Qatar calls for restraint, de-escalation in region

Qatar has expressed deep concern about the developments in the region and called on all parties to halt escalation, promote calm, and exercise maximum restraint.In a statement Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to take urgent action to defuse tension and de-escalate the situation in the region. The ministry also reiterated Qatar's commitment to supporting all regional and international efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability.

• Kuwait cabinet review situation

Kuwaiti cabinet affirmed keenness on responding to all regional incidents and surrounding conditions in a way that protects the security and stability of Kuwait amid the accelerating developments in the region.This came during the Kuwaiti cabinet's extraordinary meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah.The meeting heard presentations by several ministers on the precautionary measures made by their respective ministries and competent state agencies to address any eventuality, particularly in the security domain. The cabinet reaffirmed commitment to protecting the security and stability of the country.

• Turkiye urges end of escalation

Turkiye yesterday called on all parties to refrain from further escalation that could spiral into a regional war, after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel sent Middle East tensions soaring."Today we are sending our message calling for an end to the escalation, to Iranian officials and to Western countries that have influence over Israel," Turkiye's foreign ministry said in a statement."Israel's attack against the Iranian embassy in Damascus, contrary to international law, provoked our concern. The Iranian reprisal... showed yet again that events can quickly transform into a regional war", it said.A diplomatic source earlier said that Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that Turkiye , which shares a border with Iran, wanted to avoid "a new escalation in the region".A senior Turkish official told AFP that US intelligence chief Bill Burns had asked his Turkish counterpart Ibrahim Kalin to mediate with Tehran this week.Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed the need for restraint in phone calls with the foreign ministers of Iran and Israel yesterday, Egypt said.Nato said it was "vital that the conflict in the Middle East does not spiral out of control".Similar calls came from Britain, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turiye and the Vatican, where Pope Francis called for "an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence".

• World urges restraint

World leaders urged restraint yesterday after Iran launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and attack drones against Israel overnight, at a time the Gaza war has inflamed Middle East tensions.Israel and its allies intercepted the vast majority of the incoming projectiles, the Israeli army said, reporting 12 people injured and no deaths, but the attack sharply heightened fears of an Israeli counterstrike.