Countries react to Iranian attack on Israel
Several countries continued to issue reactions on Sunday after Iran said it launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night.
The United Arab Emirates called for the exercise of the utmost restraint to avoid dangerous repercussions in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The UAE also called for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel overnight in retaliation for a suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, raising the threat of a wider regional conflict.
Russia said it was extremely concerned by the strikes and called on all parties to exercise restraint but said tensions would remain high until the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians was resolved.
“We express our extreme concern over another dangerous escalation in the region,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on the Iranian attacks. “We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint.”
Russia noted that Tehran had said the attack was made within the right to self defense after Israel’s strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that Moscow condemned.
Russia, which has close ties to Iran, said that the West had blocked attempts in the United Nations Security Council to respond to the Israeli strike on the consulate.
“We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, primarily in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will lead to an increase in tension,” the ministry said.
The Kremlin has yet to comment publicly.
But former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that a war between Israel and Iran would worsen Joe Biden’s prospects of being re-elected US president.
“America does not want a big war in the Middle East,” Medvedev said on Telegram. “The killings in Gaza worsen Biden’s prospects in the elections, and war between Israel and Iran would introduce additional uncertainty.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday Israel has shown that it was strong and could defend itself by repelling an Iranian attack overnight together with strong allies.
“Iran is isolated with its aggressive behavior with which it wants to destabilize an entire region,” she said. “And Israel’s capacities have shown Israel is strong, Israel can protect itself.” Baerbock called on Iran to forgo further attacks including via proxies as a regional escalation would have incalculable consequences. For it’s part, NATO condemned Iran’s overnight attack on Israel as “escalation” of regional unrest and urged restraint on all sides.
“We condemn Iran’s overnight escalation, restraint, and are monitoring developments closely. It is vital that the conflict in the Middle East does not spiral out of control,” spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern regarding military escalations in the region and the seriousness of their repercussions, a statement from the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said early on Sunday.
The Kingdom called on all parties to exercise the “utmost levels” of restraint and spare the region and its people the dangers of wars.
It also highlighted the need for the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility toward maintaining international peace and security and warned that an escalation of the crisis will have “serious consequences” if it expands.
Iran launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its first ever direct attack on Israeli territory, risking a major escalation as the United States pledged “ironclad” backing for Israel.