Amid rising tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran, the conflict has paralyzed much of the Middle East and looks set to continue. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump stated that “operations in Iran will continue until all objectives are achieved.”
One of the most significant events of the conflict has been the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assassinated on Sunday in a series of US-Israeli airstrikes. Several other senior Iranian leaders were also killed in the operation, along with members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
In retaliation, Iran has launched attacks against Israel and US military bases throughout the Middle East. These include Bahrain, Iraq (including the Kurdistan Region), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
These events have triggered strong global reactions. A look at who supports Israel and Iran
Who supports Israel?
📌 The United States, which launched a joint operation with Israel, attacking Tehran and eliminating the country’s supreme leader, is obviously its greatest ally. Announcing Khamenei’s death, Trump had posted on Truth Social, saying: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead. This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans, and those people in many countries around the world, who have been killed or maimed by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
In a separate interview with NBC NewsTrump said the U.S. strikes are “ahead of schedule” and suggested that a possible outcome of the strikes is to “decapitate” Iranian leaders. “We are doing our job not only for ourselves but for the world,” he added.
📌 Great Britain, France and Germany
These nations said Sunday they are ready to join forces to defend their interests in the Middle East and stop Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement that they are “horrified” by Iran’s “reckless” attacks on its allies, which threaten its military and citizens in the region.
“We will take action to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially enabling necessary and proportionate defensive actions to destroy Iran’s ability to fire missiles and drones at their source,” his statement read. “We have agreed to work together with the United States and its allies in the region on this matter,” the countries said.
Starmer said the United Kingdom will not join in attacks on Iran, but recently agreed to allow Washington to use British bases to attack Iran’s missiles and their launch sites, the AP reports.
📌European Union
Senior diplomats from the 27-nation European Union held an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation and next steps for the bloc.
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“The death of Ali Khamenei is a defining moment in Iran’s history. What comes next is uncertain,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. “But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people can have greater freedom to shape. Iran is urged to return to sense,” they said.
📌Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
The United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also strongly condemned Iran’s indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks against sovereign territories throughout the region.
🚨Joint statement on Iran’s missile and drone attacks in the region
The United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemn the indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran…
-Dylan Johnson (@ASDylanJohnson) March 2, 2026
In a joint statement, the countries said that “the Islamic Republic’s actions represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability. Attacking civilians and countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behavior.”
“We stand united in defense of our citizens, sovereignty and territory, and reaffirm our right to self-defense against these attacks. We remain committed to regional security and commend the effective cooperation on air and missile defense that has prevented much greater loss of life and destruction.”
Israeli security forces inspect a damaged road after a missile launched from Iran hit Jerusalem. (AP Photo)
📌Arab League
The 22-nation Arab League condemned the Iranian attacks, calling them “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate peace and strive for stability.”
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“Come to your senses… and deal with your neighbors with reason and responsibility before the circle of isolation and escalation widens,” Anwar Gargash, an advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, told the Iranian theocracy, the AP reported. The United Arab Emirates closed its embassy in Iran and announced the withdrawal of its diplomatic mission after Iranian attacks hit the country.
📌Canada
Mark Carney of Canada also expressed support for US actions to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.
In a post on
My statement on Iran-related hostilities in the Middle East: pic.twitter.com/NcC8Pzq2Ba
—Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 28, 2026
“The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region,” he added.
📌Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office also reaffirmed Italy’s support for the Iranian civilian population, highlighting their continued courage in calling for respect for their civil and political rights.
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“Italy reiterates its support for the Iranian civilian population, who bravely continues to demand respect for their civil and political rights,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said.
📌Ukraine
Ukraine blamed Iran, calling its “oppressive regime” the cause of current events.
“The cause of current events is precisely the violence and impunity of the Iranian regime, in particular the killings and repression of peaceful protesters, which have become particularly widespread in recent months.”
📌Vatican
Taking a more neutral stance, Pope Leo
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Who supports Iran?
📌Hezbollah
Iran’s representative, Hezbollah, condemned the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the assassination of Khamenei, firing several rockets into northern Israel. The terrorist group said it had launched the attacks in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lebanon, however, has condemned Hezbollah’s action, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam saying: “Regardless of which party supports it, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers the security of Lebanon and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks against it.”
“We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures and we will take all necessary measures to arrest the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese,” he said.
📌Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin also condemned the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a “cynical assassination,” Russian state media agency TASS reported. He said Khamenei’s assassination violated “all norms of human morality and international law.”
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“This is a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent Member State of the UN.”
Dmitry Medvedev, vice president of the Russian Security Council, said: “The peacemaker once again showed his face. All negotiations with Iran are a covert operation. Nobody doubted it. Nobody really wanted to negotiate anything.”
Medvedev added: “The question is who has more patience to wait for the inglorious end of their enemy. The United States is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Let’s see in 100 years…”
📌Porcelain
China also condemned the US and Israel’s attack on Iran. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Sunday that “the attack and assassination of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms in international relations.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: The attack and assassination of Iran’s supreme leader is a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it.
Us… pic.twitter.com/f1G9OLqGOL
— Chinese Mission to the UN (@Chinamission2un) March 1, 2026
“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We urge an immediate cessation of military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and a joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large,” the statement said.
