World hurries to respond to rapidly changing war around Iran

By FOSTER KLUG

TOKYO (AP) — A shaken world reacted with anger and confusion — and more involvement than expected, in some cases — Monday as the coordinated U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend sprawled into a regional war.

The first details of possible effects on Iran’s nuclear program, the issue at the center of the escalating conflict, began to emerge. More allies of the U.S. and Israel engaged, as did Iran’s armed proxies. And countries from the Gulf to Cyprus found themselves in the line of fire.

Fast-paced diplomacy was required as the missiles and drones kept coming. Borders closed, embassies emptied and allies sent military reinforcements.

Open support, and some silence

Many nations refrained from commenting directly on the initial U.S.-Israeli joint strikes but condemned Tehran’s retaliation, perhaps mindful of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Other governments criticized Iran’s strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. and Israeli military action.

Canada — not shy about its frustration with the Trump administration — expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, along with Australia.

Russia, China and Spain responded with sometimes sharp criticism. Russia’s foreign ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pur...