World reacts to Israeli attack on Iran, restraint urged
A view of a building damaged following Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Photo:REUTERS
Israel launched an attack on Iran early Friday, targeting the country's nuclear facilities under the pretext of preventing Tehran from developing atomic weapons. The Israeli aggression has triggered reactions from major countries across the globe.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the country was targeting Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb and missile factories in a so-called "operation" that would continue for days.
The attack, that reportedly killed six Iranian nuclear scientists was carried out despite Iran's long-standing insistence that its nuclear-related activity is for peaceful purposes.
Israel, which is believed to be the only nuclear armed state in the Middle East, has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliation by Tehran.
Here are some reactions from top officials and governments around the world:
US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump commented on the ongoing Israeli attack on Iran, stating, "Two months ago, I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.’ They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"=
"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin quoted Trump as saying in a post on X.
Pakistan condemns Israeli attack, calls for international action
Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel's recent military strikes inside Iranian territory, with both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Foreign Office expressing deep concern over the escalation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli attack, calling it "unprovoked" and "highly irresponsible."
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister conveyed his deepest sympathies to the Iranian people for the lives lost in the attack. He warned that the attack risked further destabilising an already volatile region.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also issued a statement, condemning Israel’s military action as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. "Iran, as a sovereign nation, has every right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter," a spokesperson added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."
"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."
Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF
UK shadow foreign secretary calls for de-escalation
UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel has responded to the Israeli strikes on Iran.
"We are watching closely developments in the Middle East and urge all sides to work towards a de-escalation of tensions. The world is an increasingly dangerous place with significant threats to our national interests, security and defence. We must use our influence and diplomacy to work closely with all of our allies in the region and beyond to resolve conflicts, and deliver peace and stability in the Middle East," she said.
We are watching closely developments in the Middle East and urge all sides to work towards a de-escalation of tensions.
The world is an increasingly dangerous place with significant threats to our national interests, security and defence.
We must use our influence and…China warns agains escalation
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said an escalation does not serve anyone’s interests. It expressed “deep concern” over the potential consequences of such an attack, and said Beijing stands ready to help de-escalate the situation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Friday that China was “closely following developments” and urged all actors to avoid steps that could inflame the crisis.
“China is deeply concerned about the grave consequences that the operations may cause, and urges relevant parties to avoid further escalation of tension,” Lin said.
He added that China was “ready to play a constructive role in helping to cool down the situation”.
Saudi Arabia condemns aggression
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on X “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Israeli attacks against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran,”
The ministry said Israel’s brutal offensive on Iran “violates its sovereignty and constitutes a blatant breach of international laws and norms”.
#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and… pic.twitter.com/OYuWXwiE5y
It also pointed to the UN Security Council’s responsibility for immediately confronting and halting the repeated Israeli aggression.
Russia expresses concern
The Kremlin said it was concerned by Israel’s overnight strikes on Iran, condemning what it called a “dramatic escalation” of tensions between the two countries.
Top spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was receiving real-time updates on the situation after the Israel Defense Forces carried out large-scale attacks on dozens of sites across Iran, including its nuclear program, and reportedly killed several top military officials.
“The Foreign Ministry will soon release a detailed statement, which will then be submitted to the United Nations,” Peskov said in a statement published by state media.
UN calls for restraint
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” to avoid “descent into deeper conflict”.
“The secretary-general condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,” Guterres’s spokesperson Farhan Haq said. “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are under way.”
The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East.
He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran.
The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint.
Full statement: https://t.co/1oZANkZFJF— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) June 13, 2025
Qatar condemns attacks
Qatar strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran, calling the attacks “a blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law.”
In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry voiced “deep concern regarding the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” and called on all involved parties to “exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that could destabilize security and stability in the region.”
“We emphasise our solidarity and support for Iran and persist in our position on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,” the ministry added.
UAE also urges restraint
The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expressed its deep concern over the ongoing escalation and its repercussions on regional security and stability.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed the importance of exercising the utmost self-restraint and judgment to mitigate risks and prevent the expansion of the conflict.
The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s position that enhancing dialogue, adhering to international law, and respecting the sovereignty of states constitute essential principles for resolving the current crises.
The UAE emphasised the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means rather than confrontation and escalation, and called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent and necessary measures to achieve a ceasefire, and to reinforce international peace and security.
NATO reacts to Israel's 'unilateral' move
NATO Secretary General Mart Rutte made a statement while speaking in Sweden "This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to deescalate." “I know they're doing that. And I think that is now the first order of the day." he continued.
Iraq calls out Israeli violation of international law
Iraq condemned Israel's "military aggression" against Iran on Friday, saying that the wave of air strikes violated international law and threatened global security.
"The Government of the Republic of Iraq strongly condemns the military aggression launched by the Zionist entity against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," it said in a statement.
"This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security," the statement added.
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Jordan says won't allow airspace violation"Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace.
Yemen backs Iran
Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Telegram they backed "Iran's full and legitimate right to... develop its nuclear programme" and that "we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means".
Oman urges international community to 'adopt a clear and firm position'
Oman in an official statement has called "on the international community to adopt a clear and firm position to put an end to this dangerous approach, which threatens to rule out diplomatic solutions and jeopardise the security and stability of the region".
Czech FM calls Israeli aggression "reasonable reaction"
Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said Iran "is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb", that "I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb".
EU foreign policy chief urges restraint
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for all sides to “exercise restraint,” extending support for “any diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation.”
“The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation,” Kallas wrote on X.
The situation in the Middle East is dangerous.
I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation.
Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation.France calls for restraint
France called for restraint but said Israeli had the right to defend itself against all attacks. Foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that Paris has “repeatedly expressed our serious concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme”.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
"Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran. This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions.
"We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy."
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
"It's a really unwelcome development in the Middle East. The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that."
Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
"Japan continues to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the further deterioration of the situation, while implementing every possible measure to ensure the protection of Japanese citizens."
“The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. Agency can confirm Natanz site among targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.” - DG @rafaelmgrossi
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 13, 2025Read: Israel launches strikes on Iran; Tehran braces for retaliatory response
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