UPDATE 4 - Western countries condemn Iran for attacks on Israel

ADDS MORE REACTIONS FROM EU, OTHER EUROPEAN STATES; REVISES LEDE

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL/ATHENS/GENEVA/BERLIN/LONDON (AA) - Western countries condemned Iran for its retaliatory attacks on Israel overnight.

Iran has launched dozens of drones towards Israel, in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria which killed senior military commanders.

“Iran has once again demonstrated that its intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

He reiterated that London’s persistence to stand up for Tel Aviv’s security “that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.”

Similarly, Foreign Secretary David Cameroon said on X, "Iran's reckless attacks on Israel will only further inflame tensions in the Middle East. The UK calls on the Iranian regime to stop this serious escalation, which is in no one’s interest."

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced, "Additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers have deployed to the Middle East to bolster Op Shader, the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq & Syria."

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said, "France condemns in the strongest terms the attack launched by Iran against Israel."

Accusing Iran of taking the risk of a military escalation, he added: "France reaffirms its attachment to Israel's security and assures it of its solidarity."

“Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed,” Sejourne concluded.

Germany “strongly condemned” Iran’s attack and urged Tehran to immediately end its military action.

​​​“We strongly condemn the ongoing attack, which has the potential to plunge an entire region into chaos,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X. “Iran and its proxies must stop this immediately. Our entire solidarity goes out to Israel in these hours.”

Moreover, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said: Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heavy air strikes on Israeli territory launched tonight by the regime in Tehran. With this irresponsible and unjustifiable attack, Iran is risking a regional conflagration. In these difficult times, Germany stands closely by Israel. We will now discuss further reactions closely with our G7 partners and allies."

Italy also expressed its concern over Iran’s attacks on Israel. “We are following with attention and concern what is happening in the Middle East,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X.

Tajani said he maintains ongoing communication with the Italian embassies both in Tel Aviv and Tehran.

“Having consulted the prime minister and the defense minister, the government is ready to manage any type of scenario," he said.

- 'Further escalation must be avoided'

Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, for his part, called the situation after the recent development "very worrying."

"Earlier today the Netherlands and other countries told Iran loud and clear to refrain from attacking Israel," Rutte said, adding that the Netherlands "strongly condemns" Iran's attacks on Israel.

"Further escalation must be avoided," he urged.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the development.

"I urge everyone to show restraint and deescalate the situation," he said. "Iran’s destabilising role in the Middle East is unacceptable - and so is this attack.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "strongly" condemned Iran's "blatant and unjustifiable" attack on Israel.

"And I call on Iran and its proxies to immediately cease these attacks. All actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region," she wrote on X.

The EU joined condemnation messages as its foreign policy chief said any Iranian attack on Israel would be "unacceptable."

"The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel," said Josep Borrell. "This is an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security."

His remarks were followed by Charles Michel, the president of the European Council.

"Everything must be done to prevent further regional escalation," Michel said and urged: "More bloodshed must be avoided."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, "We follow the events in the Middle East with utmost concern. A regional escalation must be avoided at all costs.”

Sanchez stressed that Madrid is in permanent contact with embassies in the region to serve Spaniards in the area.

Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said his government "vehemently condemns" Iran’s attack on Israel, calling for restraint to avoid an escalation of violence.

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris condemned the "reckless" attack, urging all sides to "show restraint now and to avoid any escalation in military action and the devastation that would cause"

On X, Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom called for de-escalation of an "already deteriorating" regional security situation by condemning the attack.

"Iceland condemns Iran's attack on Israel. It is as important as ever to show restraint to prevent further escalation of an already extremely serious situation in the region," Iceland's Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord said.

Poland's Foreign Ministry's urged "Iran and its allies to exercise restraint and immediately cease hostilities." It condemned the attack "in strongest terms."

"We urge Iran ensuring stability and peace in the region is paramount," it added.

Calling the Iranian attack "illegal and dangerous," Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide condemned the development and warned that the attack would further "deteriorate an already extremely volatile situation."

"We must prevent further escalation of violence in the Middle East," said Eide. "I call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint."

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed a "firm commitment" to Israel's security and said: "Iran‘s attack on Israel is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms."

Nehammer also called on Iran to immediately stop the hostilities.

Greek government "unequivocally condemns" Iran’s attacks which constitute a "severe deterioration" of the already strained situation in the region.

"Such actions pose a significant danger to both regional and international security. It is absolutely essential to prevent any further spread of hostilities," the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" following the "unacceptable Iranian attack," saying this is an "unprecedented escalation."

"Lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East could be achieved only with full respect for the founding principles of the Charter of the UN and all relevant international treaties and conventions," the ministry said in a statement.