The dramatic escalation raises fears that the Middle East could be on the brink of a devastating new regional conflict.
“The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently,” Starmer said Friday, urging parties to show “restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
A spokesperson for António Guterres said the United Nations secretary-general is “particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway,” and called for both sides “to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: “We know that the situation is very complicated but there is no other solution than a diplomatic one. We hope that the fighting can cease as soon as possible, actions and reactions are dangerous, the situation in the area risks exploding.”
U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News on Friday morning he was aware in advance of Israel’s plans to conduct strikes on Iran.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump added.
