Historical Attack on Iran: Reactions from Around the World
In the wake of an unprecedented military operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeting Iranian infrastructure and officials, global reactions have varied significantly, with some countries voicing strong support for Israel while others condemned the action harshly.
Overview of the Operation
The IDF’s recent strike was part of a significant effort to thwart Iran’s nuclear program, prompting responses from numerous nations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Israel’s actions as “a unilateral move against Iran,” clarifying that the United States was not involved in the strikes. He emphasized America’s top priority is the protection of its forces in the region and reaffirmed that Israel considers the operation essential for self-defense.
International Responses
United States
Rubio reiterated, “Iran must refrain from harming U.S. interests or personnel.” While supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, the U.S. has distanced itself from direct involvement in the attacks.
United Kingdom
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed deep concern, stating that the escalation poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. He urged all parties to exercise restraint.
France
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted that France is closely monitoring developments. He reiterated France’s commitment to regional stability and called for diplomatic avenues to avoid further escalation, while also expressing concern about Iran’s ongoing nuclear developments.
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Germany subsequently announced heightened security measures for Jewish and Israeli facilities within its borders.
Russia
The Kremlin reacted by condemning the recent escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, voicing concerns about the repercussions of Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
Jordan
The Jordanian government issued a strong statement, asserting that it would not allow incursions into its airspace, categorically rejecting becoming a battleground for external conflicts.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi government harshly criticized the operation, claiming it infringed on Iran’s sovereignty and violated international law. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan communicated with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, highlighting that the use of force only undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
Israel’s Diplomatic Efforts
In response to the operation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar initiated intensive diplomatic communications with counterparts worldwide. The discussions aim to secure international legitimacy for Israel’s military action and articulate its position. As part of this effort, Sa’ar’s offstart has shifted to emergency mode, establishing a 24/7 operations center to coordinate activities across Israeli embassies globally, focusing on building support for Israel’s actions.
Key Conversations
Sa’ar’s dialogues included significant discussions with German Foreign Minister Johann Wodpol, where he informed his counterpart about a unanimous cabinet decision regarding military action. He explained, “We reached this decision at the last minute after exhausting all other options. The world has seen and understood that the Iranians are unwilling to stop, and we had to intervene.”
Furthermore, he held conversations with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, discussing both the Iranian nuclear threat and the situation in Gaza. Sa’ar reiterated Israel’s pursuit of a hostage deal with Hamas, noting the group’s ongoing rejections of proposed terms.
Addressing Regional Threats
In discussions with Kaja Kallas, the EU’s Foreign Minister, Sa’ar underscored the pressing need to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and highlighted the alarming extent of Iran’s long-range missile program, which poses threats not only to Israel but potentially to Europe as well.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, aware of the delicate balance of power and the potential for further escalation in an already volatile region