Global powers scramble to prevent war after unprecedented Israeli strikes on Iran

AFP | Tehran

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Iran called Israel’s wave of strikes yesterday a declaration of war, while world leaders called for de-escalation. Israel said its air strikes had killed several top Iranian generals, including most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards’ air force, while hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a “declaration of war” and President Masoud Pezeshkian said “Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act”.

The strikes killed Iran’s highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed, while state media said a senior adviser to the supreme leader had himself been wounded.

World leaders urged restraint after Israel pounded Iran.

‘Cannot have nuclear bomb’

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform, adding that Israel has a lot of weapons thanks to the United States and “they know how to use it”.

Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News that “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.”

‘Maximum restraint’: UN

UN chief Antonio Guterres asked “both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” according to a spokesperson.

Guterres was “particularly concerned” by Israel’s strikes on nuclear installations amid the ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

‘Unacceptable’ and ‘unprovoked’: Russia

“Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies, calling the strikes “unacceptable” and “unprovoked”, while the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Russians in Israel to leave the country.

‘Deeply worried’: China

“The Chinese side... is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, calling “on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions”.

‘Diplomacy best path forward’: EU

“The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

‘Right to defend itself’ : France

“France reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure its security,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in English on X, calling “on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate” and “avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region”.

Avoid ‘further escalation’: Germany

Germany, which for years expressed concerns about Iran’s “advanced nuclear weapons programme”, said it was “ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons”.