World calls for peace as US strikes Iran

International

THE United States directly attacked Iran, hitting three of its nuclear and military sites over the weekend.

President Donald Trump announced these "very successful" strikes, claiming Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities were "obliterated" and warned of harsher future attacks if Iran didn't seek "peace."

This significant US action followed over a week of escalating tensions and Israeli strikes on Iran, with reports by Human Rights Activists indicating at least 950 people had been killed in Iran as of June 23.

Following the US attack, the United Nations, led by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, quickly expressed "grave alarm," emphasizing that "there is no military solution" and urging diplomacy as "the only path forward" to prevent a catastrophic regional conflict.

In a report by Associated Press, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, echoed this call, pushing all sides to return to negotiations and ensure Iran never develops nuclear weapons.

European Council President Antonio Costa also voiced deep concern, pleading for restraint and respect for international law to protect civilians.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, made a strong appeal for peace, calling for international diplomacy to "silence the weapons" and prevent the "tragedy of war."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned of wider escalation, stressing the need for a diplomatic solution and regional stability while supporting the US action to curb Iran's nuclear threat.

Russia's Dmitry Medvedev claimed the US attack caused minimal damage and wouldn't stop Iran's nuclear goals, adding that several countries were ready to supply Iran with nuclear weapons, while Russia's Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned" the airstrikes as a "gross violation of international law."

The Iraqi government condemned the strikes, viewing them as a "grave threat" to regional peace and stability.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi warned of "grave repercussions" and urged a return to negotiations.

Saudi Arabia, though not condemning the strikes, expressed "deep concern" and called for restraint.

Qatar, a key mediator, "regrets" the escalating tensions and urged all parties to show restraint.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated the US bombing could lead to a regional conflict that his country, having suffered greatly from past wars, could not bear.

Pakistan criticized the US strikes as "deeply disturbing" and a violation of international law, asserting Iran's right to self-defense.

China also condemned the strikes as a serious violation of international law, urging all parties, especially Israel, to implement a ceasefire and begin dialogue.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani hoped the action would lead to de-escalation and negotiations, despite recognizing Iran's nuclear facilities as a regional danger.

The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the attacks "a further escalation."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stressed the need to calm the situation and prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development, though he remained neutral on the US attacks.(Angela Sarabosing, CNU Communication Intern)