‘Deeply alarming’: World leaders urge restraint as Israel pummels Iran

Top world leaders pleaded for “restraint” Friday morning after Israel targeted Iran with deadly strikes overnight and sparked fears of a devastating regional war.

Israel’s operation, involving more than 200 fighter jets, struck targets including Iran’s nuclear facilities, top regime officials and military leaders, and key nuclear scientists. 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. Later on Friday, Israel stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had “control over the situation” but did not say if the drones had been intercepted.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Home Front Command issued an update informing civilians that they no longer needed to stay near bomb shelters, but said that restrictions on public gatherings remain in effect.

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.

The dramatic escalation raises fears that the Middle East could be set for a new wave of instability, leading to calls from leaders to avoid escalation and head back to the negotiating table.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the situation “deeply alarming” and urged all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and not retaliate. She added a diplomatic resolution was more urgent than ever for the sake of regional and global security.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said it was “crucial” for Israel’s allies to work to de-escalate tensions. “I think that is now the first order of the day,” Rutte told journalists at a press conference in Stockholm.

From London, Prime Minister Kier Starmer urged parties to show restraint and said, “The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently.”

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.

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 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres raised concerns about Israeli attacks on nuclear sites in Iran while talks are ongoing between Tehran and the U.S on the status of its nuclear program. The statement 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.

The Élysée Palace said President Emmanuel Macron would convene a special defense cabinet meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday to discuss the situation.

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, Esther Webber and Dan Bloom contributed to this report.

This story has been updated.