Russia, Iran warn against further escalation in Middle East| Highlights

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken in a call on Sunday that Ankara was worried about the potential spread and escalation of the crisis in the Middle East after Iran's attacks on Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source said. 

Fidan told Blinken that the root cause of the crisis in the region was the war in Gaza, and that an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access of humanitarian aid was needed in the enclave, the source said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian noted on Sunday that escalation of the situation and "provocative acts" could boost tension in the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 

"It was noted that a further escalation of tensions in the region and new, dangerous provocative actions could lead to a boost in tensions in the Middle East," the ministry said of a telephone call between the two ministers.

The Israeli military said on Sunday it will soon call up two reserve divisions for operations in Gaza, where it has been conducting a war against Islamist militant group Hamas. 

"In accordance with the situational assessment, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is calling up approximately two reserve brigades for operational activities on the Gazan front," the military said, though it provided no further details. 

Earlier this month Israel pulled some forces out of Gaza, saying troops would be preparing for further operations in the territory, including in the southern area of Rafah, where more than a million people have taken shelter. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to evacuate civilians from Rafah before any incursion aimed at crushing Hamas battalions there, but that has done little to quell international concern over the planned assault.

Leaders of the G7 nations condemned Iran's attack on Israel and said on Sunday that they would work to try to stabilise the situation in the Middle East. 

"With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided," a statement issued by G7 president Italy said after a video conference involving the group's leaders.

Israel praised the success of its defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles while tensions ran high over a possible Israeli counter-strike.

An Israeli military spokesman said Sunday the launches numbered more than 300, but 99% of them were intercepted. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.

Hamas has thrown its support behind Iran following a series of retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel in response to a fatal assault on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, Al Jazeera reported. In a statement released on Saturday, Hamas, which governs the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, voiced solidarity with Iran, asserting the "natural right" of Middle Eastern countries and peoples to defend themselves against "Zionist aggressions." "The military operation carried out by Iran against the Zionist entity is a natural right and a due response to the crime of targeting the consulate in Damascus," it said.

Lebanese group Hezbollah on Sunday praised Iran's attack on Israel, describing it as a "brave" decision. Iran-backed Hezbollah added in a statement that Iran had exercised its legal rights despite "threats, intimidation and pressure".

Leaders of G7 nations on Sunday condemned Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel and called for "restraint" from all sides. "We unanimously condemned Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel", European Council President Charles Michel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following video talks. "We will continue all our efforts to work towards de-escalation. Ending the crisis in Gaza as soon as possible, notably through an immediate ceasefire, will make a difference."

Israel will exact a price from Iran in response to its mass missile and drone attack when the time is right, centrist war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday. "We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us," Gantz said in a statement as the Israeli war cabinet was due to convene to discuss Israel's response to Iran's attack.

President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the U.S. will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran if Israel decides to retaliate for a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory overnight, a White House official said. The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States has put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation. U.S. media reported earlier on Sunday that Biden had informed Netanyahu he would not participate in retaliatory action in a phone call overnight. The remarks were confirmed to Reuters by a White House official.

After tensions flared in West Asia between Israel and Iran, Nepal on Sunday called on both countries and urged for maximum restraints by resolving the issues through diplomatic efforts. In a press release, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that it had been closely following the development in West Asia region. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are seriously concerned at the rising tensions and escalation of hostilities in the region. The Government of Nepal firmly believes in peaceful resolution of disputes, and deplores the use of force. We call on all the parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and use dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace."

Turkey does not want further escalation of tension in the region after Iran's drone and missile attack against Israel, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told Fidan that its "retaliatory operation" against Israel had ended, adding that Iran would not launch a new operation unless it was attacked, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

Israel on Sunday hailed its successful air defences in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran, saying it and its allies thwarted 99 per cent of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched toward its territory. But regional tensions remain high, amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike. US President Joe Biden said he would convene a meeting of the Group of Seven advanced democracies on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack.” The language indicated that the Biden administration does not want to spiral into a broader military conflict. A top US official said the US had informed Israel it does not plan on striking Iran itself.

Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said that they will “exact a price from Iran” in response to the drone and missile attack - when the “time is right”. 

"We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us," Gantz said in a statement. 

The Israeli war cabinet had convened at 6pm (IST) to discuss their response to Iran's unprecedented attack.

The Dutch government on Sunday advised its citizens against travel to Israel due to the uncertain security situation following overnight air strikes by Iran. Issuing an advisory, the Dutch foreign ministry said, “Iran and a number of allies carried out airstrikes against Israel with missiles and drones. It cannot be ruled out that further attacks may follow.”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday condemned Tehran's strikes on Israel and urged a united global response to the "terror" attacks. "Iran's actions threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia's actions threaten a larger conflict," Zelensky wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

He added, “The obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world…Ukraine condemns Iran's attack on Israel using Shahed drones and missiles”.

Air India has temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv amid the escalating tensions in the West Asia region after Iran's unprecedented attack last night. 

Meanwhile, India has issued an advisory urging its citizens living there to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. The embassy informed that it was closely monitoring the situation and was in touch with both the authorities and the diaspora members to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday called on Iran to avoid any further escalation of tension with Israel after its drone and missile attack. Fidan spoke to his Iranian counterpart on phone regarding the tensions in the region.

The attack on Israel on Sunday involved Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - whose role is to protect Iran against internal and external threats. According to reports, the IRGC have more than 190,000 troops under its command. It runs parallel to Iran’s regular armed forces. Read more here

Ambassador of Iran to India Iraj Elahi called the overnight unprecedented attack on Iran “legal and legitimate response”, stating that it was based on the “inherent right of self-defense” and in response to the Israeli military attack on the Iranian embassy.

“We hope that the Zionist Regime has learned a lesson. No doubt if it repeats its evil and terrorist actions again, it will face a decisive response from Iran. The responsibility for escalating the situation lies with Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran has stated many times in its official positions and diplomatic interactions within the framework of principles that it does not want to develop conflicts in the region and has proven this position in practice through restraint,” he told ANI. 

Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday said they informed US that their attack on Israel will be “limited” and will be for “self-defence”. The US has been backing Israel with president Joe Biden claiming that the American forces helped Israel down “nearly all” the drones and missiles fired by Iran overnight. He also pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday that British military jets shot down drones launched by Iran in its attack on Israel. "I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones," Sunak told broadcasters.

Iran's attack on Israel drew applause from many Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday as rare payback for the Israeli offensive on their enclave, although some said they suspected Tehran had staged the assault more for show than to inflict real damage. "For the first time, we saw some rockets that didn’t land in our areas. These rockets were going into the occupied Palestine,” said Abu Abdallah, referring to land that became Israel in 1948 rather the occupied West Bank and Gaza. “We are hopeful that if Iran or any other country enters the war a solution for Gaza might be nearer than ever. The Americans may have to resolve Gaza to end the roots of the problem,” said Abu Abdallah, 32, using a nickname rather than his full name.

Pope Francis on Sunday urged Iran and Israel to avoid actions that could feed "a spiral of violence" and would risk dragging the Middle East deeper into conflict. "Enough war, enough attacks, enough violence. Yes to dialogue, yes to peace," he told pilgrims in St Peter's Square, as quoted by Reuters.

Iran on Sunday has summoned the British, French, and German ambassadors to question their “irresponsible” stance regarding Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Israel. 

Earlier, Israel had said that France was among the countries involved in defending against Iran's overnight attack on Israel.