Washington: As tensions spike in the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, global leaders are emphasizing the urgent need for diplomacy and de-escalation. With fears of a broader regional war looming, nations are stepping forward to push for restraint, dialogue, and peace.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he expressed “deep concern at the recent escalations.” Modi reaffirmed India’s long-standing commitment to regional peace and urged all involved parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path forward.
“We discussed the situation in detail,” Modi stated. “India reiterates its call for immediate de-escalation and the early restoration of regional peace, security, and stability.”
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, stated that the Trump administration is open to a diplomatic resolution with Iran following the strikes.
“We don’t want to extend this conflict further,” said Vance. “The goal is to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but we are prepared to engage in serious discussions about a long-term settlement.”
His remarks signal a calculated shift from combat operations to strategic negotiation—an approach the administration hopes will bring Iran back to the table under new terms of pressure.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that the military operation was deliberately limited in scope and compliant with U.S. legal protocols. He confirmed that Congress was informed immediately after the attack, as required by the War Powers Act.
“This is not an open-ended mission,” Hegseth emphasized. “The president’s directive was clear: deliver a powerful strike aimed solely at degrading Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The U.S. military remains ready to defend American interests, but our intent is not to prolong hostilities.”
Hegseth also noted that direct communications—both public and private—are being maintained with Tehran, indicating the U.S. is signaling potential off-ramps to avoid further escalation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a carefully worded statement stressing the critical need for Middle East stability. He reiterated Canada’s firm stance that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, but also warned against the spiraling conflict.
“While the U.S. military action may have been aimed at reducing a pressing threat, the region remains in a highly volatile state,” said Carney. “Canada calls for an immediate return to negotiations. A diplomatic solution must be the end goal of this crisis.”
Carney further reminded G7 partners of their shared commitment at Kananaskis to ensure that resolving the Iran issue should lead to a wider de-escalation in the region, including a ceasefire in Gaza and broader peace efforts.
As the U.S. positions itself as both enforcer and negotiator, and Iran retaliates with missile barrages against Israeli cities, the world stands on edge. The critical question now is whether the situation continues to spiral or redirects toward diplomacy.
With calls for calm coming from India, Canada, and inside the Trump administration itself, there is still a narrow but viable path toward containment and compromise. But with every hour, the stakes rise higher in a region already strained by decades of war.
Whether leaders choose confrontation or dialogue in the coming days will likely shape not just the future of U.S.–Iran relations, but the geopolitical balance of the entire Middle East.