Global leaders urge restraint after US-Israel strikes on Iran trigger retaliation

Countries and international organisations on Saturday warned against a wider Middle East conflict after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran and Tehran responded by targeting US bases in the region.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned both the strikes and Iran’s response, warning that further attacks would bring “death, destruction and human misery” and calling on all sides to show restraint.

Russia said the strikes were pushing the region toward a humanitarian and economic crisis and warned of the risk of a radiological catastrophe. China called for an immediate halt to military action and said Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

Qatar, which hosts a US base, condemned an Iranian missile attack on its territory and said it reserved the right to respond. Jordan urged de-escalation while saying it would defend its interests, and Turkey called on all parties to cease hostilities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was critical to ensure nuclear safety after the United States indicated Iran’s atomic sites were in its crosshairs. Norway’s foreign minister said Israel’s strikes breached international law, arguing a pre-emptive attack would require an imminent threat.

Britain, France and Germany jointly condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes and said none of them took part in the US-Israeli operation. France’s President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting and urged a halt to escalation.

India urged dialogue and diplomacy and said sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Egypt condemned Iran’s targeting of Arab states and warned of risks to regional security and stability, while Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country would not be dragged into war after Israel announced strikes on Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon.

Hamas condemned what it described as US-Israel aggression against Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes created an opportunity for Iranians to oust the government in Tehran, while Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, claimed “final victory” was near and called for rebuilding Iran.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned the escalation risked a chain reaction with consequences for civilians. The African Union called for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue, warning the conflict could have wider impacts beyond the region.