<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish government condemned this Friday “the military escalation in the Middle East following Israel’s attacks against Iran” and demanded “restraint from the parties and an immediate cessation of violence.”</strong></h4> “Spain reiterates its commitment to stability in the Middle East and will continue working with its partners for lasting peace in the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “The Spanish embassies in Iran and in the countries of the region remain fully operational to assist the Spanish people in any eventuality,” it added. <h5><strong>Israel's response</strong></h5> In response to this statement, the Israeli Embassy in Madrid expressed its rejection of "the Spanish government's statement, which completely ignores the existential threat to Israel posed by Iran's nuclear program." "Is Spain willing to live under the threat of a nuclear weapon, under the risk of annihilation, and under constant terrorism? Is Spain aware of Iran's nuclear enrichment program? Of its nuclear weapons potential? Of the threat it poses to the entire region?" it continued. "We are now accustomed to condemnations, to unilateral and unfriendly policies. Israel contributes to making Europe, and Spain as well, a safer place," it concluded. <h5><strong>EU</strong></h5> For her part, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, warned that “the situation in the Middle East is dangerous” and called on the parties to “exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.” She also stressed that “diplomacy remains the way forward” and assured that she is “ready to support any diplomatic effort toward de-escalation.” Likewise, the President of the European Council, António Costa, expressed concern about the regional impact of a possible escalation: “I am concerned by the events in the Middle East,” he declared, adding that “we must avoid an escalation, which could affect the entire region.” Like his colleagues, he called for “restraint and diplomacy” as a solution. Finally, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, described the reports from the region as “alarming” and stated that “Europe urges all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and refrain from retaliation.” The head of the EU executive indicated that “a diplomatic solution is urgent for the stability of the region and global security.” <h5><strong>Attacks</strong></h5> Israel launched a massive attack against the Natanz uranium enrichment plant in central Iran early this morning. The operation, dubbed "Lion Rising," was described by Israel as an "offensive, preemptive, precise, and combined" action in response to a threat following the dispatch of more than 100 Iranian drones toward Israeli territory. The attack, carried out by 200 fighter jets, killed the chief of staff of the Tehran Armed Forces, General Mohamed Hossein Baqeri; the commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami; and General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam ol-Anbiya air base; as well as nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) justified the bombings because "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon," which "represents an existential threat to Israel and the world at large." For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video address broadcast on X that the military operation “will continue for as many days as necessary to eliminate the threat.” He also thanked US President Donald Trump “for his leadership in confronting Iran’s nuclear weapons program.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied Washington’s involvement in the attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz immediately declared a state of emergency throughout the country, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement that “with this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared itself for a bitter and painful fate, and it will undoubtedly receive it.” <div class="lRu31" dir="ltr"><span class="HwtZe" lang="en"><span class="jCAhz ChMk0b"><span class="ryNqvb">Throughout Friday, Israel carried out a new wave of attacks against several sites in Iran, including the Natanz nuclear facility, Tabriz, and Shiraz.</span></span> <span class="jCAhz"><span class="ryNqvb">In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard carried out a massive missile attack against "dozens of targets, military centers, and air bases of the Zionist regime."</span></span> <span class="jCAhz"><span class="ryNqvb">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declared this Friday that, "at this time," his country does not accept "any call for restraint."</span></span></span> <div class="OvtS8d"></div> <div id="ow493"></div> </div> <div class="UdTY9 WdefRb" aria-hidden="true" data-location="2"></div>
