The international community responded to the overnight US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities with calls for a return to the negotiating table and a reaffirmation of its position that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons.
At the same time, in the US, Democrats are demanding an explanation from President Trump regarding the military operation.
ICTV Facts has compiled the world's reaction to the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 22.
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US strikes on Iran: EU and UK react
EU High Representative for External Relations Kaja Kallas reiterated the EU's firm position on the inadmissibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons, calling on all parties to de-escalate.
“Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, this could pose a threat to international security. I call on all parties to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” Kallas said on the X social network.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed the US actions, calling Iran's nuclear programme a serious threat to international security.
“Iran's nuclear programme is a serious threat to international security. Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and the US must take steps to reduce this threat,” Starmer wrote.
The British leader stressed the instability of the situation in the Middle East and called on Iran to return to the negotiating table for a diplomatic settlement of the crisis.
The German government has called on Iran to immediately begin negotiations with the United States and Israel.
Government spokesman Stefan Cornelius said the government's security cabinet had discussed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz repeated his call for Iran to immediately begin negotiations with the US and Israel and reach a diplomatic settlement to the conflict,” Cornelius said.
Berlin suggests the airstrikes have caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear programme.
Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker reiterated his position that the Iranian regime should not acquire nuclear weapons, while calling on all parties to return to the negotiating table.
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger called the bombings a dramatic step, stressing the need to comply with international law.
“Austria continues to advocate diplomacy rather than escalation. That is why I will continue to resolutely advocate political solutions rather than an escalation of the spiral of violence,” the minister said.
Ukraine's reaction to US strikes on Iran
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has approved the military actions of the United States and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them necessary to stop threats from Tehran.
“Ukraine is convinced that the Iranian nuclear program must be stopped so that it never again poses a threat to the countries of the Middle East or any other states,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The agency recalled that Iran supports Russian aggression against Ukraine by supplying Moscow with UAVs and technology.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the strikes sent a clear signal to the Iranian regime about the inadmissibility of continuing the policy of destabilization.
The Foreign Ministry also called on Tehran to stop helping Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Middle East Reaction to US Strikes on Iran
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has warned of grave consequences from the widening conflict in the Middle East and called for a resumption of negotiations.
Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the US airstrikes but stopped short of condemning them.
“The Kingdom stresses the need to make every possible effort to exercise restraint, reduce tensions and prevent further escalation,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, said it regretted the escalation of tensions.
Doha called on all parties to show restraint and avoid escalation, which the people of the region cannot tolerate.
Hamas and Houthi rebels in Yemen condemned the US strikes. The Houthi political bureau called on Muslim countries to join the jihad and resistance to unite against Zionist-American arrogance.
Hamas and the Houthis are part of the so-called Axis of Resistance against Iran, a coalition of pro-Iranian forces from Yemen to Lebanon that has given the Islamic Republic significant influence in the region for years.
Reaction to China and Japan in response to US donations to Iran
China has condemned the US strikes on Iran as a serious violation of international law, which has only heightened tensions in the Middle East.
China's Foreign Ministry called on all parties, especially Israel, to cease fire and begin dialogue.
“China is willing to work with the international community, join forces and uphold justice, and contribute to restoring peace and stability in the Middle East,” the ministry said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it was vital to calm the situation as soon as possible, adding that it was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Asked whether he supported a U.S. attack on Iran, Ishiba declined to comment.
UN Reaction to US Strikes on Iran
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” by the US use of force.
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could quickly spiral out of control, with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world,” he said on social media X.
Vatican Reacts to US Strikes on Iran
Pope Leo XIV made a strong appeal for peace during Sunday prayers in St Peter's Square, calling on international diplomacy to silence the guns.
Openly referring to the alarming situation in Iran, the pontiff stressed that today, more than ever, humanity calls for peace.
The Pope called on all members of the international community to assume moral responsibility to end the tragedy of war before it becomes an abyss from which there is no escape.
US reaction to attacks on Iran
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding clear answers from President Trump regarding the military operation and its implications for the security of Americans, CNN reports.
“No president should be allowed to unilaterally lead the country into something as serious as a war with chaotic threats and no strategy,” Schumer said.
He called for the War Powers Act to be enacted and brought before the Senate for consideration.
Recall that on the morning of June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities using a 13-ton GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster bomb. This was the first known case of operational use of this bomb.
A U.S. official said the bombers flew nonstop for about 37 hours from their base in Missouri, refueling several times in mid-air.
