China & Russia condemn action on Iran attack

The strikes drew mixed international reactions, highlighting a deepening global divide over how to manage the growing crisis. According to The Guardian, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the US strikes, describing Iran's nuclear program as "a grave threat to international security." Starmer said Washington’s actions were aimed at averting that threat and called on Tehran to return to diplomatic negotiations.

This position was shared by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who urged Iran to "show restraint" and reengage in negotiations. According to Al Jazeera, The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. 

“I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table, and prevent further escalation,” Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday. 

 Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also stressed “We are closely monitoring the situation there with grave concern,” he said. In contrast, China and Russia strongly condemned the US attacks. Xinhua claims that the bombings were criticized by China's foreign ministry as a "violation of the UN Charter and international law," claiming that the actions had exacerbated regional instability.

The ministry called for an immediate ceasefire, particularly urging Israel to participate in de-escalation efforts and resume dialogue. Russia issued a similar rebuke, labeling the US decision “irresponsible” and “a flagrant violation of international law.

According to The Moscow Times, Moscow urged renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and called for the cessation of hostilities. Iran, for its part, warned that the strikes would have lasting consequences, further fueling concerns of a broader conflict in an already volatile region.