Saudi Arabia and Oman Issue Statements Criticizing Israel
UN Secretary-General Condemns "Acts Escalating Military Tensions"
A building in Tehran, Iran, reduced to rubble by an early morning airstrike on the 13th (local time) by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Photo by AFP Yonhap News
On the early morning of the 13th (local time), Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities and other targets, prompting a chorus of condemnation from neighboring Middle Eastern countries. In contrast, the United States declared its intention to support Israel, stating it would side with Israel if Iran retaliates.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces Israel's blatant act of aggression against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran," criticizing Israel's attack as an infringement on Iran's "sovereignty and security" and a clear violation of international law and norms.
Oman, which has mediated nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, expressed its official position through a post on the official Oman News Agency's social media account X (formerly Twitter), established by royal decree. The statement said, "Oman regards this action as a dangerous and reckless escalation of tensions and considers it a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law."
Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, did not explicitly assign blame but emphasized the need to protect its own security. In a statement distributed by the government spokesperson through the state-run Petra News Agency, Jordan declared, "The Kingdom of Jordan will not become a battlefield in any conflict," and added, "Our national security is a red line, and any attempt to threaten our national security or the safety of our citizens will not be tolerated."
The United States made its position clear, announcing its intention to side with Israel. In an interview with Fox News, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. Central Command is maintaining a high state of alert in preparation for possible retaliatory actions targeting the United States. He warned, "If Iran launches an attack, the United States will defend itself as well as Israel, or support Israel's defense." He also expressed his intention to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance of "continuing operations for as long as necessary."
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN), in a statement issued under the name of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said, "The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation of tensions in the Middle East," and expressed particular concern that "Israel has attacked nuclear facilities while Iran and the United States are engaged in dialogue regarding the status of Iran's nuclear program." The statement continued, "The Secretary-General calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further escalation of the conflict under any circumstances," warning that a further intensification of conflict in the region would be difficult to contain.
Western countries such as the United Kingdom and France, along with the United States, supported Israel during Iran's attacks on Israel in October of last year and April of this year. However, this time, since Israel initiated the preemptive strike, there are predictions that these countries may maintain a neutral stance. The Jerusalem Post noted, "In the past, when Iran attacked Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and others formed a broad coalition to assist Israel. However, since Israel has taken preemptive action this time, it is uncertain whether such an international support coalition exists as before."
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