Published on Monday, March 2, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services

Costa Rica on Saturday condemned strikes by the Iranian regime against U.S. interests in several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the action contravenes both the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, a cornerstone of international law that requires member states to uphold international peace and security, protect human rights, and refrain from the use of force.

Costa Rica, an unarmed democracy faithful to its pacifist tradition and committed to international law and multilateralism, reiterated that peace must be the path and highest aspiration of leaders for their peoples, the ministry added.

 

Early February, Costa Rica advised its citizens to avoid travel to the Middle East because of escalating conflicts and deteriorating security conditions across the region.

Authorities warned that evacuation options from conflict zones are extremely limited and noted that Costa Rica currently lacks the resources to carry out evacuation operations for citizens residing in countries affected by ongoing hostilities.

On Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States that destroyed his central Tehran compound. Khamenei, an Iranian politician and Shiite cleric, has served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

Khamenei built Iran into a powerful anti-U.S. force, expanding its military influence across the Middle East.

Israel and the United States launched a joint attack Saturday on multiple sites in Iran. The operation, code-named “Roaring Lion” by Israel and “Operation Epic Fury” by the U.S. Department of Defense, targeted key officials, military commanders and facilities.

The attack began with strikes in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. Several Iranian government officials were killed, including Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, as well as Khamenei, whose compound was destroyed.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a video posted on Truth Social that the United States had launched strikes on Iran alongside Israel. In retaliation, Iran launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles across the Persian Gulf and targeted Israel as well as U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran also reportedly launched strikes on civilian aviation facilities, including international airports in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Yemen-based Houthi forces announced they would resume attacks in the Red Sea. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global oil and gas shipments.

Trump said the objective of the operation was to destroy Iran’s missile and military capabilities, prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ultimately topple the regime.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees the country’s foreign policy and manages its diplomatic missions worldwide.

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