1 / 11After decades of hostility between arch enemies Iran and Israel, the country led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Iran early on Friday (June 13) catching the country’s army off guard. As Iran retaliated with over a 100 drones and Israel continuing to go on the offensive, let’s take a look at what global powers have to say about the escalating tensions in West Asia and the Middle East. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 11MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal | India said it was “deeply concerned” at the escalating tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv and urged both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. In a statement, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation.”
3 / 11Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Following the strikes, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel has “prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate”. On X, he wrote, “Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands. It has revealed its malicious nature even more than before by targeting residential areas.”
4 / 11US Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Describing the attack as “unilateral” action, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “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 self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
5 / 11US President Donald Trump | Trump warned Iran to strike a deal with Israel before more brutal, planned attacks are launched. “The US makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it,” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
6 / 11A secretary-general Antonio Guterres | Guterres condemned “any military escalation in the Middle East.” “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway. The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” he said in the statement.
7 / 11Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong | Foreign minister Penny Wong said Australia was “alarmed by the escalation in tensions between both the nations, Reuters reported. “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions,” Wong said.
8 / 11New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon | Luxon called it an “unwelcome development in the Middle East. The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that.”
9 / 11Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi | On Friday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government would “make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the further deterioration of the situation while implementing every possible measure to ensure the protection of Japanese citizens.”
10 / 11Oman | Oman, which is mediating nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, has blamed Israel for the escalation in the Middle East following its strikes. “Oman considers this act a dangerous, reckless escalation, representing a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law. Such aggressive, persistent behaviour is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security,” its foreign ministry said in a statement.
11 / 11Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli attacks, calling the strikes “blatant” and “a clear violation of international laws and norms”. “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 norms,” read a statement.
