New Delhi: There has been an overwhelming and strong global response to the airstrikes by the US on three Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday. Most of the countries and their leaders urged restraint and diplomacy, while cautioning against the risk of a wider regional conflict.
The attacks were the first direct military action by US in Israel’s ongoing war against Iran. The strikes came just days after US President Donald Trump said he would take up to two weeks to decide whether to launch an attack on Iran.
China
Through its state media, China condemned the US airstrikes, warning that Washington may be repeating past strategic blunders. A flash commentary by CGTN, the international wing of China’s state broadcaster, dubbed the US action as “a dangerous turning point”.
“History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilization,” the commentary pointed out, referring to the 2003 Iraq war.
It underlined that a balanced, diplomatic approach while favouring dialogue over military action, which offers the best chance for lasting stability in the Middle East.
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised that he was “gravely alarmed” by the use of force by the US, while warning of disastrous consequences if the situation aggravates further.
In a post on X, he said: “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.”
New Zealand
In a statement, Foreign minister Winston Peters said: “We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump’s announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”
Cuba
President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X: “We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.”
Mexico
Taking to X, Mexico’s foreign ministry said: “The ministry urgently calls for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country’s pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority.”
