Middle East Urges De-escalation as US-Israel Attacks on Iran Prompt Retaliation
CAIRO, March 9 (Xinhua) — Leaders across the Middle East are calling for diplomatic solutions to de-escalate rising tensions following continued joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which have been met with retaliatory strikes.
Emergency EU Meeting and Regional Response
The urgent necessitate for de-escalation was emphasized during an emergency meeting convened by the European Union on Monday. The video conference included participation from leaders and officials representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, Iraq, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Calls for Restraint and Dialogue
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi stressed the importance of restraint from all parties involved, advocating for a prioritization of dialogue and a diplomatic path to resolve the crisis. He stated that peaceful resolutions are crucial for achieving stability and security in the region, according to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency. Sisi likewise called for an immediate cessation of “all attacks” targeting Arab nations.
Concerns Over Regional Instability
Jordan’s King Abdullah II echoed the call for diplomacy, warning against attempts to broaden the conflict by “targeting” stable Arab countries, as reported by the Royal Court. Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa highlighted unprecedented missile and drone attacks from Iran targeting Bahrain, GCC countries, and Jordan, urging the international community to protect maritime traffic through the Straits of Hormuz, according to the Bahrain News Agency.
Syria’s Perspective on the Escalation
Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, described the escalating tensions as an “existential threat” to the Middle East, citing potential risks to global economic stability and increased security pressures on neighboring countries, as reported by state news agency SANA. He affirmed Syria’s opposition to violations of Arab sovereignty and noted the country’s direct impact due to its geographic location amidst active conflict zones.
Recent Events Leading to the Crisis
The current crisis was triggered by joint attacks launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 against Tehran and other Iranian cities. These attacks resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several senior officials, military commanders, and hundreds of civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. Bases throughout the Middle East.