Reactions to Iran’s attack
EU chief diplomat condemns Iranian attack on Israel
Josep Borrell, head of foreign policy for the European Union, condemns Iran’s attack. photo
© Jean-Francois Badias/AP/dpa
Iran launched an attack against Israel and sent drones towards the country. The EU’s chief diplomat Borrell reacts to the news with concern. Iraq and Lebanon are drawing conclusions.
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell condemned the “unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel” was strongly condemned on behalf of the international community. “This is an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security,” the EU foreign policy chief wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night.
EU Council President Charles Michel also condemned Iran’s attack. Everything must be done to prevent further regional escalation, the Belgian top politician wrote on X. “Further bloodshed must be avoided. We will continue to monitor the situation closely together with our partners.”
British PM condemns Iran attack
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has “strongly condemned” the Iranian attack on Israel. “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.”
Sunak said Britain would 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.
Seibert: Germans on site should follow instructions from the authorities
The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, called on all Germans on site to follow the instructions of the security authorities. “A direct attack like never before: Iranian drones approaching Israel and there can be more to come,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening. “I urge all German compatriots to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and local authorities for your safety.”
Egypt ‘extremely concerned’ about attack against Israel
Egypt has expressed “extreme concern” 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.
Iraq and Lebanon close airspace because of attack on Israel
Iraq and Lebanon have closed their airspace because of the Iranian attack. This was confirmed by the Iraqi Transport Minister, Abdel Rasak Sadaui, and the Lebanese Transport Minister, Ali Hamiyeh, on Saturday evening. It had previously become known that Jordanian airspace had also been closed to civil air traffic.
Iran had previously launched an attack against Israel and dozens of drones towards the country. It will take several hours before the drones can reach Israeli territory, said Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari on Saturday evening. The Saudi television channel Al Arabiya reported that some of the drones with which Iran plans to attack Israel were launched from Iraq towards the country. According to Iranian state television, Iran also fired missiles against Israel.