Global Response to US-Israeli Strikes on Iran: From Russia to Saudi Arabia to China and Indonesia

Countries across the Middle East and worldwide have voiced concerns about potential regional conflict following Saturday’s strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. The strikes have triggered explosions in Arab countries hosting US military bases.

Russia called on its citizens to leave Iran following the US and Israeli strikes. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now head of Russia’s Security Council, described negotiations with the US as merely “a façade.”

“The peacekeepers are at it again,” Medvedev said in a post on X, according to AFP. “Negotiations with Iran are just a façade. Everyone knows it. So who is more patient waiting for the sad end of the enemy now?” he added.

Qatar, which hosts a US military base, initially stated that the country remained safe after the strikes. However, officials later told AFP that Qatar’s defence systems had intercepted Iranian missiles, with the Defence Ministry stating it had repelled “a number of attacks.”

The European Union warned that the regional situation was “dangerous” and called for civilian protection in any potential conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged all parties to exercise restraint, emphasising the importance of ensuring nuclear safety after the US indicated Iranian nuclear sites were targets. EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas announced the withdrawal of non-essential personnel from the region.

The British government expressed concern that the air strikes could trigger wider regional conflict. It urged its citizens in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE to seek shelter, stating that Britain did not want to see further escalation into a broader regional conflict and that protecting its citizens in the region was the “top priority.”

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah and a leading critic of Tehran, commented that “we are very close to a final victory” following the air strikes. “I want to be with you as soon as possible so that together we can reclaim and rebuild Iran,” Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the Washington area, said in a message to the Iranian people.

Jordan’s military stated that its air force had worked on Saturday to protect the kingdom and its people. A military official later said that two ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom “were successfully intercepted by Jordan’s air defence systems.”

Ukraine argued that “Iran’s government violence against its own people and other nations” triggered the US and Israeli strikes on Tehran. Ukraine itself continues to fight Russia.

“The reason for the current events is the violence and arbitrary actions of the Iranian regime, particularly the killing and suppression of peaceful demonstrators, which has become severe in recent months,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia issued strong statements following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s phone call with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Crown Prince called for an end to escalation and a return to dialogue after Iranian missiles targeted countries across the Gulf.

“Both sides emphasised the need for an immediate cessation of any escalatory actions and a return to the negotiating table to maintain regional security and prevent a shift towards broader confrontation,” their joint statement read.

France stated that protecting its citizens was Paris’s priority. Like the US, France maintains military bases across the Middle East, particularly in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

“Clearly our priority in such cases is the protection of our citizens, the protection of our forces in the region, and real-time monitoring of the situation, which we are doing,” said Alice Rufo, Deputy Minister of Defence, to France 2 television.

The African Union called for restraint, de-escalation, and continued dialogue, warning that the conflict posed risks to communities across the continent.

“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,” said the head of the pan-African body, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for the US strikes targeting Iran, stating that Tehran had failed to dismantle its nuclear programme and cease support for militant groups.

“Canada supports the United States action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,” Carney said in a statement issued from Mumbai, where he was on an official visit.

“Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has not fully dismantled its nuclear programme, ceased all enrichment activities, or ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups,” the statement added.

China had not yet issued a response, but since Friday had instructed its citizens to evacuate Iran as soon as possible.