World leaders call on Iran and Israel to show restraint and de-escalate

A chorus of world leaders and international organizations voiced concerns Monday over regional security in the Levant region following Iran's attempted aerial salvo on Israel overnight Saturday.

International partners of both Tel Aviv and Tehran have spoken out urging both states to seek de-escalation as the two regional powers face a direct conflict following years of proxy conflict. 

Israel claims that Iran launched over 360 armed drones and missiles at its territory in an attempted attack, leaving many countries fearing Israeli retribution and further Iranian retaliation.

"We are extremely concerned about the escalation of tensions in the region, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov regarding the heightened tensions in the region. "We call on all countries in the region to exercise restraint. Further escalation is in no one's interests. Therefore, of course, we advocate that all disagreements be resolved exclusively by political and diplomatic methods."

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian echoed those thoughts saying "China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions."

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"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pleaded. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron responded saying "we will do all we can to avoid things flaring up, escalating. The situation is very unstable today."

Iraq called on all parties to show restraint amid soaring tensions. Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim was in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said Iraq was concerned about its region being "dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety."

Turkish officials claimed that Iran had alerted them and their Iraqi and Jordanian counterparts about the impending attack.

“Iran informed us in advance of what would happen. Possible developments also came up during the meeting with Blinken, and they (the U.S.) conveyed to Iran through us that this reaction must be within certain limits,” a source close to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters.

“In response, Iran said the reaction would be a response to Israel’s attack on its embassy in Damascus and that it would not go beyond this.”

Pakistan, which had strongly condemned the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, said the latest developments underline "the grave implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfill its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security,"  according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israel claims that Iran launched over 360 armed drones and missiles at its territory in the attempted attack, one Tehran claims came in retaliation for an alleged Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria which claimed the lives of two senior figures from its Revolutionary Guard.

Israel hasn't claimed responsibility for the strike on the Iranian facility in Syria, but Iran claim Tel Aviv are behind the strike.

"If the international community and the Security Council had reacted to Israel's aggressive actions in the past years, we would not have seen such bold acts by this regime now," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said. "We have carried out this action (the attack on Israel) in the framework of deterrence. If another action is taken (by Israel), our actions will be more serious.

"Our advice to all the supporters of the Zionist regime is to appreciate the value of Iran's responsible and proportionate action instead of choosing inappropriate words about Iran."

Netanyahu: Israel 'will win'

Response to the attacks has been divided in Tel Aviv, with the nation's war cabinet allegedly divided on how and when to respond to the Iranian incursion.

"We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said regarding the attack noting that his nation "will win."

Israel's largest military backer, the U.S., has reaffirmed its support for Tel Aviv's while urging for calm.

"The U.S. condemns Iran's attack on Israel in the strongest terms," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "While we do not seek escalation, we will continue to support Israel's defense, and as the President made clear, we will defend U.S. personnel."

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