Global powers warned Friday (Saturday NZT) that the world has become a more dangerous place and urged restraint after the US assassinated Iran's top general, although Britain and Germany also suggested that Iran shared blame for provoking the targeted killing that dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the Mid-east.
China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the UN Security Council, took a dim view of the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport early Friday that killed General Qasem Soleimani.
The White House said in a tweet that Soleimani, who led the elite Quds Force responsible for Iran's foreign campaigns, "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".
FRANCE
"When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is underway."
RUSSIA
Russia likewise characterised the deadly US strike as "fraught with serious consequences".
A Foreign Ministry statement warned that "such actions don't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, but instead lead to a new round of escalating tensions".
CHINA
China described itself as "highly concerned".
"Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.
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"We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions."
But while echoing the concerns of other Security Council members about spiralling tensions, Britain and Germany broke ranks, voicing qualified understanding for the US position.
GERMANY
German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the US strike as "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility", pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.
"We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation," she said.
Germany currently sits on the UN Security Council but is not a permanent member.
BRITAIN
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said "we have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani".
"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said. "Further conflict is in none of our interests."
FRANCE
Montchalin, the French minister, indicated urgent reconciliation efforts are being launched behind the scenes.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his foreign minister were reaching out to "all the actors in the region", she said
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In the Mid-east, the strike provoked waves of shock, fury and fears of worse to come.
IRAQ
Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for "very difficult times".
IRAN
In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the country's supreme leader who led Friday prayers in Tehran likened US troops in Iraq to "insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.
"I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.
"With his departure and with God's power, his work and path will not cease, and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and the blood of the other martyrs of last night's incident."
