President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States had conducted a “very successful attack” on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordow site. In a Truth Social post, Trump described the operation as a historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world, declaring that “Iran must now agree to end this war.”
The strikes have triggered a wave of international responses, ranging from strong condemnation to cautious support, as leaders grapple with the implications of direct U.S. military action against Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a sharply worded statement on X, calling the attacks “outrageous” and warning of “everlasting consequences.” He described the strikes on Iran’s “peaceful nuclear installations” as a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Araghchi emphasized that Iran reserves all options under the UN Charter to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people in self-defense.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the U.S. action. Speaking shortly after the strikes, Netanyahu praised Trump’s “bold decision” that he said would “change history.” He reiterated the shared philosophy of “peace through strength,” stating that strength must precede peace.
China strongly condemned the attacks, particularly on facilities monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the move seriously violates the United Nations Charter and worsens tensions in the Middle East. Beijing urged all parties, especially Israel, to cease hostilities immediately and return to dialogue and negotiations.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the strikes represent a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region. “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he said. Guterres stressed that there is no military solution and called for diplomacy as the only path forward.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, urged all sides to step back from the brink and return to the negotiating table. She emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss the developments on Monday. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the Middle East situation as “volatile” and said stability remains a priority, while calling on Tehran to resume negotiations for a diplomatic solution.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia expressed “great concern” over developments in “sisterly” Iran. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants denounced the U.S. “blatant aggression,” while Lebanon’s presidency warned that the bombing risks escalating tensions across multiple regions and called for restraint.
Further afield, Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev criticized Trump, noting that the president who entered office as a peacemaker had now involved the United States in a new war. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for calm and stressed that Iran’s nuclear development must be blocked, while stopping short of endorsing the strikes. Venezuela and Cuba issued strong condemnations, labeling the action as illegal aggression that violates international law. Mexico and Australia called for urgent diplomatic dialogue and de-escalation.
South Korea convened its National Security Council to assess the impact, and Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace during his weekly address. “Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” he said, adding that no armed victory can compensate for human suffering.
As reactions continue to pour in, the strikes have heightened global concerns about wider conflict, even as calls for restraint and renewed diplomacy dominate the international response.
