Saudi Arabia leads condemnation of Israel

PARIS:

Saudi Arabia on Saturday led the Muslim nations in condemning Israel's overnight strikes on Iran and blamed the Zionist state for exacerbating the conflict.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and denunciation" of the Israeli strikes, the foreign ministry said, repeating its "firm position rejecting escalation of the conflict in the region", which "threatens the security and the stability of countries and peoples" in the Middle East.

Qatar said "Israel's targeting" of Iran is "a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law".

The Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement its "deep concern about the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation", calling on "all concerned parties to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and peaceful means".

Bahrain condemned the "military operation" against Iran, expressing "deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions" in the region. In a statement, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry urged the concerned parties to "exercise restraint and prioritize de-escalation to prevent the expansion of war and conflict."

Syria expressed its "solidarity" with its ally Iran. The foreign ministry said it supported "Iran's legitimate right to defend itself and protect its territory and the lives of its citizens".

Iraq accused Israel of expanding conflict in the Middle East and denounced global inaction. "The occupying Zionist entity continues its aggressive policies and widening the conflict in the region through blatant attacks that it carries out with impunity," government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement, citing "the international community's silence" on Israeli actions.

Jordan said the strikes were "in violation of international law and (Iran's) sovereignty, and a dangerous escalation that leads to more tension in the region."

Foreign ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities and take immediate measures to impose a halt to the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon as a first step towards reducing the escalation".

Turkey condemned Israel's strikes on Iran and called for an end to what it said was Israel's "terror" in the region.

"Putting an end to the terror created by Israel in the region has become an historic task for the establishment of international peace and security," the Turkish foreign ministry said.

"By committing genocide in Gaza, preparing to annex the West Bank and killing civilians every day in Lebanon, Israel has brought our region to the brink of a greater war," it added.

The Algerian foreign ministry "strongly condemns and denounces" Israel's military strikes on Iran, which it called "heinous aggression", and called on the international community to halt Israel from escalating conflict in the region.

Neighbouring Tunisia similarly issued a statement warning of "severe consequences" of Israel's strikes on Iran and calling on "the international community to urgently assume its responsibilities to put an end to this reckless approach".

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply alarmed" by the deadly air strikes, urging an end to the wider conflict in the Middle East.

Guterres "urgently reiterates his appeal to all parties to cease all military actions, including in Gaza and Lebanon," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, calling for "maximum efforts to prevent an all-out regional war and return to the path of diplomacy".

Hamas blasted Israel. "We condemn in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the targeting of military sites in several provinces", the movement said in a statement, calling the move "a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region".

Hezbollah likewise slammed Israel and laid the blame for the massacres at its ally the United States. "Hezbollah strongly condemns the treacherous Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and considers it a dangerous escalation at the level of the entire region," the Shiite group said in a statement, adding that the United States "bears full responsibility for the massacres, tragedies and pain" caused by Israel.

Russia urged all sides to exercise restraint and warned of a "catastrophic scenario".

"We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint, stop the violence and prevent events from developing into a catastrophic scenario," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, warning of an "explosive escalation".