World leaders responded slowly on Saturday as the US and Israel carried out a joint strike on Iran – and Iran’s response – with only a handful of countries reacting to the dramatic events.
Hours after the attack began, following multiple missile barrages from Iran fired toward Israel and other locations in the Middle East, a British government spokesman released the following statement:
“Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7,” the statement said.
“As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests,” it continued, adding, “We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.”
Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, wrote a lengthy post on X/Twitter stating that “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilizing force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation.”
He added: “Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society, and challenge our sovereignty.”
But as of the time of publication, the X accounts of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had not been updated for hours.
Attack’s critics less silent
Those critical of the unfolding military action were quick to call out the US and Israel, with X posts from former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, who was detained by Israeli forces in June 2025 after trying to enter Israel on the Madleen Freedom Flotilla.
“The peacekeeper is at it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that. So, who has more patience to wait for the enemy’s sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago. Let’s see what happens in 100 years or so…,” Medvedev, who is currently Deputy Chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, wrote in a post on X.
Hassan wrote: “Iran has the right to defend itself and Israel the right to shut up.”
But other political leaders worldwide showed support for the military actions, with US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, writing on X: “The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us. God bless President Trump, our military, and our allies in Israel. Freedom for the long-suffering Iranian people. This operation is necessary and long justified,” he added.
Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński MEP posted simply: “Make Iran Great Again!”