How have countries around the world responded to the US-Israel war on Iran?

Published 7 June 2026 · local

The war, which has entered its 100th day, has upended global financial and energy markets, drawing concerns from world leaders. Sunday marks 100 days since

The war, which has entered its 100th day, has upended global financial and energy markets, drawing concerns from world leaders. Sunday marks 100 days since the United States and Israel launched war on Iran – a conflict that has triggered a global energy crisis and darkened the global economic outlook. The war, which Iran has called an “unprovoked act of aggression”, has expanded to Gulf nations as well as Lebanon. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but Israel has continued its offensive in Lebanon, killing more than 3,000 people. America’s European allies did not condemn the US-Israeli attacks, but declined to get involved in the war and expressed their opposition to regime change. The Gulf countries also condemned the Iranian attacks on their territories. Russia and China, the world’s second-largest economy, also pushed back against the war. Countries around the world affected by rising oil prices and market volatility have called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, with Pakistan playing a major role in mediating talks. On Wednesday, Israel and Lebanon renewed the ceasefire agreed on April 16. But that has not stopped Israel from carrying out its attacks on Lebanon, which Tehran has said are a violation of the April 8 ceasefire between Washington and New Delhi. As diplomacy to negotiate a deal between the warring parties drags on, we break down how the rest of the world initially reacted to the war, how affected countries’ positions have evolved, and where they stand now. The Gulf region Gulf states have been caught up in the war since it began on February 28, with Iran launching missile and drone strikes against US military assets hosted on their soil. But Gulf countries have accused Iran of also targeting civilian sites, including airports and energy facilities. Hundreds of days into the war, sporadic attacks continue. Here’s how some countries have been reacting. Oman – As the main mediator of the US-Iran nuclear talks, Oman initially expressed dismay when the war was launched while nuclear talks were under way. Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the conflict would not serve US interests, nor the interests of global peace. Unlike other US allies in the Gulf, such as Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, Oman does not host US forces. It was nevertheless dragged into the conflict when Iran launched a flurry of retaliatory attacks on US military assets and energy infrastructure across the Gulf region. The Duqm commercial port, located in Al Wusta governorate in central Oman, was struck by two drones on March 1. A fuel tank at the port was also hit in a drone attack two days later. The Salalah port in the country’s west was hit at least twice by drones. Two foreigners were killed in a drone attack in Sohar province on March 13. Iran, which has friendly ties with Oman, has denied it was behind the attacks. In a March 18 article for the Economist, Albusaidi said the US has “lost control of its own foreign policy” and accused Israel of persuading US President Donald Trump’s administration to go to war with Iran. He also said the conflict was a “catastrophe” and a “grave miscalculation”. Last month, Trump threatened Oman with military force if it got involved in the dispute over access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that Iran has choked off during the conflict. Qatar – When the war began, Qatar strongly condemned Iran for firing missiles targeting its territory, which is home to the Al Udeid airbase that hosts US troops. Qatar expelled several Iranian military and diplomatic personnel from the country following an attack on QatarEnergy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at Ras Laffan. A long-range US AN/FPS-132 missile early-warning radar in Qatar was also damaged by Iranian missiles. Qatar has called for de-escalation and dialogue to end the war. In a phone call, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told Trump of the need to prioritise political and diplomatic solutions and dialogue among all parties to consolidate regional security and stability and spare the region further tension and escalation. Trump expressed his appreciation for the role played by the State of Qatar in supporting Pakistan’s mediation efforts and strengthening channels of communication among the various parties. Doha has been in communication with Iranian officials. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and its main negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, visited Qatar in May as part of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – When the war began, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence condemned in the “strongest terms” Iran’s attacks on its territory, several of which it said its air defences intercepted. It called the attack “a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians”, stressing that the UAE has the “full right” to respond. According to a May 29 report by the Wall Street Journal, the UAE also carried out dozens of air strikes against Iran during the Israeli-US war on Iran. The strikes were reportedly coordinated with the US and Israel, which provided the UAE with intelligence. The UAE has also cracked down on Iranians and Iranian businesses based in the country. Iranian authorities have, in turn, increasingly singled out the UAE in their war messaging, and have warned of stronger strikes against the country if the US and Israel resume their attacks. Among Gulf states, the UAE and Kuwait have thus far borne the brunt of Iranian attacks. Bahrain – When the war began, Bahrain, which hosts the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, called attacks on its territory “treacherous”. It has since actively used its United Nations Security Council diplomacy to push resolutions condemning Iran’s action. Bahrain’s efforts to pass a UN resolution to open the Strait of Hormuz failed due to vetoes from China and Russia last month.