'Iran can end this now': World leaders react to US-Israel strikes

World leaders have reacted to the US and Israel's joint operation - named Epic Fury by the US and Roaring Lion by Israel - targeting Iran on Saturday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese showed his support for the US' actions but Russia, Brazil and Pakistan have all condemned the bilateral attacks.

The majority of European and Middle Eastern leaders are hoping to find a way forward without a nuclear escalation, which was claimed to be the reason for the strikes in the first place.

LIVE UPDATES: Iran vows 'historic lesson' for US after waves of missile attacks

READ MORE: US and Israel launch attack on Iran: What we know

Here's how world leaders and various countries have responded to the surprise strikes:

Oman warns US 'not to get sucked in further'

The Omani government was working as mediators between the US and Iran to try and prevent war but talks earlier this week failed to reach a deal.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the active and serious negotiations mediated by his country were "yet again undermined" amid the on-going escalation.

"Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this...I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war," he said on X.

Canada's leader supports US action

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its government from further threatening international peace and security.

He says Canada is clear in its position that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East."

Carney is also urging Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.https://x.com/markjcarney/status/2027721462233141679

Japan 'monitoring the developments with great concern'

Japan has flagged energy security as a concern but stopped short of condemning either side in the strikes that have been traded on Saturday.

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."

Spain says strikes have created more 'hostile international order'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that his country "reject(s) 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 "reject(s) the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard," adding: "we cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East."

Spanish Foreign Minister Albares later said on X that Madrid demanded respect for international law, de-escalation and dialogue, showing support and solidarity with those who are receiving the strikes.

"The attacks must stop," he added.

Brazilian government condemns strikes on Iran

The Brazilian government on Saturday condemned US-Israel attacks on Iranian targets and expressed grave concern over the military action.

"The attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region," the government said in a statement.

The Brazilian government appealed to all parties to respect international law and exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalating hostilities and protect civilians.

Its embassies in the region are monitoring developments, with particular attention to Brazilian communities in affected countries, according to the statement.

British PM holds emergency meeting

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that while the UK didn't participate in the attack on Iran, its planes provided air defence for its people and allies in the region.

"We've stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level," Starmer said.

The Iranian leadership is "utterly abhorrent", has killed its own people and destabilised the region and should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, Starmer said.

"Iran can end this now," he said.

"They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people."

Britain's immediate priority was the safety of its nationals in the region, and it would provide consular assistance, according to the statement.

The UK's Foreign Office also updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and urged British nationals in other Middle Eastern countries to "immediately shelter in place."

EU calls for restraint and diplomacy

European Union leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in have hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."

"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

"We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law."

Both said that the EU has pushed to resolve critical issues through diplomacy but also has in place "extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards."

They said Brussels was working with the EU's 27 member nations to support the bloc's citizens in the Middle East.

Ukraine's president supports US-led strikes

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for US-led strikes on Iran, calling the country "an accomplice of Putin" for supplying Shahed drones and the technology for Moscow to produce them and other weapons in its four-year war against Ukraine.

"Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

"Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran."

The Ukrainian leader said the emphasis now should be to save as many lives as possible and prevent any expansion of the war.

"It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians," Zelenskyy said.

UN human rights chief deplores strikes

Volker Türk expressed regret about the strikes by Israel and the United States, and the "retaliatory" strikes by Iran.

"As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price," said Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery."

He called for restraint, de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table.

Pakistan condemns attacks on Iran

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as "unwarranted attacks" on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said Dar called for" an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis."

Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian assaults on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan as a breach of their sovereignty.

The Kingdom confirmed that it fully stands by those countries and warned of the "dire consequences of continued breach of sovereignty and violating international principles."

Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to take measures to confront the Iranian assaults that are "undermining" the stability and security of the region.

China urges immediate ceasefire

China's ministry of foreign affairs on Saturday expressed deep concerns over the US and Israel's military strikes against Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire.

The ministry said Iran's national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, and urged all sides to avoid further escalation of tensions, and to resume dialogue and negotiations.

France advises its citizens to exercise caution

France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, has called on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.

President Emmanuel Macron said that "the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security."https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/2027718192643084649

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 programs, as well as its regional destabilisation activities."

Lebanese PM doesn't want to be dragged into the conflict

Nawaf Salam clarified his position in a brief response, saying his country won't be dragged into the conflict.

"I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," the prime minister said.

Norwegian Foreign Minister says Israel broke international law

Norway's foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide said she believed Israel's rational for the attacks on Iran were outside of legal practices.

"The attack is described by Israel as a preventive strike, but it is not in line with international law," he said.

Preventive attacks require an immediately imminent threat."

'Deeply worrying" turn of event Finnish President says

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that "recent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying".

He adding that "ensuring nuclear safety and long-term security in the region is of utmost importance to all of us."

Finland "condemns all actions that seek to escalate the conflict in the region and urge for utmost restraint," he added.https://x.com/alexstubb/status/2027738746599157874

Ireland's leader also "deeply concerned"

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin wrote that he is "deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region", urging "all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome."https://x.com/MichealMartinTD/status/2027731225192890415

Hungary worries about oil pipeline

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that the strikes on Iran have "doubled the importance of the Friendship oil pipeline," which runs through Ukraine and supplies Russian crude oil to his country.

Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and ⁠Slovakia have been cut off since late January, when Kyiv says a ​Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Western Ukraine.https://x.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/2027719926136344804

Solidarity for Israel from Albania

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country "stand(s) firm with Israel" and "support(s) the United States" in their actions today.

"We fully endorse every decisive effort to prevent once and for all the murderers in Tehran from acquiring nuclear or any other military capacity to harm Israel or any other peace-loving nation in the Middle East," he said.https://x.com/ediramaal/status/2027714015334432796

- Reported with Associated Press, Reuters and CNN.

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