ISLAMABAD: The United Nations and the international community Sunday largely responded with alarm and calls for restraint following the US attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran.
In the Arab countries, the reaction to the US strikes on the Iranian nuclear sites ranged from ‘concern’ to ‘condemnation’. Saudi Arabia, which resumed ties with Tehran in a Chinese-brokered detente in 2023, expressed “great concern” over the attacks.
Qatar, which hosts the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared “catastrophic consequences” for the region and the entire world. The United Arab Emirates also expressed concern, calling for “an immediate end to the escalation”.
Iraq, another country that hosts US bases, expressed “deep concern and strong condemnation”, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said, calling the attacks “a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East”. Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by the armed factions, who have threatened Washington’s interests in the region if it joins Israel in attacking Iran.
Lebanon: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, largely seen as close to the United States, urged both sides to resume talks to restore stability. Egypt also condemned the escalation, warning of “dangerous repercussions”, while Jordan’s foreign ministry voiced “deep concern”.
Foreign ministers from the OIC countries Sunday urged Israel to end its aggression towards Iran, without mentioning the US strikes on the Islamic republic’s nuclear sites. Yemen’s Huthis repeated threats to target US vessels and warships in the Red Sea after the overnight strikes, which they described as a “war declaration” on the Iranian people. On Saturday, the group threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea, despite a recent truce, should Washington strike Iran.
Hamas also condemned what it called “blatant US aggression” against Iran. Lebanese armed group Hezbollah condemned in the “strongest terms, the barbaric [and] treacherous” US attack on Iran. “It constitutes a reckless, dangerous, and uncalculated escalation that threatens to expand the circle of war and push the region and the world toward the unknown if it is not stopped and deterrent measures are not taken,” Hezbollah said in a statement in Arabic. “This aggression confirms the full and direct partnership between America and Israel in planning and execution, not only in the war against the Islamic Republic, but also in all the wars and crimes the region is facing, in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.”
“We believe that these attacks will not deter Iran from continuing its progress and development,” it added. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today.”
“This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security”, he said, adding that there is a “growing risk” that this conflict could “rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world”.
Guterres called on member states to “de-escalate” and “uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law”. “At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
Deputy Head of President Vladimir Putin’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said several nations would be ready to provide Iran with nuclear weapons. He did not say which countries, but added the US attack caused minimal damage and would not stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons. Russia’s foreign ministry said it strongly condemned the US attacks. “The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, whatever the arguments it may be presented with, flagrantly violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” the ministry said in its statement.
The Chinese foreign ministry Sunday said it “strongly condemns” US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, that “seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East”. “China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation,” the ministry said on X. “China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East,” it added.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and return to negotiations. “I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron Sunday warned against an “uncontrolled escalation” in the Middle East after the United States joined Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s atomic programme by bombing Iranian nuclear sites. “No strictly military response can produce the desired effects,” Macron told a defence council meeting in Paris. “Resumption of diplomatic and technical discussions is the only way to achieve the goal we all seek, which is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” he added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Sunday urged Iran to return to the negotiating table and said stability in the region remained a priority, according to a statement from Downing Street. “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,” Starmer said in a statement. Chancellor Frederick Merz called on Iran to immediately re-enter nuclear talks with the US so there can be a diplomatic solution, according to government spokesperson. “The Chancellor and security cabinet ministers will coordinate closely with their European Union and US partners throughout the day,” spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.
“Now we hope that, after this attack, which caused massive damage to nuclear weapons production and posed a threat to the entire region, a de-escalation can begin and Iran can sit down at the negotiating table,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told state broadcaster RAI.
Switzerland urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and immediately return to diplomacy. “Switzerland emphasises the importance of full respect for international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law,” the foreign ministry said on its website.
