Multiple countries and international organizations 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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the strikes, saying the escalation "undermines international peace and security" and risks pushing the Middle East toward a broader war.

Guterres warned that failing to halt the violence could lead to "a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability."

The secretary-general stressed that all UN member states must respect international law, recalling that the UN Charter prohibits "the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state." He said the current trajectory runs counter to the purposes of the UN.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk deplored the strikes, saying that in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price.

"Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery. I call for restraint and implore all parties to see reason," he said.

International Committee of the Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric said the military escalation in the Middle East is igniting a dangerous chain reaction across the region, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians.

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.

Jordan government spokesman Mohammad Momani said: "Jordan is not part of the conflict in the region and will not allow anyone to violate its sovereignty and will defend its interests with all its might. Jordan's position is clear on the need to stop the escalation in the region."

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.

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the attack is described by Israel as a pre-emptive strike, but it is not in accordance with international law. A pre-emptive attack would require the existence of an imminent threat.

"We call on all parties to show restraint and not to give up on the possibilities of finding diplomatic solutions to the conflict."

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.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar condemned the "unwarranted attacks" and called for immediate de-escalation.  

"Islamabad strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran and called for an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy," he said. 

India's Foreign Ministry said in statement that "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians." 

It added that "dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected."

African Union head Mahamoud Ali Youssouf:

"(We call) for restraint, urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue. Further escalation risks worsening global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience – particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute."

(With input from agencies)