Middle East

UN, Guterres: risk of a chain of uncontrollable events. Condemnation from China and Russia

From France to Spain, from Italia to Belgium, here is what European leaders said

28 February 2026

Il segretario generale delle Nazioni Unite Antonio Guterres interviene durante la riunione del Consiglio di sicurezza delle Nazioni Unite, dopo che gli Stati Uniti e Israele hanno lanciato attacchi contro l'Iran, presso la sede delle Nazioni Unite a New York City, Stati Uniti, il 28 febbraio 2026. REUTERS/Heather Khalifa

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The joint attack by the United States and Israel against Iran opens a new and very delicate phase of tension in the Middle East and provokes an articulate but convergent reaction in Europe: strong concern, a call for de-escalation, an appeal to international law and the utmost attention to the safety of citizens in the area.

From Tehran the line is clear. In a statement to ANSA, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See, Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, speaks of "aggression" and a "blatant violation of territorial integrity and national sovereignty", denouncing attacks against "civilian sites in various cities". According to Mokhtari, the military action took place while Iran and the United States were 'engaged in diplomatic negotiations', constituting - he claims - a violation of paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the UN Charter. Tehran invokes Article 51 of the same Charter, claiming the "legal and legitimate right to respond".

The ambassador also urged a stance by the Holy See and Pope Leo XIV, calling for a condemnation of the attack 'on the basis of religious teachings' and a renewed call for peace.

Guterres at UN Council, risk of a chain of uncontrollable events

"We are witnessing a serious threat to international peace and security. Military action carries the risk of triggering a chain of events that no one can control, in the most unstable region in the world". This was said by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, opening today's extraordinary Security Council meeting on Iran. Guterres condemned today's escalation in the Middle East, saying that "the use of force by the United States and Israel and Iran's subsequent retaliation in the region put international peace and security at risk. The situation on the ground is fluid. Some 20 cities across Iran - including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar and Tabriz - have reportedly been attacked'. He continued: 'Several senior officials were reportedly killed, including - according to Israeli sources not confirmed by the UN - Iran's Supreme Guide, Ali Khamenei. Iranian airspace has been closed and the country is under an almost total internet blackout,' the UN chief said, citing Iranian media reports that an air raid had killed at least 85 people and wounded many others at a girls' school in Minab, Hormozgan province.

Guterres expressed "deep regret" that the diplomatic opportunity brokered by Oman with Iran had been thwarted. "The region and the world need a way out. I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities. The alternative is a potential wider conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability," the UN chief said, urging all parties to return to the negotiating table immediately, particularly on Iran's nuclear programme.

Russia at UN, 'betrayal of diplomacy by US and Israel'

The military operations by Israel and the United States are a betrayal of diplomacy. This was said in the Security Council by Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, who called the raids in recent hours against Iran an 'unprovoked armed aggression and interference in Iran's internal affairs'.

France to UN, 'region needs peace'

France at the UN called for de-escalation after the US and Israeli raids on Iran and Iranian retaliation. "This region needs peace," said the French ambassador, Jèrome Bonnafont: "We need Iran to respect its international obligations." France was among the countries calling for today's meeting of the Security Council: "Respect for international law is a condition for long-term security in the region and in the world," said the French ambassador, condemning "firmly" Iran's attacks against several countries, reiterating that France is ready to deploy the necessary means to protect them should they request it.

Usa to UN, 'Iran must not have nuclear weapon, raids legitimate'

"Iran cannot and should not have a nuclear weapon and that is why the United States has taken legitimate action". US Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz said this, stating that "the Iranian regime has launched attacks that have cost American lives". Waltz added that US allies "can count on Donald Trump".

"This is a moment in history that requires moral clarity," Waltz said, stressing that President Trump "rose to the occasion." "Operation Epic Fury was directed towards specific and strategic objectives," Waltz insisted: dismantling missile capabilities that threaten allies, weakening naval assets used to destabilise international waters, and disrupting the mechanism that arms militias. The goal is to ensure that 'the Iranian regime can never threaten the world with a nuclear weapon,' Waltz said.

Israeli Ambassador to UN, hypocritical to condemn attacks on Tehran

The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, speaking to reporters before the meeting called it "hypocritical" to condemn the air strikes conducted today by Washington and Tel Aviv on Iran. Danon said that Iran was responsible for the actions of its allies in the Middle East and its nuclear and missile programmes, and that Israel and the US acted "to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat".

China to UN: use of force does not resolve, exacerbates conflict

The Chinese intervention was of the opposite tenor. The use of force does not contribute to resolving international conflicts, but aggravates them further, said China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

"The use of military force is not the correct way to settle international conflicts, it only intensifies hatred and contradictions," Fu said. China, he said, calls on all parties to fulfil their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, to effectively ensure the safety of the civilian population and to refrain from attacks against civilian infrastructure.

The US and Israeli raids against Iran are "war crimes and a crime against humanity". Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the Security Council. "They are a war against the UN charter," Iravani added.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected 'unilateral military action by the United States and Israel', calling it an escalation that contributes to a 'more uncertain and hostile international order'. However, Sánchez also reiterated his rejection of the 'actions of the Iranian regime and the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution', stressing that 'we cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East'.

Madrid's position insists on immediate de-escalation and 'full respect for international law', with an invitation to resume dialogue for a lasting political solution.

Brussels

Strong messages of alarm came from the EU summit. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the developments as 'very worrying', reaffirming her commitment to safeguarding regional stability and calling on 'all parties' to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and respect international law.

Von der Leyen recalled the sanctions already adopted against the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guards and emphasised the importance of ensuring nuclear safety and avoiding actions that could weaken the global non-proliferation regime.

High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas also spoke of "dangerous" developments, reiterating that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and support for armed groups pose "a serious threat to global security". Brussels is working with Arab partners to explore diplomatic avenues, while the consular network is working to facilitate the departure of EU citizens and non-essential personnel are being withdrawn from the region. The European naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea remains on high alert.

Sunday emergency meeting of the Representatives of the 27 in the EU on Iran

In connection with the developments in the Middle East, an extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Representatives of the 27 in the EU (Coreper II) will be held tomorrow 1 March in the late afternoon. This was announced by a spokesperson of the Cypriot presidency. The Presidency will also convene a virtual meeting of the Consular Affairs Working Group to examine the situation of EU citizens in the region. The meeting will take place tomorrow, before the Coreper meeting.

Carney: Canada supports US efforts to prevent nukes

In a speech on relations with India delivered today, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney began by saying: 'There have obviously been developments today,' referring to the issue of Iran.

He reiterated what he said in his written statement during his speech at the Canada-India Growth and Investment Forum in Mumbai: Canada supports US efforts to 'prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security'. Carney said Canada agrees with a tough approach against the Iranian regime, which he described as a regime that has repeatedly ignored international demands to dismantle its nuclear programme and stop enrichment activities. Moreover, it has financed proxy terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Houthis that have caused devastation in the region. "Canada's position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the main source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the worst human rights records in the world, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons," he stressed.