Europe's attempts to cool tensions in the Israel Gaza conflict fall on deaf ears

Iran says it will be 'resolute' in defending its security, after an attempted joint intervention by UK, France, and Germany ahead of planned ceasefire talks.  

Iran's foreign ministry has condemned European leaders after they urged Tehran to refrain from an attack on Israel, as signs grow that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a wider Middle East war.

'Serious risk of miscalculation'

The U.S. has warned that a strike on Israel by Iran, in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, could come within days. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated 'with respect to potential timings … (it) could be this week.'

Issuing a joint statement, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Macron and the German chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Iran "to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions."

The three leaders warned any pre-emptive strike on Israel would "jeopardize the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages," adding that "no country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East." 

Starmer also held a half-hour phone conversation with Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian, warning of "a serious risk of miscalculation" with tensions running so high. 

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'Brazen behavior'

Iran's foreign ministry has accused the European leaders of "brazen behavior," stating Israel's alleged killing of Haniyeh "violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity." Israel has neither confirmed or denied involvement in his death.

Talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are due to begin on Thursday in either Egypt or Qatar. Hamas has yet to confirm it will attend, and is instead pushing for the implementation of a former proposal, presented by the U.S. President Joe Biden in May.  

The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye has confirmed that Washington is reaching out to regional allies over the strike threat from Iran. Speaking in Istanbul, Jeff Flake said "They're doing what they can to make sure that it doesn't escalate," adding "they seem more confident than we are that it won't."

Israel says it remains on 'alert' over any pending attack from Iran or Hezbollah. Security has also been tightened around the West Bank, amid fears that groups on the ground in the Palestinian Authority controlled enclave may be planning action. 

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