World Governments Issue Statements After Recent U.S. Announcement

In contrast, China said the strikes violated the UN Charter and urged all parties, particularly Israel, to halt further escalation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, warning the conflict could spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences. He called diplomacy “the only path forward.” European Union officials similarly urged restraint and a return to negotiations, while emphasizing the need to prevent nuclear proliferation.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia expressed concern over rising instability, while groups aligned with Iran — including Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah — condemned the U.S. action as aggression. Leaders from the U.K., Japan, Venezuela, and Cuba also called for de-escalation, though their framing differed. Countries across the globe stressed the need to prevent a regional war and pursue diplomatic solutions, as governments assessed the broader implications of the strike.