Reactions to attack
“Iran is out to sow chaos in its own backyard”
Joe Biden and members of the National Security Team in the White House Situation Room
© Adam Schultz/The White House/AP/DPA
Iran directly attacked Israel on Sunday night. Concerns about an escalation in the Middle East are growing. Not only Joe Biden strongly condemned the attack, but also other heads of state.
Iran attacks Israel: reactions from other countries
Olaf Scholz found out about it during his flight to China (you can read an on-site report here). He condemned Iran’s attack “strongly.” “With this irresponsible and unjustifiable attack, Iran is risking a regional conflagration,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on his behalf after the Chancellor’s arrival in China on Sunday. “In these difficult hours, Germany stands closely by Israel’s side. We will now discuss further reactions closely with our G7 partners and allies,” it said.
Israel’s neighboring country Egypt expressed concern. The attack carried out by Iran is a sign of a “dangerous escalation” between the two countries, the said Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Saturday evening with. 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 to stop the escalation, it said. Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel in 1979.
EU-President of the CommissionUrsula von der Leyen also 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 immediately stop these attacks,” von der Leyen wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning. “All actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region,” the Commission head continued.
England’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also found clear words. “These attacks risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the region,” Sunak said. “Iran has proven once again that it is bent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.” Britain will continue to work for the security of Israel and all regional partners – “including Jordan and Iraq”.
Also the opposition, Labor politician Keir Starmer, condemned Iran’s attack. “The international community has unanimously called for restraint, and we regret that Iran has once again chosen a different, dangerous path,” said Starmer. “Our thoughts are with all those in the region who want peace and security and not the fear and instability that Iran creates,” he said in a statement.
Biden wants to call together G7 partners
Something similar could be heard from Austria. The Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also used the short message service X to clarify his country’s position. “Austria stands with Israel and we call on Iran to immediately stop any hostility,” he wrote.
Out of China There was also concern. “We call on the relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint in order to prevent further escalations,” said a spokesman for the Foreign Office. The People’s Republic calls on the international community, “especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region.”
Also UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the risk of a catastrophic deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. “I am deeply concerned about the very real threat of devastating escalation across the region,” he said in New York. He condemned Iran’s attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell wrote on X: “This is an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security.”
US President Joe Biden has meanwhile announced consultations of the G7 group of economically strong democracies for this Sunday. Biden announced late Saturday evening (local time) in Washington that he would call together the heads of state and government of the G7 “to coordinate a joint diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.” He had recently spoken on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and assured him of America’s unwavering support for Israel’s security. Israel was able to repel an unprecedented wave of attacks. This is “a clear message to its enemies that they cannot effectively threaten Israel’s security.”