Countries around the world reacted with alarm to Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Friday, calling for restraint and dialogue to resolve the decades-long dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme.
The US, which said it was not involved in the attacks, warned Tehran against hitting American targets in any response.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
President Donald Trump was expected to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday to discuss the conflict with top advisers. He had previously cautioned Israel against an attack during ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the nuclear programme.
He urged Iran to reach an agreement with Washington "before it is too late" in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," he said. "Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all dead now, and it will only get worse!"
In the Gulf, the UAE criticised the Israeli attacks and called for “utmost self-restraint and judgment” to mitigate risks and prevent any expansion of the conflict. The Foreign Ministry said adhering to international law and respecting the sovereignty of states was key to resolving disputes.
Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes and labelled them “blatant Israeli aggressions”. Riyadh said they “undermine [Iran's] sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms”.
Oman, which has been mediating the weeks of US-Iran talks, called the attacks “dangerous” and “reckless”.
It said they were a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the principles of international law”, adding that they would further destabilise the region.
“The Sultanate of Oman holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences, and calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance to halt this dangerous course of action.”
Lebanon, home to the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah which last year fought a months-long war with Israel, also denounced the strikes. President Joseph Aoun warned they undermine all efforts and initiatives aimed at preserving regional stability.
He called on the international community to act quickly to prevent Israel from “achieving its objectives”.
Hamas, which is backed by Iran, condemned the Israeli bombing and warned it could further destabilise the region. "Iran is paying the price for its steadfast stance in support of Palestine and its resistance," it said.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also criticised the attacks and said Iran has a right to its nuclear programme, according to a statement from their political bureau posted on Telegram.
Turkey, which has been fiercely critical of Israel's war in Gaza, called the Israeli operation a “provocation” and said it was intended to further destabilise the Middle East.
“The fact that the attacks took place at a time when negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme are intensifying shows that the Netanyahu government does not want any issue to be resolved through diplomatic means and does not hesitate to risk regional stability and global peace in line with its own interests,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Turkey shares a land border with Iran, and while the countries are generally considered to have competing aims in the region, they are linked by close trade ties.
Neighbouring Iraq called on the UN Security Council "to convene immediately and take decisive and concrete measures to deter this aggression". It said the "international community must not remain a bystander to this flagrant violation of international law”.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for restraint. “Escalation serves no one in the region,” he said. “Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged de-escalation but acknowledged “serious concerns” over Iran’s nuclear programme and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against “any attack”.
“We call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability,” he said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the Middle East could not afford any more war. “The Secretary General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” a statement said.
Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency, said "nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances”.
Countries further afield also reacted with concern, with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya “strongly” condemning the strikes and calling for restraint. “Peace and stability in the Middle East region are extremely important to Japan,” he said.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “alarmed” at the attack. “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile,” she said. “We urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”
China said it was “deeply concerned” and condemned “violations” of Iran's sovereignty. Beijing has close ties with Tehran as its largest commercial partner and the main buyer of its oil.
“The sudden escalation of the regional situation does not serve the interests of any party,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attacks a “decisive moment in Israel's history” and said the military operation against Iran would continue for days.
Tehran vowed to retaliate. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel should be prepared for a “bitter, painful fate”.
“By God’s grace, the powerful arm of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces won’t let them go unpunished,” he said.
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What should do investors do now?
What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?
Should I be euphoric?
No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.
So what happened?
It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.
"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."
Should I buy? Should I sell?
Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.
"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.
All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.
Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.
Will the rally last?
No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.
"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
