JOHN Swinney has said the UK must push for a diplomatic solution following the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The US attacked three sites in Iran including the Fordo facility, which is buried deep underground.
Donald Trump said the key nuclear sites had been “completely and fully obliterated”.
In an address to the nation from the White House, the US President warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: “There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.”
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned the attacks “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.
Posting on X, the First Minister said: “The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran.
“The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.”
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Swinney added that the US intervention "risks spiralling into disaster for the region and the wider world".
“The world finds itself at a profoundly dangerous moment and must pull itself back from the brink," he added.
“I agree with the Secretary-General of the United Nations that we need to see immediate de-escalation and an end to the conflict through diplomacy.
"It is vital that the UK Government takes any and all steps it can through diplomatic channels to insist upon that. We also call on Iran to return to negotiations.
“And while the danger is clearly greatest for those in the region, make no mistake that this situation is a threat to us all. The consequences for international peace and security could be severe and it is vital that all nations work through the United Nations to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace.”
The Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND) said it "deplores the blatant breach of international law" by the US.
"It has now become a major participant in Israel's illegal war on Iran," a spokesperson said.
"Bombing Iran to protect the aggressive Israeli state's monopoly of nuclear weapons in the Middle East is both completely hypocritical and dangerous.
"The existing nine nuclear powers have totally failed to make any serious progress in fulfilling their commitments in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to progress to full nuclear disarmament.
"We are asking the Scottish Government to make a statement deploring the actions of the United States and Israel in this illegal action."
Elsewhere, Ireland's leaders said there is an “urgent” need for de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East.
They said they are in close contact with European counterparts ahead of a meeting of EU foreign leaders on Monday and of EU leaders later in the week.
“Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues,” Martin said.
“Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme.
“Nuclear safety is an issue here, modern warfare is very destructive. It is civilians who ultimately suffer, and that is why we need an end to these wars and bring an end to conflict.”
Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
It comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer similarly called for negotiations to continue.
“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security," he said.
“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority.
“We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
The strikes followed a build-up of US military equipment, with B-2 stealth bombers – which are the only aircraft to carry a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb – reportedly used to target the underground facilities.
The aircraft have previously used the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands, but it is understood that was not involved in the strikes that hit Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
The attack on Iran also involved US submarines, which launched around 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
