North Korea condemned the US strikes, calling it a violation of the United Nations charter and blaming the tension in the Middle East on the “reckless valor of Israel”.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US, which severely violated the UN Charter with respect for sovereignty,” said a spokesperson of the North’s foreign ministry, according to a statement carried by the state news agency.

China’s foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns” the US strikes, warning that they “escalate tensions in the Middle East”. China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible,” the ministry said.

French President Emmanuel Macron called a meeting of the country’s defence council, with his office saying he had spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

France is urging “all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict”, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis”. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,” Starmer said on X, adding that “stability in the region is a priority”.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the strikes were justified to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, praising them as a “clear signal”. Ukraine is convinced that Iran’s nuclear programme must be stopped so that it never again poses a threat to the countries of the Middle East or any other state,” it said.

Russia “strongly condemned” the bombings, calling them “irresponsible” and a “gross violation of international law”. “A dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security,” the Russian foreign ministry added.

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas 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 that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers would discuss the situation on Monday.