World reactions to Israel's deadly revenge strikes on Iran

Global leaders call for de-escalation after Israel strikes Iran, urging restraint to prevent further conflict escalation in the region.

The US, Britain and the European Union called for "de-escalation" after Israel on Saturday (October 26, 2024) hit military targets across Iran in deadly retaliatory strikes as Muslim countries and Russia blamed Israel for exacerbating the conflict.

Israeli planes hit military bases, missile sites, and other systems in several Iranian regions in retaliation for a missile barrage earlier this month. Iran said two soldiers died in the attacks.

The United States urged Iran to stop attacking Israel and break the cycle of violence "without further escalation".

Israel's "response was an exercise in self-defense and specifically avoided populated areas and focused solely on military targets, contrary to Iran's attack against Israel that targeted Israel's most populous city," National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett told reporters, stressing that the United States did not participate in the operation.

"It is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for "de-escalation" and said Iran should not respond to Israel's strikes.

"I think we need to be really clear that Israel does have the right to defend itself, but we are urging, and have been urging all sides to show restraint, and that is why I am very clear today, Iran should not be responding to this," Mr. Starmer said.