European leaders are calling for calm and restraint following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites, urging all parties to avoid further escalation amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

France: The French foreign ministry issued a statement urging caution, saying, “France has learned of Israel’s announcement of strikes against military targets in Iran last night… France immediately urges the parties to refrain from any escalation or action likely to aggravate the context of the extreme tension prevailing in the region.” The French government emphasized the need to prevent a worsening of the already volatile situation.

Switzerland: Switzerland’s foreign ministry echoed similar concerns in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the escalation and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. “Switzerland condemns the dangerous escalation of violence in the Middle East, including today’s Israeli airstrikes in Iran,” the ministry stated. It urged both sides to halt hostilities to prevent further destabilization in the region.

Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties during the strikes and called on Iran to refrain from escalating the conflict. “Massive reactions of escalation must not continue. This must end now. Then there will be an opportunity for peaceful development in the Middle East,” Scholz said in a post on X.

In response, Iran reported that the strikes caused “limited damage” but confirmed that two soldiers were killed. The attacks, which had been anticipated for some time, coincide with Israel’s broader military actions in northern Gaza and against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.

European leaders have reiterated the importance of diplomatic solutions, with hopes that restraint can pave the way for stability in the region.