Russia expresses concerns over escalation of tensions in Middle East, urges restraint

Russia on Monday (Apr 15) raised concerns over the escalation of tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on Saturday (Apr 13).

"We express our extreme concern at yet another dangerous escalation in the region. We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, primarily in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which are often fuelled by irresponsible provocative actions, will exacerbate tensions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We call on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint. We believe it is important for the constructively-minded international players to contribute to this effort," the statement added.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling for restraint said that further rise in the conflict was in no one'sinterest and that the countries should resolve conflict via political and diplomatic methods.

"Further escalation is in no one's interests. Therefore, of course, we advocate that all disagreements be resolved exclusively by political and diplomatic methods," Peskov said.

Iran on Saturday (Apr 13) launched a drone and missile strike against Israel in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that claimed the lives of seven officers, including a senior commander of the IRGC.

UK rebuffs Iran claimthat it gave advance notice before attacking Israel

The United Kingdom rebuffed Iran's claims that Tehran notified in advance before launching missile and drone attacks against Israel.

"I would reject that characterisation," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday (Apr 15). "And more broadly, we condemn in the strongest possible terms their direct attack against Israel."

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday said that Tehran had informed its neighbouring countries about its retaliatory strikes on Israel almost 72 hours in advance.

“About 72 hours prior to our operations, we informed our friends and neighbours in the region that Iran’s response against Israel was certain, legitimate, and irrevocable,” Amirabdollahian said at a press briefing.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron urged Israel not to launch any retaliatory offensive against Iran stating that Tel Aviv should "think with head as well as heart" as Tehran's strike was a near-total failure.

Iran on Saturday night had launched over 300 missiles and drones that reportedly caused moderate damage in Israel as most of them were shot down by its Iron Dome defence system and with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan.

"I think they're perfectly justified to think they should respond because they have been attacked, but we are urging them as friends to think with the head as well as heart, to be smart as well as tough," Cameron said.

He said that he was urging Israel not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

"In many ways, this has been a double defeat for Iran. The attack was an almost total failure, and they revealed to the world that they were the malign influence in the region prepared to do this. So our hope is that there won't be a retaliatory response," he added.

Macron urges Israel to avoid escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said that he has urged Israel to avoid further escalation in the Middle East.

"We will do all we can to avoid things flaring up, escalating," Macron said, urging Israel to aim to isolate Iran rather than escalate the situation.

"We are all worried about a possible escalation," Macron told BFM TV and RMC radio. "The situation is very unstable today."

(With inputs from agencies)