World reacts to US attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites

The United States has bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, further escalating the war between Israel and Iran.

Iran acknowledged the attacks, saying its personnel working at the nuclear sites were evacuated before the attacks. Here are some key reactions from around the world following the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites:

IRAN

In his first public remarks after the strikes, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi accused the US of breaching international law.

"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 [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations," Araghchi said in a social media post.

UNITED NATIONS

"I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

 "This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security", he said, adding that there is a "growing risk" that this conflict could "rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world".

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia expressed its "great concern" following the US attacks, according to a statement by the foreign ministry on X.

 "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America," the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X.

QATAR

Qatar says it fears serious repercussions after the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The foreign ministry "warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels," a statement said.

RUSSIA

Russia's foreign ministry said it strongly condemns the US attacks on Iran, reports Al Jazeera online. "The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, whatever the arguments it may be presented with, flagrantly violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," the ministry said in its statement.

CHINA

The foreign ministry said it "strongly condemns" US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, that "seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East".

 "China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation," the ministry said on X.

UNITED KINGDOM

Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to the negotiating table and said that stability in the region remained a priority, according to a statement from Downing Street.

 "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," Starmer said in a statement.

EUROPEAN UNION

The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.

"I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation today.

FRANCE

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has expressed concern and urged "the parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation likely to lead to an extension of the conflict".

In a statement on X, he added that France was "convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty".

US DEMOCRATS

The top Democrat in the House of Representatives accused Trump of pushing the country towards war.

"President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.