By Desire Emmanuel
Some world leaders have reacted to the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran, which prompted retaliation from Tehran across the Middle East.
The leaders of some US allies, including France and Spain, have expressed concern over the action, urging cation.
The presidents of the European Council and the European Union, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, called the strikes “greatly concerning,” urging “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law” in separate posts on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that “the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.”
He wrote on X that “the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop,” calling on Iran to “to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programmes, as well as its regional destabilisation activities.”
Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, said that his country “rejects the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel, which constitutes an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.” He said that Spain also “rejects the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard,” adding: “we cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East.”
Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, said that his country “condemns” the US and Israeli attacks, writing on X that “these irresponsible actions breach international peace and security and constitute a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.”
Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, said on X that his country “deeply regrets that diplomatic efforts could not lead earlier to a negotiated solution,” but also said that Belgium “understand(s) the profound security imperatives and the prolonged frustration with Iran’s refusal to engage constructively that have driven this course of action.”
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, said that his country “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,” while adding that “Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East.”
Japan’s foreign ministry said that the “situation in the Middle East has a significant impact on Japan, including from the perspective of energy security,” adding that the Japanese government “is closely monitoring the developments with great concern.”
Russian diplomat, Mikhail Ulyanov, said in a post on X that “the new aggression of Israel and the US against Iran is fraught with the danger of significant deterioration and destabilisation in the Middle East.”
