As Iran launches a fervid missile attack on Israel, the war seems to be escalating in the Middle East. The attack came while Israel initiated its limited ground offensive in Lebanon to target Hezbollah militants. Referring to Iran's strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the former made a big mistake, and it would pay for it.
Amid the pandemonium, leaders from across the world condemned Iran’s act, calling it a provocative attempt.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel, labelling the incident as a “dangerous escalation.” In an X post, Albanese expressed deep concern over the rising tensions in the region and urged its citizens in Israel to follow local authorities' guidance for their safety.
"Australia condemns Iran’s missile attack on Israel. This is an extremely dangerous escalation - Australia and the global community have been clear in our calls for de-escalation. Further hostilities put civilians at risk. We are monitoring the situation closely and encourage Australians in Israel to follow the advice of local authorities," Albanese said.
US Vice President Kamala Harris issued a strong rebuke of Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Speaking at a press briefing, Harris denounced the assault and characterised Iran as a destabilising and dangerous actor in the Middle East. "Today, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a reckless attack. I condemn this attack unequivocally," she said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel, calling it an unacceptable escalation and reaffirming Britain's support for Israel's right to self-defence. He also urged British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately due to the worsening security situation. Starmer said he spoke to various global leaders, including Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, to find a political solution to the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.
"In the last few hours, the Iranian regime has launched over 200 ballistic missiles at civilian targets in Israel. It's too soon to assess the impact fully, but I condemn this attempt by the Iranian regime to harm innocent Israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation and push the region ever closer to the brink. It cannot be tolerated. We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence... Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long. Chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond. Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel's reasonable demand for the security of its people. I've spoken today to PM Netanyahu, the king of Jordan, President Macron and Chancellor Scholz. In the last week, I've also spoken to other leaders, including Prime Minister McCarthy of Lebanon, President Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, to try to find the space for a political solution to the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza... The situation in Lebanon is increasingly grave. I want advice for British nationals who are still there. You must leave now. You should register your presence with government officials on our website. We have a chartered flight and we're doing everything we can to get people out. But the situation is extremely volatile. So if you have the means to leave, the time is now. Do not wait," he said.
US President Joe Biden said their military was actively supporting the IDF and the the Iranian attacks were ineffective. "Today, at my direction, the United States military actively supported the Defense of Israel, and we're still assessing the impact... The attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective. This is a testament to the Israeli military capability and the US military. It's also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack. Make no mistake, the United States is fully supportive of Israel. I have spent the morning and part of the afternoon in the Situation Room with my whole national security team and consulting with the Israelis... The national security team has been in constant contact with Israeli officials and their counterparts," Biden said.
Mohammed Abdulsalam, the spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthis, expressed support for Iran's military operation, stating that it demonstrates solidarity with Palestine and opposes Israel's dominance in the region. “Deterring the Zionist entity and confronting it is the only way to reign it in and prevent it from escalating its barbaric crime against the Lebanese and Palestinian people and the rest of the region,” he said in a social media post.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating Middle East conflict, criticising the continuous cycles of violence and reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire.
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Charles Michel, President of the European Council, condemned Iran's attack on Israel, stating that it poses a serious threat to regional security. “The deadly escalatory spiral in the Middle East must stop now. A regional war is in no one’s interest,” he said in a post on X.