‘Concerning’: World leaders urge restraint as Israel pummels Iran

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for “restraint” on Friday morning after Israel struck Iran overnight killing top regime officials and key nuclear scientists.

Israel’s operation, involving more than 200 fighter jets, struck multiple targets, including Iran’s nuclear facilities and high-ranking military leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as the beginning of a multi-day offensive.

In retaliation, Iran launched a swarm of more than 100 drones toward Israel, according to an Israeli military spokesperson.

The dramatic escalation raises fears that the Middle East could be on the brink of a devastating new regional conflict.

“The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently,” Starmer said Friday, urging parties to show “restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”

British planes are not currently involved in helping to defend Israel from any Iranian counterattacks, according to U.K. defence officials. This stands in contrast with previous British action, when RAF jets were prepared to engage with Iranian targets.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday condemned Israel and warned that “the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself.”

According to Iranian media reports, senior lawmaker Aladdin Boroujerdi later announced that the sixth round of talks with the United States would not proceed in the wake of Israel’s strikes.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News on Friday morning he was aware in advance of Israel’s plans to conduct strikes on Iran.

He also said that “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump added.

Trump added that Washington is watching for any signs of retaliation by Tehran, and it is ready to defend itself and Israel in such a scenario.

The U.K., however, was not given a prior heads-up by Israel, said one U.K. official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject.

Both U.K. and U.S. officials were careful to note that neither London nor Washington had played a role in Israel’s airstrikes.

“Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, warning Iran not to “target U.S. interests or personnel.”

A spokesperson for António Guterres said the United Nations secretary-general is concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear sites in Iran while talks are ongoing between Tehran and the U.S on the status of its nuclear program. He called on both sides “to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in a statement, “France is following with great attention the evolution of the situation in the Middle East,” adding that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid escalation, which could compromise regional stability.

“We reaffirm the right of Israel to defend itself against any attack. It is essential that all diplomatic channels are mobilized to dial down tensions. France is fully engaged to contribute to this,” he added.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: “We know that the situation is very complicated, but there is no other solution than a diplomatic one. We hope that the fighting can cease as soon as possible, actions and reactions are dangerous, the situation in the area risks exploding.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on X that the attacks in the Middle East were “alarming” and called on all parties to “remain calm and to refrain from further attacks and retaliation. In the interest of stability in the region, immediate de-escalation is necessary.” 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Netanyahu had informed him of Israel’s attacks on Iran during a phone call on Friday morning.

In a statement, Merz said the German government had repeatedly expressed its concerns about Iran’s nuclear weapons program over the years. He added that Israel has the right to defend itself, but “At the same time, we urge both sides to refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation and destabilize the region.”

Clea Caulcutt contributed to this report.

This story has been updated.