European countries blasted Iran for its ballistic missile attack on Israel and expressed concerns over the potential for the attack to lead to a further escalation of the conflict in the region.
Britain “completely condemns” Iran’s actions after it fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel and calls for de-escalation across the region, the office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Starmer expressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his country’s “steadfast commitment” to Israeli security and protection of civilians after the attack.
Starmer condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, which began during the leaders’ conversation, in the “strongest terms,” the spokesperson added.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she condemned the Iranian missile attack in the “strongest possible terms,” saying Iran must stop the attack immediately.
“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,” Baerbock said in a post on social media platform X.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier said that he was concerned about an “escalation” in the Middle East, as the attack was launched.
“I am speaking now, it is 7:16 pm, at a time when the situation is worsening in the Near and Middle East, with an escalation and an attack, and a direct conflict that seems to be underway between Iran and Israel,” Barnier said in parliament, adding that the situation was “extremely serious.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack in the “strongest possible terms,” and said France had “mobilized” its military resources in the Middle East to counter Tehran.
Macron also demanded that Iran-backed Lebanese terror group Hezbollah “cease its terrorist actions against Israel and its population”, and asked Israel to “put an end to their military operations as soon as possible.”
