World leaders react to the unprecedented Iranian air attack against Israel

The attack caused only limited damage, with the Israeli military saying that the Iron Dome defense system intercepted 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran.

Iran says its air attack was in response to a possible Israeli raid on its embassy compound in the Syrian capital, Damascus, earlier this month.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson told CNBC on Sunday: “We will not be able to comment on the allegations regarding a strike in Damascus.”

Before the war cabinet meeting on Monday, Israel pledged to pay a “price” from Iran in response to Saturday's attack. Analysts said they were unsure of the exact timing and extent of this retaliation.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday He said He condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the unprecedented air attack launched by Iran on military facilities in Israel.

Biden added that the United States “will remain vigilant in the face of all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect our people.”

His statements come as some senior American officials said It said Concern that Israel may soon retaliate against Iranian missile and drone attacks and lead to a broader regional conflict, according to NBC News.

Biden, who reaffirmed the White House's “firm” commitment to Israel's security over the weekend, privately expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to drag the United States into a broader conflict. NBC News reported on SundayCiting three people familiar with the matter, whose names he did not mention.

CNBC was unable to independently verify the report.

In South America, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called on the United Nations to “convene urgently” and “commit immediately to peace.”

“It was to be expected: we are now at the forefront of World War III, a time when humanity must rebuild its economy towards the rapid goal of decarbonization,” Pietro said.

“The United States’ support, in effect, for genocide has set the world on fire. Everyone knows how wars begin, and no one knows how they end.”

Argentine President Javier Miley said his office expressed its “solidarity and firm commitment” to Israel in the wake of the attacks launched by Iran.

Miley said: “The Argentine Republic recognizes the right of states and nations to defend themselves and strongly supports the State of Israel in defending its sovereignty, especially against regimes that encourage terrorism and seek to destroy Western civilization.”

European leaders criticized the Iranian attack on Israel and pledged to work to calm the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron said: “I condemn in the strongest terms the unprecedented attack launched by Iran against Israel, which threatens to destabilize the region.” He said Sunday on the social media platform X.

He added, “France is working to stop the escalation with its partners and calls for restraint.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday He said Germany “strongly” condemned the attack and warned that it could “plunge the entire region into chaos.”

“Iran and its proxies must stop this immediately,” Baerbock said on Channel X, according to an NBC translation. “Israel has our full solidarity at this time.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak He said On Saturday, he condemned “in the strongest terms” the “reckless” Iranian attack against Israel, adding that the country “will continue to defend” Israel’s security.

“Iran has once again shown that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard,” Sunak said in a statement.

He added: “Along with our allies, we are working urgently to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.”

France and the United Kingdom intercepted some Iranian strikes on Israel on Saturday.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs I expressed “Deep concern” about developments in the military escalation in the region “and the seriousness of its repercussions.”

In a statement published on X on Sunday and translated by NBC News, the ministry called on all parties to “exercise maximum restraint” and urged the UN Security Council to prevent an escalation of the crisis that would have “serious consequences if it expands.”

Egypt He said It expressed its “deep concern” about the Iranian attack, and called for “the utmost levels of restraint to spare the region and its people from further factors of instability and tension.”

Egypt considers that the dangerous escalation currently witnessed in the Iranian/Israeli arena is nothing but a direct result of what Egypt has repeatedly warned of the dangers of expanding the conflict in the region as a result of the Israeli war on Gaza. The ministry said in a statement on its website: “The Gaza Strip and the provocative military actions being practiced in the region.”

In Asia, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs He said On Sunday, Beijing expressed its “deep concern” about the escalation of tensions in the region and called on the parties concerned to “exercise calm and restraint.”

In response to a question about the Iranian strikes, the spokesman said: “The ongoing situation is the latest extension of the conflict in Gaza.”

“China calls on the international community, especially influential countries, to play a constructive role for peace and stability in the region,” he added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa He said The country expressed its “deep concern about the attacks that further deteriorate the current situation in the Middle East, and strongly condemns such escalation.”

“Japan strongly urges the parties concerned to calm the situation because peace and stability in the Middle East is very important to Japan as well,” Kamikawa said in a statement on Sunday.