Growing international concern and condemnation over U.S.-Israel attack on Iran

Multiple countries have reacted to the renewed tensions in the Middle East region, hours after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Saturday.

China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Stressing Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected, the ministry said China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tensions, resumption of dialogue and negotiation and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.

Egypt's foreign ministry called for political, peaceful solutions amid escalation in the region.

Yemen's Houthi group said that attacks on Iran are part of a broader effort to undermine regional deterrence, warning that the United States and Israel would bear responsibility for the escalation and its impact on regional security.

Qatar condemned Iranian missile strikes on its territory, calling them a violation of its sovereignty and a direct threat to national security and regional stability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The ministry also said Qatar reserves the right to respond under international law and in proportion to the attack, stressing it will defend its sovereignty and national interests.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that his country refused to be dragged into war. "I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," Salam said on X.

"In light of the serious developments unfolding in the region, I once again call on all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people's interests above any other consideration," he added.

Russia demanded an immediate return to political and diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions surrounding Iran. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes were a "premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression" against a sovereign United Nations member state in violation of international law.

The Russian ministry said that the actions by the U.S. and Israel risk pushing the region toward a humanitarian, economic and potentially radiological catastrophe, adding that responsibility for any negative consequences would rest fully with them.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the outbreak of war between the U.S., Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. In a post on social media platform X, Macron said the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all and must stop.

The United Kingdom has said it "stands ready" to protect its interests in the Middle East and does not wish to see any further escalation into a wider regional conflict, according to a government statement on Saturday.

"As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests," a government spokesperson said. 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the attack on Iran marks an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.

European Union leaders on Saturday said developments in Iran were "greatly concerning" and urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint.

"We remain in close contact with our partners in the region," European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement.

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

Malaysia has also strongly condemned the attacks. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attacks violate the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the prohibition against the use of force under the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

"Such unilateral military measures risk further destabilizing an already fragile region and endangering civilian lives," said the ministry.

(With input from agencies)