World leaders issued swift and varied responses after Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordo facility. He described the operation as a “very successful attack” and stated that Iran should now move to end the ongoing conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international law. He stated that Iran “reserves all options” in response and warned of “everlasting consequences,” arguing that the targeted facilities were peaceful nuclear installations. Meanwhile, Israel welcomed the action, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it would “change history” and reflected the principle of “peace through strength.”

In contrast, China stated that the strikes violated the UN Charter and called on all parties, particularly Israel, to avoid further escalation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern, warning that the situation could spiral out of control and lead to severe consequences. He emphasized that diplomacy remains “the only path forward,” while European Union officials also urged restraint and a return to negotiations.

Across other regions, Saudi Arabia expressed concern about rising instability, while groups aligned with Iran, including Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, condemned the action as aggression. Leaders from the United Kingdom, Japan, Venezuela, and Cuba also called for de-escalation, though their statements differed in tone and emphasis. Overall, governments worldwide stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and encouraged diplomatic efforts to avoid a broader regional conflict.