Russia, Oman condemn Israel's 'Rising Lion' strikes as reckless escalation, Putin offers mediation
World leaders reacted to Israel’s strikes on Iran, with allies urging restraint and rivals condemning the escalation.
Following the start of Operation Rising Lion, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes on Iran as “unprovoked” attacks on a sovereign UN member, cautioning they endanger regional and global security on Friday.
Russian President Putin told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that all issues on Iran's nuclear program must be resolved diplomatically, offering to mediate to prevent further escalation and pledging continued contact with both sides to avoid regional disaster.
Oman, mediating Iran-US talks, called the operation a “dangerous, reckless escalation” that violates international law, holding Israel responsible and urging the world to respond firmly.
The Israeli Air Force hit several notable sites in Iran, including places linked to its nuclear program and leaders, in which some senior Iranian commanders were killed. Netanyahu described the operation as a turning point, pledging that it would continue as long as necessary to defend Israel and neutralize the Iranian threat.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called the attack a crime and warned that Iran would strike back. Israel is now on high alert and ready for possible missile attacks or other responses.
Trump added that two months ago, he gave Iran "a 60-day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"
Trump told Reuters in a phone interview on Friday that he and his team knew everything about Israel's plan to attack Iran and that he had given Tehran fair warning it needed to make a deal on its nuclear program.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, warning that military actions threatening nuclear facilities could have severe consequences for Iran and the region.
Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes as blatant aggression, while Turkish President Erdogan criticized Israel, warning that the attacks risked wider regional and global instability.
UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson urged both sides to avoid escalating conflict, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the strikes unilateral, emphasizing the need for allies, including the US, to de-escalate tensions. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon condemned UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his silence during years of Iranian aggression and for calling on Israel to show restraint now, declaring Israel will no longer remain silent and will act to defend itself.
European, western leaders call for calm
European leaders echoed calls for calm: German Chancellor Merz urged avoiding actions that destabilize the region; French Foreign Minister Barrot expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear program but affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense; and UK Prime Minister Starmer stressed restraint and diplomacy, reiterating to Netanyahu the need for de-escalation for regional stability.British Foreign Minister David Lammy described Israel’s strikes as a “unilateral act” and urged calm after speaking with his Iranian counterpart. Czech Foreign Minister Lipavsky acknowledged Iran’s nuclear ambitions and supported military actions to prevent nuclear proliferation.
On the US side, Senator Jeanne Shaheen voiced deep concern that Israel’s strikes could provoke retaliation, endanger American personnel, and undermine diplomacy, supporting President Trump’s decision to distance the US but urging against reducing diplomatic resources and calling for swift de-escalation.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority stated that Israel’s preemptive strike ensures Iran’s next attack will not involve a nuclear weapon. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson declared Israel’s right to defend itself, while Representative Randy Weber praised the strike with religious imagery, calling it the rise of a “Lion out of the tribe of Judah” and thanked God for the action.