Tehran (TDI): Israel launched a series of targeted airstrikes on Iran early Friday, hitting key nuclear and military sites across the country, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
The international response was swift, with countries around the world expressing deep concern, condemnation, and calls for restraint.
Iran has condemned the attacks and vowed swift retaliation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a forceful warning, stating: “The Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands.”
He added, “That regime should anticipate a severe punishment… the powerful arm of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces won’t let them go unpunished. With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.”
Read More: Israel Attacks Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Missile Factories as Tehran Promises Fierce Revenge
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the United States had no involvement in the Israeli operation: “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran.”
Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.” He also warned: “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement urging de-escalation: “The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority… Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.
Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint,…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 13, 2025
İsrail’in İran’a Yönelik Saldırısı Hk. https://t.co/nbNUTNTqL4 pic.twitter.com/SbMx5Kt8HF
— T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (@TC_Disisleri) June 13, 2025
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “I condemn any military escalation in the Middle East,” as reported by his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Guterres called on both sides “to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”
Read More: Pakistan Strongly Condemns Israeli Aggression Against Iran
Oman, which has been the home to Iran-US nuclear talks, strongly condemned the strikes as “a dangerous, reckless escalation,” calling them “a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law.”
#بيان || تُعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة سلطنة عمان الشديدة للعدوان العسكري الغاشم الذي شنّته إسرائيل على أراضي الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، والذي استهدف منشآت سيادية وأوقع ضحايا. pic.twitter.com/aNH6mU2sSq
— وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) June 13, 2025
It added, “Such aggressive, persistent behavior is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security.” Oman also “holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences.”
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry issued a direct rebuke: “Indonesia strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Iran.” The statement warned that the offensive “risks exacerbating existing regional tensions and could potentially trigger a broader conflict.”
Indonesia strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Iran. This unlawful act undermines the very foundations of international law.#IndonesiaWay
— MoFA Indonesia (@Kemlu_RI) June 13, 2025
Saudi Arabia joined the chorus of condemnation, saying it “expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms.”
#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and… pic.twitter.com/OYuWXwiE5y
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 13, 2025
With tensions already surpassing the boiling point, the international community is scrambling to prevent the crisis from spiraling into full-scale war. Analysts warn that the coming hours and days will be critical in determining whether the Middle East is headed for further violence or a return—however fragile—to diplomacy.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
