US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted

US-Iran strains that were orwise confined to ecomic sanctions and threats across wider Middle East, dramatically skyrocketed after Pentagon killed Iran's revered and reviled military commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in Iraq on January 3. killing that occurred "at direction" of US President Donald Trump propelled apprehensions across globe, with international community concerned over escalation, that may possibly he towards a war. 

Hours after attack, Iran's Supreme Leer Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting." recent developments in Iran-US tensions play a critical point in geopolitics of Missle East and world at large. 

Here's how international community reacted: 

Iran

Citing a Revolutionary Guard statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was “martyred” in an attack by U.S. helicopters near airport, without elaborating. Soon after, visor to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, said that US must wait for "repercussions" for crossing "red line." strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq kwn as Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, officials said. 

In strong condemnation, Iran's Foreign Minister Jav Zarif called act, orchestrated by Trump, as 'international terrorism' and 'foolish escalation.' In a tweet, he said, " US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue venturism." Jav Zarif said, " US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani— most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation. US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue venturism." 

India 

India in a statement called for calm and restraint over prevailing situation. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ackwledging death of senior Iranian official, asserted that peace, stability, and security of region are of utmost significance to New Delhi.  It ded that it is vital that situation does t escalate furr. 

Pakistan 

Ditching its neighbour, Pakistan extended its support to US after Trump issued back-to-back threats on Twitter. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a tweet tified that he h a conversation with Pakistani Army chief Gen Bajwa. Soleimani for longest time h accused Islamab of inciting separatism in Balochistan. Except for Mike Pompeo's statement, Islamab has maintained his silence over issue. 

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China 

Beijing urged restraint from both sides, "especially from United States" in a statement.  Xi Jinping's government said, "We urge relevant sides, especially United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid furr escalating tensions." Chinese Foreign Minister even told his Iranian counterpart Jav Zarif, " dangerous US military operation violates basic rms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence."

Afghanistan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed his concern over probable rise in violence in region after Soleimani's death. He explicitly told US that "Afghan soil must t be used against a third country or in regional conflict."  

Saudi Arabia 

Kingdom's de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman over a telephone conversation discussed significance of de-escalation with President of Iraq Barham Saleh. In telephonic conversation, Iran's foe, Saudi Arabia told Saleh that Riyh backs security and stability of Iraq. 

Iraq 

Iraq's caretaker PM el Abdul Mahdi condemning attack, called Pentagon strike an "aggression" on Iraq. He furr ted that this act would "spark a devastating war." Moreover, he said that attack was a "flagrant violation of conditions authorising presence of US troops" in Iraq. 

Abdul Mahdi in a statement said, " assassination of an Iraqi military commander is an aggression on Iraq as a state, government, and people. Carrying out physical liquidation operations against leing Iraqi figures or from a brorly country on Iraqi lands is a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in Iraq, region and world." 

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Syria 

Bashar al-Ass's Syrian government in stern words condemned killing of top Iranian and Iraqi commanders, calling it a "cowardly aggression." Soleimani was credited in Syria for strategising in favour of President al-Ass during civil uprising. 

Syrian Foreign Ministry official told SANA that Syria is "certain that this cowardly US aggression ... will only strengn determination to follow in path of resistance's martyred leers." It furr accused US of resorting to "methods of criminal gangs."

Turkey 

Indirectly taking a stand over strike, Turkish Foreign Ministry asserted that it is against 'assassination' and 'foreign interventions.'"Turkey has always been against foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in region," office of Foreign Ministry said.

Russia 

Taking a stand against US attack on Soleimani, Moscow said that assassination would soar tensions across West Asia. Furrmore, y expressed condolences to Iran. In a statement, Vlimir Putin's government said, " killing of Soleimani ... was an venturist step that will increase tensions throughout region. Soleimani served cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to Iranian people."

Israel

Trump's ardent ally in region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating words of US said that Western country has a right to defend itself. Issuing a statement, PM said, "Just as Israel has right of self-defence, United States has exactly same right. Qassem Soleimani is responsible for death of American citizens and many or incent people. He was planning more such attacks."

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Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman ted that world is at a "dangerous point of escalation" and urged restraint. Berlin furr tified that y were in touch with European countries including Britain and France to calm situation. In a statement, Germany said, "We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is w important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation"

France

French President Emmanuel Macron in a telephonic conversation discussed to douse tensions in Middle East. Macron's office in a statement said, " two presidents agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any furr escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and broer region." He furr discussed developments with UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. 

On Sunday, an ocean of supporters filled streets of Iraq to join funeral procession in Baghd for Soleimani and al-Muhandis. Soleimani’s death is latest in a series of escalating incidents traces back to President Donald Trump’s decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers. However, overall enmity between Iran and US date back to its 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as a 1953 US-backed coup in Tehran that cemented power of its ruling Shah over an elected Prime Minister.