Gulf Arab states urge restraint in Israel, Iran escalation

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have expressed deep concerns over the recent military escalation in the Middle East following Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israeli territory late April 13, which involved a barrage of explosive drones and missiles.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced the kingdom's alarm on April 14 regarding the potential serious repercussions of the conflict and called for maximum restraint among all parties involved.

The statement, issued by the Saudi Press Agency, stressed the urgent need for the Security Council to intervene and prevent further escalation to uphold international peace and security.

In a similar tone, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement underscoring the "deep concern" over the recent developments and the necessity to halt the escalation.

The UAE stressed the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy and adhering to international law and the United Nations Charter. It appealed to the UN and its Security Council to tackle the chronic issues and conflicts in the region that threaten global security and stability.

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, also highlighted the importance of maintaining regional and global stability and called for collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputes peacefully.

The military exchange began after Iran vowed retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven Guards officers, including two senior commanders.

Iran described its actions as a response to "Israeli crimes", although Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in the Damascus attack.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi issued a stern warning to Israel on April 14, stating that Iran's armed forces will deliver a "heavier and more regretful response" to any new "adventurism" against Iran's interests, state news agency IRNA reported.

In a statement, Raisi said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted missile and drone strikes overnight against "military and Zionist occupying regime's facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories." This was in response to an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 2 that killed several Iranian personnel.