Global Reactions
WASHINGTON — The global reactions to reported retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran have been mixed, with Israel’s leadership remaining silent and Iran stating they have no immediate plans for retaliation. The USA has not officially responded, but the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has issued travel restrictions for government employees.
China has expressed a desire to ease tensions and oppose further escalation. Meanwhile, the European Commission President, along with officials from France, the UK, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt, are calling for de-escalation and restraint in the region. Egypt, Oman, a United Nations official, and Japan have also expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and are urging for diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict in the Middle East.
Hours after Israel reportedly launched retaliatory strikes against Iran on Friday (April 19), leaders and countries around the world responded one after another.
Key Concepts
- Israel and Iran engaged in retaliatory strikes, with Israel remaining silent and Iran stating no immediate plans for retaliation.
- The USA has not responded officially, but the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has issued travel restrictions for government employees.
- China aims to ease tensions in the Middle East and opposes further escalation.
- The European Commission President and other officials call for de-escalation and restraint in the region.
- Various countries, including Egypt, Oman, and Japan, express deep concern over the escalating tensions and call for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Israel
Israel’s leadership and military have remained silent on the reported attacks, but Israel’s far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a one-word post on social media that read, “Weak.” (Feeble).
Iran
Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying that Iran has no immediate plans to retaliate against Israel. The unnamed official said: “Whether the source of this incident came from a foreign country has not yet been confirmed. We have not been attacked by external parties.”
USA
The White House has not yet responded. The Pentagon said earlier it had little information to provide. But the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is restricting travel by U.S. government employees outside of Jerusalem, greater Tel Aviv, and Beersheba “out of an abundance of caution.”
In a statement on its website, the embassy warned U.S. citizens to “continue to exercise caution and increase personal security awareness, as security incidents often occur without warning.
China
China said on Friday it would “continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions in the Middle East” after U.S. media in China quoted relevant officials as saying that Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against Iran. “China opposes any behavior that will further escalate tensions and will continue to play a constructive role in easing the situation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
Europe
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Iran, Israel, and their allies not to escalate the situation in the Middle East.
“It is absolutely necessary that the region remains stable and that all parties refrain from taking further action,” von der Leyen said alongside Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Lappeenranta, Finland, about 25 kilometers from the Russian border. ”
France
French Deputy Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot “All I can say is that France’s position is to call on all parties to de-escalate the situation and exercise restraint.”
U.K.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: A significant escalation of the situation in the Middle East is not in anyone’s interest. He also said it was inappropriate for him to speculate on reports of Israeli attacks on Iran.
Russia
The Kremlin said it was studying information about Israeli attacks on Iran and urged both sides to exercise restraint.
Turkiye
Turkish Foreign Ministry: The international community’s top priority should be to stop the “massacre” in Gaza and ensure lasting peace in the region through the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Egypt
Egypt issued a statement saying that it is deeply concerned about the mutual escalation between Israel and Iran. Egypt also warned of the consequences of expanding conflict and instability in the region.
Oman
Oman has long played a mediating role in the Middle East. On Friday, Oman’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning Israeli attacks on Iranian territory and “repeated Israeli military attacks in the region.”
United Nations official
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights: “Israel’s latest attack on Iran once again violates international law and the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force, and threatens human rights.”
Japan
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi: Japan is deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and strongly condemns any actions that lead to the escalation of the situation. Japan will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. “