Comments from several world leaders on the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, causing the death of more than 50 pupils, have been supportive or cautious, rather than strongly critical of the unprovoked act of violence.
Both countries had carried out a joint attack on Iran on Saturday morning, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and the need to prevent what they described as an imminent escalation of hostilities.
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PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israeli attacks occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump claimed Iran had been working to rebuild its nuclear programme after the US bombing of its nuclear facilities last June during the Israel-Iran war. However, Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes. Oman, which was mediating the talks between both parties, told American media that Iran had agreed to a lot of concessions on its nuclear programme. However, that did not deter the US and Israel from launching the attacks.
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Some leaders, especially of Western countries, declared outright support for US action, framing it as a defensive measure tied to long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Some others have stopped short of declaring a clear stance, except for a few governments such as Spain, Brazil, China and Russia.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, said the Iranian government must accept that it has no choice but to end its nuclear and ballistic programmes.
“This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East,” he wrote in a post on X.
He said Iran must engage in “good faith in negotiations,” ignoring that Iran is the victim in this case and had been negotiating with the US before Saturday’s attack.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, declared his outright support for the US, describing Iran as a destabilising force that has sponsored terrorist attacks in Australia.
“We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,” he said in a statement.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, also backed the US, saying “Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”
Other reactions
EU’s Kaja Kallas said she was “coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths” as a means to the end and to prevent any further escalation.
Top EU executives, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, both stressed the need to prevent further escalation of tensions or undermine the global nonproliferation regime.
Germany said it is closely monitoring developments and coordinating closely with European partners.
The British government publicly declared that it had not participated in the strikes and urged a de-escalation of the conflict to ensure regional stability.
It further noted that, “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.”
Sweden and Lebanon, in separate statements, called for restraint and de-escalation of the crisis, citing the need to prioritise the welfare of Iranians.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said cooperation between the Russian and Iranian regimes has been a gross violation of international law and undermines global efforts to restore peace.
“Long-term systematic violations of human rights, brutal repression, executions and persecution of dissidents testify to the deep crisis of the internal policy of this state and the lack of proper protection of the basic rights and freedoms of its citizens.
“The regime spent enormous resources precisely on violence, murder and chaos, and not on providing for its own people, whose economic situation continued to deteriorate every year,” it said in a statement.
Gulf countries condemn Iran’s retaliatory attacks
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia criticised Iran for carrying out retaliatory strikes on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the state of Qatar, the state of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” a statement by the foreign ministry read.
Qatar has also expressed “strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles.”
It described the Iranian attack on its soil as a “flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, and an infringement on its security and territorial integrity.”
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the “State of Qatar reserves its full right to respond to this attack in accordance with the provisions of international law and in a manner proportional to the nature of the aggression, in defence of its sovereignty and in protection of its security and national interests.”
Kuwait also said Iran violated its airspace and international law.
The attacks on the Middle East countries were targeted at US bases in those countries. But the countries said they had prevented US bases in their countries from being used for attacks on Iran.
Russia and China condemn US attack
Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the attack, calling it “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state.”
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while pursuing regime change.
China, in a statement on X, said it is deeply concerned about the military strikes, stating that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran should be respected.
It called for a de-escalation of the “tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation,” to ensure peace in the region.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, also said the use of force by the US and Israel against Iran, and “the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security.”
Brazil highlighted that the US-Israel attack occurred “amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called US action “an escalation” of the crisis.
AU, Nigeria’s travel advisory
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government said it is closely monitoring the “evolving and volatile” situation in the region.
It also issued a travel advisory to citizens residing in and currently visiting Iran and other Gulf countries.
It urged them to avoid areas that are of strategic importance to the government and the military.
It also recommended that “Nigerians restrict non-
essential movement and travel within the countries until the security situation becomes clearer and stabilises,” the advisory read.
“Avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations. Citizens are strongly advised to strictly comply with all security and safety directives issued by the local authorities to ensure their safety. Remember that cooperation with local law enforcement is paramount for safety.”
Similarly, the African Union appealed for calm, cautioning that the resulting conflict could have negative effects on people in the region.
The chairperson of the body, Mahmoud Youssouf, stressed the need for restraint, “urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue.”
“Further escalation risks worsening global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience, particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.”
He also urged “concerned actors to prioritise diplomatic engagement, including ongoing international mediation efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman, to prevent further deterioration and uphold the international rules-based order.”
