'Dangerous and Reckless Escalation': Middle Eastern Leaders Condemn Israeli Strike on Iran
Israel's strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities late on Thursday night drew ire and condemnation from countries in the Middle East on Friday.
U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators.
Oman strongly condemned Israel's operation on Friday, warning it would derail diplomatic efforts. In a statement on X, the Oman News Agency said the government views the attack as "a dangerous and reckless escalation," deeming it a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law.
It added Oman holds Israel fully responsible for the escalation and its consequences, and calls on the international community to take a clear and firm stance to stop this "dangerous approach."
Pakistanis watch a news channel telecasting report about the Israeli attacks on Iran, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Friday.Credit: Muhammad Sajjad/AP
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also strongly condemned the strikes, warning that the escalation poses a threat to regional security and stability. In an official statement on the Qatari state-run Agency, Qatar denounced the Israeli attack as a "flagrant violation" of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.
Doha described Israel's offensive as one instance of a recurring pattern of aggressive policies that undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach diplomatic solutions.
Qatar called on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibility to urgently halt these violations.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli military action, emphasizing the importance of exercising "maximum restraint and prudence" to avoid widening the conflict. It reaffirmed its belief that promoting dialogue, respecting international law and upholding state sovereignty are the best foundations for resolving current crises.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Tehran and other Iranian cities early Friday, calling the attack "illegal and unjustified."
They described the strikes as part of a "new episode in the chain of Zionist arrogance," allegedly backed by direct U.S. involvement.
The militia accused Washington and its allies of systematically escalating tensions against the Islamic Republic through both diplomatic pressure and military action.
"This brutal aggression follows a campaign of unjust sanctions and hostile policies, under the guise of international institutions like the IAEA," the statement said.
The Houthis framed the assault as an attempt to punish Iran for its steadfast support of the Palestinian people and resistance movements in the region. They expressed confidence that Tehran would not waver in its backing for the Palestinian cause, despite pressure or sacrifice.
"We are certain that Iran will remain a pillar of support for the oppressed and continue to confront what is considered the crime of the century," the statement read.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry reprimanded Israel's strikes "in the strongest terms," saying the attack showed Israel "does not want issues to be resolved through diplomatic means" and urged it to halt "aggressive actions that could lead to greater conflicts."
Saudi Arabia condemned Israel's "heinous attacks," saying the UN's Security Council bears "a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression."
Hundreds of Israeli fighter jets struck over 100 targets across Iran overnight into Friday, including nuclear sites and known locations of top Iranian officials, to cripple Tehran's nuclear program and its ability to fire ballistic missiles.
The IDF said it killed Iranian Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami - two of Iran's highest-ranking military officers.