'Absolutely necessary': World leaders react to renewed US bombing of Iran

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Wednesday that the renewed US strikes against Iran were "absolutely necessary." He emphasized that forceful US action is crucial when Iran violates a ceasefire, particularly after targeting commercial shipping.

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When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react.

US forces initiated "a series of powerful strikes against Iran" overnight, aiming to impose significant costs for attacking commercial vessels and their crews in international waterways, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). These strikes are part of a series of retaliatory actions occurring during a fragile ceasefire established by a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of demonstrating that breaches of the Middle East ceasefire will not be tolerated. However, he also highlighted the necessity of applying maximum diplomatic pressure to sustain ongoing talks and achieve a resolution.

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At the same time, you must apply maximum diplomatic pressure to make sure talks continue, and a solution is reached.

Dr. Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, commented via X/Twitter that Iran's attacks on commercial tankers and aggression against Bahrain and Kuwait demonstrate Tehran's inability to commit to de-escalation. He noted that Arab Gulf states cannot remain targets of Iran's indecision between escalation and peace.

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The Iranian attacks on Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and the repeated aggression against the two sisterly nations of Bahrain and Kuwait, are a clear indication that Tehran is still unable to commit to the requirements of de-escalation and turning the page on war.