International reactions exposed deep fractures. European leaders urged restraint, warning of uncontrollable escalation. Russia and China criticized the strikes as violations of sovereignty and destabilizing precedent, calling for emergency diplomacy while offering no clear off-ramp. Several mid-sized nations, including Mexico, emphasized non-intervention and economic stability, reflecting quiet anxiety among states with little influence but much exposure to fallout.
The International Atomic Energy Agency now faces a new uncertainty. Damage to monitoring systems and restricted access could severely limit oversight of Iran’s remaining capabilities, replacing inspection-based verification with what some grimly call “force-based confirmation.” Continue reading…
