UK, France, Germany Warn Iran Against Attacking Israel

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have warned Iran against launching an attack on Israel, urging restraint to prevent a full-scale war.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, they expressed their shared concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and emphasized their unified stance on the need for de-escalation and regional stability.

"We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability," the statement read.

The three countries specifically called on Iran and its allies to refrain from any actions that could further inflame the situation, particularly in light of ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

These talks, aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages, are scheduled to resume later this week.

"In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree [to] a ceasefire and the release of hostages," the statement added.

They issued a clear warning to Iran, stating that should it choose to attack, it would "bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability."

Emphasizing the potential for widespread negative consequences, the statement said, "No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East."

The joint declaration comes amid growing concerns over the possibility of direct conflict between Iran and Israel.

However, Iran has asserted its right to deliver an "appropriate and deterrent response" against Israel, following statements from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to his U.S. counterpart, warning that Tehran was preparing for a large-scale military strike.

This escalation coincides with the US decision to deploy the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine, to the Middle East.

The move reflects growing concerns over Iran and its allies' potential retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

Amid these tensions, Israel's Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar has issued an order restricting career officers from traveling abroad for holidays.

This comes a day after reports that Israeli soldiers traveling in Georgia and Azerbaijan were instructed to return to Israel immediately.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed on July 31 in Tehran after attending the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, in an attack attributed to Israel.

In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Israel has paved the way for its "severe punishments" with the assassination.

He emphasized that seeking justice for Haniyeh, who was killed on Iranian soil, is "a duty of the Islamic Republic."

Speculation about a retaliatory attack by the Islamic Republic has been rife. However, some government supporters on social media argue that the delay in retaliation is part of the "harsh punishment."

The region has witnessed a series of retaliatory actions, including Iran's direct drone and missile attacks on Israel on April 13, in response to an earlier Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.