Fury, Fear, and Praise: World Reacts to Trump's Iran Strikes 

World leaders have responded to President Donald Trump's decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites (Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan) last night, with a mix of praise, condemnation, and calls for de-escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the action as a historic move, thanking Trump and stating that the U.S. had done what no other nation could, aligning with his earlier emphasis on peace through strength.

In contrast, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a dangerous escalation, urging diplomacy to avoid a spiral of chaos with catastrophic consequences. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as outrageous and a violation of international law, reserving all options for retaliation under the UN Charter's self-defense provisions.

Oman, a mediator in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, has condemned the strike on Fordo as an illegal attack and called for immediate action to reduce escalation in the region. Saudi Arabia has expressed great concern over the situation with its neighbor and sister nation Iran following the American strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, having announced on June 13 via proclamation its condemnation of the violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a call for restraint.

Hamas has strongly condemned the U.S. aggression, labeling it a dangerous escalation. European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed concern over the volatility in the Middle East, prioritizing stability and encouraging Tehran to resume negotiations, with France and Germany also pushing for de-escalation.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for calming the situation while acknowledging the need to block Iran’s nuclear development, stopping short of endorsing the U.S. action. Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry strongly condemned the strikes, with Cuba labeling them a dangerous escalation and Mexico urging immediate diplomatic dialogue to restore peaceful coexistence. Lebanon’s presidency, wary of Hezbollah’s involvement, voiced fears of regional instability and called for restraint.

Some Latin American leaders, including those from Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela, joined in condemning the attack and advocating for peace, reflecting a broader sentiment against military escalation. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin offered to mediate, proposing a peaceful atomic program for Iran while avoiding direct comment on the strikes’ implications.

The responses highlight a divided global stage, with allies like Israel supporting Trump’s move, while others, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Hamas, the UN, and several nations, see it as a risky step that could deepen conflict, though the full scope of retaliation and its impact remains uncertain.