German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of further escalation in the Middle East after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
“Iran risks igniting the entire region: this must be prevented at all costs,” the German leader said in a statement published on Wednesday.
Scholz pointed out that it was only thanks to Israel’s air defenses and allies that the Iranian attack on Tuesday night was largely repelled.
Scholz called on the Iranian militia Hezbollah in Lebanon and Tehran to immediately stop attacks on Israel.
The German government will continue to work together with its partners to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Scholz said.
A cessation of hostilities must be the first step in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulates that Hezbollah must withdraw from the border area with Israel, Scholz said.
“This would pave the way for the return of people to northern Israel and at the same time open the perspective of consolidating Lebanese statehood,” it is added.
