The European Union has urged all parties involved in the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians. The call for calm comes after a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, which has drawn widespread condemnation and retaliation from Tehran.
The US and Israel launched a major combat operation against Iran on Saturday, with President Donald Trump announcing the goal of eliminating threats from the Iranian regime. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the US and Israel of violating the United Nations charter and has pledged a harsh response.
Iran has launched retaliatory missile strikes against US military assets hosted in several Gulf states, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The attacks have been condemned by these countries, with Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling the attack a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty.
International Response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa have called the conflict greatly concerning and urged all parties to respect international law. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also called on countries to respect the rules of war and find the political will to prevent further death and destruction.
France has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, with President Emmanuel Macron saying the conflict carries serious consequences for international peace and security. Oman, the main mediator in ongoing US-Iran negotiations, has expressed dismay at the outbreak of violence and urged the US not to get sucked in further.
Russia has accused the US of using its nuclear talks with Iran as a cover-up before military operations, while Ukraine has accused Iran of being responsible for the chain of events leading to the conflict. Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth has said the initial attack on Iran by Israel breached standards of international law.
The conflict has also been condemned by Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and other countries, with many calling for an immediate halt to escalation and a return to diplomacy. The situation remains volatile, with many countries urging restraint and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Source: Al Jazeera
