World leaders reacted quickly and with differing views after Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordo site. He described the operation as highly successful and urged Iran to move toward ending the conflict.
Iran strongly condemned the attacks, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling them a violation of international law and warning that Iran “reserves all options” in response. He also cautioned that the consequences could be long-lasting, insisting the targeted sites were part of a peaceful nuclear program. Meanwhile, Israel supported the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the action could reshape history and reflected a strategy of “peace through strength.”
Other global powers responded with concern. China criticized the strikes as a breach of the UN Charter and urged all sides—especially Israel—to avoid further escalation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the situation could quickly spiral out of control and emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable solution. European Union officials echoed similar calls for restraint and renewed negotiations.
Across the Middle East and beyond, reactions varied. Saudi Arabia expressed concern over growing instability, while Iran-aligned groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon denounced the strikes as acts of aggression. Leaders from countries including the United Kingdom, Japan, Venezuela, and Cuba also called for de-escalation, though their messages differed in tone.
Overall, the global response highlighted a shared concern: preventing further escalation and encouraging diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider regional conflict.
