The fourth day of joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran has drawn sharp criticism from capitals across multiple continents.
At least 571 people have died since hostilities erupted, including 555 Iranians, 10 Israelis, and six American service members.
UN And Regional Powers Demand Ceasefire
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has intensified his appeals for immediate de-escalation, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric relaying the call for genuine dialogue rooted in UN Charter principles during Monday’s briefing.
“What is needed now in the region more than anything is a way out,”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized halting military operations as the urgent priority during discussions with Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty engaged in rapid diplomatic outreach across eight Arab nations to prevent what he termed “total chaos.”
Türkiye And SCO Reject Legality Of Strikes
Türkiye’s ruling AK Party delivered perhaps the most forceful legal critique, with spokesperson Omer Celik declaring the operations lacked legitimacy under international frameworks.
“The attack carried out by the US and Israel against our neighbor Iran is unlawful, unjust, lacks legal legitimacy and violates international law,”
Celik specifically highlighted the timing, noting diplomatic channels regarding nuclear discussions remained open when missiles struck.
“Such interventions against a UN member state have no legal basis,”
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization reinforced this position, stating member states view force as unacceptable and insisting resolution requires mutual respect for legitimate concerns anchored in UN Charter purposes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed these legal arguments during his conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, characterizing the operations as unprovoked aggression violating fundamental international norms.
Fractures Emerge Within Western Alliance
Portugal’s government confronts mounting domestic pressure regarding American use of Lajes Air Base in the Azores, with opposition figures challenging authorization procedures for supporting strikes against Tehran.
Socialist Party MEP Andre Franqueira Rodrigues delivered scathing criticism of Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel’s approach, arguing it diminishes national sovereignty.
“embarrasses us all”
Rodrigues further contended the posture grants Portugal subordination that weakens negotiating positions and offends institutional dignity.
The Azores branch of Left Bloc issued equally sharp condemnation, accusing Lisbon of total submission to American strategic interests.
Spain has adopted a markedly different posture, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares explicitly prohibiting joint US-Spanish facilities from facilitating operations against Iran, which Madrid has publicly condemned as unjustified and dangerous intervention operating outside legal boundaries.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to distance the alliance from direct involvement, clarifying that individual member contributions should not imply collective institutional participation.
“There are absolutely no plans whatever for NATO to get dragged into this or being part of it, other than individual allies doing what they can to enable what the Americans are doing together with Israel,”
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