BRUSSELS (AP) — Questions about the duration, escalation, and implications of the recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran reverberated through the Middle East and beyond on Saturday. Global leaders expressed cautious concern, leading to an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
Many nations remained apprehensive about the potential fallout of directly critiquing U.S. President Donald Trump and opted to condemn Iran’s retaliatory actions instead. Similar to their European counterparts, Middle Eastern governments denounced Iran’s strikes on Arab nations while refraining from commenting on the actions taken by the U.S. military.
Some countries were more vocal: Australia and Canada openly supported the U.S. strikes, whereas Russia and China issued sharp criticisms.
Calls for Dialogue
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged both the U.S. and Iran to resume negotiations, emphasizing their countries’ non-participation in the strikes while maintaining close communication with involved parties. They urged a return to dialogue over Iran’s nuclear issue, condemning Iranian military actions in the region.
Macron later clarified during the emergency security meeting that France had no prior knowledge of or involvement in the strikes. He emphasized that military actions alone would not resolve the intricate issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional destabilization efforts.
The Arab League denounced the Iranian attacks as a blatant assault on the sovereignty of peaceful nations. Member states, including Morocco, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, criticized Iran’s strikes on U.S. military bases, while Saudi Arabia condemned the Iranian actions as treacherous. Oman, acting as a mediator, described the U.S. actions as a violation of international law.
Measured Responses from Nations
While many European and Middle Eastern countries chose their words carefully to avoid appearing overly supportive of American actions, Russia condemned the strikes as a premeditated act of aggression. China also expressed deep concern over the military actions and called for a return to negotiations, asserting respect for Iran’s sovereignty.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government’s backing of U.S. efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and highlighted Iran’s destabilizing influence. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney likewise expressed support, labeling Iran as a primary source of regional instability.
The U.N. Security Council convened an emergency session in response to the strikes, prompted by requests from Bahrain and France. Concerns about a potential widespread war were raised, reflecting a fear of escalating conflict in the region based on failed negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank appeared largely unfazed by the outbreak of conflict, continuing with daily activities despite nearby tensions. However, fears of a broader war were palpable among various nations. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons strongly condemned the strikes, labeling them reckless and indicative of a potential escalation in military and nuclear threats.
EU leaders called for restraint and regional dialogue to ensure nuclear safety, while the Arab League urged all parties involved to work towards de-escalation and a return to constructive negotiations as quickly as possible.
