World leaders call for restraint after Israel’s airstrikes on Iran

World leaders have called for restraint after the first open Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after Tehran reiterated that it was “entitled and obligated to defend itself”.

The Israeli air force struck about 20 military bases across Iran, including missile and drone manufacturing sites and air defence systems, in the early hours of Saturday.

The anticipated attack was in retaliation to a missile barrage launched by Iran on 1 October in which an estimated 180 ballistic missiles fired towards Tel Aviv and military bases. That attack, in turn, was launched in support of Hezbollah after Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, Tehran said.

US news outlets reported on Saturday that Israel’s airstrikes were telegraphed to the Iranians in advance, and there has been no change to the Israeli Home Front’s guidance for civilians, suggesting an Iranian retaliation is not believed to be imminent. Nonetheless, the Israeli operation is a high-stakes one, and brings the Middle East a step closer to full-blown regional war.

The US, Israel’s most important ally and main weapons supplier, called the Israeli attack an “exercise in self-defence” that minimised the risk of civilian harm. “We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation,” said Sean Savett, the White House national security council spokesperson.

Keir Starmer echoed Washington’s stance. Speaking at a press conference in Samoa, the prime minister said: “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I’m equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond. We will continue to work with allies to de-escalate the situation across the region.”

Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, also warned Iran against escalation. “My message to Iran is clear: massive escalating reactions must not continue. These must stop immediately. Only then can we open the possibility of a peaceful evolution in the Middle East,” he posted on X.

The French foreign ministry called on Israel to “refrain from any escalation or action likely to aggravate the context of extreme tension” in the region.

Middle Eastern countries universally called for de-escalation, while criticising the Israeli operation, codenamed “Days of Repentance”, for violating Iran’s sovereignty.

Saudi Arabia, the Sunni Muslim world’s geopolitical linchpin, said it condemned the Israeli attack as a “violation of international laws and norms”. Relations between Riyadh and Tehran, which vie for dominance in the region, have improved in the past year. In a deal brokered by China in 2023, the countries have re-established diplomatic relations.

The Gulf states Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which like Saudi Arabia could be drawn into a regional escalation, also denounced the Israeli airstrikes. “The UAE strongly condemns the military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran and expresses deep concern over the continued escalation and its impact on regional security and stability,” the UAE foreign ministry said.

The attack was a “blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international law”, the Qatari foreign ministry said, adding that the international community must step up diplomatic efforts aimed at “ending the suffering of the peoples of the region, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon”.

Egypt, which along with Qatar has mediated indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the past year, said it “condemns all actions that threaten the stability of the region”. A deal is the “only way to de-escalate”, a statement from the ministry of foreign affairs said.

The Iraqi prime minister’s office said Israel “continues its aggressive policies and expansion of conflict in the region, employing blatant acts of aggression without deterrence”. The neighbouring country, which briefly closed its airspace after the Israeli attack, also reiterated calls for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that Israel is fighting in Gaza, said on the messaging app Telegram: “We consider this a flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region and the safety of its people, placing full responsibility on the occupation [Israel] for the consequences of this aggression, supported by the United States of America.”

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militia also allied with Iran, against which Israel launched a ground invasion earlier this month.

Syria, a staunch Iranian ally, which was also targeted by reported Israeli airstrikes overnight, expressed “solidarity” with Tehran. A statement from the foreign ministry said Damascus supported “Iran’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its territory and the lives of its citizens”.

Jordan, Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia also joined the chorus of condemnation of Israel on Saturday morning.

The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said Moscow was worried about an “explosive escalation” in hostilities between Iran and Israel that could spiral out of control.