Iran attack – Britain helped Israel defend itself

“I can confirm that our aircraft have shot down a number of Iranian attack drones,” Sunak told reporters at his official residence in Downing Street, London.

Britain is working with its allies to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, the British Prime Minister continued. It is now important for the world that people ‘with a cool head’ prevail.

During the night, Iran attacked Israel for the first time directly from its territory with more than 300 drones and missiles. According to Israeli information, “99 percent” of the bullets were intercepted.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said British warplanes have “intercepted and destroyed several disposable attack drones launched by Iran and its allies.” The drones posed “a threat to the lives of civilians.” All British aircraft returned ‘safely’ to their bases after the mission, Shapps wrote in the online service X.

Sharp international criticism of the Iranian attack
Sharp criticism of Iran’s actions also came from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the EU and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg (both ÖVP). US President Joe Biden assured Israel of American support.

The UN Security Council has scheduled a special meeting for Sunday. “Our commitment to Israel’s security against the threats from Iran and its allies is irrefutable,” US President Biden wrote in a message on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening (local time). He also published a photo of a meeting with his crisis team.

Russia is also “extremely” concerned
Russia was also “extremely” concerned and called on all parties for moderation. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow warned that there would be no detente without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict area (… .) , will lead to one “This will lead to an increase in tension.”

UN Secretary General Guterres saw the risk of a catastrophic deterioration of the situation in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel. “I am deeply concerned about the very real risk of a devastating escalation across the region. “I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid measures that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres said in New York on Saturday (local time). He condemned Iran’s attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

This is where drones and missiles are intercepted over Israel:

Van der Bellen: “Very dangerous escalation”
Austria also came in sharp criticism of the Iranian actions. Van der Bellen condemned the Iranian attack on Israel on Sunday X “in the strongest possible terms. This is a very dangerous escalation in an already extremely tense situation. It is now extremely important to prevent a wildfire in the region,” the Federal President warned.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also strongly condemned the Iranian attack on Israel, speaking to the online service X on Sunday evening about an “unprecedented escalation”. EU Council President Charles Michel made similar comments. “Everything must be done to prevent further regional escalation,” he wrote on X. “More bloodshed must be avoided.” The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely together with its allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and called on all parties to remain calm.