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US and Israeli forces have carried out strikes on cities across Iran, in what US President Donald Trump called “major combat operations”.
Trump called on the Iranian people to rise up and government forces to surrender following what Israel called a “pre-emptive attack.” He later said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, which was confirmed by Iranian state television.
This comes after weeks of threats and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
This is how the international community is reacting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation and warned that international peace and security were being undermined.
“The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and Iran’s subsequent retaliation in the region, undermines international peace and security,” he said in a statement.
“I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failure to do so risks a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability.”
At an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York on Saturday afternoon, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said the strikes were “directed toward specific and strategic objectives: dismantling missile capabilities that threaten allies, degrading naval assets used to destabilize international waters and disrupting machinery that arms proxy militias, and ensuring that the Iranian regime can never threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.”
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said: “Israel, alongside the United States, has acted to end an existential threat to Israel, our allies and global stability.
“When a regime chants ‘Death to Israel,’ ‘Death to America,’ we take it seriously. We believe them and we act. Our goals are clear.”
Russia, an ally of Iran, condemned the strikes. “The aggression that Iran suffered today has already led to an escalation in the region and could spill far beyond its borders,” warned Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia.
Moscow earlier called on the international community to assess what it called “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability and security” in the Middle East.
“Active and serious negotiations have once again been undermined,” he wrote on X, telling the United States that the strikes serve neither its interests nor those of world peace. “I urge the United States not to let itself be drawn in any further. This is not your war.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the joint US-Israeli strikes “completely unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate.”
In an article on he said Trump had transformed “America first into Israel first – which always means America last.”
Saudi Arabia has condemned Iran’s retaliation against Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait, denouncing blatant Iranian aggression in the “strongest terms.”
“The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] “affirms its full solidarity and unwavering support towards brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal to support any measures they may undertake,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
A joint statement from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also urged Iran to “seek a negotiated solution”.
The declaration, posted on by the German Embassy in London, said countries had consistently urged the Iranian regime to end its nuclear and missile programs, refrain from “destabilizing activities” and end “the appalling violence and repression against its own people.”
“We did not participate in these strikes,” the three leaders said, adding that they were in contact with international partners, including the United States, Israel and other countries in the region.
“We urge Iranian leaders to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said.
Sir Keir said British planes were “in the skies today” in the Middle East as part of “coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.
Macron had previously said the “epidemic” had “serious consequences for international peace and security” and warned that the current escalation was “dangerous for all”.
“France is also ready to deploy the necessary means to protect its closest partners at their request,” he added.
Germany said it had been informed of the attack in advance and that Chancellor Merz had consulted relevant security ministers.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat, described the latest developments as “perilous.”
“The EU has adopted tough sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue,” she said in a statement on X, adding that she had spoken with foreign ministers from Israel and other regions.
“The protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said it would consult with allies and regional leaders to support efforts to ease tensions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supported the United States “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security.”
UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for restraint and urged all parties “to come to their senses, defuse the situation and return to the ‘negotiating table’.”
“As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price,” he said, before reminding those involved that the protection of civilians is “paramount” under international law.
Earlier Saturday, Trump posted a lengthy video on his Truth Social website, confirming U.S. involvement:
“Our goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said, adding that Washington’s goal is to “ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
He also asked the Iranian people to stay in shelter and not leave their homes.
“When we’re done, take back your government,” he said. “It will be yours to take. It will probably be your only chance for generations.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called on all Iranians to “throw off the yoke of tyranny and establish a free and peaceful Iran.”
Thanking Trump, he reiterated his message that Iran “must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity.”
“Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take control of their destiny.”
