Israel-Iran conflict: world reacts to US strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities
The reaction of world leaders after US forces struck
three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday (Iran time) ranged from Israel lauding President Donald Trump's decision to the UN calling for de-escalation and some countries condemning the attacks.
Israel
'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. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded statement.
United Nations
'I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international 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,' United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. 'I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. 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.'
New Zealand
'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. 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,' New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
Australia
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China condemned the United States for its weekend attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, describing them as serious violations of international law. In a brief statement on Sunday night, the Chinese foreign ministry said the bombing of the facilities, which were under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, seriously violated the United Nations Charter and its principles. It called on all parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians and start dialogue. 'China is willing to work with the international community to uphold justice and restore peace and stability in the Middle East,' the ministry said. The call came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had conducted the bombings, calling the strikes a 'spectacular military success' and pledging more attacks if Tehran did not stand down. 03:22 Trump announces US attack on Iran nuclear sites Trump announces US attack on Iran nuclear sites Tehran also confirmed the strikes, but said the sites had been evacuated before the strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the bombing 'outrageous'.
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Pentagon says US operation against Iran nuclear sites was ‘overwhelming success'
The Middle East has been plunged deeper into crisis after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which US President Donald Trump said 'completely and fully obliterated' three key sites, marking a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the operation 'was an incredible and overwhelming success'. 'It was powerful, and it was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it's worth noting the operation, did not target Iranian troops so the Iranian people.' Direct US involvement in the conflict followed days of anticipation that Trump might approve military action targeting Iran's nuclear programme - and after stating he would decide 'within two weeks' whether to strike. Israel and Iran have exchanged wave after wave of devastating and deadly strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its programme is for peaceful purposes only. Follow live updates as the world reacts to this critical development in the Middle East.
