Spain condemns Israeli and Iranian attacks against critical energy infrastructure in the Middle East

The Diplomat The Spanish government condemned on Thursday, March 19, the attacks on critical energy infrastructure in the Middle East by both Israel and Iran, which “represent a new escalation in the conflict, with unpredictable human and environmental consequences.” In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “the Israeli attack on South Pars in Iran, and Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, most recently the brutal bombing of Ras Laffan in Qatar, which Spain rejects in the strongest terms.” The government also “condemns the evacuation warning issued by Iran to the population of Gulf countries residing near gas plants or oil refineries,” a warning that is “illegal, unjustifiable, and impossible to comply with” and “demonstrates the intention to deliberately carry out attacks that are flagrantly illegal under international law.” “Attacks against energy infrastructure are a violation of international humanitarian law and threaten the lives of innocent civilians,” the statement continues. “Spain calls on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further destabilizing effects with global consequences,” it warns. “The Spanish government supports the efforts of the Gulf countries for an urgent de-escalation,” it concludes. For his part, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told BBC News on Thursday that, although the objectives of the United States and Israel are not the same in this conflict, both countries should be aware that the war in the Middle East is “out of control” and has caused the “complete destabilization” of the region and a serious humanitarian and economic crisis, with one million displaced people in Lebanon, risks to the lives of millions, rising energy prices, and threats to the well-being of Spanish and European citizens.

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