Global Leaders Call for De-Escalation in Middle East

AP

A satellite image shows vehicles at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran.

Global leaders have responded to the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with calls for de-escalation, while Iran and several other nations have condemned the attacks.

The U.S. President Donald Trump announced late on Saturday that United States forces had struck Iran’s three principal nuclear sites, warning Tehran that it would face further devastating attacks if it did not agree to peace. The strikes occurred amid more than a week of aerial combat between Israel and Iran, resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel launched these attacks on Iran with the stated aim of eliminating any possibility of Tehran developing nuclear weapons. Conversely, Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes156.

Saudi Foreign Ministry:

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with deep concern the developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America. The Kingdom reaffirms the contents of its statement issued on June 13, 2025, in which it condemned and denounced the violation of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation. The Kingdom also calls on the international community to intensify its efforts during this highly sensitive period to reach a political solution that would bring an end to the crisis and open a new chapter for achieving security and stability in the region."

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres:

"I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer:

"Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the U.S. has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba:

"It is crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict. We are closely monitoring the situation there with grave concern."

New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters:

“We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump’s announcement of U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action."

Australia Government Spokesperson:

"We have been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US President’s statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy."

Mexico Foreign Ministry:

"The ministry urgently calls for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country's pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority."

Venezuela Foreign Minister Yván Gil:

"Venezuela Condemns U.S. Military Aggression Against Iran and Demands an Immediate Cessation of Hostilities. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly and categorically condemns the bombing carried out by the United States military, at the request of the State of Israel, against nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan complexes."

Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel:

"We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences."

European Union’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas:

The European Union’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas urged “all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” while stressing Iran must not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon. EU foreign ministers will discuss developments in Iran on Monday, she said.

Qatari Foreign Ministry:

"The State of Qatar regrets the deterioration of the situation following the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities and is following with great concern the developments following the recent attacks on the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that the dangerous tension currently witnessed in the region will lead to catastrophic repercussions at the regional and international levels."

Italy Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani:

"Now we hope that, after this attack, which caused massive damage to nuclear weapons production and posed a threat to the entire region, a de-escalation can begin and Iran can sit down at the negotiating table."

Oman

Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, on Sunday strongly condemned U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.

The Gulf sultanate “expresses deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States on sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the official Oman News Agency said.



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