'Critical to avoid spiral of chaos': World leaders urge restraint after US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities; some allies back Trump's move
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres (Image credits: AP, PTI)
World leaders reacted swiftly to US strikes on Iran's three nuclear facilities early Sunday, with many urging de-escalation and diplomacy, while some supporting the move.
The strikes come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent clashes between Israel and Iran.
The US intervention marks a significant turning point, as Washington becomes directly involved in the conflict, despite earlier assurances from US President Donald Trump to steer clear of foreign wars.
Iran had previously warned of retaliation if the US entered the fray.
In a national address, Trump declared, "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,' and called the operation as a decisive step toward global security.
Reactions from world leaders continue to emerge as governments assess the broader consequences of the attack.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision, calling the strikes a 'pivot of history.' In a video message on Sunday, Netanyahu said, "Congratulations President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,"
He added that the US-Israel partnership had demonstrated unmatched coordination and strength, and that the move would "help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace".
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United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres
Guterres on Saturday warned that the US strikes on Iran represent a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region, posing a serious threat to global peace and security.
'There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,' Guterres said in a statement as reported by Reuters.
'At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos.
There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' he added.
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters
'We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump's announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided.'
He added, 'New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy.
We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action."
Australia government spokesperson
"We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US 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."
Venezuela's minister of foreign affairs Yvan Gil
The minister condemned the attacks in a message on Telegram: 'Venezuela condemns US military aggression against Iran and demands an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly and categorically condemns the bombing carried out by the United States military, at the request of the State of Israel, against nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan complexes.
'
'We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.'
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel
Cuba also condemned the attacks on X, saying: 'We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.'
Mexico's ministry of foreign affairs
In a post on X, Mexico's foreign ministry called for a diplomatic dialogue, 'The ministry urgently calls for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country's pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority.
'
According to Reuters, South Korea's presidential office is set to host an emergency meeting to discuss the attack.
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Iran denies ever seeking nuclear international nuclear watchdog IAEA has previously reported damage to the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, the nuclear complex at Isfahan that includes the Uranium Conversion Facility and to centrifuge production facilities in Karaj and has also attacked Arak, also known as Khondab. The IAEA said Israeli military strikes hit the Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, which was under construction and had not begun operating, and damaged the nearby plant that makes heavy IAEA said it was not operational and contained no nuclear material, so there were no radiological effects. 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