World leaders issued swift reactions after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out a “very successful attack” on three Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordo. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a grave violation of international law, warning that Tehran “reserves all options” in its response. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision as historic, while China denounced the operation and urged immediate de-escalation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the attack marked a dangerous regional escalation and insisted diplomacy was the only viable path. The EU and U.K. similarly pressed all parties to return to negotiations. Middle Eastern governments, including Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, voiced concern over widening instability, while Iran-aligned groups such as Yemen’s Houthis condemned the strikes. Russia criticized Trump’s actions, and leaders from Japan, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Australia, and South Korea called for restraint. Pope Leo urged the international community to avoid a deeper conflict.
