Global leaders have expressed deep concern over the rising tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s coordinated airstrikes on Iran, which led to the killing of top Iranian military figures and prompted a swift retaliation from Tehran.
The early Friday strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Gen. Hossein Salami. Israel said the operation, codenamed Operation Rising Lion, targeted nuclear and ballistic missile facilities, as well as key figures behind Iran’s weapons development.
Iran swiftly responded by launching what it called a “crushing response,” firing hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israeli territory. According to CNN, the Israeli military confirmed that “all of Israel is under fire,” with at least seven people injured.
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, declared that the missile strikes marked “the beginning” of a decisive military retaliation for what it described as a “savage” Israeli attack.
The exchange of hostilities has triggered regional panic, with widespread airspace closures reported across Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. International airlines have cancelled or diverted flights due to security risks.
In a precautionary move, Israel has temporarily shut down its embassies around the world. The foreign ministry also advised its citizens abroad to avoid public identification and keep a low profile, citing possible security threats.
Reacting to the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes as “a necessary step to protect Israel’s security,” insisting that the air raids were aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
The development has drawn strong reactions from world leaders and international organisations, all warning against a full-scale regional war.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, appealed for restraint, saying the region is on the brink of “a deeper conflict.” Similarly, US President Donald Trump confirmed he was briefed ahead of the Israeli operation, stating that while the US supports Israel, it remains committed to peaceful negotiations with Iran.
“Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon. But we also want peace,” Trump said.
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called for urgent de-escalation, warning that “escalation serves no one.”
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the Israeli airstrikes as “unacceptable,” while the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv advised its citizens to leave Israel immediately.
China also warned of “severe consequences” if the violence continues, calling for both sides to step back from the brink.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged “maximum restraint,” stressing that while Israel has the right to self-defence, it must not come at the cost of regional peace.
Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was more critical, accusing Israel of violating international law. “The world must stop this lawlessness that threatens global peace,” he said.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Hezbollah militant group also condemned the strikes. Hezbollah described the attacks as “brutal aggression,” and vowed solidarity with Tehran.
The renewed crisis comes in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked a chain of confrontations involving Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
With tensions at breaking point, the international community is racing against time to prevent a broader conflict that could engulf the entire Middle East.
