Persian Gulf states warn of escalation after attacks on Iran

2024-10-26 15:46:46, Kosova & Bota CNA

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states warned of an "escalation" by Israel after the country attacked military targets in Iran.

Iran supports two groups in the Middle East that are currently fighting Israel.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces" the Israeli attacks, and emphasizes "its clear position regarding the opposition to the escalation of the conflict in the region that threatens the security and stability of states and people" in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry wrote. Saduite Arabia in X.

Israel said it carried out "precision" strikes on military targets in Iran, in retaliation for a missile attack Iran carried out on Israel in early October.

Iran acknowledged that Israel attacked its military targets and said two soldiers were killed in the strikes.

Israel has been fighting Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - in Gaza since October last year.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping nearly 250 others. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, Israel and Hezbollah - the Lebanese militant group and the political party that controls most of southern Lebanon - have exchanged fire on the border.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry called on "the international community and influential parties to assume their roles and responsibilities to de-escalate and end conflicts in the region."

The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which is mediating efforts to end the war in Gaza, expressed "deep concern about the serious consequences that this escalation could produce" by Israel.

The United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran and expressed "deep concern" about the "repercussions on regional security and stability".

Meanwhile, Oman, a country that for a long time plays the role of mediator between Iran and Western countries, said that Israel's attacks on Iran "incite more violence and undermine efforts" to reduce tensions.

This state said that the international community must "put an end to these flagrant violations of the territory of neighboring states".

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack and accused Israel of "threatening security in the region".

Israel said that during the strikes in Iran, it hit missile production facilities, rockets and other systems in several regions, warning that Tehran "will pay a heavy price" if it retaliates.

Israel had vowed to retaliate against Iran after Tehran fired a barrage of 200 rockets at Israel on October 1. This was Iran's second direct attack on its sworn enemy, Israel. Most of the rockets fell, but one person was killed.

Iran had also carried out a missile attack on Israel in April, as this country supports two groups in the Middle East that are currently fighting against Israel./ REL