Arab countries call for restraint, de-escalation following attack on Iran

ISTANBUL

Several Arab countries on Friday called for restraint and de-escalation following an attack attributed to Israel targeting Iran, and an end to the mutual retaliation between the two nations.

The United Arab Emirates expressed "its deep concern over ongoing regional tensions, and has called for refraining from any steps that further exacerbate escalation in the region," according to its foreign ministry.

In a statement, the ministry also called for "exercising the utmost restraint in order to avoid serious repercussions, and the region being pulled into new levels of instability."

The Omani Foreign Ministry called on the international community to "address the causes and roots of tension and conflict through dialogue, diplomacy and political solutions."

It also called for focusing efforts on reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and "resorting to international law and UN resolutions to reach a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue in order to restore security, stability and comprehensive peace in the entire region" .

Egypt has expressed "grave concern over the continued mutual escalation between Israel and Iran, following reports of missile and drone strikes against sites in Iran and Syria".

In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry urged both sides "to exercise maximum restraint and full compliance with international law and the UN Charter, warning of the consequences of the conflict expanding and the region's instability."

In a related context, Jordan, according to a post by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on X, warned of the "danger of regional escalation."

Safadi condemned "all actions that threaten dragging the region into war," saying: "Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end. The inhumane war on Gaza must end now."

Earlier in the day, US media outlets including CNN reported, citing Israeli and American officials, that Tel Aviv struck Iran in response to its recent attack.

Iranian state media said Friday that air defenses were activated against suspicious objects in several cities, including the central province of Isfahan.

The semi-official Mehr News Agency said three drones were destroyed in the skies above Isfahan.

Iran's state television confirmed “massive explosions” in Isfahan, but said no nuclear facilities were affected or targeted in the central city.

Israel has yet to comment on US reports of its attacks on targets in Iran, Syria, and Iraq.

Tension escalated between Iran and Israel after Tehran launched a drone and missile attack on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria, in which seven military advisers were killed.

Israel, which has not formally taken responsibility for the consulate attack, has vowed a military response to Iran’s weekend attack.

Friday’s explosions came amid Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 34,000 people since last October following a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala