BRUSSELS/Xinhua
European Union (EU) leaders on Sunday called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of the situation in the Middle East following Iran’s retaliatory attacks against Israel. “Everything must be done to avoid further regional escalation. Further bloodshed must be avoided. We will closely monitor the situation with our partners,” the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, published on social media on Sunday.
“All actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region,” the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, published on social media today.
Both EU leaders also condemned Iran’s attack on Israel.
In addition to urging “all parties to act with moderation,” Josep Borrell, high representatives of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, published on social networks that “this is an unprecedented situation.”
Borrell said he called an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers for April 16 “to contribute to the reduction of tensions and security in the region.”
Iran and allied armed groups launched coordinated drone and missile attacks against Israel late Saturday night.
Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has stated that the country’s military action against Israel was based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter on the legitimate right to self-defense and in response to the deadly Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate. In Syria.
The latest developments have raised fears of a broader regional war, as a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip remains elusive.
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