TEHRAN, Iran — World leaders and international institutions issued a wave of responses on Sunday, June 22, 2025 after the United States launched airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight — in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — a move described by President Donald Trump as “very successful.”
While the operation drew praise from some Western allies, it provoked strong condemnation from Iran, international bodies, and several governments across the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.
Concerns about an escalating regional conflict now dominate diplomatic discourse.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to offer unqualified support. “Congratulations, President Trump.
Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said.
“History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’
First comes strength, then comes peace.
And tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. pic.twitter.com/7lTWCZkgw7
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025
Britain also supported the U.S. action, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the U.S. has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025
In contrast, the United Nations called for restraint. Secretary-General António Guterres said: “This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law.”
I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.
There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 22, 2025
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, called the strike “a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).” In a post on X, he warned: “Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour… Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.
The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025
Maryam Rajavi, head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, welcomed the strike and called for regime change. “Now Khamenei must go,” she said from Paris. “The Iranian people welcome the end of the war and seek peace and freedom… it has all gone up in smoke.”
Now Khamenei must go
The #Iranian people welcome the end of the war and seek peace and freedom
Khamenei is responsible for an unpatriotic project that, in addition to costing countless lives, has cost the Iranian people at least two trillion dollars—and now, it has all gone up… pic.twitter.com/u310w3JVpG— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) June 22, 2025
In Europe, reactions were measured but pointed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X: “Iran must never acquire the bomb… Now is the moment for Iran to engage in a credible diplomatic solution.”
Iran must never acquire the bomb.
With tensions in the Middle East at a new peak, stability must be the priority.
And respect for international law is critical.
Now is the moment for Iran to engage in a credible diplomatic solution.
The negotiating table is the only place to…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed that call, insisting “a lasting resolution… requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
La France a pris connaissance avec préoccupation des frappes menées cette nuit par les Etats-Unis d’Amérique contre trois sites du programme nucléaire iranien.
Elle n’a participé ni à ces frappes ni à leur planification.
Elle exhorte les parties à la retenue pour éviter toute…
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) June 22, 2025
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev accused the U.S. of starting another “forever war” and criticised Trump: “Trump, who came in as a peacemaker president, has started a new war for the U.S… With this kind of success, Trump won’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.”
What have the Americans accomplished with their nighttime strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran?
1. Critical infrastructure of the nuclear fuel cycle appears to have been unaffected or sustained only minor damage.
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) June 22, 2025
Countries in the Middle East voiced urgent concerns. The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry called for “an immediate end to the escalation to avoid dangerous repercussions and a slide into new levels of instability.”
Qatar warned of “catastrophic repercussions” and said it was following developments “with great concern.”
Statement | Qatar Regrets the Deterioration of the Situation with the Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/U0oXEIKjP3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 22, 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters: “It is crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for diplomacy, saying: “Now we hope that… Iran can sit down at the negotiating table.”
Other leaders shared similar caution. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said: “Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”
Australia urged “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
Mexico called for “diplomatic dialogue for peace.”
The @SRE_mx makes an urgent call for diplomatic dialogue and peace among the parties involved in the Middle East conflict.
Under Mexico’s constitutional principles of foreign policy and our nation’s pacifist convictions, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the…
— Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) June 22, 2025
Latin American leaders strongly condemned the attack.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said:
“Venezuela condemns U.S. military aggression against Iran and demands an immediate cessation of hostilities.”
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel added: “The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.”
Condenamos enérgicamente bombardeos de EEUU contra instalaciones nucleares de Irán que constituyen peligrosa escalada de conflicto en Oriente Medio.
Agresión viola gravemente Carta ONU y Derecho Internacional y arrastra a la humanidad a una crisis de irreversibles consecuencias.
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) June 22, 2025
With diplomatic lines now under strain, the focus is shifting to how Iran will respond and whether any remaining pathways to negotiation remain viable.
Global leaders continue to call for restraint, but the risk of wider conflict remains acute.
