The U.S. strike on Iran fueled fears that Israel's war with Tehran could escalate to a wider regional conflict, and other countries began reacting Sunday with calls for diplomacy and words of caution.
President Donald Trump had said Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved. In the end, it took just days, and Washington inserted itself into Israel's campaign with its early Sunday attack.
It remained unclear early on how much damage had been inflicted, but Iran had pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joined the Israeli assault.
Some have questioned whether a weakened Iran would capitulate or remain defiant and begin striking with allies at U.S. targets scattered across the Gulf region.
Here is a look at reactions from governments and officials around the world.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon needs to stay away from any possible regional spillover from the conflict.
“It is increasingly important for us to adhere strictly to the supreme national interest, which is the need to avoid Lebanon being ... drawn into the ongoing regional confrontation in any way,” Salam said in a post on X.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by the use of force by the United States.
“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 in a statement on the social media platform X. “I call on Member States to de-escalate.”
“There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters urged “all parties to return to talks.”
He wouldn't tell reporters Sunday whether New Zealand supported President Trump’s actions, saying they had only just happened.
The three-time foreign minister said the crisis is “the most serious I’ve ever dealt with" and that it was “critical further escalation is avoided.”
“Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action,” he said.
A flash commentary from China's government-run media asked whether the U.S. is "repeating its Iraq mistake in Iran.”
The online piece by CGTN, the foreign-language arm of the state broadcaster, said the U.S. strikes mark a dangerous turning point.
“History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilization,” it said, citing the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.
It said a measured, diplomatic approach that prioritizes dialogue over military confrontation offers the best hope for stability in the Middle East.
South Korea’s presidential office held an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the potential security and economic ramifications of the U.S. strikes.
National security director, Wi Sung-lac, asked officials to coordinate closely to minimize any negative impacts on South Korea, emphasizing that the top priority is ensuring the safety of the South Korean people and the continuation of their stable daily lives, according to the presidential office.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was expected to hold a meeting with key ministers Sunday afternoon to discuss the impact of the U.S. strikes, according to Japan’s NHK television.
Japan’s largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri is distributing an extra edition on the attack in Tokyo.
Australia, which shuttered its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff Friday, pushed for a diplomatic end to the conflict.
“We have been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,” a government official said in a written statement. “We note the U.S. President’s statement that now is the time for peace.”
“The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
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32 Comments
sakurasuki
Why other nations should show support while inside MAGA now already showing sign of cracks.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-decision-to-strike-iran-may-draw-more-criticism-from-maga-anti-interventionists
https://www.thedailybeast.com/ted-cruz-sings-the-blues-about-tucker-carlsons-gotcha-interview/
bass4funk
They will get over it in time
HopeSpringsEternal
Yes, now is a GREAT time for Iranian Leadership to start talking with the US about pursuing a very similar path as their many neighboring prosperous Gulf Arab States!
As the Suni Arab Gulf States certainly do not want Iran to become a nuclear weapons power, like the rest of the world, and why they're so aligned with DJ Trump now regarding elimination of Iran's nuclear weapons program
wallace
The NATO nations helped out the US after the 9/11 attacks. Again, in Iraq and Afghanistan, only to be thrown under the bus by Trump. He refuses to commit to those nations and allies.
itsonlyrocknroll
Iran is its own worse enemy, it’s funding of Hezbollah, Hamas every middle eastern regime that despised every democratic western value.
The 7th October atrocities has brought war, retaliation, retribution right to its own door step.
More so President Trumps refusal to inform listen take advice from once allies, communicate his governments intensions.
bass4funk
Not that much
No one told Biden to leave Afghanistan and no one told Obama not to leave Iraq without a SOFA agreement
I wouldn’t entirely disagree with that.
GuruMick
Australia showing its little "mouse heart " for the world to see.
Cant discount Israeli influence either.
GuruMick
Rocknroll...Qatar funds Hamas.
Netanyahu used to.
Dont see any Iran influence there.
Wrong !
JJE
Where are the 'rules-based-order' brigade who never miss the opportunity to petulantly blast their nonsense incessantly with a size nine halo.
They have gone strangely silent because they are a bunch of hypocrites.
TaiwanIsNotChina
You expected them to do more than fight and die with our troops?
Trump's plan and the US still has troops in Iraq. At least until Trump screws that up, too.
And that's why MAGAs are the antithesis of patriots.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Zero territory being stolen from Iran. Simple as.
bass4funk
Yes
No, he won’t screw it up the way Obama and Biden did.
Really now?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Yes, putting tax cuts ahead of supporting our treaty allies is the antithesis of patriotism.
bass4funk
No one gets a free ride, even allies. Only suckers would accept that.
Tamarama
Nations should use stronger language to condemn the US for this - should ALL be condemning them.
This is a disgraceful act by a country that sees itself beyond the global checks and balances.
As does their ME dog.
Bob Fosse
Over 1,000 NATO troops died aiding the U.S. in Afghanistan.
You really should read this:
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/digital-exhibitions/digital-exhibition-revealed-hunt-bin-laden/international-community-responds
smithinjapan
All the people who shouted "Hier Hier!!" when Trump said Biden was going to get us into World War II (his words!) are not shouting "Hier Hier!" as Trump pledges to get us into WW III, and that's forgetting they shouted "Hier Hier!!" when Trump vowed to end all war in the Middle East on his first day in office. But hey, when you have no spine you just ooze over to any hole the President opens up so you can eagerly fill it, I guess.
elephant200
The Chinese made J36 stealth fighter by Chendu aircraft corporation is the answer to stop US B2 or B21 stealth bombers. It is under test flight and will be in service within five years. That is China's reaction to US savage and ruthless aggression. We mean actions not just useless words!
JJE
Notice the main photo is of Fordow pre-strike days ago.
Look at all those trucks parked outside. Likely removing the centrifuges, material and other equipment to various decentralized locations no doubt.
HopeSpringsEternal
What nation could publicly support Iran's ILLEGAL nuclear weapons program threatening the World?
Assume all nations want this matter peacefully resolved ASAP, meaning Iran formerly and peacefully agrees to cease its nuclear weapons program, submit to US inspections and then have all US sanctions removed etc.
wallace
I want all countries to give up their nuclear weapons.
wallace
Bob Fosse
The NATO nations helped out the US after the 9/11 attacks.
No gratitude or empathy from the MAGA lot.
wallace
Trump bombed an empty cave.
elephant200
Want all countries to give up their nuclear weapons.
Not a bad idea but not feasible , you know when the US is holding a large quantity of nuclear weapons and advanced conventional weapons is definitely not making China, Russia, North Korean these countries' interest !
masugomi
You’re interpreting “most importantly” as if it means “absolutely never” — but that’s not what he said. Preferring to avoid war doesn’t equate to an unconditional refusal to ever use force. Presidents often speak in ideals, but their decisions are shaped by real-world threats and evolving situations, not slogans.
Trump said he would not start wars — and he didn’t start this one. He said he would stop wars — and by acting now, he's aiming to prevent a much larger conflict from escalating. That’s not hypocrisy; that’s strategy.
isabelle
Most are here, condemning the US's completely unwarranted strikes on Iran.
Just like they condemn your Kremlin war criminals.
bass4funk
How about US soil?
JJE
Saw a zoomed in image of the main photo. Those are definitely trucks lined up outside the facility. Sixteen of them by my count in that image alone.
Bob Fosse
No. I’m interpreting ‘most importantly’ as meaning ‘most importantly’ as in a priority.
That’s what he said. I know because he said it, live on TV in front of millions of people.
I didn’t say he started this one. One more time, just for you, his actual quote from his inaugural address, my emphasis because you seem to need some help;
*We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps *most importantly, the wars we never get into”
Peter14
JJEToday 05:26 pm JST
I dont have a halo or even claim to have one but I am here.
Not silent, just being overlooked.
US was wrong to attack Iran. Israel was wrong to attack Iran. Russia was wrong to invade Ukraine. All wrong, all unprovoked and unlike you I dont pick and choose between them.
You ready to admit Russia is wrong to invade Ukraine? Or are you a hypocrite who bashes the US because you hate them so much?
Bob Fosse
U.S. soil?
Get checked for heatstroke, right away.
bass4funk
He never said that, he said the opposite and we are nowhere near WWIII
Now it will end for sure
Nonsense