Global Reaction to the Escalating US-Israel-Iran War

Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, with Iran striking multiple targets in israel and the Middle East, prompting reactions from global and regional leaders as the confrontation widened across the Middle East.

Responses ranged from legal objections and diplomatic appeals to warnings about sovereignty violations and regional escalation.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president, dismissed Washington’s diplomatic posture.

“The peacemaker once again showed his face,” he said, arguing that negotiations with Iran had been “a cover operation.” He added that “no one really wanted to negotiate anything.”

Medvedev framed the confrontation in historical terms, noting that the United States is “only 249 years old” while the Persian Empire dates back “more than 2,500 years,” concluding, “Let’s see in 100 years.”

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described developments as “perilous” and called for civilian protection and adherence to international law. She said she had spoken with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and other regional ministers and was coordinating with Arab partners to pursue a diplomatic path.

The EU also began coordinating consular departures for European citizens, withdrawing non-essential personnel from the region.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Israel’s justification of a preventive strike was “not in line with international law,” adding that preventive attacks require “an immediately imminent threat.”

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said, “I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity,” signaling Beirut’s effort to avoid entanglement.

The United Arab Emirates condemned Iranian missile retaliation as a “dangerous escalation” and said it reserves the right to respond.

Bahrain confirmed that Iranian attacks targeted sites and facilities in what it called a “blatant violation” of sovereignty and described them as “treacherous attacks” posing a direct threat to national security and residents’ safety, according to Qatar’s news agency.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry attributed the current developments to “the actions of its regime,” placing responsibility on Tehran.

The range of responses illustrates divergent legal interpretations and strategic alignments, with European officials emphasizing international law, Gulf states focusing on sovereignty and security, Russia challenging U.S. motives, and Ukraine assigning blame to Iranian leadership.