(VOVWORLD) -UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed his worries after Iran launched a large-scale attack against Israel. In a statement, the UN chief urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.
 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference in New York. (Archive photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
A spokesperson for Malta, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, said that the Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Sunday over Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel.
On Saturday evening, US President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning Iran's attack against Israel and summarizing his call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which reiterated the US’s commitment to Israel's security. He said on Sunday that he will convene a meeting with leaders of the group of seven major industrial powers to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s attack.
Also on Sunday, China said it 's deeply concerned about escalation after Iran’s attack, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said in remarks published on its website.
“China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions,” the spokesperson said, adding this round of tensions is a “spillover from the Gaza conflict”, and quelling that conflict is “a top priority”.
Many of Israel's neighbors including Iraq, Jordan and Egypt have closed their airspace due to safety concerns. Countries in the region expressed fear the conflict could lead to further escalation, calling for all sides to exercise restraint.
France’s Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on X that “Iran has reached a new level in its acts of destabilization and is risking a military escalation” and that France strongly opposes this attack.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said Iran’s attack against Israel is “an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned in the strongest terms, adding that these strikes risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region. The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all its regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq, said Sunak.
Italy, a country bordering the Mediterranean and affected by geopolitical tensions and refugee waves due to conflicts in the Middle East, expressed concern. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country was following the situation "with attention and concern" and was "ready to manage any kind of scenario".