Reactions to US air strikes in Syria and Iraq

Following are reactions by leaders and officials to US retaliatory strikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria, after an attack in Jordan last weekend that killed three US troops and injured some 40 others.

Iran's foreign ministry

Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the air strikes were "violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Syria and Iraq and represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability in the region".

The US attacks were designed "to overshadow the Zionist regime's crimes in Gaza", he said, and urged the UN Security Council to prevent "illegal and unilateral US attacks in the region".

"The root cause of tensions and crises in the Middle East is Israel's occupation and genocide of Palestinians with America's unlimited support."

Iraqi foreign ministry

The Iraqi foreign ministry summoned the US charge d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal memorandum of protest.

"Iraq reiterated its refusal that its lands be an arena for settling scores or showing force between warring countries," the ministry said.

Yahya Rasool, Iraqi military spokesman

"These air strikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences. The outcomes will have severe implications on the security and stability in Iraq and the surrounding region."

Syrian foreign ministry

"What [the US has] committed has served to fuel conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way."

UK government spokesperson

"The UK and US are steadfast allies. We wouldn't comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks. We have long condemned Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant groups."

Hamas

Hamas condemned US "aggression" against Iraq and Syria describing it as a "dangerous escalation" and "an encroachment on the sovereignty of the two countries".

Hezbollah statement

"Hezbollah strongly condemns the blatant American aggression against Iraq and Syria. What the United States of America has done is a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries, an attack on their security and territorial integrity, and a shameless violation of all international and humanitarian laws."

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova

"It is obvious that the air strikes are deliberately designed to further inflame the conflict. By attacking, almost without pause, the facilities of allegedly pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria, the United States is purposefully trying to drive the largest countries in the region into conflict."

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg

"I believe those who are attacking US bases have to know that they are actually pouring oil into the fire. And our common goal has to be to prevent the spillover at all costs. This is a powder keg, the whole Middle East, and there are too many people running around with matches."