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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Saturday the military targeting of Iran, denouncing it as a violation of Tehran’s sovereignty and a breach of international laws and norms, state news agency SPA reported.

In a statement, the Kingdom urged all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and to work toward de-escalation and warned of the grave consequences that prolonged military confrontations could have on the region.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its steadfast stance against the ongoing escalation in the region and the widening scope of conflicts that threaten the security and stability of neighboring countries.

It called on the international community to fulfill their responsibilities in promoting peace, reducing tensions, and supporting efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East.

The UAE also condemned the targeting of Iran and stressed the importance of exercising “maximum restraint” to avoid escalation.

In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored commitment to diplomatic channels as the optimal path to de-escalate tensions, urging parties to move away from confrontation and escalation.

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, at war with Israel in Gaza, said it strongly condemned Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran.

“We... condemn in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the targeting of military sites in several provinces,” the movement said in a statement, calling the move “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region.”

Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and urged restraint and dialogue to avoid regional instability.

Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Iran and Western countries, said Israel’s attack on Iran “fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts” to de-escalate.

It said the international community should “put an end to these blatant violations on the territory of neighboring countries”.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry also expressed condemnation and accused Israel of “endangering the security of the region”.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry described the strikes as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

Meanwhile, Jordan said no military planes were allowed to cross its airspace by any conflicting regional parties, state media cited an armed force source as saying.

Expressing its “solidarity” with Iran, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement that it supported “Iran’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its territory and the lives of its citizens.”

The Egyptian foreign ministry expressed grave concern over the Israeli attack on Iran, saying it condemns all measures that threaten regional security and stability.

On Saturday morning, Israel struck military sites in Iran in retaliation against Tehran’s strikes on Israel this month, risking fears of wider war in the Middle East.