Global Reaction: World Leaders Urge Restraint After Isreal Strikes Iran
Tensions in the Middle East have spiked once again after Israel launched a powerful aerial offensive against Iran, targeting over 100 strategic sites, including nuclear and military infrastructure.
The operation, believed to be Israel’s most expansive strike on Iranian soil in recent years, has drawn urgent international reactions, with governments around the world calling for de-escalation and restraint.
According to reports, the Israeli strikes—dubbed “Operation Rising Lion”—were aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear program and neutralizing key figures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The attack reportedly involved over 200 aircraft and precision drones, with targets including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and major missile depots. Iran responded almost immediately, launching more than 100 drones toward Israeli airspace, the majority of which were intercepted.
World leaders reacted swiftly and with deep concern, urging both sides to avoid actions that could spark a broader regional conflict.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned attacks on nuclear facilities, warning of the global consequences such strikes could provoke.
“The Middle East cannot afford another war. Maximum restraint must be exercised,” he said in a press statement.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States had no involvement in the Israeli operation and warned Iran against retaliating by targeting U.S. assets or interests in the region.
“While we stand by Israel’s right to defend itself, escalation serves no one,” he said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the situation as “deeply concerning” and called on both nations to “pursue diplomatic avenues immediately.” Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced similar concerns, supporting Israel’s security needs but urging both parties to “avoid further escalation.”
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot took a nuanced stance, backing Israel’s claim of self-defense while emphasizing the “urgent need for calm and responsible leadership.”
From the East, China issued a stern warning through its foreign ministry, calling the strike “reckless” and offering to mediate peace talks.
“All parties must act with caution. We are ready to assist in diplomatic solutions,” said spokesman Lin Jian.
Several Muslim-majority nations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, issued sharp condemnations of Israel’s actions, labeling them a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a dangerous provocation.
The Sultanate of Oman, which has long acted as a diplomatic bridge between Tehran and the West, condemned the strike as “a reckless escalation” and a “breach of international law.” Oman also warned that the strike could derail recent progress made in regional peace efforts.
Armed groups aligned with Iran have also weighed in. Hamas and the Houthi rebels in Yemen issued statements warning that the attack could destabilize the entire region, adding that they would support Iran’s right to respond.
The confrontation has already affected global markets and air travel. Several international airlines have rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace, and oil prices have surged amid fears of supply disruptions from the Gulf region.
Analysts warn that while both Israel and Iran may claim tactical successes, the real risk lies in further escalation. Iran’s next steps—whether retaliatory strikes, cyberattacks, or mobilization of allied militias—could deepen instability in the region.
For now, the international community is urging diplomacy over warfare.
“The world is watching. The cost of miscalculation could be catastrophic,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
As tensions hang in the balance, global leaders continue to press for restraint, dialogue, and the avoidance of a wider military confrontation that could upend not just the Middle East, but global stability at large.
