️ The US-Israeli war on Iran has been condemned as illegal across much of the Global South, with China stating it was unacceptable to "blatantly kill the leader of a sovereign state."

️ Many countries objected that negotiations between the US and Iran over its nuclear program and missile capability were not given a chance to succeed before Washington and Israel began bombing, with analysts often viewing the war as a colonial-style exercise of might.

️ Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying international law prohibits targeting heads of state. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa questioned the "pre-emptive" justification for the war, stating self-defense is only permitted in response to an armed invasion and that "there can be no military solution to fundamentally political problems."

️ Brazil expressed grave concerns, adding that "the attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace."

️ Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan deplored the attacks, which he said were "instigated" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who had said on the eve of the attack that a deal was within reach, urged: "I urge the US not to get sucked in further. This is not your war."

️ Cuba stated: "Once again, the US and Israel threaten and seriously endanger regional and international peace, stability, and security." Malaysia, condemning the attack, said that "disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy."

️ Indonesia "deeply regrets" the failure of Iran negotiations, with its president offering to travel to Tehran to reopen dialogue.

️ Analysts said the conflict should be understood in the context of past regime-change wars in Iraq and Libya, Israel's impunity for its war in Gaza since 2023, and colonialism.

️ University of Johannesburg politics professor Siphamandla Zondi said: "This is a war of domination and subordination, therefore it has imperialist undertones and motives. It makes the world unsafe for all of us."

️ Commentators noted Europe showed double standards, stridently defending international law regarding Trump's attempts to annex Greenland but remaining muted on this war.

️ Amitav Acharya, author of The Once and Future Global Order, stated: "Many countries in the Global South are going to look for a coalition of powers that will stand up to the United States, as the United States is seen as so aggressive, so imperial."

️ Some commentators emphasized that criticism of the war does not mean support for the Iranian regime.

️ Former Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz said: "I condemn the Iranian theocratic regime for its dictatorial and repressive nature, but these ongoing attacks are a violation of international law."

Source: www.theguardian.com