Arab countries, staunch U.S. allies among them, expressed strong concern over the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as the United States joined Israel in attacking them.
Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
The reaction of Arab states matters for relations with the United States and for the wider question of diplomacy in the Middle East at the time of its greatest upheaval in decades.
While Arab countries may seek to distance themselves from the attacks, however, this does not mean they would want to rupture the important security relationships that many of them have with the United States and President Donald Trump.
What To Know
Saudi Arabia, which was the first foreign destination for Trump in his second presidency, was among the first to criticize the U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites.
Saudi Arabia said it was following the developments with deep concern and reiterated the denunciation it had made over what it had called Israel’s violation of Iran’s sovereignty.
“The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation,” the Saudi foreign ministry said. “The Kingdom also calls on the international community to intensify its efforts during this highly sensitive period to reach a political solution that would bring an end to the crisis and open a new chapter for achieving security and stability in the region.”
Saudi Arabia is one of the most influential countries in the region as the world’s top oil exporter and is home to the holiest Muslim sites. Predominantly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, which was long at odds with largely Shiite Iran, has been seen as a potential candidate to join Trump’s Abraham Accords peace deals between some Muslim countries and Israel, but this has been thrown into doubt by the current conflicts.
“The current dangerous tension in the region could lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels,” said the foreign ministry of Qatar, which is home to the biggest U.S. air base in the Middle East and has played an important role in trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage for prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
Statement | Qatar Regrets the Deterioration of the Situation with the Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/U0oXEIKjP3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 22, 2025
“Diplomacy and Dialogue”
The United Arab Emirates, whose leaders are also close to Trump, expressed profound concern over the regional tensions and the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed the importance of prioritizing diplomacy and dialogue to resolve disputes, through comprehensive approaches that promote stability, prosperity, and justice,” its foreign ministry said.
Egypt, the Middle East’s most populous country and a major recipient of U.S. military aid, expressed grave concern over the attacks.
“Egypt affirms its rejection of any violation of the United Nations Charter and international law and emphasizes the necessity of respecting state sovereignty,” its foreign ministry said.
Other countries voicing similar sentiments included Iraq, Oman and Lebanon.
What People Are Saying
Saudi Foreign Ministry: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with deep concern the developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America.”
UAE Foreign Ministry: “The Ministry urged the United Nations and the UN Security Council to uphold their responsibilities through serious efforts to address the region’s long-standing issues, which now stand at a critical juncture and pose an increasing threat to regional and international peace and security.”
Egyptian Foreign Ministry: “Egypt reiterates its warning of the dangers of the region sliding into further chaos and tension. It affirms that political solutions and diplomatic negotiations, not military action, are the only path toward resolving the crisis and achieving a lasting settlement.”
U.S. President Donald Trump: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace.”
What Happens Next
Despite their criticism of the U.S. attacks, the reactions from Arab countries could also be seen as limited in their responses — distancing themselves from attacks that could draw Iranian responses and prioritising dialogue and diplomacy rather than calling for any more direct action against the United States.
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