Russia and Germany call for Middle East to keep calm as Iran-Israel tensions escalate

Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, foreign ministers from Russia and Germany have issued calls for restraint in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated the promise of retaliation against Israel following an attack on its consulate in Syria, which resulted in the death of a senior general.

On the same day, the Israeli Foreign Minister stated that if Israel were attacked, the country would retaliate directly against Iran. These mutual threats have further heightened tensions in the already volatile region, exacerbated by the conflict in Gaza.

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS HER IRANIAN COUNTERPART

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reached out to her Iranian counterpart, Hussein Amirabdollahian, on Thursday, urging “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, German airline Lufthansa suspended flights to the Iranian capital due to the heightened tensions.

RUSSIA ADVISES ITS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVELING TO MIDDLE EAST

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a warning advising its citizens against traveling to the Middle East, particularly to Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of everyone acting with calmness, stating that it was crucial to avoid further destabilization in the already unpredictable region.

NETANYAHU: “WHOEVER HARMS US WE WILL HARM THEM”

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the April 1 attack, in response to which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Israel must be “punished and would be punished.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza while also indicating preparedness for security measures in other areas. Netanyahu stated, “Whoever harms us, we will harm them.”