European Commission

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that “the negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis.”

Von der Leyen maintained that “Iran must never acquire the bomb,” and said the Middle Eastern country should now “engage in a credible diplomatic solution.”

France

The French government released a statement clarifying that France was not involved in the attacks.

The European country reiterated “its firm opposition to Iran gaining access to nuclear weapons,” but also urged both parties “to exercise restraint.”

“France is convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Treaty of Non-Proliferation. We remain ready to contribute to this in conjunction with our partners,” the statement read.

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday: "Today, I discussed the latest developments in the Middle East with Starmer [U.K. Prime Minister] and Macron [French President]. We reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability for all countries in the region, as well as our support for Israel's security."

Merz went on to emphasize their shared viewpoint, saying: "Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. Iran must no longer pose a threat to regional security."

India

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media that he spoke with Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, after the U.S. strikes. Modi reported that he “reiterated [India’s] call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security, and stability.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency—which works for the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology—said it would hold an emergency meeting on Monday "in light of the urgent situation in Iran." It confirmed there was no detectable radiation uncovered thus far as a result of the military attacks.

Iran

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of breaching international law and warned that the strikes will have “everlasting consequences.”

“The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the U.N. Charter, international law, and the NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations,” Araghchi said.

Iraq

Iraq's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abbas Kadhim Obaid, called the U.S. strikes a “real test for the international system founded on international law,” during an address to the U.N. Security Council.

“The attack on Iran risks igniting regional wars in an area whose people have already suffered for decades,” he said. “Unilateral actions that bypass the Security Council undermine the credibility of the international organization.”

Ireland

Tánaiste [Deputy Prime Minister] Simon Harris has called for “de-escalation” and said that he will be traveling to Brussels to speak with others at the European Union (E.U.) to work on making that a reality.

Israel

During Trump’s address to the U.S., he thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the two of them worked as a team on the Iran strikes.

Netanyahu praised Trump for conducting the strikes in his own video address.

“President Trump and I often say peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace," he said. “President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also thanked Trump, calling the military action a “decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope.”

“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,” he said.

Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun voiced concern over the U.S. strikes. “The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities raises fears of an escalation of tensions that could threaten security and stability in more than one region and country,” Aoun said. “The President of the Republic calls for restraint and the launch of constructive and serious negotiations to restore stability to the countries of the region and avoid further killing and destruction.”

Mexico

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “urgently” called for “diplomatic dialogue and peace.”

“Under Mexico’s constitutional principles of foreign policy and our nation’s pacifist convictions, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Restoring peaceful coexistence among the States in the region remains the highest priority.”

North Korea

North Korea “strongly denounced” U.S. strikes in a statement on Monday.

A statement from a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said that the military action “severely violated the U.N. Charter” and “violently trampled down the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state.”

“Israel’s and the U.S. acts of further aggravating the tension in the Middle East and causing serious negative consequences to the global security structure by dint of physical strength under the pretext of the so-called ‘peacekeeping’ and ‘threat removal’ are amplifying serious concerns,” the statement read. “The just international community should raise the voice of unanimous censure and rejection against the U.S. and Israel's confrontational acts.”

Oman

Oman, which had been hoping to mediate further nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington D.C., also condemned the U.S. strikes, with the Official Oman News Agency reporting that the Sultanate “expressed profound concern and condemnation over the escalation caused by the United States’ direct airstrikes on targets” within Iran.

Pakistan

Pakistan, the government of which had only recently announced its intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, condemned the U.S. strikes, stating that they “violate all norms of international law and Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself.”

“We emphasise the imperative need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to end. All parties must adhere to international law, particularly international humanitarian law,” the statement read.

Qatar

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement titled: “Qatar Regrets the Deterioration of the Situation with the Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities.”

Without referring to the U.S. explicitly, Qatar said it is following developments in the region with “grave concern” and offered a warning.

“Qatar underscores the urgent need to halt all military operations and to immediately return to dialogue and diplomatic channels to resolve outstanding issues,” the statement read. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that the current dangerous tension in the region could lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels.”

Russia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry shared a statement on Telegram condemning the airstrikes and calling them “a dangerous escalation... fraught with further undermining of regional and global security.”

The governmental body called the strikes “a gross violation of international law, the U.N. Charter, and U.N. Security Council resolutions” and called for an "end to aggression and for increased efforts to create conditions for returning the situation to a political and diplomatic track."

Saudi Arabia

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the country has expressed “deep concern” over the U.S. strikes and see them as a “violation” of the sovereignty of Iran.

“[The Kingdom] underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation,” read a statement attributed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “The Kingdom also calls upon the international community to intensify its efforts during this highly sensitive period to reach a political resolution that would bring an end to the crisis and open a new chapter for achieving security and stability in the region.”

Spain

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that he is mourning the civilian lives lost amid the conflict. He highlighted an “urgent need for restraint and de-escalation, for diplomacy, and dialogue.”

“Iran must never have access to nuclear weapons, but stability in the region can only be achieved at the negotiating table, with full respect for international law,” Sánchez said. “We need a diplomatic solution that establishes a comprehensive framework of peace and security for all.”

Ukraine

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement in support of the U.S. strikes on Iran, asserting that “peaceful efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons have been ongoing for years, but they have not yielded effective results.”

“We are convinced that the measures taken by the United States and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities have sent a clear message to the Iranian regime—a message that the continuation of policies aimed at destabilizing regional security is unacceptable,” the statement read.

The statement also linked the conflict in the Middle East to Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia, calling Iran “complicit” for providing Russia with military technology.

“We are confident that a decisive policy of ‘peace through strength,’ which is already depriving the Iranian regime of the means to spread terror and destabilization, is capable of strengthening international peace and security not only in the Middle East but also in Europe,” the statement added, before saying that it joins international calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Iran to “return to the negotiating table” after the U.S. strikes and referred to Iran’s nuclear programme as a “grave threat to international security.”

“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,” Starmer said.

United Nations

Secretary General of the United Nations (U.N.) António Guterres shared a strong statement on social media, stating that he was “gravely alarmed” by the strikes. He called for de-escalation and shared concerns that the conflict could cause a “spiral of chaos.”

“This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge—and a direct threat to international peace and security,” Guterres said. “I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the U.N. Charter and other rules of international law."

He continued by saying there is “no military solution,” and that he believes the only way forward is “diplomacy.” 

The Vatican

Pope Leo XIV has urged for de-escalation of the conflict in Iran, saying: “War does not solve problems; on the contrary, it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds on the history of peoples, which take generations to heal.” 

“No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, or stolen futures,” the Chicago-born Pontiff advised. “May diplomacy silence the weapons! May nations chart their futures with works of peace, not with violence and bloodstained conflicts!”