Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, which prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later in the day, sparked strong condemnation from many leaders and calls for restraint.

The main reactions.

USA

“Our commitment to Israel’s security in the face of threats from Iran and its operatives in the region is unwavering,” US President Joe Biden said via X, posting a photo of an emergency meeting of his national security team at the White House. House.

US Defense Department officials said US forces deployed in the region shot down “dozens” of drones launched by Iran against Israel.

UN

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “strongly” condemned the “serious escalation” of Iran’s attack on Israel and called for “an immediate end to these hostilities.”

He added that he is “deeply concerned about the very real risk of catastrophic escalation on a regional scale,” noting that he “calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military conflicts on multiple fronts in the Middle East.” ».

Saudi Arabia

The Sunni kingdom’s foreign ministry called on “all parties to show maximum restraint and protect the region and its people from the dangers of war.”

Expressing Riyadh’s “concern” about the “escalation”, he called on the UN Security Council to “assume its responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security”.

Egypt

Cairo’s diplomacy called for “maximum restraint”, adding that “it is in direct contact with all parties” in order to “limit the situation”, warning against the “danger of the conflict spreading in the region”.

Britain

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned “in the strongest possible terms the Iranian regime’s reckless attack on Israel”, assuring that “the United Kingdom will continue to defend Israel’s security”.

“Along with our allies, we are working urgently to stabilize the situation to prevent escalation. No one wants to see new bloodshed,” Mr Sunak added, according to a statement from his services.

The British government also announced that it had deployed British warplanes to help deter an Iranian attack “if necessary.”

EU

The European Union “strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel”, its High Representative Giuseppe Borel said through X, seeing in this action “an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security”.

France

Paris condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, which raises Tehran’s “destabilizing actions” to a new level, was the reaction via X of French Foreign Minister Stéphane Cezournet.

Deciding to proceed with this “unprecedented action” the leadership of the Islamic Republic “assumes the risk of military escalation”, he noted, adding that France “reaffirms its commitment to Israel’s security and assures it of its solidarity”.

Germany

“The air strike launched tonight by Iran against Israeli territory is irresponsible and unjustified,” Chancellor Olaf Soltz said via X, adding that Tehran risks “igniting” the region. “We stand by Israel and will discuss further with our allies,” Mr. Soltz added.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack, which could plunge the entire region into chaos,” Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock said. Iran and its allies must “immediately” stop this attack, the head of Germany’s diplomacy added, expressing Berlin’s “full solidarity” with Israel.

Italy

Rome is monitoring the situation “with care and concern,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said through X. “I spoke with the president of the (ministerial) council (including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni) and the Minister of Defense (Guido Crocetto)” and the Italian government “is ready to face any scenario”, added the head of Italian diplomacy.

Canada

“Canada unequivocally condemns” the Iranian attacks, stressed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a press release released by his services, expressing his “solidarity” with Israel. The attack, he judged, demonstrates “once again Iran’s contempt for peace and stability in the region.”

Argentina

Argentine President Javier Millay expressed his “solidarity” and “commitment” to Israel.

Mexico

Mexican diplomacy expressed through X its “concern” about the attack, appealing to avoid “further escalation” that would have “unforeseen consequences” and cause “greater instability”

Chile

Chile’s foreign minister, Alberto van Klaveren, spoke through X of Santiago’s “concern” in the face of “the serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East and Iranian attacks against Israel.”