The Israeli military has announced that its retaliatory attack has been “completed,” while Iran reports that the strikes resulted in “limited damage.” Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that if Iran launches retaliatory strikes, Israel will be “obligated to respond.” Iran’s air defense headquarters claimed that the “aggressive action was successfully intercepted and countered by the country’s integrated air defense system.”
Here are some reactions from around the world:
United States
“We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation,” said Sean Savett, spokesman for the US National Security Council. He emphasized that the US did not partake in the operation, noting, “Their response was an exercise in self-defense that specifically avoided populated areas, focusing solely on military targets, in contrast to Iran’s attack that targeted Israel’s most populous city.”
A senior official from the White House conveyed that the Biden administration believed the Israeli operation should “close out” the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran. President Joe Biden was kept informed as the Israeli operation unfolded. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder stated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the US’s “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security during a conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant.
Qatar
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.” Their statement expressed “deep concern regarding the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” and called for all parties “to exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that could destabilize security and stability in the region.” The ministry also urged the international community to intensify efforts aimed at de-escalation and alleviating the suffering of people in the region, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the military targeting of Iran as a “violation of its sovereignty” and international laws, urging all parties to “exercise the utmost restraint and reduce escalation.” Their statement emphasized the Kingdom’s firm rejection of ongoing escalation in the region, which threatens the security and stability of the countries and peoples within.
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for restraint, stating that Iran should not respond to the wave of Israeli strikes. “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond,” he asserted during a news conference in Samoa while attending a Commonwealth leaders’ meeting.
Pakistan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli military strikes “against the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Iran, labeling them as a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law. The ministry stated that these attacks “undermine the path to regional peace and stability and also constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.” They held Israel fully responsible for the current cycle of escalation and called on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to end Israeli recklessness and criminal behavior in the region.
United Arab Emirates
The Gulf nation expressed “deep concern over the continued escalation and its impact on regional security and stability,” condemning the military targeting of Iran. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the “importance of exercising the highest levels of restraint and wisdom to avoid risks and the expansion of conflict.”
Oman
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the attack a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty, stating that the Israeli airstrikes represented “an escalation that fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts aimed at de-escalation and reducing tension.” They called on the “international community to take effective action to stop the aggression and put an end to violations in the territories of neighboring countries.”
Malaysia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli strikes as a “clear violation of international law” that “seriously undermines regional security.” They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to the cycle of violence, noting that Israel’s ongoing attacks on Middle Eastern countries bring the region closer to the brink of wider conflict.
