US President Joe Biden assured Israel of US support. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell and EU Council President Charles Michel as well as Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (both ÖVP) also expressed sharp criticism of Iran.
“Our commitment to Israel’s security against the threats posed by Iran and its proxies is unwavering,” wrote US President Biden in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening (local time). He also published a photo of a meeting with his crisis team in the Situation Room, the operations center in the White House. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will take part in Saturday’s discussions, can also be seen on it.
Chancellor Nehammer on Sunday night on X condemned the Iranian attack on Israel “in the strongest possible terms.” Austria stands on Israel’s side, said Nehammer: “We call on Iran to stop any hostility immediately.”
Also Foreign Minister Schallenberg expressed great concern about Iran’s attacks against Israel. “This is a new level of escalation in a situation that is already extremely dangerous,” he wrote on X late Saturday evening. He also called on Iran and its allies “not to add fuel to the fire.”
UN Secretary General Guterres sees the risk of a catastrophic deterioration of the situation in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel. “I am deeply concerned by the very real threat of devastating escalation across the region. I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid actions that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” shared Guterres on Saturday (local time) in New York. He condemned Iran’s attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, expressed deep concern about the military escalations in the region and the serious consequences. In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, the kingdom called on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and protect the region and its people from the threat of war.
- HONEY: Worldwide concern about escalation in the Middle East
Egypt was also “extremely concerned” about the attack against its neighboring country Israel and called for extreme restraint. The attack announced by Iran is a sign of a “dangerous escalation” between the two countries, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday evening. Egypt had previously warned of an expansion of the conflict as a result of “Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.” The government in Cairo is in constant contact with all parties involved in order to stop the escalation. Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel in 1979.
The EU foreign policy chief Borrell strongly condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and spoke of an “unprecedented escalation.” “The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack on Israel,” Borrell wrote on the online service X on Sunday night. “This is an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security,” he added. EU Council President Charles Michel made similar comments. “Everything must be done to prevent further regional escalation,” he wrote on X. “More bloodshed must be avoided.” The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely with its allies.
Also EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and called on all sides to exercise prudence. “I strongly condemn the blatant and unjustified attack on Israel. And I call on Iran and its proxies to stop these attacks immediately,” von der Leyen wrote on X on Sunday morning. “All actors must now refrain from further escalation and to restore stability in the region,” the Commission head continued.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the heavy Iranian air strikes on Israeli territory “in the strongest possible terms.” Scholz, who is currently on a three-day visit to China, wants to discuss a response with the G7 countries. “With this irresponsible and unjustifiable attack, Iran is risking a regional conflagration,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on Sunday morning, immediately after Scholz’s arrival in the Chinese city of Chongqing. Germany stands closely on Israel’s side. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also “strongly condemned” the Iranian attack via the short message service X. “Iran & its proxies must stop this immediately. Our solidarity goes out to Israel in these hours,” she continued.
China said it was “deeply concerned” about the latest escalation in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel. Beijing is calling on all affected parties to remain calm in order to avoid a further increase in tensions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. The aggravated situation is the latest expression of the fact that the Gaza conflict is spreading. China calls on the international community and especially influential countries to work constructively for peace and stability in the region.
Japan also condemned the Iranian attack. This will further worsen the current situation in the Middle East. “We are deeply concerned and strongly condemn this type of escalation,” said the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne also condemned the Iranian attack. “By deciding to take such unprecedented action, Iran is taking the next step in its destabilizing actions and running the risk of military escalation,” he wrote on X.
Also the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the Iranian attack on Israel “in the strongest possible terms.” “These attacks risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the region,” Sunak said in a statement on Saturday evening. “Iran has once again shown that it intends to create chaos in its own backyard.” Britain will remain committed to the security of Israel and all regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. “Together with our allies, we are working urgently to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. Nobody wants to see more bloodshed,” said Sunak.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei canceled his trip abroad because of the Iranian air strikes on Israel. His office announced on Saturday (local time) that he would fly back to Argentina from the USA on Sunday and not continue to Denmark as originally planned. “In view of the recent events in the Middle East with the Iranian offensive against Israel,” Milei wants to form a crisis team and contact various presidents of Western countries to coordinate measures.
After the Iranian airstrikes, Milei declared his solidarity with Israel: Argentina strongly supports Israel in defending its sovereignty – “especially against regimes that promote terror and seek the destruction of Western civilization.”
