The United States carried out strikes on three key nuclear facilities in Iran late on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump warning Tehran could face further attacks if it does not agree to peace with Israel.

On Sunday morning, Iran began retaliatory missile attacks on Israel, just hours after the US strikes.

Reactions of Finnish politicians began to appear on social media not long after that.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

"The strikes against Iran's nuclear programme are exceptional in their scale. It is important that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. The cycle of revenge in the Middle East must be broken," Stubb said in a post on social media site X.

"Achieving a lasting solution will require diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international law. We are closely monitoring the development of the situation. I will continue to discuss the matter with our partners and allies," Stubb's post continued.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) also commented about the matter in two posts on X early on Sunday afternoon, warning of further escalation.

"News of the US strike against Iran's nuclear programme is now on many people's minds," his first post read.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. I just spoke with [European] Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. EU foreign ministers are meeting tomorrow," his post continued.

"We must avoid escalating the situation and return to negotiations. It is important for Finland that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and that no new nuclear weapon state emerges in the world," Orpo's follow-up post read.

The PM also noted the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) statement that no increase in radiation levels had been reported in the areas of the strikes in Iran.

Opposition MPs

But Finland's former foreign minister and current opposition MP Erkki Tuomioja (SDP) was critical about the situation.

"After Finland's 'most important ally', the US, launched its illegal military attacks on Iran, I eagerly look forward to hearing whether the Finnish government will say anything other than the usual mumbling that 'the US has the right to defend itself'," the veteran MP said in a post on Facebook.

Opposition MP Veronika Honkasalo (Left) criticised the US president's actions.

"Trump came to power by promising to be a president of peace. Now we are in a situation where he threatens world peace with attacks that violate international law and increase the risk of escalation, from which we all suffer. If you don’t defend international law now, when will you do it?", Honkasalo said in a post on X.

Government MPs

MP Sinuhe Wallinheimo (NCP) said on social media that the US strike risks "initiating an escalation on several levels," including military counterattacks, cyberattacks and rising oil prices. He warned that a new, increasingly dangerous period is likely to begin in the Middle East.

MP Jarno Limnéll (NCP), who holds a doctorate in military science, characterised the US strikes on Iran as a geopolitical turning point.

"Now, the relations of the great powers, the limits of a regional war and the ability of the international system to prevent uncontrolled escalation are being tested." Limnéll said on social media.

He said that while preliminary information suggested that the US operation was a military success, they had triggered a spiral of countermeasures.

Finnish embassies in Israel, Iran

Employees at the Finnish Embassy in Tel Aviv have left the premises — but will continue working remotely — amid the increased tensions, Finland's Ambassador to Israel, Nina Nordström told Yle on Sunday morning.

"We are fully operational," Nordström explained.

The embassy is aware of approximately 270 Finnish tourists in Israel, some of whom have already left the country. Israel's largest international airport, Ben Gurion Airport, is closed, but land crossings at the Egyptian and Jordan borders are open.

"We do recommend people consider it [leaving Israel], Nordström said.

The top diplomat said that the security situation for Finnish nationals in Israel is very serious, the same as for others in the country. Nordström urged tourists in Israel to follow the advice of local authorities and to stay close to civilian defence shelters.

She characterised the situation in Israel as being generally poor, noting that public gatherings were banned, while daycare centres, schools and non-essential workplaces have been closed due to the circumstances.

Finland advises citizens to leave Iran

Noting Iran's deteriorating security situation, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has urged Finnish citizens to leave the Middle Eastern country.

Finland's embassy in Tehran, Iran is also still operational, the foreign ministry told Finnish news service STT.

The ministry said that the latest information suggested it had received around 400 notifications of travel to Iran.

The ministry also advised citizens still in the country to ensure they have a good supply of water and food as well as fuel, if they are travelling by car.

The ministry noted in a travel bulletin which was updated on Saturday afternoon that Finnish passport holders could leave the country through Turkey or Armenia without needing visas.