Iran driving Mideast further towards brink of abyss, Germany claims

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Iran is driving the Midde East closer and closer to the edge, Germany claimed following Tehran’s missile attack on Israel Tuesday night.

Condemning the attack “in the strongest possible terms,” German Foreign Minister Annelena Baerbock said on X: “We have urgently warned Iran about this dangerous escalation. Iran must stop the attack immediately. It is driving the region further to the brink of the abyss.”

Also condemning the attack, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer argued on X that Israeli civilians were targeted during the attack.

“We demand Iran to immediately cease hostilities against the State of Israel and fully support Israel’s right to defend itself,” he said.

Bulgaria also condemned the attacks and expressed support to Israel.

“We strongly condemn the ongoing Iran missiles attacks on Israel and stand for the regional stability and the security of the State of Israel,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said on X.

In a brief post on X, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala said: “We stand with Israel! As always.”

On Tuesday night, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel amid heightened tensions between the two regional arch-rivals.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) said the attack was in response to Israel’s recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC Commander Abbas Nilforoshan.

Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran last month. Nasrallah was assassinated in Beirut on Friday along with Nilforoshan.

The guard corps warned that if Israel responds to the missile barrage, it will face more “crushing attacks.”

It further said the attack was being carried out with the support of the army and the Defense Ministry.

Iran's UN mission later issued a statement saying the missile attack was "Iran's legal, rational, and legitimate response" to the killings.

Tensions have been running high between Tehran and Tel Aviv since the assassination of Haniyeh in the Iranian capital on Aug. 1. Iran blamed it on Israel and vowed a stern response.

The assassination of Nasrallah, a key ally of Iran, in an Israeli airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut was followed by strong condemnation from Iran’s top leadership.

After the attacks, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that they appear to have been ineffective. The US had vowed to help protect Israel from the Iranian missiles.