World leaders condemn Israel's attacks on Iran and call for restraint

Israel launched strikes on military sites in Iran early Saturday in response to an Iranian attack earlier this month, though the targets evaded Iran’s key oil and nuclear facilities amid calls for restraint from allies and neighbors. With the region already gripped by conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, the risk of a broader escalation between heavily armed Israel and Iran loomed, although it remained uncertain whether the attacks would lead to further hostilities.

The Israeli military said its planes targeted facilities Iran used to fire the missiles at Israel, as well as surface-to-air missile sites. There was no immediate indication that oil or missile sites were hit – attacks that would have marked a much more serious escalation – and Israel made no immediate damage assessment.

Here is the global response to Israel’s attacks on Iranian military sites:

United States of America

“Israel has announced that their response to Iran’s October 1 ballistic missile attack is now complete. As the Israelis have stated, their response was an exercise in self-defense and they avoided specifically populated areas and focused exclusively on military targets, unlike Iran’s attack on Israel, which targeted Israel’s most populous city. For more information about their operation, please refer to the Israeli authorities.

The United States did not participate in this operation. Our goal is to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation.”

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned Iran against any “escalation” after Israel struck Iranian military targets.

“My message to Iran is clear: the massive escalation of reactions must not continue. These must stop immediately. Only then can we open the possibility of a peaceful evolution in the Middle East,” he wrote on X.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

“I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I am equally clear that we must avoid further regional escalation and call on all parties to exercise restraint. Iran should not respond.”

Turkey

Turkey on Saturday condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran and called for an end to what it said was Israel’s “terror” in the region.

“Ending the terror created by Israel in the region has become a historic task for establishing international peace and security,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli attack on Iran. By committing genocide in Gaza, preparing to annex the West Bank and killing civilians every day in Lebanon, Israel has brought our region to the brink of a larger war,” the ministry added.

France

“France urges all parties to refrain from any escalation and action that could worsen the extremely tense context in the region.”

Saudi Arabia

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and disapproval of the military attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are a violation of its sovereignty and a violation of international laws and norms.

The Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering position in its rejection of the continued escalation in the region and the expansion of the conflict that threatens the security and stability of the countries and people in the region.

The Kingdom urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and reduce escalation.”

Egypt

“Egypt follows with great concern the accelerating escalation in the Middle East, the latest of which was Israel’s attack on Iran this morning, and condemns all actions that threaten the security and stability of the region…”

“Egypt emphasizes its position that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip must be quickly reached within the framework of an agreement to release hostages, as this is the only way to de-escalate.”

Pakistan

“Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These attacks undermine the path to regional peace and stability and also represent a dangerous escalation in an already unstable region.

Israel bears full responsibility for the current cycle of escalation and expansion of the conflict. We call on the UN Security Council to play its role in maintaining international peace and security, and to take immediate steps to put an end to Israeli recklessness in the region and its criminal behavior.”

United Arab Emirates

“The UAE strongly condemns the military attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran and expresses its deep concern over the continued escalation and its impact on regional security and stability.”

The ministry stressed the “importance of exercising the highest levels of restraint and wisdom to avoid risks and expansion of conflict.”

Iraq

Israel “continues its aggressive policies and expansion of the conflict in the region, employing blatant acts of aggression without deterrence. This time, his hand of aggression targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran through an airstrike on Iranian targets early this morning.

The statement said Iraq “reiterates its strong position and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and for comprehensive regional and international efforts to support stability in the region.”

Hamas

“The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) strongly condemns Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, attacking military sites in several provinces. We consider this a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region and the security of its population, placing full responsibility on the occupation for the consequences of this aggression, supported by the United States of America. ”