A diplomatic shock. The world is divided in its assessment of the US and Israeli operations
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday that his country rejects “unilateral military action” by the US and Israel against Iran. The Italian government expressed its closeness to the civilian population of Iran, which demands respect for their rights. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the attack justified.
The head of the Spanish government wrote on Platform X: “We reject the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel, which constitutes an escalation and contributes to a more insecure and hostile international order. At the same time, we reject the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard.”
Prime Minister Sanchez stressed that we cannot afford another prolonged and destructive war in the Middle East.
“We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law. It is time to resume dialogue and achieve a lasting political solution for the region,” he added.
The authorities of Oman, the country conducting negotiations between Washington and Tehran, called for an immediate cessation of all military operations.
Italy: Nthere is no reason to be optimistic
The Italian government, in a statement issued after the extraordinary meeting, announced: “At this particularly difficult moment, Italy reiterates its closeness to the civilian population of Iran, who with courage continue to demand respect for their civil and political rights.”
The head of Italian diplomacy, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, said: – We are always working for peace, hoping that this war will end soon. He then admitted: – But at this point there is no reason to be optimistic. – Everything depends on Iran. If he wants to expand the war, he really risks global isolation and a very harsh reaction, he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Egypt and Indonesia after the United States and Israel's attacks on Iran, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. The talks focused on developments in the region and steps that could be taken to help stop the attacks, the source added.
France: Othe current escalation is dangerous for everyone
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in connection with the attack by Israel and the US on Iran. In a statement, he stressed that the current escalation is dangerous for everyone and must end. Macron, quoted by Reuters, also noted that the Iranian regime must understand that it has no choice but to engage with good will in negotiations to stop its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The French leader said that Iranians must be able to freely build their future. As he noted, the massacres committed by the Iranian authorities are discreditable to them and require giving a voice to the nation; the sooner the better, he said. Macron declared that France is ready to send the necessary resources to protect its closest partners if they request it.
Allied support and calls to hold the regime accountable
A British government spokesman said in a statement: “Iran must not develop nuclear weapons and that is why we continue to support efforts to reach a negotiated solution.” “As part of our long-standing commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a number of defense measures in the region, which we have recently strengthened. We are ready to defend our interests,” Reuters reported, citing the British government.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson assured that Sweden supports its allies. “We call for restraint, protection of civilians and compliance with international law,” he wrote on X. The head of the Swedish government assessed that it is in the interest of Sweden and Europe that Iran should never be able to develop nuclear weapons. He recalled that the Iranian nuclear program and Iran's support for terrorist groups have long been a destabilizing factor. He announced the convening of the National Security Council to discuss the consequences of the situation in the Middle East for Sweden's security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said on Saturday that the current escalation is the fault of the Iranian authorities, adding that Kiev stands on the side of the Iranian people and reiterates calls for a change of government. “The cause of the current events is the violence and impunity of the Iranian regime, in particular the killings and repression of peaceful protesters, which have become especially common in recent months,” the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Criticism and warnings: Voices about violations of international law
The head of Norwegian diplomacy, Espen Barth Eide, assessed that the US and Israeli attack on Iran violates international law and may lead to a new, extensive war in the Middle East: “A preventive strike” has no basis in international law.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the “planned and unjustified” US and Israeli attacks on Iran, demanding an immediate cessation of shelling and a return to a diplomatic solution to the situation. In a post posted on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the US and Israel of trying to change the government in Iran “due to concerns” about the Iranian nuclear program. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the international community must immediately present an objective assessment of “irresponsible actions that threaten to further destabilize the situation in the region.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the “serial nature” of attacks launched by the US in recent months on the international foundations of world order is of particular concern.
Saudi Arabia has condemned Iranian attacks on its neighbors, where Tehran has attacked US military bases. “The Kingdom strongly condemns Iran's brutal aggression and gross violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan,” the authorities said in a statement.
Monitoring the situation: NATO and neutral countries on alert
NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart emphasized that The Alliance is closely monitoring developments in Iran and the region – reported Reuters.
The German Foreign Ministry said that Berlin is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel and the entire region. The ministry said it was in constant contact with embassies in the region and appealed to German citizens to follow the security instructions of local authorities. – Germany was informed in advance on Saturday morning about Israeli military attacks on Iran – said a government spokesman.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, in turn, emphasized that the Iranian people should not bear the consequences of their government's policies. The head of Belgian diplomacy also called on Belgian citizens staying in Iran to leave the country immediately.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten declared that his country was closely following events in the Middle East. The politician called on the parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, emphasizing that the regime in Tehran is brutal, but his government supports diplomatic solutions.
President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev ordered relevant institutions to present an emergency plan taking into account the escalation of the situation around Iran and potential threats to the stability of his country. In accordance with the president's order, all security organs were put on 24-hour alert, and a special monitoring group was established within the government, operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Saturday morning, the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Kac said the strike was pre-emptive. US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US military had launched a “major combat operation”, announced that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons and called on the Iranian nation to take power in the country.
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