Mashable: The Middle East entered a new phase of tension early Friday as Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeting what it described as strategic military and nuclear sites. The offensive, officially confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” has intensified fears of a broader regional war.

The strikes reportedly hit multiple locations, including Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership hubs, resulting in significant casualties. In response, several Arab nations have issued sharp condemnations of Israel’s actions, warning that such unilateral military moves not only violate international law but also risk dragging the entire region into a prolonged and dangerous conflict.

Saudi Arabia: A blatant violation of sovereignty

Saudi Arabia was among the many nations to issue a forceful rebuke of the Israeli strikes, calling them a ‘blatant’ breach of Iran’s sovereignty. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom declared: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms.”

The statement emphasized Riyadh’s concern that these strikes could destabilize the region and hold broader implications for international security. Calling on global institutions to take swift action, the Kingdom added: “While the Kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression.”

United Arab Emirates: Call for restraint and dialogue

The United Arab Emirates echoed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation but placed a stronger emphasis on de-escalation and diplomacy. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing grave concern over the potential regional fallout: “The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expressed its deep concern over the ongoing escalation and its repercussions on regional security and stability.”

The UAE urged all involved parties to act with restraint, underlining the importance of peaceful conflict resolution: “The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s position that enhancing dialogue, adhering to international law, and respecting the sovereignty of states constitute essential principles for resolving the current crises.”

Moreover, the UAE called upon the United Nations Security Council to intervene: “The UAE emphasized the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means rather than confrontation and escalation, and called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent and necessary measures to achieve a ceasefire, and to reinforce international peace and security.”

Kuwait: Urgent appeal to the international community

Kuwait joined the chorus of condemnation, calling Israel’s actions a ‘flagrant violation’ of international laws and urging the global community to act. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern statement, saying: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which constitute a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions, constitute a blatant assault on Iranian sovereignty and endanger the security and stability of the region.”

The statement reinforced Kuwait’s position that these developments require urgent international oversight: “The State of Kuwait renews its call to the international community, particularly the Security Council, to shoulder their responsibilities in halting these violations in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.”

Jordan: Warning of dangerous repercussions

Jordan also condemned the Israeli strikes, citing concerns over violations of sovereignty and the potential for dangerous regional escalation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Amman described the attack as: “A blatant violation of the sovereignty of a member state of the United Nations and a clear breach of the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

The Ministry’s spokesperson, Ambassador Sufian Al-Qudah, underscored the urgency of halting further escalation: “Al-Qudah warned of the repercussions of such escalatory violations, which threaten the security and stability of the region and heighten tensions.”

He also reiterated the critical role of international institutions in de-escalating the situation: “Al-Qudah reiterated the need to respect international law and the responsibility of the international community—especially the UN Security Council—to take urgent action to stop these aggressions, prevent their recurrence, and reach solutions that avoid further tension and escalation.”

The strong, unified response from several Arab nations highlights the growing concern across the Middle East that Israel’s strike on Iran could trigger a chain reaction of retaliation and counter-retaliation. With Iran already responding with drone attacks, and both nations vowing further action, the risk of a wider regional conflict has become very real.

Arab states have emphasized the urgency of diplomatic solutions and called on the United Nations and the broader international community to step in before the situation spirals beyond control.