US Allies Muster Mixed Bag Of Responses To Stunning Iran Strikes

Following the U.S. military’s Saturday morning strikes against Iran, key American allies offered a mix bag of responses.

While leaders of some longstanding U.S. allies, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, offered stern words of caution that the U.S.’s “escalation” against Iran “must stop,” leaders of Anglosphere nations including Canada, the U.K., and Australia offered messages of support.

“The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” Macron wrote in a Saturday morning X post, several hours after President Donald Trump announced the strikes, identified as Operation Epic Fury, in an eight-minute video.

“The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East,” the French president continued. “The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future.”

“The massacres committed by the Islamic regime disqualify it and demand that the voice be returned to the people. The sooner, the better,” Macron added. “Faithful to its principles and aware of its international responsibilities, France is calling for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.”

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — who in recent months feuded with Trump over tariffs and Canada’s economic partnership with China — notably struck a more supportive tone.

“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,” Carney wrote in a Saturday morning statement posted to X minutes after Macron’s post. “The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict.”

“Canada’s position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons,” the Canadian prime minister added. “Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran’s oppressive regime.”

Carney also wrote that Canada “reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had, around the same time of Trump’s strikes, launched his own preemptive strikes on Iran as part of Operation Lion’s Roar.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video address posted Saturday to X that he knows “the British people … would be deeply concerned about what this means for security and stability and for the fate of innocent people across the region.”

“But we have long been clear – the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent, and sought to destabilize the region,” Starmer continued. “Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and the Jewish community.”

“So it’s clear – they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. That remains the primary aim of the United Kingdom and our allies – including the US [sic],” the prime minister added. “Iran can end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programs, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in his X post, “We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security.”

“Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression,” he added. “With international partners, including the United States and the G7, we have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.”

The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally in the Middle East, wrote in a Saturday statement posted to X that the Kingdom “condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.”

“The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” the Saudi statement continues. “It also warns of the grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.”

“The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous,” European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas wrote on X following the announcements of Trump’s and Netanyahu’s strikes. “Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security.”

“The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue,” Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, added. “I have spoken to Israel’s Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths. Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org