Immediately after Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme last week, most countries slammed Israel for the unprecedented attack
As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its sixth day, world leaders have had enough time to cement their stance on the devastating conflict that could see the entire Middle East descending into a war.
As Israeli warplanes bombard targets across the Islamic Republic, Tehran has managed to successfully penetrate Israel’s Iron Dome defence system and has destroyed parts of major population hubs in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The general consensus from allies and foes is one of restraint, however most countries have indicated where their support lies. Much of the Arab world, including Iran’s proxy forces and Turkey, stand resolutely behind Tehran and have blasted Israel’s surprise attack. Meanwhile, the US and most of Europe have echoed Israel’s own assertion that it has a right to defend itself.
It has also exposed glaring hypocrisy from some countries who claim loyalty to traditional allies, but are clearly acting to protect their own self-interest.
Britain
Just hours after Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, Sir Keir Starmer urged “restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy”. He said that stability in the region “must be the priority” and that he was urging both countries to de-escalate.
Reports say that in a later phone call, Starmer told Benjamin Netanyahu that Downing Street has “grave concerns” over Iran’s nuclear programme, and that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Turkey
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who severed diplomatic ties with Israel after the break out of the war with Gaza – came out strongly in its condemnation of Israel’s actions.
He warned a “devastating war” between Israel and Iran could spark another major refugee crisis.
Yemen
Yemen’s Houthi Rebels – which is funded and backed by Tehran – is the first and only group or nation that has agreed to openly strike Israel.
This includes all of Iran’s other powerful militias, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, who were recently fighting Israel following the outbreak of war in Gaza.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the group told Newsweek: “We have been at war for some time with the Zionist enemy entity.”
Gaza and Lebanon
Both Hamas and Hezbollah issued scathing condemnations of the Israeli attack, but neither vowed any military response.
Had this war broken out at another point in time, their response would likely have been different. But their own military operations against Israel have significantly impacted their ability to support Iran.
Thousands of Hezbollah members were killed or injured last year in a spectacular Mossad operation that saw their communications devices explode in their hands.
With senior leadership eliminated, including their longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, the Lebanese militants were forced to sign a peace deal with Israel.
Iraq
In the event of an all-out war, Iran could call on its allied Shia Islamist militias in Iraq, including the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) and Ka’taib Hezbollah, to take up arms against Israel’s aggression.
However, the government itself is said to have warned the militias from getting involved in the conflict.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, saying: “The recent aggression against Iran poses a direct threat to the security and stability of Iraq and the region.”
Baghdad has also filed a UN Security Council complaint, claiming that Israel violated its airspace to conduct its aerial bombardment.
Russia
Russia – who recently signed a deal with Iran on deepening military ties – was quick to issue a statement after the war began.
It read: “We strongly condemn the military actions undertaken by the State of Israel.” But Western nations were not spared, with the Kremlin accusing countries of creating “anti-Iran hysteria”.
However, rather than offering its full support, it called on both countries to reduce tensions, adding that Washington was ready to continue talks in Oman.
This signalled that Tehran should back down and sit down with the US, suggesting the Kremlin will not be offering any military support to the Islamic Republic.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia backed Tehran in calling Israel’s attacks “a clear violation of international laws and norms” before condeming the attack as “heinous”. The country’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman expressed his “condolences and sympathy” in a call with the Iranian president, but the kind words won’t extend to military support after he said Riyadh “rejects the us of force to resolve disputes”.
Jordan
In addition to Iraq, Israel’s neighbour Jordan has accused Iran of invading its airspace and says it was forced to intercept drones and missiles headed for Israel after Tehran’s retaliation. But it also strongly condemned Israel’s attack and warned the same would happen to Israeli air assets should they breach its airspace.
“The Kingdom didn’t and will not allow any violation of its airspace, and it will not be a battlefield for any conflict,” government spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani said.
“The safety of the homeland is a red line… The Kingdom will not allow any attempt to threaten its security and the safety of its citizens.”
Egypt
Egypt – which signed a historic peace treaty with neighbouring following their own war in 1979 – was a co-signatory on a 21-country statement that called for an end to “Israeli hostilities against Iran”.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates has condemned “in the strongest terms Israel’s military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
Pakistan
A senior Iranian lawmaker claimed that Pakistan – a nuclear-armed nation – had warned it would deploy thermonuclear weapons against Israel if Israel did so against the people of tehran.
However, Pakistani officials later dismissed the claims as untrue.
Taking to Twitter, Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif said: “Our nuclear capability is for the benefit of our people and defence of our country against the hostile designs of our enemies.
“We do not pursue hegemonic policies against our neighbours which are being amply demonstrated by Israel these days.”
China
Beijing condemned Israel’s attacks as they happened, but soon turned to urging both countries to de-escalate like other countries.
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate or even spill over, the other countries in the Middle East will inevitably bear the brunt,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Monday.
“China will continue to maintain communication with relevant parties and promote talks for peace, so as to prevent more turmoil in the region.”
United States
Before the attacks, President Donald Trump had cautioned Israel against taking action against Tehran while he continued to plug away at diplomatic efforts. Talks on the nuclear programmed were planned for last Saturday, the day after Israel’s unprecedented attack.
However, after the attack Trump has issued a series of erratic rants, claiming that the US could assassinate the country’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, or even involve the US in the conflict.
France
France’s President Emmanuel Macron blamed Tehran for “destabilisation of the whole region”.
He even said that France could take part in “protection and defence operations” should Iran retaliate.
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.”
India
India – which is in a delicate situation as a leading buyer of Israeli military goods and a key economic partner of Iran – refused to join fellow members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in condemning the Israeli attacks.