US and European states urge Tehran not to respond, while Middle Eastern countries condemn Israeli operation
World leaders have called for restraint after the first open Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after Tehran reiterated that it was “entitled and obligated to defend itself”.
The Israeli air force struck about 20 military bases across Iran, including missile and drone manufacturing sites and air defence systems, in the early hours of Saturday.
The anticipated attack was in retaliation to a missile barrage launched by Iran on 1 October in which an estimated 180 ballistic missiles fired towards Tel Aviv and military bases. That attack, in turn, was launched in support of Hezbollah after Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, Tehran said.
US news outlets reported on Saturday that Israel’s airstrikes were telegraphed to the Iranians in advance, and there has been no change to the Israeli Home Front’s guidance for civilians, suggesting an Iranian retaliation is not believed to be imminent. Nonetheless, the Israeli operation is a high-stakes one, and brings the Middle East a step closer to full-blown regional war.
The US, Israel’s most important ally and main weapons supplier, called the Israeli attack an “exercise in self-defence” that minimised the risk of civilian harm. “We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation,” said Sean Savett, the White House national security council spokesperson.
Keir Starmer echoed Washington’s stance. Speaking at a press conference in Samoa, the prime minister said: “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint.
