Reactions are pouring in from leaders across the world over the U.S. and Israel carrying out major military strikes in Iran Saturday, which U.S. President Donald Trump has said are aimed at overthrowing the Iranian regime.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “use of force,” adding that the action was inconsistent with the UN Charter.
“I condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” he said in a statement.
Hours after the U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes in the region against U.S. and Israeli bases in places like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
How countries in the region reacted
A statement from the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry said it “condemns and denounces in strongest terms” Iran’s attacks on countries in the region but did not mention U.S. strikes in its statement.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
“Continued military escalation will only bring more suffering to the people of the region and undermine development opportunities,” he said.
The Qatari foreign ministry said Doha has the “full right to respond” to Iran’s attacks, however it said it has always urged all sides to facilitate dialogue.
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“The State of Qatar has consistently sought to distance itself from regional conflicts and has worked to facilitate dialogue between the Iranian side and the international community,” the statement said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he felt “sorrow” at the news of the strikes on Saturday.
“We view with sadness this morning’s attacks, which not only clearly violate Iran’s sovereignty but also threaten the peace of the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.” Erdogan said, adding that Iran’s strikes against Arab states were “likewise” unacceptable.
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Russia, which shares several key strategic interests with Iran, issued a statement from its foreign ministry saying the U.S. and Israel “have embarked on a perilous course.”
“This is a deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in direct violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law,” the statement said.
How other global powers reacted
The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing was “highly concerned” by the attacks on Iran, adding that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.
“China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East,” the statement read.
The European Union expressed concern but did not explicitly say whether the bloc supported or opposed the U.S. action.
“Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance,” a joint statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said.
In a separate statement, posted to social media, von der Leyen said she is convening a “special security College” of the EU on Monday in light of the ongoing situation in Iran.
The EU called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called the situation “dangerous.”
“The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” he said.
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said in a video statement that his country “played no role in these strikes.”
“But we have long been clear — the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent,” he said.
The U.K. is strengthening its defence capacities in the region in light of the current situation, he said.
“Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies — as Britain has done before, in line with international law,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government supports the U.S. action “to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security.”
How Canada has reacted so far
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday morning that Canada “supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”
Carney also called for all parties to “protect civilian lives as best as possible in what is a very serious situation.”
Global Affairs Canada is urging all Canadians in Iran to shelter immediately and to register with its Registration of Canadians Abroad service for its latest updates.
Travel advisories have since been updated for Canadians in Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing military activity” in the region.
If you are a Canadian in Iran right now, we want to hear from you. Email us at shareyourstory@globalnews.ca or use the contact form below.
Of course I am completely full of sh it and the whole world including the UN IAEA has stated Iran is developing weapons, but I thought I could fool a few really stupid people here. Any country that enriches uranium to the levels Iran was attempting is making a bomb. I am also sad the brutal Iranian regime is ending. I loved that they slaughtered thousands of their own people for protesting and funded terror all over the world. I also love how women there can’t even drive there otherwise they get stoned to death.
The USA and Israel are evil countries that have been committing genocide and causing world-wide terror and chaos.
Iran is NOT developing a nuclear weapon but now will have no choice but to pursue nuclear weapons for its continuing existence.
Of course, Carney will say anything the UK says!!!
So Christine you have no problem letting the civilians get slaughtered for protesting their freedom? You want Iran to have nukes? Do you think terrorists should have nukes? You and James should hook up. Well Mabe if your name was Chris. I don’t think James swings that way.
Soooo James you want a terrorist regime to have nukes? You’re not to bright. A regime murdering tens of thousands of their own people for the crime of wanting to be free. Ya you got TDS reaaaaal bad donkey! You can’t see the forest through the trees. What a stooge
Sea can’t even spell Israel but the pretends he’s the expert.
Another day, another genocide. Alls well in the “Murican house today. More death and bloodshed in the name of that southern US ‘democracy’. This is what you get when you vote in hillbillies.
A school was hit at least 150 schoolchildren dead. Parents digging through the rubble. Trump says the leader is dead. Yet plans to continue to bomb. What has happened to our moral compass? How can the UN allow such behaviour. Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Greenland next? This is a tipping point, the US must impeach Trump. Sanctions are coming. US citizens have paid an enormous price. Speaking of which, should they continue, gas prices will soar. Inflation will rise and innocent people will die. How can this be happening without intervention is beyond me. Sad times.
Grave consequences? Isreal and the US bombed Iran last year and everything kept on ticking along..global, the cbc, ctv. Trying to find falling sky everywhere except with the liberal government that is driving our country into the ground.
Well said Big Daddy !
PM’s of the UK and Canada are devastated this morning.
I love how Global News is just another political puppet of an arm of the liberal party, pushing their liberal propaganda. Maybe if we could oust the liberal government, we could get back to being a prosperous Country of haves instead of a country of have-nots. The lies, the overspending, the cost of living, the poverty, and the killing of its citizens through the government becoming drug dealers. They let criminals out on your streets to instill fear, and the government uses its propaganda as another way to fan the fires of fear. They trample your rights and freedoms by freezing your bank accounts, by arresting and threatening peaceful protests. Don’t be fooled, the liberals are an oppressive regime. We must hold these corrupt politicians accountable for their actions.
The only people upset about today’s news are China, Russia, a bunch of Houthi, Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists….and some TDS afflicted liberal/democrat mo rons.
What’s the matter Mark, you can’t say that you also support Israel? I guess you wouldn’t want to risk losing the antisemitic vote.
The UN should put a cork in it. No one cares anymore about what the UN says.
The only intelligent thing Carney has said since he’s returned to Canada.
Supremo Leader is sleepin with the fishes now! Woohoo!! Gonna celebrate tonight with a fine young gent.
Hundreds of thousands should march against the fact that this country is going down the toilet, but that will never happen. Only care about foreigners.
Hundreds of thousands marched through the streets of Toronto and other major Canadian cities earlier in support of Iranian liberty and an end to Iran’s theocratic and brutal regime. I support them, and U.S./Israeli efforts to remove the regime.
I am so happy now. Please get Khamenei. By god he deserves it the traitor death
But, but, but what about Epstein?!!!?!?!?!?
See how much of an idiot I am? Trump hasn’t taken us to war, Canada is not involved. And those Iranians pigs need slaughtering anyway. That regime is brutal and executes thousands of their own people for protesting. It’ll be great when that regime is removed. And everyone knows the U.N. is full of sh *t!!
Not only is Iran under attack, but, really the entire globe. Trump, in a short time has succeeded in taking us to war, whether we like it or not. Or agree with why.
I have no right to criticize the US. I’m Canadian. Here we have own trouble. So I should just be quiet. But then, If that is thing to do, should USA not just be quiet and tend to its own homebrew of fascism? And let the Iranians deal with their government?