PARIS: The United States, European Union and Britain called for “de-escalation” on Saturday after Israel targeted military sites across Iran in deadly retaliatory strikes as Muslim countries and Russia condemned the strikes and blamed Israel for exacerbating the Middle East conflict.
Israeli jets hit military bases, missile sites, and other strategic installations across several Iranian provinces in retaliation for a missile barrage earlier this month. Iran said two soldiers died in the attacks.
In a statement, the United States voiced support for Israel’s right to self-defence while urging Iran to refrain from further retaliation.
“Israel’s response was an exercise in self-defence, focusing solely on military targets,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said. He said that the United States did not directly participate in the operation. “It is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region,” he said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself and urged all sides to exercise caution. “Iran should not respond to this,” Starmer said.
“I think we need to be really clear that Israel does have the right to defend itself, but we are urging, and have been urging all sides to show restraint, and that is why I am very clear today, Iran should not be responding to this,” Starmer said.
Meanwhile, Russia warned that an “explosive escalation” in hostilities between Iran and Israel risked spiralling out of control after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed deep concern over “the ongoing explosive escalation” in the region and called for immediate restraint from all involved parties.
“We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint, stop the violence, and prevent events from developing into a catastrophic scenario,” Zakharova stated. “It is necessary to avoid provoking Iran into retaliation and to escape this dangerous spiral of escalation.”
Saudi Arabia condemned the military targeting of Iran, and declared it a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a violation of international laws and norms, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) affirmed its unwavering position in its rejection of the continued escalation in the region and the expansion of the conflict that threatens the stability and security of the countries and people of the region, the SPA added.
According to the SPA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and reduce escalation and warns of the consequences of continuing military conflicts in the region.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) calls on the world and influential and active parties to carry out their roles and responsibilities towards reducing escalation and ending the conflicts in the region, the SPA further reported.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan strongly denounced Israeli act of aggression against Iran and it stood with Iran and its other neighbours in pursuit of peace, Radio Pakistan reported.
PM Shehbaz urged all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to act with restraint to avert further escalation.
On social media handle, the PM posted, “Deeply worried by the recent act of Israeli aggression against Iran. Such acts threaten not only regional stability and peace but also violate principles of sovereignty and global law.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Israeli military attacks against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran are a serious violation of the UN Charter and global law. She added that these attacks undermine the path to regional stability and peace and also constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch called on the UNSC to play its role for the maintenance of global peace and security, and to take immediate measures to bring an end to Israeli recklessness in the region and its criminal behaviour, Radio Pakistan reported. She further said the world must also play its role in restoring regional security and peace.
Turkey strongly condemned Israel’s strikes on Iranian military sites and called for an end to what it described as Israel’s “terror” in the Middle East.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement, urged the international community to act in order to prevent further violence and to restore stability across the region. “Putting an end to the terror created by Israel in the region has become a historic task for the establishment of international peace and security,” the foreign ministry said.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli attack on Iran. By committing genocide in Gaza, preparing to annex the West Bank and killing civilians every day in Lebanon, Israel has brought our region to the brink of a greater war,” the foreign ministry said.
Turkey’s statement said it called on the international community to take steps to restrain the Israeli government and ensure that international law is respected. Turkey asked that “actors in and outside the region adopt a rational and prudent attitude”.
The European Union called for “utmost restraint” after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets.
“The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliations risks causing a further expansion of the regional conflict,” the EU said in an official statement. “While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defence, the EU calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint to avoid an uncontrollable escalation, which is in no one’s interest.”
Several other Muslim countries voiced strong opposition to Israel’s actions, warning of the broader implications for regional peace.
Syria expressed “solidarity” with Tehran, affirming Iran’s “legitimate right to defend itself and protect its territory.”
Iraq accused Israel of “expanding conflict in the Middle East” and condemned international inaction. “The occupying Zionist entity continues its aggressive policies and widening the conflict in the region through blatant attacks that it carries out with impunity,” government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement, citing “the international community’s silence” on Israeli actions.
Jordan called the strikes a “violation of international law,” while its foreign ministry urged global leaders to push for an immediate ceasefire across Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon to prevent further escalation.
On the other hand, Germany joined the calls for restraint, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz urging Iran to avoid “massive escalating reactions” in light of the Israeli attacks. He appealed for an immediate halt to hostilities to pave the way for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.
Hamas, the Palestinian group currently at war with Israel in Gaza, condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran as “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty” and warned of repercussions for regional security. Similarly, Algeria and Tunisia issued statements denouncing the Israeli strikes, warning of severe consequences and calling on the international community to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.
