Global leaders condemn Israeli strikes on Iran as nuclear facilities targeted

TEHRAN (MNTV) – The international community has responded with widespread condemnation and urgent calls for de-escalation following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory that targeted nuclear installations, marking a dangerous new phase in regional tensions.

UN and international bodies sound alarm

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” to prevent what he termed a “descent into deeper conflict.”

His spokesperson Farhan Haq emphasized the Secretary-General’s particular concern over Israeli attacks on nuclear installations occurring while diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program remain ongoing.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), issued a stern warning that nuclear facilities “must never be attacked.”

In a statement to board members, Grossi described the development as “deeply concerning” and cautioned that military actions jeopardizing nuclear facility safety “risk grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.”

The IAEA has announced an extraordinary meeting of its board of governors scheduled for Monday at its Vienna headquarters, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Western allied response

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte characterized the situation as requiring immediate action from Israel’s allies to reduce tensions.

Speaking at a Stockholm news conference, Rutte emphasized that de-escalation had become “the first order of the day,” while acknowledging this was “a unilateral action by Israel” in what he described as “a rapidly evolving situation.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Israel had taken “unilateral action against Iran” and notified Washington that the strikes were deemed necessary for Israeli self-defense.

Rubio clarified that the United States was “not involved in strikes against Iran” and that protecting American forces in the region remained the top priority.

European leaders echoed concerns while maintaining support for Israel’s right to self-defense.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had been briefed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called for both sides to avoid “further escalation” that could “destabilize the entire region.”

France’s President Emmanuel Macron called for resuming US-Iran talks while stating that Tehran bore “heavy responsibility in the destabilization of the whole region.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a phone conversation with Netanyahu, reiterated the need for de-escalation and diplomatic resolution while affirming London’s belief in Israel’s right to self-defense.

Regional powers express outrage

Middle Eastern nations responded with sharp condemnation of what they characterized as violations of international law and sovereignty.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned Israel’s “military aggression,” calling it a “blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law.”

Iraq subsequently filed a complaint with the UN Security Council over alleged violations of Iraqi airspace during the attack.

Saudi Arabia denounced the strikes as “heinous,” with its Foreign Ministry stating they “violate sovereignty and constitute a blatant breach of international laws and norms.”

Qatar similarly condemned the “dangerous escalation” and called for urgent international action to halt what it termed “Israeli violations.”

Türkiye issued one of the strongest regional responses, with its Foreign Ministry condemning the attack “in the strongest terms” as a violation of international law and “reckless provocation.”

Ankara convened a closed-door meeting of top ministers alongside military and intelligence chiefs to assess the situation’s implications.

Iran’s allies rally support

Iranian-aligned groups across the region voiced strong condemnation and support for Tehran’s right to respond.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah warned that the strikes threatened to “ignite the region,” describing Israel as adhering to “no logic or laws” and knowing “only the language of killing, fire, and destruction.”

Yemen’s Houthi rebels affirmed Iran’s “legitimate right to defend itself” and develop its nuclear program, while Palestinian group Hamas called the strikes a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability.

China expressed deep concern about potential “grave consequences,” with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating that Beijing was “closely following developments” and stood ready to “play a constructive role in helping to cool down the situation.”

Russia’s Kremlin condemned what it characterized as a “sharp escalation” in tensions, while the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that “diplomacy remains the best path forward.”

The targeting of nuclear facilities by Israel has heightened international anxiety about both immediate safety risks and broader nonproliferation concerns.

Several nations, including Germany and Australia, specifically referenced Iran’s nuclear program as a threat to international peace and security while simultaneously condemning military action against nuclear installations.

The timing of the strikes, occurring during ongoing US-Iran diplomatic negotiations over nuclear issues, has added complexity to international efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions through peaceful means.

As regional tensions continue to escalate, the international community faces the challenge of preventing further military escalation while addressing underlying nuclear proliferation concerns that have contributed to the current crisis.

The scheduled IAEA emergency meeting will likely serve as a crucial forum for addressing both immediate safety concerns and longer-term diplomatic solutions.