World reacts to Israeli strike on Iran

World leaders urged restraint on Friday after Israel pounded Iran, striking nuclear and military sites and killing senior figures.

UN: Maximum restraint

UN chief Antonio Guterres asked "both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," according to a spokesperson.

Guterres was "particularly concerned" by Israel's strikes on nuclear installations amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Russia: Unacceptable and unprovoked

"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies, calling the strikes "unacceptable" and "unprovoked." The Russian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Russians in Israel to leave the country.

China: Deeply worried

"The Chinese side ... is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, calling "on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions."

EU: Diplomacy best path forward

"The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Iraq: Threat to international peace

Iraq strongly condemned the attacks, saying: "This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."

Jordan: No battleground

"Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told AFP, after Jordan closed its airspace.

Türkiye: Aggressive actions

"Israel's attacks on our neighbor Iran are a clear provocation that disregards international law," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging the international community to "put an end to Israeli banditry."

Tunisia: A blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty

Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as "a blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security," warning that such actions threaten peace and stability not only in the region but also globally.

Tunisia expressed its solidarity with the Iranian people and called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take urgent and decisive action to halt the attacks and ensure accountability, the statement said.

Libya: Israel's attack is a threat to regional peace and security

Denouncing Israel's overnight military strikes on Iran, the Libyan Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "This serious escalation ... represents a threat to regional and international peace and security."

The ministry urged the parties involved to "resolve the dispute peacefully through dialogue and diplomatic channels," the statement said.

(With input from AFP, Xinhua) 

(Cover: Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. /VCG)