International condemnation has surged following coordinated U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran on Saturday, with retaliatory attacks targeting Middle Eastern military bases and Israeli assets. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session as Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a 'potential wider conflict' and stressed adherence to international law.
The League of Arab States urged swift international intervention to prevent destabilization, while African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat highlighted risks to global energy markets and food security. UNICEF condemned reported school strikes in Iran, emphasizing violations of humanitarian law.
Leaders from Egypt, South Africa, and Brazil echoed calls for restraint, with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel labeling the strikes a violation of sovereignty that undermines nuclear diplomacy. Over 15 nations including Türkiye and Mexico have joined demands for renewed dialogue, as regional tensions threaten to disrupt fragile economic recoveries across Asia and Africa.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the universal right to peace, stating: 'All people deserve freedom from violence.' Meanwhile, Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro emphasized UN Charter principles as the foundation for stability.
Analysts warn the escalation could impact Asian energy imports and supply chains, with 35% of the continent’s oil shipments transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. The developments come amid heightened scrutiny of security arrangements in Gulf Cooperation Council states.
