On February 28, Israel and the United States suddenly launched military strikes against Iran, affecting many countries in the Middle East. The international community has condemned the US-Israeli military actions and called for diplomatic solutions to the problem.
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that China is highly concerned about the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and that Iran's national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. China calls for an immediate halt to military operations, to avoid further escalation of tensions, to resume dialogue and negotiation, and to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
Many countries in the Middle East are affected
After the attack, Iraq announced the closure of its airspace. The Security Media Center under the Iraqi Joint Operations Command issued a statement on February 28 saying that the northern part of the country's Babylon Province was hit by an air strike that day, killing at least two people and injuring three others.
The roar of planes was heard from time to time over Jordan, and sirens could be heard in the capital Amman. According to Jordanian media reports, missile fragments fell into an uninhabited area in the northern Jordanian city of Irbid. The Jordanian Armed Forces issued a statement saying that it will continue to protect its airspace and safeguard national sovereignty with the highest efficiency and capabilities.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry issued a security alert on the 28th, calling on the public to remain calm and go to the nearest safe location. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain said on the same day that all embassy staff have taken shelter in place and advised all U.S. citizens in Bahrain to take the same measures. Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya TV reported that the U.S. Fifth Fleet Service Center in Bahrain was attacked by a missile that day.
Qatar's Al Jazeera television channel reported, citing sources, that Qatar closed its airspace after the attack. The Qatari Defense Ministry said its air defense system intercepted a missile from Iran. The Ministry of Interior of Qatar issued a statement on social media saying that the security department is closely monitoring the situation around the clock and maintaining coordination with relevant parties to ensure public safety and the normal operation of various services.
In addition, according to media reports from Middle Eastern countries and regions, explosions also sounded in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and other countries that day. Iranian media reported that Iran is attacking US military bases in the Middle East. A U.S. official said that no reports of U.S. military casualties have been received yet. However, this assessment is only current and the situation is still changing. US-Israeli strikes will continue, and Iran is expected to continue to retaliate. U.S. President Trump issued a video speech on social media in the early morning of the 28th, saying that the use of force against Iraq may cause casualties in the United States.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the people on social media that day to remain calm and rational amid the tense regional situation and to put national interests first. He emphasized that the government will not allow any behavior that endangers national security.
The Dubai Airports Company in the United Arab Emirates announced on the afternoon of February 28 that due to changes in the current regional situation, flight operations at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport have been suspended. Dubai Airports advises passengers not to go to the airport and to contact their airline for the latest flight information.
Many Chinese embassies, consulates and offices in Palestine in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, and Israel have issued security reminders to remind local Chinese citizens to pay close attention to the regional security situation and effectively enhance security awareness.
Many countries condemn US-Israeli military action
On February 28, Russia, Spain, France, Oman and other countries condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran, urging relevant parties to exercise restraint, ease the situation, and return to diplomatic means to resolve differences.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the air strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran were a deliberately premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression. Russia demands an immediate political and diplomatic solution to the problem.
The statement pointed out that the military attack by the United States and Israel on a sovereign and independent United Nations member state violated the basic principles and norms of international law. Russia calls on the international community, including the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, to make an objective and uncompromising assessment of actions that undermine peace, stability and security in the Middle East.
Russia believes that bombing nuclear facilities subject to the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards and supervision is "unacceptable" and will have serious consequences for the global nuclear non-proliferation system. The actions of the United States and Israel will push the situation in the Middle East out of control and stimulate many countries, including regional countries, to strengthen their armaments to deal with threats. The statement emphasized that Russia demands an immediate return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement, and that Russia is willing to promote a peaceful settlement of the issue on the basis of international law and the principles of mutual respect and balance of interests.
French President Macron said that the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran would have "serious consequences" for international peace and security, and called on relevant parties to immediately cease fire and resolve differences through negotiations.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez said that he opposed unilateral military actions by the United States and Israel, saying that such actions would escalate the situation and make the international order "more unstable and confrontational." He called on relevant parties to immediately de-escalate the situation and respect international law.
European Council President Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement saying they were "deeply concerned" about the situation and that all parties should "exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and fully respect international law."
German government spokesman Sigmundsson said that Germany is paying close attention to the development of the situation and maintaining close coordination with other European countries.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr shouted to the United States on social media, "This is not your war" and "Don't be further involved." He was disappointed that "positive and serious negotiations have once again been undermined." Oman was the mediator in previous indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement "strongly condemning" the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, calling it a "direct attack" on the security and stability of the entire Middle East region.
Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez said that the US-Israeli attack on Iran "violated Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and related actions were "irresponsible" and undermined international peace and security.
