The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, now in its second week, has significantly influenced global energy and stock markets. President Trump has indicated an intention to conclude the war on his own timeline, while Iran has expressed readiness for a "long-term war of attrition" to affect the global economy.
This protracted conflict has drawn varied responses from nations worldwide, highlighting geopolitical realignments and domestic concerns. The initial impacts range from civilian casualties and stranded nationals to economic anxieties and shifts in international diplomatic stances.
International Responses
Russia
In Moscow, a memorial was established outside the Iranian embassy following reports that over 1,000 civilians had been killed by U.S.-Israeli strikes. Russian citizens expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, with state broadcaster MIR24 reporting public disapproval of the American-Israeli operation, a sentiment echoed by Russia's pro-Kremlin Channel 1.
President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose son Mojtaba succeeded him.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the U.S.-Israeli campaign as a "pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression."
Germany
Early in the conflict, German headlines focused on approximately 30,000 German nationals reportedly stranded in the UAE and other Gulf countries due to flight cancellations. A "DeutschlandTrend" survey by ARD indicated that over half of German respondents viewed the war as unjustified, with three-quarters expressing concern about the conflict spreading.
Nearly 90% of Germans perceived international politics as increasingly defined by power dynamics.
Poland
Public sentiment in Poland has reflected unease regarding the conflict. Interviews with Polish news website WP revealed concerns about the war's potential to affect other nations, including Cyprus. Broader European polling in six major countries, including Poland, showed that around one in five respondents considered the United States a "major threat" to their security. Some Poles also expressed concern that the Iran conflict could impact Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine
An AI-generated image of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holding an ace of spades featuring a drone gained traction on Ukrainian social media. Following a U.S. Defense Department request, Ukraine dispatched drone interceptors and pilots to Jordan to assist in defending U.S. military bases against Iranian drones. This action prompted discussions recalling past interactions between President Trump and President Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian satisfaction regarding the recognition of their air defense expertise was tempered by concerns over dwindling Western interceptor stockpiles in the Middle East, which some in Ukraine had hoped might be sent to Kyiv.
While Ukrainians have expressed opposition to the Iranian regime due to its drone supplies to Russia, some parliamentary members also voiced concerns that U.S. focus on the Middle East conflict might divert resources from pressuring Russia and supporting Ukraine.
United Kingdom
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have prompted questions in the U.K. regarding the "special relationship" with the U.S. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's refusal of U.S. requests to use British bases for offensive strikes against Iran led to criticism from President Trump. Starmer has maintained his position, advocating for a negotiated settlement to the nuclear issue in Iran and urging de-escalation.
Public polling by YouGov indicated that a majority of Britons do not support the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and view its justification as "unclear." The U.K. permits U.S. use of its bases for defensive operations and has deployed a warship to Cypriot waters for protection, but the relationship between the two nations has been described as strained.
Ireland
In the Republic of Ireland, U.S. military intervention in the Middle East has been met with unpopularity, reigniting debate over the U.S. military's use of Shannon airport as a refueling base.
Political commentator Fintan O'Toole stated that most people in Ireland view the war as "reckless and illegal," noting a lack of belief that Iran posed an imminent threat or clarity on the conflict's objectives.
Rising fuel prices were also cited as a public concern. The Irish government has criticized Israel's military campaign in Gaza and supported South Africa's legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice. President Catherine Connolly stated that Ireland could not disregard "catastrophic consequences of violating the U.N. charter" regarding the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Some opposition politicians have advocated banning the U.S. military from using Shannon airport.
India
At the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, an open condolence book was displayed for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raza, a teacher, expressed sadness, and Taslim Ahmed Rehmani, president of the Muslim Political Council of India, condemned Khamenei's death as "an insult to Iran."
The strikes on Iran triggered protests in several Indian regions, including Kashmir, Lucknow, and Ranchi, with demonstrators holding posters of Khamenei and Iranian flags, and chanting against the U.S. and Israel. India's government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued guarded statements of "concern" but did not condemn the war and later banned the anti-U.S.-Israel protests. The Foreign Minister signed the condolence book after several days of domestic political pressure.
Former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon criticized India's consistent "silence on big issues."
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated the government's position as "No a la guerra" (No to war) after President Trump threatened to "cut off all trade with Spain" due to Spain's refusal to permit the U.S. to use jointly-run bases in Morón and Rota for attacks on Iran. Trump described Spain's actions as "terrible."
Sanchez's stance aligns with the views of most Spaniards, with two-thirds opposing the war, according to an El Pais poll. This position may address past public sentiment regarding Spain's backing of the 2003 Iraq war. Spain's relations with Israel have also deteriorated; Spain withdrew its ambassador to Israel after strongly opposing Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron has positioned France as a negotiator, aiming to de-escalate the conflict in Iran. He engaged with both President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to cease strikes on Persian Gulf countries and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Macron emphasized diplomacy as the resolution method and, while attributing blame to Tehran for the current conflict, also described the U.S.-Israeli strikes as "outside international law."
France deployed its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the eastern Mediterranean following Iranian strikes targeting a British air base in Cyprus, with Macron stressing a defensive posture. French public opinion has generally opposed foreign military interventions since the 2003 Iraq war. While a majority of French citizens are concerned about the Iranian regime, only one in four believe France should join the war, according to an Ifop poll.
However, an Elabe think tank poll indicated that 55% supported a French military intervention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a defensive mission.